Archbishop Carroll boys shock Neumann-Gorett

Finally.

Following season after season of heartbreak, the Archbishop Carroll boys' basketball team finally defeated Neumann-Goretti.

And the victory came in the biggest game in school history.

The Patriots beat the Saints, 70-65, in last night's PIAA Class AAA state quarterfinal at Archbishop Ryan.

Carroll had lost this season's previous two meetings and last 18 matchups against its Catholic League Blue Division rival. Before last night, the Patriots' last series victory against St. John Neumann had come in February 2001. Neumann merged with St. Maria Goretti before the 2004-05 season.

"I just said to myself, 'I refuse to lose to them again,' " said Carroll junior guard D.J. Irving, whose squad is ranked ninth in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer. "I have lost to them so many times since I've been to Carroll. I love our seniors on the team. And I wasn't going to let them down."

As a result, the Patriots (25-3) advanced to Tuesday's semifinal round in this, the PCL's first season as an active PIAA member. Carroll will face York Suburban, a winner last night over Crestwood.

The win also sent a shockwave around the state.

Neumann-Goretti (26-3), the area's top-ranked team, was heavily favored to win the state title. The Saints are also the nation's 14th-ranked team, according to ESPN Rise 50 rankings.

On this day, however, Neumann-Goretti was no match for Irving.

The 5-foot-11 speedster scorched the Saints for 26 points, four assists, and two steals. Thirteen of his points came in the third quarter, with his highlight being a three-pointer from just beyond halfcourt at the third-quarter buzzer.

"I love him, man," said Carroll sophomore guard Juan'ya Green. "The best backcourt I played with. He works hard."

Green and teammates Andre Wilburn and Ben Mingledough also stood out.

Quiet for much of the game, Green stepped up in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 of his 16 points. The sophomore guard made 7 of 8 clutch foul shots in the fourth quarter.

His final two points gave Carroll a 70-65 lead with 6.9 seconds left. Green also had four assists.

Wilburn, a senior swingman, had 14 points and seven rebounds. Mingledough, a junior guard, added 11 points.

Even with those four standing out, Neumann-Goretti still had opportunities to win.

Lamin Fulton's three-pointer pulled the Saints to within 68-65 with eight seconds remaining.

Unfortunately for Neumann-Goretti, that was as close as it got.

Archbishop Carroll 12 12 20 26 - 70

Neumann-Goretti 8 16 15 26 - 65

AC: Kasheef Festus 3, Juan'ya Green 16, D.J. Irving 26, Andre Wilburn 14, Ben Mingledough 11. NG: Tony Chennault 23, Mustafaa Jones 3, Tyreek Duren 6, Daniel Stewart 11, Andre Gillette 14, Lamin Fulton 6, Billy Shank 2.