Photos/Videos: Rich Flanagan, John Knebels & Kathy Leister
By: Rich Flanagan
PHILADELPHIA – There isn’t a single head coach in the Philadelphia Catholic League with as much experience being at the Palestra than Carl Arrigale.
Not coincidentally, Neumann-Goretti generally has a host of players who have made multiple trips to the Cathedral of College Basketball and understand the fortitude and perseverance it takes to win there. The last time the title was won at the Palestra, the Saints, led by seniors Jordan Hall (St. Joe’s), Cameron Young (Bowling Green), Hakim Byrd (UMBC) and junior Hysier Miller (Temple), were the ones hoisting the trophy after having lost in the semifinals as juniors. That experience matters, but for the first time in several years, it was as barren as any of Arrigale’s teams in recent memory.
Masud Stewart was a member of the 2020 title team but played sparingly while Aamir Hurst was on the team but did not play. The Saints have been led by their two senior guards but even more so by two outstanding sophomores in Robert Wright III and Khaafiq Myers. It’s a Neumann-Goretti team that is eerily reminiscent of the 2012 title team, when sophomore Ja’Quan Newton and freshman Lamarr “Fresh” Kimble teamed with upperclassmen John Davis, Billy Shank and Derrick Stewart to secure the crown at the Palestra. On Wednesday night, with its student section and a host of alumni and fans on-hand for the first time in years, it was a return to normalcy in more ways than one.
Wright and Myers combined to score the Saints’ final 13 points as Neumann-Goretti downed Roman Catholic, 62-60 in the Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals. The win puts the Saints in the league title game, where they will meet Archbishop Ryan on Monday night, for the 17th time since 2000.
Having the Neumann-Goretti fanbase behind his team to celebrate another victory on a floor he has grown quite accustomed to coaching on made Arrigale feel a sense of elation not felt for maybe two seasons.
Roman Catholic vs. Neumann-Goretti PCL Semifinal Highlights by Rich Flanagan & Kathy LEister
Post Game Press Conference: NG Sophomore Robert Wright (L), Coach Carl Arrigale, sophomore Khaafig Myers - Video John Knebels
“The last time it was real, we won,” Arrigale said. “I really wanted these guys to experience it. Masud played in the semifinal game two years ago, but I don’t think I got him off the bench in the final. Aamir was on that team but didn’t play. All the other guys are new. I’ve seen this place swallow guys up. Hopefully, when you get that second game, guys are a little more poised to play.”
Neumann-Goretti (16-4) was not afraid of the moment as they ran out to a 13-4 lead in the first quarter with Myers and Wright accounting for the final seven points of that run. Stewart had five of his nine points in the first to set the tone early. Wright scored 20 points, becoming the first Neumann-Goretti player to score 20 in a semifinal game since Chris Ings (Norfolk State) had 28 against the Cahillites in 2019. Additionally, Wright is the first Saints player to score 20 points in consecutive Philadelphia Catholic League playoff games since Quade Green and Zane Martin both accomplished that feat in 2016.
Neumann-Goretti senior Masud Stewart can’t wait for the PCL championship - Video by John Knebels
Head coach Carl Arrigale said the Saints "Have more to give" - Video by John KNebels
Wright is quickly becoming a household name and his play during this postseason run has put the league on notice.
“I was really looking forward to it because I’ve never played for something this big,” Wright said. “I was honored to be out on the court and give it my all.”
Roman Catholic (18-4), which had defeated the Saints, 64-55 at St. Joe’s Prep on Feb. 4, climbed back into it in the second quarter behind its high-scoring duo of Daniel Skillings Jr. and Khalil Farmer. Farmer nailed a fadeaway on the baseline then later knocked down a three-pointer from the top of the key to tie the game at 23-23 with 2:58 left before halftime. Skillings scored six of his game-high 23 points to close out the quarter, including a put-back to give the Cahillites a four-point cushion going into the locker room.
Roman Catholic freshman Shareef Jackson, who was phenomenal down low with 11 rebounds and three blocks, finished a left hook to begin the second half. Myers scored four points during a 10-4 run and finished the game with 16, one shy off his career high. Sultan Adewale, who had 10 rebounds, closed out the third with an offensive rebound and assist to Wright, who hit a floater in the lane, then his put-back at the buzzer gave Neumann-Goretti a 46-40 lead heading into the final quarter.
Neumann-Goretti vs. Roman Catholic - PSD Semifinal Gallery by Kathy Leister
It was a breakout game for Myers, who recalled several things that the Saints struggled with during their first matchup with the Cahillites.
“We had the game plan prepared for the last couple days,” Myers said. “While we lost to Roman before, we made up for it by watching film and going over the good and the bad. We played our hearts out and didn’t regret anything when we came into the locker room.”
Neumann-Goretti sophomore Robert Wright III (#2) led the Saints with 20 points in the PCL semifinal - PSD Photo by Kathy Leister
Skillings, who had a double-double by adding 11 boards, started the fourth with a put-back to make it a four-point game then Farmer converted 1-of-2 at the free throw line. Hurst and Xzayvier Brown exchanged three-pointers then Wright began the fourth-quarter onslaught that was he and his backcourt mate. Wright got free on the baseline and finished on the other side of the rim then Myers drilled a trey to make it 54-49 with three minutes left to play. A pair of free throws from Wright then one from Myers put the Saints up by five but Quadir Brown came up big for Roman Catholic by converting an and-one to cut the deficit to 59-57 with 21.6 seconds left.
Myers sank two more free throws then Farmer miraculously knocked down a three-pointer from straightaway while moving to his right and the Neumann-Goretti lead was down to 61-60 with 6.4 seconds remaining. Wright hit one more free throw and Farmer’s desperation jumper from just inside the arc went off the front of the rim to commence the Saints’ celebration.
Arrigale will now be going for Philadelphia Catholic League title No. 12 and, while he already holds the record for the most titles by a head coach, this win was more about that indispensable experience that Wright and Myers gained by not only playing in this atmosphere but by also coming out on top.
“I really wanted these guys to get here and experience this as tenth graders,” Arrigale said. “They exceeded my expectations because they came in here and won the game.”
No 4. Neumann-Goretti will play No. 6 Archbishop Ryan on Monday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. at the Palestra, following the PCL girls championship.