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Sammy Jackson, Roman Catholic run past Neumann-Goretti

01/18/2025, 9:30am EST
By Jeremy Goode

By Jeremy Goode

Even when the 3-point shot is not falling for Roman Catholics’ Sammy Jackson, he knows what to do to still have an impact on the game. 

Getting to the rim and leading through his play making and guidance of younger players.


Sammy Jackson (above) is coming into his own as a junior. (Photo: Jeremy Goode/CoBL)

The 6-foot-7 wing had it going on Jan. 17 when Roman traveled to Drexel University to play Neumann-Goretti. While the junior went scoreless from 3-point range, including three attempts, Jackson had a team high 16 points off six made baskets around the rim to help Roman slide by Neumann-Goretti, 73-65. 

“Based on these past games, when my shots are not falling, I’ve got to get to the rim,” Jackson said. “That’s how I can help my team. If I’m not getting to the rim when my shots are not falling, that's going to be a rough night.”

Rough, it would not be. 

When Jackson drove to the basket and did not convert on his shot, it was because he was fouled. He led the team in free throws with five and converted on four. When the aggressive wing is not laying it up for a basket, he is going to the line. There is no in between. 

Besides the different options Jackson has to use on offense, it is his leadership, defense, and overall role that has grown as an upperclassman. He leads by example on the court with the basketball in his hands.

“He’s a basketball hoop junkie,” Roman head coach Chris McNesby said. “As a junior he is a leader. We need him to play one through five. We need him to be physical, rebound, and assist.”

Emerging as a leader and contributing at a high level is not new to the Jackson name. He has a few immediate role models to turn to. Sammy’s father, Marc, was a standout at Roman Catholic himself, played at Temple University, in which he went on to enjoy a seven-year NBA career with the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, and the New Orleans Hornets. Shareef is playing basketball at Lafayette next year.

So, it is easy to see where Jackson gets inspiration in wanting to be a leader. His father and brother helped pave the way. 

Roman stepped on the pedal early on, going on an 8-0 to start the game, just a minute and forty-eight seconds into the game. Neumann adjusted, but was always playing catchup from that point on. 

In terms of Jackson’s role on the team, it is comparable to a Swiss Army knife. He is able to do a little bit of everything. He can shoot, drive to the basket, dribble, create shots for teammates, play anywhere on the court on the offensive and defensive side, among other things. His size helps.

His “do-it-all” ability as a basketball player helps Roman Catholic become more versatile at both ends. Neumann-Goretti missed 18 three-pointers due to Roman playing a 2-3 zone during the game. Jackson’s length down low and around the key made it hard for Neumann-Goretti to find any rhythm shooting the basketball. 

It is pretty simple for Jackson. He wants to impact the game every time he is on the floor in different ways and at different parts of the court. 

“My role is to play multiple positions,” Jackson said. “So, I’ll start the game at the three, move to the four, and then in certain situations they’ll move me to the one. I’m here to do whatever coach needs me to. I play a lot of minutes and I’m here to produce.”

It shows, too. 

In many ways, Roman goes how Jackson does. Earlier in January, Roman lost to St. Joseph’s Prep, 40-38, after leading for the entire game. Jackson was scoreless and shot 0-6, 0-3 from beyond the arc. 

While Jackson is able to lead by getting his teammates involved when he is not making shots (or scoring at all for that matter), in fact, his scoring and overall play often is the difference between wins and losses for Roman. 

“If we’re going to be good, Sammy has to play well,” McNesby said. “Games that we have struggled, he’s been off.”

Fortunately for Roman, Jackson has been on, as the Cahillites are 11-3 this season and 4-1 in the Catholic League. 

While Jackson led the team in scoring and ended any hopes of a Neumann-Goretti comeback after drilling three free throws at the end of the game, Roman Catholic played a balanced game.  Sebastian Edwards, Tyler Sutton, and Shareef Jackson all scored 15 points for a deep Roman team. 

The Cahillites' balanced scoring performance saw one deficit in their game. They lived in front of the arc. They only took 10 3-pointers and made one. 

Nonetheless, while Jackson has a lot of talent around him, he made it a priority to step up this season and lead. 

“Being able to help these guys is my goal. Here, we’re playing at Drexel; big court. It’s a great atmosphere; going to hear a loud crowd,” Jackson said. “Sometimes you’re not going to hear the coach and sometimes you’re looking at me and I’m helping them out. Helping them helps everybody and makes everyone better as a team.”

Jackson’s leadership as an upperclassman has not gone unnoticed. Schools like Marquette, Vanderbilt, Florida, Miami, Xavier, and Arizona State have stayed in close contact with the Philadelphia native. He has enjoyed the recruiting process and values the schools that have shown the most interest. In terms of the best fit, Jackson is looking to go wherever he can play a “big guard” role. 

Jackson used the second half to help finish off Neumann-Goretti and he scored 10 of his 16 points in the final 16 minutes of competition. Neumann Goretti made the game interesting when they took a one-point lead midway through the third quarter, but CJ Miller and Shareef Jackson helped 

Roman retake the lead heading into the final quarter and combined for 12 points in the fourth quarter. Roman Catholic scored 24 points in the final eight minutes which was more than enough to fend off a last second run by Neumann Goretti.   

Even though Jackson has enjoyed his increased role as a leader for Roman Catholic, he knows he can do better and improve. 

If this is true, it can only serve Roman Catholic well at the end of the season. 

“We have a lot of new guys this year and that’s always fun being surrounded by younger guys and having to play that older guy role,” Jackson said. “I’m not where I want to be as a leader, but I’m trying to get there right now and take this all the way to the Palestra.”

By Quarter
RC:  18  |  12  |  19  |  24  ||  73
NG:  14  |  14  |  16  |  21  ||  65

Shooting
RC: 29-50 FG (1-10 3PT), 14-17 FT
NG: 23-55 FG (6-24 3PT), 13-14 FT

Scoring
RC: Sammy Jackson 16, Sebastian Edwards 15, Shareef Jackson 15, Tyler Sutton 15, CJ Miller 10, Elijah Gruer 2.

NG: Stephon Ashley 18,  DeShawn Yates 17, Alassan W’Diaya 12, Kody Kolson 11, Keon Long-Matume 5, Cain Van Norden 2.


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Tag(s): Home  High School  Boys HS  Catholic League (B)  Neumann-Goretti  Roman Catholic