Neumann-Goretti rolls in PIAA's first round
To three, or not to three: that has been the question for Neumann-Goretti after back-to-back losses in the Catholic League and District 12 championship games.
To three, or not to three: that has been the question for Neumann-Goretti after back-to-back losses in the Catholic League and District 12 championship games.
After those two setbacks, the second-seeded Saints entered Friday night's Class 3A first-round matchup with No. 5 seed Eastern Lebanon County of District 3 just 4 of 37 from the three-point line.
Despite another poor-shooting game from the perimeter, however, the Saints' second-half defense made the difference in a 69-48 victory at Archbishop Ryan.
"We don't have too many two-game losing streaks," said coach Carl Arrigale. "This was nice. They were battling their confidence a little bit."
The Saints will play District 2's Scranton Prep on Tuesday at a location to be determined.
On Friday night, the defending Class 3A state champion Saints finished the game 3 of 22 from three, which yielded a three-game total of 7 of 59 (11 percent). In contrast, they finished 23 of 40 in two-point tries (57 percent).
Continued poor shooting from three-point land in the first half (2 of 15) led to a slim 30-25 lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, however, the Saints (23-4) forced seven turnovers, which led to a 51-34 lead entering the final frame.
"To be honest," Arrigale said, "I was glad the way it went because we really didn't shoot great, but we were still able to grind on defense, because [ELCO] is a good offensive team."
"I think we have to be able to win games when the ball's not going in," he continued. "For such a long stretch this season, we shot so well and the ball went in all the time. The few times the ball stopped going in they were looking around like, 'What happens now?' "
Senior wing Zane Martin (Towson) led all scorers with 23 points on 9-of-22 shooting. Junior guard Quade Green added 18 (7 of 17 from the field). Fellow junior Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree coupled nine points (3-of-4 shooting) with 14 rebounds and two blocks.
ELCO (22-6) was led by Mason Bossert's 16 points. The Raiders, however, committed 14 turnovers.
"We have to know we can pack our defense and take it with us wherever we go," Arrigale said. "If we have to rely on that, then that's what we'll have to do."
As for the three-pointers: "That's who we are. If we run our offense, we'll get our shots at the basket. What happens when they don't go in is human nature kicks in. . . . We have five guys who can make them. We just have to shoot them with confidence."
Neumann-Goretti 13 17 21 18 - 69
E. Lebanon County 9 16 9 14 - 48
N-G: Zane Martin 23, Quade Green 18, Rasheed Browne 13, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree 9, Emil Moody 2, Vaughn Covington 4.
E: Mason Bossert 16, Caleb Buchmoyer 9, Colton Lawrence 9, Ryan Eshleman 6, Dylan Stoops 4, Nathan Beamer 4.
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