District 2 Second Round Game Recap (Holy Redeemer vs. Neumann-Goretti)

Written by: Jon K on March 12, 2020

March 11, 2020

Another District 2 Team Falls to Top-Ranked Team

Neumann-Goretti 87, Holy Redeemer 49

By Phil T.

EASTON –  A night after Valley View fell to the top ranked 4A school, Holy Redeemer faced the top ranked 3A school in the state, Neumann-Goretti. 

Neumann-Goretti came into Wednesday night’s game with a bit more acclaim than Valley View’s opponent, Bonner-Prendergast. The Saints came in winners of eight of the last ten 3A PIAA State Tournaments and regarded as the No. 1 overall team in Pennsylvania. With three starters committed to Division 1 universities, the Saint’s top-ranking is understandably deserved.

It would not take long for the Saints to jump out to an early lead as triples by Cameron Young and Jordan Hall put the Saints up 8-0 before Justice Shoats got the Royals on the board.

Neumann would answer back with three additional triples to increase their lead to 19-1. The Saints would make seven of their eight field-goals from beyond the arc in the opening period as they took a 25-7 lead into the second quarter.

The Royals would find their offensive groove in the following quarter as a 7-point spurt from Mason Mendygral would lower Redeemer’s deficit below 20 points.  But Goretti’s hot shooting, 12 buckets from long-range in the half, would prove too much for the Royals as the Saints took a 46-26 lead into the locker room at halftime.

In the second half, the Saints shooting cooled off a bit, but with a 20-point lead and strong defense Neumann would secure its victory and advance to the PIAA 3A Quarter-finals in hopes of continuing their dominance in the tournament.

The Saints were led by Hakim Byrd, Marist commit, with 23 points and Jordan Hall, St. Joseph’s commit, with 19 points. Bowling Green commit, Cameron Young, recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds for Neumann-Goretti.

The Royals were led by Mason Mendygral with 12 points. Holy Redeemer’s district-winning season unfortunately came to an end, but with four starters returning next season, they look poised to build upon their previous success. 

Follow LLhoops on Twitter @LLhoops