By Sam Istvan
In their final game before embarking on a grueling five game Catholic League gauntlet in six days, Neumann-Goretti flashed both their sky-high potential and the rust and inexperience they still have to work through to reach that potential.
For the majority of the game, Neumann Goretti exerted their will on a physically overmatched O’Hara team. They played suffocating defense, turning up the heat on their opponents in an already sweltering gymnasium and forcing 11 first half O’Hara turnovers.
The Saints are laden with quick, strong guards who get out in transition and rim-running bigs. They used that to their advantage early on, turning several O’Hara turnovers into lay-ups and wide open transition threes on the other end. They led by as much as 22 half way through the third quarter, poised to run away with the game.
Carl Arrigale (above, in Dec.) is waiting for his Saints to play a complete game.
“For two-and-a-half quarters it was really good,” Saints head coach Carl Arrigale said. “They did everything that we’ve been asking them to do.”