Carr leads Roman Catholic back to Catholic League title game

There are several reasons you can make a case that Tony Carr is one of the best point guards, if not the best, in the city.

The 6-foot-4 junior certainly showcased his entire arsenal Wednesday night in Roman Catholic's 61-58 victory against Archbishop Carroll at the Palestra in the Catholic League semifinals.

Carr led the Cahillites with 17 points while also grabbing seven rebounds, dishing four assists, and making three steals.

It was his trademark cool under pressure that keyed the come-from-behind triumph that gave the Cahillites another title chance.

"He's a Palestra guy," Roman coach Chris McNesby said. "He came tonight. He stepped up big time for us. His demeanor never changed, and that helped our team. They look to him. They see him calm and we stay calm."

"I think that's in the genes," McNesby continued. "His grandfather [Anthony Smith] played at Roman [1971] and his dad [Anthony Carr] played at Cheyney. I think he grew up learning how to play the game the right way and learned how to play from his diapers."

Poise was the potion Roman needed after Carroll exploded to a 10-point lead in the first quarter. The Cahillites also whittled an 11-point third-quarter deficit.

Each time, Carr hit the basket that started the comeback.

Roman (22-2, 11-2) used a 16-5 run to come within 25-22 at the half. A 16-3 spurt gave the Cahillites their first lead with 5 minutes, 15 seconds left in the game.

"He's a throwback," McNesby said. "He's a throwback point guard. We talked to our guys about being into the moment but not awed by the Palestra, and he orchestrated our team. He knew the matchups, he knew the personnel. He's just a coach on the floor."

The other Cahillites certainly followed Cool Hand Carr's lead.

Nazeer Bostick finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Manny Taylor provided a spark off the bench, adding 10 points and 10 rebounds. D'Andre Vilmar chipped in 10 points.

Derrick Jones led Carroll (18-6, 11-2) with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and four steals. Josh Sharkey added 11 points and Ryan Daly added 10.

Both teams were atrocious at the foul line. Roman shot 15 for 29 (51 percent). Carroll finished 18 for 31 (58 percent).

However, with Roman ahead, 59-58, and just five seconds remaining, Paul Newman connected on a pair of free throws. Sharkey missed a desperation three moments before the final buzzer.

The victory sets up a championship rematch with Neumann-Goretti, which defeated La Salle, 70-65. The Saints beat Roman, 53-48, in the final last year.

Arch. Carroll 12 13 19 14 - 58

Roman Catholic 3 19 18 21 - 61

C: Josh Sharkey 11, Derrick Jones 23, Ryan Daly 10, Dave Beatty 9, John Rigsby 3, Samir Taylor 2.

R: Paul Newman 2, Nazeer Bostick 15, D'Andre Vilmar 10, Gemil Holbrook 4, Tony Carr 17, Manny Taylor 10, Dakquan Davis 3.