City of Basketball Love

Ty Daubert (@TyDaubert)
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WYNDMOOR — Neumann-Goretti girls’ coach Andrea Peterson goes into each season with winning three titles in mind: the Philadelphia Catholic League, district and state.

After falling short of their first goal in the PCL playoffs, Peterson’s Saints had nine days to lock in on the next one. Eager to get back on the court, Neumann made the most of its next opportunity on Thursday night, defeating Philadelphia Public League champion Imhotep Charter 54-45 in the District 12 Class 3A championship at La Salle College High School.

“We kind of had a rough season in the Catholic League,” Peterson said. “Then we bounced back, but fell short in the Catholic League semifinals. But this group was ready. … They were chomping at the bit.”

Led by a 33-point performance from senior guard Mihjae Hayes, Neumann-Goretti (11-9) bounced back from a Feb. 22 loss to Archbishop Carroll in the Catholic League playoffs to claim the district title.

“It feels amazing,” Hayes said. “I didn’t get the Palestra, I didn’t get the PCL championship, so I’m going out here and getting the city and state. Today, we accomplished the city championship, so I’m happy, excited. I’m speechless.”

Hayes buried three 3-pointers against the Panthers, but was especially dangerous working her way into the paint. That’s where she did most of her damage as she scored 15 points in the third quarter to help the Saints build a 16-point lead. 

“She’s unbelievable,” Peterson said of Hayes. “She’s a kid that has it all. She can defend, can score at will and she definitely carries this team.”

The strong third quarter allowed Neumann-Goretti to get some separation after a closer first half in which Hayes handled most of the offense, scoring 14 points as her team took a 20-11 lead into the break.

Following Hayes’ third-quarter showing, Imhotep responded by face guarding her at all points on the court in the fourth. The Panthers then made a push as Neumann’s offense needed time to adjust. Behind junior Sa’mya Stevens, who scored 17 points in the game, Imhotep cut the lead to single digits late in the game.

However, the Saints settled in down the stretch as Hayes got others involved — including senior forward D’Ayzha Atkinson, who added 10 points — to close out the win.

‘My teammates rely on me and I got the job done,” Hayes said. “I’m the captain and I have to lead the team. When I go, they go, so I just had to give my all and that’s what I did.”

Now having secured the District 12 gold, Neumann will look toward the third goal on its list as it chases the PIAA 3A state title. The Saints’ first test in states will come this upcoming Tuesday against District 3 third seed Brandywine Heights at a site and time to be announced, while Imhotep (13-8) also moves on to play the loser of Palmerton and MaST Charter in Friday’s District 1/11 sub-regional final on Tuesday as well.

“We fell short on the first championship, but we got the second one,” Peterson said. “We’re going for the third one now.”

By quarter
Imhotep Charter:    6   |   5   |  15  |  19  ||  45   
Neumann-Goretti: 10  |  10  |  22  |  12  ||  54

Scorers
Imhotep: Sa’mya Stevens 17, Janai Smith 13, Taniyah Finney 6, Kyjanae Cooper 5, Calista Gaymon 2, Mikala Rambert-Carter 2

Neumann-Goretti: Mihjae Hayes 33, D’Ayzha Atkinson 10, Amirah Hackney 5, Carryn Easley 2, Amya Scott 2, Brooke Barnes 2

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Imhotep boys keep it rolling

The Imhotep boys’ team certainly knows how to rise to an occasion.

A group that’s won key matchups throughout the season, the Panthers added another big victory — and another championship — under their belts in the back end of Tuesday’s doubleheader, topping PCL runner-up Archbishop Ryan 66-57 in the District 12 Class 5A final.

“We love this team,” Imhotep coach Andre Noble said. “In big games, they’ve been steady all throughout this season. We play a really, really tough non-league schedule, and they’ve been steady the whole year.”

The Imhotep Charter boys squad celebrates winning its District 12 5A championship game over Archbishop Ryan. (Photo: Ty Daubert/CoBL)

Coming off Saturday’s win over Lincoln for the Public League title, Imhotep (24-4) battled some early struggles to take control in the second half against Ryan (18-8).

Junior guard Rahmir Barno scored 29 points for the Panthers, attacking the rim and connecting on jumpers. As standout wing Justin Edwards sat with foul trouble in the first half, Barno helped keep Imhotep afloat with 15 points before the break. After a back-and-forth second quarter, sat just behind Ryan, down 28-26 at halftime.

“Being the point guard,” Barno said, “I know that, when stuff isn’t going right or some guys aren’t playing how they can play, I have to step up. That’s kind of just what I did.”

With Edwards getting regular minutes again in the second half, Imhotep took the lead in the third quarter and never looked back. Barno continued his scoring with added help from Edwards and guard Ahmad Nowell, who dropped 15 and eight points, respectively.

“Between (Edwards), Nowell and Rahmir Barno, we have really elite scorers,” Noble said. “We know we can rely on them when a guy or two is down.”

Ryan center Thomas Sorber scored 21 points as the Raiders attempted to climb back late, but Imhotep’s 40-point second half was too much to overcome. 

As District 12 champions, the Panthers will face the sixth seed in District 1, Chichester, in the first round of the 5A state tournament this upcoming Tuesday at a site and time to be announced. Ryan will play against West York, the No. 4 team in District 3, on the same day.

Looking to keep the big-game success rolling, Imhotep hopes its matchup with a talented Ryan team could serve as good preparation for the PIAA playoffs. The intense game that took place could be a preview of what’s to come in the environment of states.

“It’s always a lot of good teams (in states),” Barno said. “Some may be similar to how (Ryan) plays, and some may be exactly the same. Just playing them and getting a feel for how some of the state teams might play and be is big.”

By Quarter
Imhotep Charter:    11  |  15  |  20  |  20  ||  66
Archbishop Ryan:  16  |  12  |  10  |  19  ||  57

Scorers
Imhotep Charter: Rahmir Barno 29, Justin Edwards 15, Ronny Raphael 10, Ahmad Nowell 8, Mo Abdullah 2, Chad Anglin 2

Archbishop Ryan: Thomas Sorber 21, Darren Williams 15, Luke Boyd 12, Michael Paris 5, Jalen Snead 4