Coaxum helps lead Neumann-Goretti over Carroll

MINDFUL THAT HE formerly attended now-closed Cardinal Dougherty High, in the upper regions of Olney, and now can be found at Ss. Neumann-Goretti, in South Philly, La'Quan Coaxum is accustomed to being asked, "What the heck were you thinking?"

Know what? Learning the inner workings of the situation will throw you for a loop.

First, let us tell you that Coaxum, in his second year at N-G, is a 6-1, 165-pound senior, and that he's serving the basketball team as an increasingly important substitute guard.

Now, we'll add that he should have been a Saint all along. He's a lifelong South Philly resident and would have been at N-G for all 4 years had he been blessed with a shade more patience and/or confidence.

Yesterday, in extended minutes, Coaxum shot 6-for-7 (one trey) and 5-for-5 for a career high of 18 points, and claimed a game-high nine rebounds, as N-G outlasted visiting Archbishop Carroll, 72-56, to claim its 58th consecutive Catholic League win over four seasons, counting the regular season and playoffs.

Due to his work ethic, Coaxum is called "one of my all-time favorites" by coach Carl Arrigale, who adds emphatically, "He has never cheated me for one second."

Until roughly 4 years ago, Coaxum lived near 5th and Christian and his current home can be found on Pierce Street, near 27th and Moore. But when ninth grade neared . . .

"Neumann was always so good, I didn't know whether I'd ever be able to play here," he said. "I gave [other schools] some thought and came up with Dougherty. It took about an hour each way with the subway and the 57 bus. My friends were always saying, 'Why are you going up there? It's too far. You don't even know anybody.' It was far, but I liked it. Wasn't the same kind of basketball as here, though.

"When I was in 10th grade, Neumann had that ridiculous talent with Tony Chennault and Tyreek Duren . . . all kinds of Division I players. When the word came that Dougherty was closing, I thought, 'Maybe I could go to Neumann now and get some time.' "

And then he thought some more . . . and some more.

"It was going to be here or Constitution," he said, mentioning a blossoming Public League power. "I still wasn't sure until deep into the summer."

Now, Coaxum has left behind his deep-sub status. He mostly plays on the wing, but can handle well enough to help in that area and his defense tends to be sticky, also.

Even better, he's the poster boy for guys who get it, which is why Arrigale sings his praises at such high volume.

"In a program like this," Coaxum said, "you have to bring it every game. To every practice, really. You constantly have to battle for playing time. Anything the coach asks for, I'm willing to give it. Defense. Offense. Whatever.

"I'm not starting, but I get pretty good chances off the bench."

Coaxum nailed his first five shots from the floor, and his only miss was a right-side trey with 3 minutes, 26 seconds remaining. He deserves a free pass on that one. Two times earlier in the quarter, he'd landed extra hard on his side after getting hammered on brassy drives.

Defensively, he had a hand in somewhat muffling wing guard Alec Stavetski (21 points), who'd been quite impressive early against zones.

With big help from four threes, Billy Shank also scored 18 points for N-G. Ja'Quan Newton (13) and Derrick Stewart (12) likewise reached double digits while John Davis claimed eight boards. Stewart (five) and Davis (four) led in blocks, Hanif Sutton (four) and Shank (three) in assists.

Stavetski was the only Patriot to score in double figures, but five others tallied from five to eight. Derrick Jones, a 6-5 frosh (maybe even taller), had eight points and six rebounds, and Yosef Yacob dished seven assists.

Coaxum acknowledged that he's "pretty proud" for having carved himself a respectable niche at N-G.

And his career won't end there. As he emerged from the locker room, Coaxum was darn near engulfed by a pair of college coaches.

Wherever he goes, a 1-hour commute won't be necessary.

Franklin forfeit

Ben Dubin, chairman for boys' hoops in the Public League, said Ben Franklin has been forced to forfeit a recent win against Overbrook due to the use of an ineligible (over-aged) player. That player, Tyshon McBryde, scored 26 points in his first and only appearance.

Online high school coverage at philly.com/rally.