Neumann-Goretti Defeats Roman Catholic 62-60: Kehler on Hoops

Written by: Dell Jackson on February 4, 2023

Neumann-Goretti Defeats Roman Catholic 62-60

Shorthanded Neumann-Goretti defeated visiting Roman Catholic 62 to 60 in a Philadelphia Catholic League game between two defending PIAA state champions on Friday night before a packed house in south Philadelphia. With tonight’s result, Neumann and Roman are tied for first place in the Philadelphia Catholic League standings with 9-1 league records. These teams are likely to collide again later this month in the league playoffs. Neumann-Goretti is favored to repeat as this season’s PIAA Class 4A state champion, and Roman Catholic is favored to repeat as PIAA Class 6A champ.

Neumann-Goretti junior Robert Wright III was a 1st team Class 4A All-State selection and the Pennsylvania Class 4A Player of the Year last season. Wright, who has committed to attend Baylor U., was unavailable on Friday night for the game against Roman Catholic. Despite missing their most outstanding player, Neumann overcame a significant first quarter deficit to defeat their arch-rival Roman. The game was fast-paced, and every one of the 32 minutes was fiercely contested.

The game was tied at 2, 4, and 6 in the early going, then Roman went on a 13 to 2 run, consisting of a jumper by 6’ 2” senior Xzayvier Brown, a fast break dunk by 6’ 4” senior Jermai Stewart-Herring, a putback by 6’ 7” sophomore Shareef Jackson, a hoop inside by Stewart-Herring, a 3-pointer by Brown, and a putback by Stewart-Herring. That made it 19 to 8, Roman. Roman out-rebounded Neumann 12 to four in the first quarter, and Roman scored on four putbacks in the first frame. Roman led 22 to 10 at the end of the first quarter.

Neumann-Goretti got back into the game in the second quarter. Neumann began to find the range on their outside shots, and they sank five 3-pointers in the second period. Midway through the second frame, Neumann switched from man-to-man defense to a 2-3 zone, and the zone gave Roman trouble. Neumann’s rebounding improved in the second quarter, as their outstanding team quickness was a factor in collecting caroms. Neumann out-rebounded Roman 10 to eight in the second quarter. Roman’s lead was cut to 34 to 32 at halftime.

Neumann opened the second half in man-to-man defense, and Roman quickly responded with a 3-pointer by Stewart-Herring and a free throw by 6’ 6” senior Anthony Finkley. The teams exchanged scores for several minutes, then a couple of free throws by Stewart-Herring gave Roman a 43 to 37 lead. Both teams switched to 2-3 zone defenses, and, once again, going to a 2-3 zone worked for Neumann. Neumann launched a 10 to 2 run, consisting of a 3-pointer by 6’ 2” senior Bruce Smith, a putback by 6’ 5” junior Amir Williams, a fast break layup by 5’ 10” junior Khaafiq Meyers, and a 3-pointer by 6’ freshman Stephon Ashley-Wright. Ashley-Wright’s 3-pointer gave Neumann their first lead of the game, at 47-45, and they never trailed from that point. Roman tied the game at 47 on a fast break layup by Brown, but a 3-pointer by Neumann’s Meyers at the buzzer ending the third quarter gave the home side a 50 to 47 lead, and Neumann led the rest of the way.

After they fell behind, Roman rushed some shots, and Neumann opened the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run on a 3-pointer by 6’ 8” senior Sultan Adewale, a conventional three point play by Adewale, and a 3-pointer by Ashley-Wright. That made it 59-42, Neumann. Then, Roman launched a furious rally, spearheaded by Xzayvier Brown, who scored nine points in the fourth quarter. Roman cut Neumann’s lead to 61 to 60 with with a 3-pointer by Brown with less than a minute left. Neumann’s Adewale made a free thrown, and, trailing 62 to 60, Roman had one last possession, but their final shot went awry.

Roman out-rebounded Neumann 38 to 32. Neumann had 11 turnovers to eight for Roman. In a key statistic, Neumann was more accurate from the stripe. Neumann was seven for 10 from the free throw line, while Roman was five for 13. Neumann made 11 3-pointers, and Roman made nine shots from beyond the arc. There were four ties and one lead change.

Neumann-Goretti scoring: Khaafiq Meyers 16, Stephon Ashley-Wright 15, Sultan Adewale 11, Bruce Smith 10, Amir Williams 7, and Matt Guokas 3.

Roman Catholic scoring: Xzayvier Brown 27, Jermai Stewart-Herring 20, Eric Oliver-Bush 7, Anthony Finkley 4, and Shareef Jackson 2.

Neumann’s Meyers and Ashley-Wright were outstanding all night. Meyers was the shortest player on the floor, but he had nine rebounds and five assists. His teammate Adewale, who was a 1st team Class 4A All-State selection last season, had five rebounds. Roman’s Jackson had 11 rebounds and three assists, and his teammates Stewart-Herring and Oliver-Bush each had seven rebounds and four assists.

Roman Catholic 22 12 13 13-60
Neumann-Goretti 10 22 18 12-62

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