Photos/Videos: Luke Gallagher & Rich Flanagan
By: Rich Flanagan
PHILADELPHIA – Neumann-Goretti was ready to make its run.
Historically, when an opposing team has come into the South Philadelphia gym during Carl Arrigale’s tenure, the Saints have been known to use their quick-scoring offense and full-court pressure defense to take the opposition out of its rhythm and the game turns into a route.
On this night, an anomaly occurred that perhaps has only happened a handful of times since Arrigale took over the Neumann-Goretti program, one he has led to 12 Philadelphia Catholic League and nine PIAA state titles.
St. Joe’s Prep was the last team to beat Neumann-Goretti on its home floor in a Philadelphia Catholic League playoff game back in 2018 when the likes of Darius Kinnel, Kyle Thompson, Trevor Wall, and Ed Croswell led the way to an incredible and what many believed to be improbable win. This time, the Hawks did something few had ever done in not only halting that looming run but answering the call and putting it away in an impressive fashion.
Jordan Ellerbee poured in 16 of his game-high 21 points in the second half while Jalen Harper posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds as St. Joe’s Prep secured a 79-71 win over Neumann-Goretti on Friday night. Neumann-Goretti trailed by 10 at halftime but made its push in the third as DeShawn Yates and Torrey Brooks hit back-to-back three-pointers then Stephon Ashley-Wright converted a nifty finish past two defenders and the Saints trailed, 46-44.
Neumann-Goretti vs. St. Joseph's Prep - PSD Game Highlights by Rich Flanagan
The Hawks methodically took control of the game with pinpoint ball movement and constant motion that has given opposing defenses fits as their multitude of scoring options mirror the versatility of that 2018 team.
Harper converted in the lane then Ellerbee hit a pair of free throws, but the Saints kept coming. Ashley-Wright showed shades of his older brother, Robert Wright III, with 18 points as a quick blow-by cut the Neumann-Goretti deficit to two heading into the fourth. Ellerbee began a personal 8-0 run with a pair of three-pointers and suddenly St. Joe’s Prep (15-4, 8-2 Philadelphia Catholic League) led 58-50. Ellerbee scored 12 points in the fourth quarter alone then Olin Chamberlain Jr., who had 15 points and six assists, drilled a trey and the lead grew to 61-52.
It was a response that head coach Jason Harrigan felt this group would not have made a season ago.
St. Joe’s Prep was the last team to beat Neumann-Goretti on its home floor in a PCL Game in 2018, and just did again Friday evening - PSD Photo by Luke Gallagher
“It’s growth and them understanding the game more while becoming better players,” Harrigan said. “I think last year they may have had a shot to do it, but they didn’t understand the moment. They also trust each other more now. All five guys trust that we can take care of the basketball in that moment.”
Keon Long-Mtume (13 points) converted an and-one then Brooks (14) put home a vintage left-handed layup and Ashley-Wright had another layup of his own, and the Saints were within four with 4:12 left to play.
Once again, the Hawks answered as Ellerbee sank a pull-up in the lane then Harper nailed the biggest three to that point and the Hawks were in front, 68-61.
While Ellerbee, Chamberlain and Jaron McKie are juniors, Harper is the calming senior leader who can pull off a highlight dunk or alley-oop, or hit a big shot in a clutch situation, as he did in this one.
Chamberlain answered Harper’s three then the 6-foot-3 senior sank two of the Hawks eight, straight free throws to close out the victory. According to Harper, the maturity to run out the clock and force Neumann-Goretti (16-2, 7-2) to foul forecasted that St. Joe’s Prep was not only ready for the Saints’ run but this moment.
“Last year, we probably would’ve taken another shot, but we chose to bring it back out because we’ve been in situations like that,” Harper said. “We took our time and did it.”
What makes this Hawks team potentially more potent than the 2018 version is that McKie, the leading scorer coming into the contest at 18.4 points per game, knocked down five three-pointers on his way to 19 points but only had three of those points after halftime. The versatility is startling but more than that, the offensive efficiency may be the best the Philadelphia Catholic League has to offer. The Hawks hit 13 three-pointers, marking another contest they reached double-digit makes from behind the arc this season, and they shot the lights out in the first half going 15-22 from the field. McKie alone was 6-6 in the first two quarters, and he and Ellerbee hit threes on consecutive possessions to push the lead to 34-24 with 1:52 left before halftime.
St. Joseph's Prep senior Jalen Harper #3 scored 19 points in the Hawks win vs. Neumann-Goretti - PSD Photo by Luke Gallagher
Harrigan allows this group to play with such freedom and ease, and its ability to not only get shots but make them at such a high percentage can be so demoralizing for a defense. Time and again, the Saints ran at St. Joe’s Prep players, who turned a pump fake into a drive then into a kick out and that eventually turned into another drive and kick followed by an open three from the wing. The concept is simple, but the result is the most consistent the league has seen this year. Even without Catholic University commit Matt Gorman, Harrigan and the Hawks rolled and looked as good as they have all season.
“We look at our team and have seven guards who can play,” Harrigan said. “Most teams don’t have that, let alone on the court at all times. We feel we have opportunities to drive and we shoot the ball a lot. It’s not about an individual getting their shots but rather getting ‘our’ shots.”
Neumann-Goretti dropped its second game in a row and, while it looked much better than its previous game – a 56-34 loss to Roman Catholic – the Saints are reeling right now following the loss of St. Joe’s commit Khaafiq Myers (torn ACL). Furthermore, Hofstra commit Amir Williams has missed the last four games with a shoulder injury and there is no timeline on when he will return.
That means Ashley-Wright, Brooks, Long-Mtume and Yates, who had 16 points, have to do even more and it was almost enough. Yates came out of the half scorching as he hit a trey then Long-Mtume turned the corner and scored, and finally Yates and Ashley-Wright hit a free throw each to put the Saints within five. McKie drained a three from the corner to spur the deciding run by the Hawks in that third quarter.
It was a night that produced questions about Neumann-Goretti’s ability to answer runs once one of its own has been given a response, and that is not something that has been put into question very often under Arrigale. While the Saints still have a chance to host a quarterfinal game if it wins out down the stretch, this game was a real eye-opener into areas of improvement for Arrigale’s team.
“I’ve been doing this too long and there’s no excuses,” Arrigale said. “We’re in a tough league. We have to keep fighting and working, and we have to make the effort on the defensive end.”
The Hawks were rolling through league play with six straight wins, including a victory over Archbishop Ryan to open the league portion of the schedule. Losses to Archbishop Wood and Father Judge put St. Joe’s Prep in a difficult position as it dropped out of the top spot in the Philadelphia Catholic League standings. Following the win Friday night, St. Joe’s Prep looks to be a legitimate threat to get to the Palestra and take home its first league title since 2004. Harper knows what a win like this can do for a team poised for a breakthrough.
“It’s a real confidence booster,” Harper said. “We really needed this win to stay in the standings and knew what we had to do.”