Leaving Las Vegas

Could the Ss. John Neumann-Maria Goretti girls’ basketball team be serious contenders for the Catholic League title?

That question will be answered early next year.

What the Neumann-Goretti Saints do know is they have the talent to compete with teams from Alberta, Canada, and states such as California, Nevada, Kansas and Hawaii. Last week, the team traveled to Las Vegas for the National Youth Basketball Championships, where they finished fifth out of 28. The Saints compiled a 4-1 record and advanced to the tournament quarterfinals. The five-day tournament started last Wednesday and concluded with Sunday’s championship game.

Like the other 27 teams, as well as most people hitting Vegas, the Saints were looking to come home big winners. But, regardless of the outcome, what made their achievement a standout is starters Shante Cummings and Jasmine Daniels spent part of the tournament battling injuries. In the end, coach Chip Reitano was pleased with the effort.

"The kids played hard and I got to see some of the other players step up and do things," Reitano said from Vegas as the team waited for its shuttle ride to the airport.

Cummings spent the majority of the tournament on the bench as her left knee locked during Friday’s game against Nevada-based Tarkanian Basketball Academy’s Lady Sharks Blue. The Saints did prevail, 65-48. Cummings went to the hospital, but had limited play in the final game Saturday afternoon. Daniels missed two games after bruising her right knee.

"It’s unfortunate, with Jasmine being our floor leader, but that’s why we have a team," Reitano said.

THE SAINTS HAD several healthy athletes ready to fill the void. For the tournament, center Gloria Brown sparked the offense by averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks, while Jimerea Lee averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Reitano noted he was especially impressed with the efforts of Alison Nelson, who played a total of two varsity minutes freshman year. She started every game in Las Vegas.

"Alison is in the gym working hard all the time, so it’s not a fluke that she has advanced as far as she did," the coach said. "It’s a credit to all the time she put in the gym. The little things she did were very impressive."

Guard Caitlin Smith was a valuable contributor on the court.

"She did a tremendous job lifting the offense when we needed it," Reitano said. "She worked hard and it really shows."

The Saints also used the trip as a bonding experience. When the girls weren’t playing on the court, they checked out the Strip. They played arcade games at New York-New York Hotel and Casino and took in rides and carnival games at Circus Circus.

"I think anytime these kids are together they get along great," Reitano said.

And the camaraderie showed on the court. Thursday, the girls opened the tournament with a 46-42 loss to Team Fort Worth Blue 16s from Texas, but recovered to win two on Friday, which included a 52-45 win over the Kansas Dream Team. After finishing 2-1 in pool play, the Saints advanced to the gold championship bracket where they defeated the Lady Grizzlies of California. The Saints were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Nevada’s Jam On it Reno, 62-50.

While battling a stomach bug during part of the trip, Reitano said coaching suddenly became quite the challenge.

"It was tough the last few days coaching them," he said. "I don’t think I did my best coaching in my life, but that’s why you do things in the summer. You can learn from your mistakes and adjust."

The Saints landed at Philadelphia International Airport Monday night looking forward to some well-deserved rest. Last month, the athletes spent four days at the Messiah College team camp, while several players also traveled with their Amateur Athletic Union teams. The group has off until October, at which time Catholic League season preparations will get under way.

For now, the teammates can bask in the summer sun and in the knowledge they have what it takes to compete with some of the country’s top players.

"I definitely think the girls impressed a lot of people," Reitano said. "Some of them are college bound next year and they made their presence known."