Neumann-Goretti boys rock Octorara, 57-30
Octorara made a big splash this season. The Braves won the Ches-Mont League championship, claimed their first District 1 crown since 1986 and survived two taut state playoff contests.
Octorara made a big splash this season. The Braves won the Ches-Mont League championship, claimed their first District 1 crown since 1986 and survived two taut state playoff contests.
But, as it found out in Friday's PIAA Class AAA quarterfinal playoff, Gene Lambert's squad didn't have near enough in the arsenal to keep pace with defending state titlist and District 12 powerhouse Neumann-Goretti.
With junior wing guard Billy Shank delivering a game-high 18 points, all from beyond the arc, the Saints broke things open in the second half and easily triumphed, 57-30, at Norristown High.
With its pressure man-to-man defense, Neumann-Goretti smothered quick-footed guards Lamont Clark and Charles Cooper. The savvy duo, potent all season, combined for just 10 points.
High-leaping sophomore forward John Davis (11 points) and senior point guard Lamin Fulton (10) joined Shank, who had four second-half treys, in double figures.
Next for the Saints (25-4) is a semifinal date on Wednesday, with the site and time to be determined, against District 3 champion Lancaster Catholic, a 56-41 winner Friday over District 2 winner Holy Redeemer
In the second quarter, Fulton's right-wing trey, junior sub La'Quan Coaxum's driving layup and Shank's triple from up top put the Catholic League champions in front, 24-11. With a free throw from Clark and a follow from 6-foot-2 junior Mike Navarro, Octorara (23-6) closed the gap to 26-16 at the break.
At the end of the third quarter, Shank's left-wing trey made it 37-22. From there, the closest the Braves got, thanks to Cooper's trey early in the fourth, was 37-26.
Following Cooper's triple, a slam by Davis and Shank's fifth bomb of the night increased the lead to 16.
Later in the fourth period, Shank's final triple, Fulton's three-point play and an inside bucket by 6-5 junior Derrick Stewart made it 50-27. With 1 minute, 54 seconds to go, most of the Saints' starters gave way to the subs.
James Brown, a 6-2 junior forward, led Octorara, which was held to eight points in each of the first two quarters, with eight points. Clark, a 5-10, 165-pound senior lead guard who is hearing from the likes of Alvernia, Albright and Immaculata, netted seven.
For the season, Shank has hit 69 threes. Fulton, who had a second-quarter trey, has totaled 59.
Neumann-Goretti 13 13 11 20 - 57
Octorara 8 8 6 8 - 30
NG: Lamin Fulton 10, Billy Shank 18, Derrick Stewart 5, John Davis 11, Ja'Quan Newton 3, La'Quan Coaxum 2, Shane Thomas 2, Jamal Custis 2, Troy Harper 2, Hanif Sutton 2.
O: Lamont Clark 7, Charles Cooper 3, Conor Kasabo 3, Mike Navarro 4, James Brown 8, Dequan Newton 2, Mauriece Bowers 3.
