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Look close enough and you’ll see Southeast Catholic’s team mentioned in the annals of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Of course, it’s hard to call the small reference a positive one.
Go to the second floor and, in the high school section, there is a spot dedicated to Wilt Chamberlain and Overbrook High School. In Chamberlain’s senior year, his Hilltoppers defeated South Catholic (now Neumann-Goretti), 83-42, in the City Title game.
For the Neumann-Goretti contingent, the Hall of Fame tour was a highlight of last weekend’s trip to Springfield, Mass. Everybody toured the museum at their leisure and, within a half-hour, the majority of the players were on the ground floor playing basketball.
Others enjoyed the different exhibits, like measuring their wingspan. Freshman center Anthony "Scooter" Gillette discovered he had an 84-inch wingspan, while the slightly taller 6-foot-9 Rick Jackson measured 86 inches.
Gillette may be tall, but Anne Donovan – the tallest female inductee – still has an inch on the rookie. Next time, Gillette could be taller.
Mugsy Bouges, the shortest player in NBA history, provided a nice measuring stick. Assistant coach Aaron Abbott was relieved to find out that at 5-feet, 4-inches, he still has an inch on Mugsy.
For Syracuse University-bound juniors Antonio "Scoop" Jardine and Jackson, the trip to the Hall of Fame was special as their future college coach – Jim Boeheim – was enshrined with the Class of 2005. He has recorded more than 700 career wins and led Syracuse to its first national championship in 2003.
"It’s like a dream come true," Jardine said. "What city kid wouldn’t want to play for a Hall of Fame coach?" ![](http://ftp.gmnews.com/images/media.southphillyreview.com/images/spr-4103-sports3a.jpg")
Jackson said he was more excited about seeing all of the former Syracuse big men, something he will be in fall 2007.
"I saw a lot of [Syracuse] big guys in there, so I felt a lot better when I saw that big guys get the ball," Jackson said.
Maybe, some time in the future, the players will make a return trip to the Hall of Fame and see their names among the all-time greats.
"Hopefully, I’ll make it there one day," senior guard Earl Pettis said.
