Neumann Uses Experience to Take St. Francis in Charm City Classic

Ron Bailey, Publisher

December 6, 2007 – Last Saturday, Hoop Group revived the Charm City Classic, a well known high school basketball event in which schools in the Baltimore, MD area take on foes from up and down the eastern seaboard. During the course of the evening, the Charm City’s St. Frances Academy took on Philadelphia’s Neumann-Goretti, easily the most exciting contest on a slate of four games.

Though home standing St. Frances fell 62-57 in overtime to Neumann, the Panthers fought tooth and nail the entire way. The difference could greatly be attributed to experience, or lack thereof. Just ask the team’s All-American candidate and future Maryland Terrapin, senior guard, Sean Mosely (26 points).

(l. to r.) Sean Mosely, Jemal Wilson, and Dante Holmes

“It’s just a learning experience” opined the four year starter afterward. “We have a young team, and they took some quick shots at the end”.

Early on, it was the Mosely show, as he amply displayed the work put in over his high school career, including shooting and ball handling. As such, Sean routinely hit long rainbow jumpers, functioned as a ball handler, and even closed the first half with a deft step back jumper. At intermission, St. Frances led 42-27.

Enter Neumann’s senior swingman Jemal Wilson (13 points), a talented player who has accepted a scholarship to Rhode Island. To start the third quarter, Wilson checked Mosely like ‘white on rice’, shadowing the powerful guard all over the court, and challenging every shot.

After labeling Mosely “a great player”, the long and rangy Wilson admitted “it was a challenge to play him”, one that he readily accepted.

Jemal Wilson (right), and Daniel Stewart (center), set up to press, another tactic used by Neumann in the second half. Ronald Williams (left) was charged with ball handling.

Adding to Neumann’s attack was increased team defense – a point Wilson also acknowledged – and the play of sophomore big man Daniel Stewart, who was the prime recipient of his team’s renewed emphasis on pounding the ball inside.

Stewart would more or less epitomize his team’s confidence, as he responded “Never, not really” when asked if the Saints were ever vexed by their deficit and uneven first half play.

With Mosely no longer triggering St. Frances’ attack or scoring – 24 of his 26 points were notched in the first half – freshman Ronald ‘RJ’ Williams (7 points) along with sophomores Dante Holmes (10 points) and Denzel Walker (5 points) battled tooth and nail, but down the stretch showed their youth with quick shots and a series of turnovers.

As their teammate and mentor Mosely noted, it was a learning experience, one the Panthers of St. Frances will benefit from down the line.