Neumann-Goretti defeats Archbishop Ryan is close PCL Semifinal Matchup By: Tyler Harden

PHILADELPHIA— The Neumann-Goretti Saints were once again at the Palestra for the PCL Semifinals, but the interesting thing was who they were set to play. The 7-seed Archbishop Ryan Raiders knocked off the 2-seed, Bishop McDevitt, to punch their ticket to the Palestra. As the Raiders were now in the semifinals, their goal tonight was to survive and advance once again.

Archbishop Ryan came out with great intensity, as they fought their way to a 16-14 lead by the end of the 1st quarter. Neumann-Goretti knew it wouldn’t be so easy, and they had to adjust in order to take over the game.

The Saints made the adjustments they needed, and they got the lead back with a Chris Evans three to make it 17-16. Neumann-Goretti was taking advantage of Archbishop Ryan’s errors, and building onto their lead. However, the Raiders were not going away.

Archbishop Ryan made it interesting in the second half, as they went on an 11-0 run and cut Neumann-Goretti’s lead to 3. But, the Saints ended the third quarter with the momentum they needed, as Jordan Hall scored a buzzer beater, reverse layup to give Neumann-Goretti a 41-34 lead.

The Raiders went into the final quarter and gave all they had left in them, but Neumann-Goretti was making it difficult for Archbishop Ryan to get a run going. With Jordan Hall and Hysier Miller coming up big for the Saints in the fourth, they defeated Archbishop Ryan 51-41. “I feel as though we did it as a team, and we worked hard for this moment”, Hysier Miller said, “we know that we were up against a good team that plays good fundamental basketball, so we had to stay disciplined.”

Jordan Hall, who is committed to St. Joseph’s University, led Neumann-Goretti with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Hysier Miller also had 12 points for the Saints. Luke Boyd scored 12 points and Gediminas Mokseckas scored 11 for Archbishop Ryan.

The Saints will move on to play in their first PCL Championship against Roman Catholic on Monday, February 24th at the Palestra at 8:15 PM. “It just feels like another game”, Jordan Hall said, “we still have unfinished business to handle.”