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BOYS' BASKETBALL: A Passion Fueled Neumann Goretti Heads to Semifinals with Win Over Archbishop Carroll

By Serenity Bishop , 02/20/17, 11:45AM EST

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SOUTH PHILADELPHIA -- In the first round of playoffs, the spectators at Neumann Goretti gymnasium were given a treat when the No. 2 Seeded Saints went up against No. 7 Archbishop Carroll Friday night. The matchup between these two teams was a battle to say the least, but the game would end just like most of the games ended this season for Neuman Goretti. The Saints coasted to a 73-55 victory allowing them to move on to the semifinals.

“We were supposed to prove a point today,” University of Kentucky commit Quade Green said. “Everyone has been disrespecting us lately, so we needed to prove a point today.”

Green and the rest of the Saints came out the gate more aggressive than usual in Friday night’s match-up. Green dished out an easy two points to Villanova commit Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree on a high pick and roll to get the game going. Carroll responded and traded points back and forth, however, Carroll’s points were coming off second chance points. Neumann Goretti struggled hard to box out, but Carroll would not go down easily.

It took an early substitution for the Saints to fix their rebounding issue. Neumann Goretti head coach Carl Arrigale subbed in Temple Football commit Emil Moody pairing him with Roundtree, Green, guard Chris Ings and forward Mike Milsip. Together, this unit would set up a 10-point lead that if maintained, would allow them to move on to the next round.

“It was real up and down for us. I felt like the game was too close,” Roundtree said. “We played really well in stretches, but we need to be consistent. I feel like we can get better. We have to stay more locked in on defense.”


NG'S Dhamir Crosby-Roundtree at the Foul Line Early in the First Quarter photo: Serenity Bishop

As the Saints continued to adjust their defense, Carroll would always find a way to exploit a different weakness. They started with attacking the board, but when Moody was subbed in, Carroll switched to taking outside shots. Much to Carroll’s frustration, they just couldn’t make their outside attempts count.

The Saints then capitalized on a 11-0 run. However, once again, Carroll would ease their way back on the shoulders of senior Colin Daly.

“We went down early and it was just hard to come back from that. We fought. We cut it down to eight, but it was hard with that deficit,” Daly said.


NG's Chris Ings at the Foul Line photo: Serenity Bishop

The Saints won the first half 37-26 and did not look back once the second half started. Throughout the  second half, the Saints managed to maintain at least a 10-point lead thanks to court presence of Chris Ings.  Ings only scored 10-points in the game, but his play largely impacted the game, especially when Carroll decided to bring the double team onto Green.

“The main reason was, I checked the All-Catholic list and I wasn’t on it, but there were players from Carroll on it and players that I know and I just took it to heart, I took it personally,” Ings said. “I felt disrespected. The higher we go the higher I raise my level. When we get to the Palestra there’s going to be a new Chris.”

Roundtree led the Saints with 22-points followed by Green’s 14 and Ings’ 10.

“They are not your typical seventh seed in the Catholic league. They are a very good team. I thought we might play them in the playoffs, but not the first game, but it was a great game for our guys to get tested in.” said Arrigale. “We could’ve played a little smarter, but we were pretty sound defensively. We just have to keep getting better.”

“I felt we came into it a confident bunch,” said Carrol head coach Paul Romanczuk. “Unfortunately, they hit us with that first punch and you know, we dug ourselves just a little bit too deep of a hole there. But, I am really proud of the battle and the toughness. We still have some basketball still in us and I'm thrilled to be locking arm and arm with these guys going forward."

Carroll senior Khari Williams and junior Justin Anderson both led the team with 14-points.

“Take Pride, always take pride” said Williams, when asked for some words of advice to leave to his team for next season.

“That Carroll red and white that we wear on our chest means something in the Catholic league. We have to come out every night and every night someone else is going to give us their best so, every night we have to give a hundred percent,” said Williams.


Neumann Goretti and Archbishop Carroll Tip off to Quarterfinal photo: Serenity Bishop

Neuman Goretti will face Roman Catholic this Wednesday, February 22nd at the Palestra in the semifinal round of the PCL Championships. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m.