Paul Newman helps Roman top PW for trip to state final

Paul Newman's emergence as an offensive weapon for Roman Catholic against Plymouth Whitemarsh helped punch a return ticket to Hershey.

With the 6-foot-9, 240-pound center as the X-factor, the defending state champions stormed past the undermanned Colonials, 64-45, in Tuesday night's PIAA Class 4A semifinal at Council Rock South.

Newman netted 12 points, collected six boards and was involved in keeping PW's Mike Lotito, a 6-6 senior forward, scoreless on only four field-goal attempts.

"We're very excited to get back to where we finished last year," Newman said. "Our coaches said afterward, 'Let's go for the chocolate.' "

The Cahillites (26-4) will take on District 8's Allderdice (28-1) for top honors at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Giant Center. The Dragons crushed District 3's Reading, 70-45, in Tuesday's other semifinal.

Newman shot 4 for 6 from the field and 4 for 4 from the line against the Colonials. His back-to-back inside buckets, with him displaying a nifty move on the second, provided a 25-21 edge in the second quarter.

"I was just trying to be more aggressive, trying to get to the hole more," he said. "I was looking to take whatever they were giving me."

Ahead by 30-25 at the break, Roman, which was slowed by eight first-quarter turnovers, took firm control with an 11-2 burst at the start of the third frame. Nazeer Bostick's driving layup and D'Andre Vilmar's dunk made it 41-27.

Newman has strong hoops bloodlines. His 6-5 father, also named Paul, starred at South Jersey's Willingboro (Class of 1986) and was a 1,000-point career scorer at Delaware State.

"When I was younger, my dad would dominate me in one-on-one games," the 17-year-old said. "Now, it's a different story."

Newman says he has a scholarship offer from Delaware State but is giving serious consideration to playing at Brown and majoring in pharmaceutical sales.

"He's put a lot of work into his academics," his father said. "I'm very proud of him."

Bostick scored 15 of his 17 points against PW (28-3) in the second half. Tony Carr netted 14 points, six boards, and five assists, and Stevens notched eight boards and seven points.

"They were just too big and athletic," Colonials boss Jim Donofrio said. "They know how to play the game fast but calm. They come at you in waves for 32 minutes."

PW's Xzavier Malone, a 6-3 senior wing and Rider recruit, hit three treys en route to 21 points.

Roman Catholic 15 15 18 16 - 64

Ply Whitemarsh 17 8 7 13 - 45

RC: Tony Carr 14, D'Andre Vilmar 6, Paul Newman 12, Lamar Stevens 7, Nazeer Bostick 17, Dakquan Davis 2, Mikeal Jones 4, Anthony Dawson 2.

PW: Oakley Spencer 6, Kevin Ashenfelter 5, Xzavier Malone 21, Ahmad Williams 4, Ahmin Williams 5, Grady Minick 2, Matt Walker 2.

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