Hoops, they did it again!

Former Neumann-Goretti standout Ja’Quan Newton has displayed his consistent scoring touch for the University of Miami Hurricanes.

Photo provided by HurricaneSports.com

The start of a new year means that college basketball action will be intensifying, as teams have begun to take on conference adversaries. Fans across the nation can root for many athletes with South Philly ties, including a bevy of Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School graduates.

During his time with the Saints, Ja’Quan Newton broke the will of many foes in becoming the Catholic League’s all-time leading scorer. The junior guard is leading the University of Miami in scoring at 15.8 points per tilt. The Hurricanes sit just outside the Top 25 and took on Syracuse last night in Atlantic Coast Conference action.

Lamarr “Fresh” Kimble also enjoyed success for Neumann-Goretti, scoring 1,166 points for coach Carl Arrigale. The sophomore guard is having a happy time on Hawk Hill as the second-leading scorer (14.3 points per game) for Saint Joseph’s University coach Phil Martelli.

The Towson University Tigers are looking to roar this season in Colonial Athletic Conference play with two Neumann-Goretti products. Senior forward John Davis has made a pair of starts for the club and ranks third on the club in scoring (10.9 points per game), while freshman guard Zane Martin is averaging 2.9 points in just over 11 minutes per contest.

Sophomore forward Tony Toplyn Jr. is offering fans of the parochial powerhouse even more bragging rights, as he is providing solid contributions for the Chestnut Hill College, including leading the Griffins in blocks (1.2). Point Breeze native and William Penn Charter School alumnus Demetrius Isaac is serving as a co-captain for the Division II squad. The junior is leading the bunch in scoring (12.3) and assists (4.2).

In keeping with the impressive Neumann-Goretti theme, the Caldwell University Cougars were happy to welcome Vaughn Covington to their New Jersey campus. The freshman guard has appeared in seven games, making six starts, and ranks second on the Division II’s team’s scoring list at 13.9 points.

Come next year, along with the much-anticipated opportunities to root for current Saints Quade Green and Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree when they suit up for the University of Kentucky and Villanova University, respectively, local backers will also be able to cheer for Troy Harper, who is sitting out this season after having transferred from Campbell University. The junior guard will draw area praise as a Drexel University Dragon.

West Passyunk product Jeremiah “Lump” Worthem had a stellar career as a member of the Mathematics, Civics, and Sciences Charter School of Philadelphia, becoming the Mighty Elephants all-time leading marksman. The power forward has played one game so far for the Mansfield University of Pennsylvania Mountaineers.

Jabri McCall helped Martin Luther King High School to win the Public League championship his junior season. The Point Breeze-bred sniper is playing for the Texas-situated Ranger College and is averaging 9.6 points per game.

Jameal Tucker made history in 2013 by becoming the first Academy at Palumbo roster member to earn a basketball scholarship, with Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania as the benefactor. The junior forward is now at California University of Pennsylvania and is tallying 5.5 points and snaring 4.5 rebounds for the Vulcans.

The Neumann-Goretti faithful can also take pride in knowing that eight female graduates are also enjoying life as student-athletes. Like its male counterpart, the women’s team at Towson University has two former Saints on its roster. Sophomore Sianni Martin is second on the team with a 16.3 points-per-game average and leads the Tigers with 24 three-point field goals while fellow guard and classmate AJ Timbers is looking to add minutes as the season progresses, as she is averaging .3 points in very limited action.

Guard Alicia Kebbe, who had committed to Syracuse University, has twice won the Big East Freshman of the Week honor for her efforts at St. John’s University. In 13 games, 12 of them starts, last year’s Catholic League MVP is averaging 7.9 points and 4.3 rebounds.

Standout forward Olamide Aborowa, who helped the Saints to a 30–0 mark in 2014-’15, the season in which they ranked №1 in the country, has appeared in six games for the University of Texas Longhorns. The 6-foot-3 sophomore is tallying 1.8 points and 1.7 rebounds for the Big 12 members.

Morgan Lenahan came to South Philly last season after having played for Haddon Township High School. The 5-foot-11 guard, who earned Honorable Mention All-Catholic honors in her one campaign as a Saint, has yet to appear in a game for the Wagner College Seahawks.

Freshman standout Kamiah Smalls, another former member of the last two state championship Neumann-Goretti clubs, has been a welcome addition to James Madison University. The guard is second on the team in scoring and steals and third in rebounds and assists.

Jada Russell rounds out the quartet, along with Kebbe, Lenahan, and Smalls, of Saints who signed Division I scholarships last season. The sleek guard has led Longwood University in scoring five times and is second on the Lancers in steals.

Rounding out the Neumann-Goretti set is sophomore guard Cianni Cryor. She played last season for Georgia Tech University and is sitting out this year following her transfer to Rutgers University, which last year graduated Kahleah Copper, a Prep Charter graduate who plays for the Washington Mystics in the WNBA.

Sophomore guard Romeira Tucker proved a prolific scorer when at Universal Audenried Charter High School. In 10 games for the North County College of Essex & Franklin, she is leading the squad in scoring with 15.8 points per game and assists with 4.9 per duel. She is also third in rebounds.

Smooth left-hander and Marconi product Alexis Santarelli enjoyed a brilliant career for Bishop Eustace Preparatory High School. The 6-foot-2 forward is depositing 4.2 points per game for Lafayette College and is second on the Leopards in rebounds with 4.5 a game. SPR

Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com.