By Peter Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
Neumann-Goretti, the defending Philadelphia Catholic League champions, entered its showdown with Roman Catholic boasting an undefeated record in one of the toughest divisions in the country.
That didn't last.
Pittsburgh-bound Bradley Wanamaker poured in 20 points and hit two crucial free throws with 9.8 seconds to carry the Eagles to a 59-58 win on Friday.
It did not take long for Wanamaker to make an impact. He scored eight of his teams first 12 points. But in the second quarter, it was a different Wanamaker who controlled the game, Bradley's twin brother, Brian.
Brian made his presence felt in the second quarter. He caused havoc for the Neumann-Goretti ball handlers, and led the Eagles offensively with seven points and two assists, and helped Roman Catholic maintain a slight two-point lead heading into halftime.
Neumann-Goretti seemed to take back control of the game after an 8-0 run to start off the third quarter. Jamal Wilson, a junior forward, nailed three of his four three-pointers in the third quarter for the Saints. Roman Catholic was unable to penetrate the Saints' zone and continuously settled for jumpers, to no avail.
The Saints built a five-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. The momentum shifted in favor of Roman Catholic when Bradley Wanamaker capped off a 6-0 run with a steal and an easy lay-up in the beginning of the fourth quarter, while Wilson, who finished with 16 points and five rebounds, watched from the bench after picking up his fourth foul.
In a game that came down to the wire, it was free throw shooting that made the difference. After Wanamaker gave Roman Catholic a two-point lead, Syracuse-bound center Rick Jackson was fouled with three seconds remaining in the game. Jackson controlled the paint all game-finishing with a double-double-but could only hit one free throw as the game slipped away from Neumann-Goretti.
After Jackson's miss the ball was deflected out of bounds by a Roman Catholic player, and gave the Saints a chance to win the game, but freshman Tony Chenault's 18-footer rimmed out, and the Eagles survived.
Jackson's teammate and fellow Syracuse signee point guard Antonio "Scoop" Jardine added 12 points in a losing effort, and forward Rashad Savage had 10 for Neumann-Goretti.
For the Eagles, junior Will Kirkland contributed nine points, and freshman Raheem Brookins and junior Courtney Stanley combined for 11 in the victory.
Roman Catholic improved its record to 15-3, while Neumann-Goretti fell to 14-4 on the season.
