Neumann-Goretti Defeats Overbrook 84-55 for PIAA District 12 Class 4A Championship: Kehler on Hoops
Written by: Dell Jackson on March 1, 2023
Neumann-Goretti Defeats Overbrook 84-55 for PIAA District 12 Class 4A Championship
Robert Wright III broke Neumann-Goretti’s single game scoring record, tallying 43 points on Wednesday night, to lead his team to an 84 to 55 victory over Overbrook in the PIAA District 12 Class 4A championship game played at LaSalle College HS. Wright, a 6’ junior committed to Baylor U., was a Class 4A First Team All-State selection last season, and he was also selected Class 4A Player of the Year. Neumann’s previous single game scoring record was 40 points, set by Billy Oakes in 1961. Wright’s 43 points vs. Overbrook is the highest point total scored by a Philadelphia Catholic League player this season.
Overbrook is coached by Bo Kimble, a Philadelphia native who played college ball at Loyola Marymount then in the NBA with the Clippers and the Knicks. He was a first round draft choice of the Clippers in 1990. Paul Westhead was Bo Kimble’s college coach, and Overbrook is using Westhead’s high octane offensive approach.
Overbrook led in the early stages of the first quarter, but Neumann took the lead 10 to 9 on a 3-pointer by 6’ 1” senior Bruce Smith, then Neumann went on a tear. Neumann scored 33 points in the first quarter, 11 of them by Smith—who hit three 3-pointers in the first frame—and 16 of them by Wright. Overbrook quickly fell far behind. The mercy rule threshold was reached with 2:02 left in the second quarter and implemented at the beginning of the second half.
Neumann’s Wright was on fire throughout the game. He made five 3-pointers in the contest and 14 2-point field goals. He had several steals that he converted to breakaway layups. For Overbrook, 6’ 4” junior Jayden Robinson had a nice game, finishing with 21 points. However, Neumann just had too much firepower for Overbrook.
Neumann out-rebounded Overbrook 35 to 25. Neumann had 10 turnovers, while Overbrook had 19 miscues. Neumann was nine of 11 from the free throw line, and Overbrook was seven of 12 from the stripe. Neumann made 11 3-pointers, and Overbrook scored four times from beyond the arc. There were two ties and three lead changes early in the game.
Neumann-Goretti scoring: Robert Wright III 43, Bruce Smith 16, Sultan Adewale 12, DeShawn Yates 4, Amir Williams 3, Stephon Ashley-Wright 3, and Kai James 3.
Overbrook scoring: Jayden Robinson 21, Omar Davis 10, Michael James 10, Charlie Belcher 6, Ethan Kimble 6, and Tahmiere Manning 2.
Neumann-Goretti 33 28 12 11-84
Overbrook 15 14 13 13-55
Both teams will participate in the PIAA Class 4A state championship tournament. Neumann is the defending Class 4A state champion.
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