PCL Semifinals: Neumann-Goretti 64, Bonner-Prendergast 60

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Traditional powerhouse Neumann-Goretti advanced to the Philly Catholic League title game with a hard-fought win over second-seed Bonner-Prendie. The Saints were led by junior swingman [player_tooltip player_id='2364681' first='Marquis' last='Newson'] and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1608258' first='DeShawn' last='Yates'] with 19 points each. League MVP [player_tooltip player_id='2398422' first='Korey' last='Francis'] scored 18 to lead Bonner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2364681"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3507690,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69969ee3019d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Making his Palestra debut in his first year in the PCL, Newson had no issue getting acclimated as he put together a 19-point effort to lead the win. Newson scored 15 of his points after halftime on perfect 7-for-7 shooting as the Saints came from behind to seize momentum. He did knock down a 3 but was mostly effective using his length and quick-twitch athleticism to make plays near the rim, whether as a slasher off the bounce or seizing on scrap points as a cutter and crasher. The junior swingman was also important on the other end, drawing the matchup of league MVP [player_tooltip player_id='2398422' first='Korey' last='Francis'] and making him work hard through an uncharacteristically inefficient outing. It was a high-level overall performance that showed why Newson is on high-major radars already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1608258"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69969ee301a3e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yates has emerged as the heartbeat of the Saints throughout the season and that was never more evident than on Wednesday night as he refused to let them lose while coming up with countless big plays. The senior guard was both persistently aggressive but steadily under control, expertly picking and choosing his spots when to attack. He was at his best using his quickness and shifty handle to attack the rim off the bounce, but his pullup 3 late in the third quarter was also one of the biggest shots of the game to keep Neumann within striking distance. His pair of blocked 3-point attempts on the defensive end in the fourth quarter were just the cherry on top for the lionhearted floor general who projects as an impact piece in the PSAC moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2398422"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69969ee301a83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Francis has been playing at as high a level as anybody in the state entering the postseason, so while he slowed down a bit on Wednesday, his 18 points were still enough to stand out. The junior guard and recently-crowned league MVP showed no signs of backing down from the bright lights in his Palestra debut, coming out aggressive and setting a tone with his toughness defensively and on the glass. He knocked down a 3 to get started, his first of 3 on the night, which would help to set up his trademark downhill attack. Francis looked to run out of gas a bit late in a game that should prove to be a key learning point in his development. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2450662"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69969ee301aec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the only underclassmen to take the floor on the night, Stanton understandably took a bit to get going in his debut under the Palestra lights. He made his presence felt with a key second half spurt that helped spell a Bonner run and keep the Saints in position to vault ahead. Sharing the backcourt with a slew of other ballhandlers, he was most effective as a floor-spacer, showing a compact stroke off the catch while knocking down a pair of third-quarter 3s. Stanton also stood out as a transition playmaker and drew contact on a key third quarter drive to work his way to the foul line. While he's still biding his time behind a deep core of seniors, Stanton was able to show why he presumably is next up for the storied Neumann program going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1576719"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69969ee301b2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Making a surprise return from injury, Ashley-Wright was still showing signs of rust but nonetheless provided a key spark off the bench that helped swing the game in Neumann's favor. The Towson commit came into the game immediately in attack mode, using his slick handle and dynamic end-to-end speed to put constant pressure on the paint, particularly in transition. He was consistently able to draw contact and get to the line, which was particularly necessary with the Saints starved for offense through much of the first half. He'll need to reign things in a bit looking toward the next level, but his change-of-pace attack was precisely what the Saints ordered on Wednesday to come away with the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->