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The noise levels in St. Joseph’s University Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse were deafening.
As Neumann-Goretti fans arrived with their chests painted, each with a different letter of the school name, others sported golden wigs. Fittingly on Fat Tuesday, the Saints came dressed to celebrate the school’s first girls’ Catholic League basketball championship game since 1978. It happened so long ago, parents of the current players were still in school themselves.
The Saints came so close to having their zealous fans storm the court in joyful chaos, but misses at key moments – including scoring just one point in the three-minute overtime session – led to Cardinal O’Hara’s 45-41 victory.
"We just didn’t do what we had to do," Neumann-Goretti girls’ basketball coach Chip Reitano said. "[Cardinal O’Hara] is a great team and you can’t take it away from them. These two teams definitely gave the Catholic League something to be proud of."
In many ways, Neumann-Goretti has plenty to be happy about. Besides coming a couple baskets short of a championship, the program took a giant leap forward, advancing two steps over 2005’s first-round exit. It also marked the first time since ’82 the team won a playoff game and the first time since ’78 the girls won a Catholic League semifinal contest.
For senior Shante Cummings it was a night of mixed emotions.
"I am mad that we lost, but I am also excited that we made it this far," said Cummings, who finished with 10 points. "We played a good game."
Had the Saints been able to erase the second quarter Tuesday night, the result might’ve been different. Leading 12-6 after one quarter and as many as eight at one point, the offense sputtered in the second, going eight minutes without a field goal. They scored just two points in the quarter on foul shots by senior Jimerea Lee, who had a total of 10. By halftime, that six-point lead turned into a 21-14 deficit. O’Hara, the defending Catholic League champ, outscored Neumann-Goretti 15-2 in the quarter.
"We just couldn’t hit a shot," Reitano said. "O’Hara played their game. The second quarter was really the dagger."
BUT THE SAINTS still had 16 minutes to regroup and make it a game. The two teams split during the regular season, winning one match each. Neumann-Goretti took Jan. 17, 55-54, but lost Feb. 10, 60-55, in overtime. It made the championship game the rubber match between the two.
When it comes to the big game, all roads go through O’Hara. This year’s win marks their 10th over the last 16 seasons and the second straight overall.
In the third quarter, the Lions championship experience showed, as they continued pulling away to build a 34-22 lead. When the fourth quarter started, the Saints found themselves trailing by 11.
Neumann-Goretti didn’t quit. Lee and Cummings each sunk an early basket, making the score 36-29. With 5:30 remaining, junior Amberel Diaz hit a three-pointer and suddenly the Saints were trailing by just six. A little more than two minutes later, the score was tied at 38. At the 2:09 mark, Cummings hit two foul shots to give Neumann-Goretti a 40-38 lead.
O’Hara forward Meghan Gardler tied the game, sending the teams into a three-minute overtime session.
But that would be as close as the Saints would get. In overtime, they scored just one basket on a foul shot by junior Gloria Brown, who led the squad with 13 points and 17 rebounds.
For this year, Neumann-Goretti will settle for a morale victory as the league runners-up. It has been 28 long years since the program has made it this far.
"I just feel great that we got here and played hard," Brown said.
The Saints are losing starters Lee and Cummings to the University of Central Florida, but Brown, Diaz and point guard Jasmine Daniels will be back for their senior years.
"I hope they take away the experience of being in this game and being in a championship run," Reitano said. "We’ll be right back here next year."
The long journey back
It has been so long since the Neumann-Goretti – formerly St. Maria Goretti – girls’ basketball team made the Catholic League championship game that none of the current players were born yet.
The year was 1978 when June Olkowski, a First Team All-Catholic selection, led the Lambs to their second title in school history. The other came in ’76. Her Number 45 still hangs in the school gym.
A brief recap shows the program hasn’t enjoyed much success since, making Tuesday night’s appearance in the championship game standout even more.
1976
Goretti wins the Catholic League title, the first in school history;
1978
Goretti wins the Catholic League title;
1982
Goretti wins the Southern Division and advances to the Catholic League semifinals;
1986
Goretti makes the Catholic League playoffs;
1998
Olkowski returns to 10th and Moore streets to have her number retired;
2003
Goretti finishes 0-12 in Catholic League play;
2004
The Saints finish the season with 15 wins, its best record since 1982;
2005
In its first year as a consolidated school, the girls’ basketball program fittingly makes its first playoff appearance in 19 years. The Saints finish the year 19-8, but lose to eventual champs Cardinal O’Hara in the quarterfinals;
2006
The Saints set a goal of playing Feb. 28 for the Catholic League title. Sure enough, on Tuesday night, that is exactly what the 20-7 squad did.
