DREXEL HILL – Outside a jubilant locker room, the coach and players said all the right things. It was, indeed, just one game, just one win, just one hurdle.
But it was more than that.
Bonner-Prendergast’s 73-70 victory over visiting Neumann-Goretti Sunday afternoon, which elevated the Friars (15-3 overall, 8-1 league) past the previously undefeated Saints (12-4, 7-1), was a statement. Whether that statement is eventually included in a state of the union address while holding the Catholic League boys’ basketball plaque at the Palestra on February 26 is another matter entirely.
When a team defeats a program that, despite losing in the past two finals, is still recognized as the league’s head honcho, it’s big. Include the fact that it was B-P’s first triumph over N-G just short of one decade, and the magnification increases exponentially.
“We were trying to make a statement that we are the best team in the Catholic League,” said junior Isaiah Wong. “We all communicated, played defense, and we got a lot of scoring.”
Wong led all marksmen with 26 points. In 18 games, Wong has averaged 21 points per game, has scored 20 or more on 11 occasions, and has not scored fewer than 15.
The second leading scorer (behind Conwell-Egan senior Patrick Robinson) had lots of help. Junior Tariq Ingraham contributed 16 points, senior Ajiri Johnson 13, and sophomore Donovan Rodriguez matched his career high with 10.
B-P coach Jack Concannon lauded his young backcourt of Rodriguez and Mahir Sharif (six points).
“They handled themselves very well,” said Concannon “Playing in an environment like that against a team like that, you’re going to make mistakes. But they kept going after it.”
Concannon, an All-Catholic on the 1983 Monsignor Bonner team that captured the first of two straight Catholic League championships, acknowledged the Friars’ special accomplishment but cautioned everyone to maintain perspective.
“It’s a big win only because our records are similar,” he said. “Other than that it’s just another win. It’s just the way it is in this league. It’s no bigger than the one (we have to get) Friday night (against Lansdale Catholic).”
Players and coaches appreciated the raucous sold-out crowd.
“It’s great,” said Concannon. “Students come in and get into it. The place is packed. It makes a big different for the kids. It gets the kids amped up. If you can’t get excited to play in this environment, then you can’t get excited.”
Senior Ajiri Johnson, who provided the play of the game – a thunderous put-back slam dunk that ignited the gymnasium – agreed.
“It’s very important to us, and it’s important to the alumni,” said Johnson. “Everybody has been talking about it for days. I knew it was going to be crazy.”
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or Twitter @johnknebels.com.)
