O’Connell Gets It Done in Examiner Tip-Off Final

Ron Bailey, Publisher

58-54 Victory Over Neumann Memorable

December 11, 2006 – Saturday night, fans attending the Washington Examiner Tip-Off’s final, held at Good Counsel High School (Silver Spring, MD) were treated to a game that will long be discussed when the D.C./Philadelphia hoops debates rage on: Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, VA) came from behind and defeated a very talented St. John Neumann (Philadelphia, PA) squad 58-54 on four free throws in the last 6.9 seconds by junior guard Jason Clark. Both teams left everything on the floor.

Clark, who has committed to Georgetown, who finished with 29 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds in 30 of 32 possible minutes, repeatedly got into the lane and scored, in addition to playing great defense. Sophomore swingman Dave Eismeir added 7 points plus 6 rebounds, and senior center Zack Cremmins provided 5 points and 5 rebounds for the O’Connell Knights, coached by Joe Wootten.

Neumann, coached by Carl Arrigale, enjoyed 26 points from senior guard Antonio “Scoop” Jardine, while fellow future Syracuse Orangeman and senior forward/center, Rick Jackson supplied 10 points.

Neumann's Jemal Lewis (#1)is seen here being introduced.

After trailing 16-9 going into the second quarter, Clark led an 8-2 O’Connell run, fueled by Clark’s defensive assertiveness, and Neumann’s sudden propensity to attempt rushed or contested shots. To finish the quarter both team’s traded baskets, with the Saints of Neumann going into intermission leading 27-24 after forward Rashad Savage’s (9 points) and-one shot, with 3.5 seconds to go.

The third quarter was much like the second, as the teams traded baskets. O’Connell took their first lead – 33-31 - since the game’s opening moments, at the 5:28 mark after Clark scored when posting on the baseline. His three pointer about a minute later propelled the Knights to a 37-33 advantage.

After Clark left the game with 28 seconds in the stanza, Jardine helped equalize the score by providing five points, knotting the scoreboard at 42.

Scoop Jardine is sure to be an impact player for Syracuse next season.

The stage was set for a great ending, and neither team disappointed. Jardine hit another three pointer, and it was clear to all in attendance he was starting to get hot, including of course O’Connell’s coach, Wootten. As a result, Wootten soon thereafter switched defensive tactics by employing an amorphous zone press. “We wanted to get the ball out of his hands” said Wootten when asked of the move.

Though Jardine did find Jackson on a nice layup producing assist, O’Connell’s defensive switch created several turnovers, resulting in a Clark dunk and Eismeir follow up.

Neumann’s Arrigale soon switched defenses himself, moving away from their base man to man and employing a match up zone. The change fueled his team, as they took a 54-52 lead, with 3:01 remaining on the clock.

Clark again stole the ball and scored a layup setting up the dramatic finale, in which he sank two pressure packed free throws with less than 7 seconds to play, while Jardine couldn’t sink the second of two subsequent shots from the charity stripe. Clark iced the game with 2.2 clicks on the clock via two free throws.

Jason Clark (right) and Jason Burns (left), would both earn all tournament honors. Clark was also named tourey MVP.

Both teams acquitted themselves well. Neumann assistant coach Aaron Abbott was proud of his team, as they fought through chronic foul trouble – Jardine and Jackson had 4 fouls for much of the fourth quarter – to almost win the game.

He also felt the Saints “Definitely benefited from going up against good comp” and the contest should be a learning experience for the school’s younger players. “Hopefully it will teach our younger guys to go hard in practice” said this Philadelphia-based coach and talent development guru, “and understand the older kids run the team, understand their role: They will try and do everything”.

Wootten was understandably happy after the victory. That was a good team” he said, of Neumann, adding Jardine “is a great kid”. He then went on to reveal “We didn’t play our best floor game”, but found pride in “playing 11 guys”; as such, the win was a true team victory.

O’Connell is 4-0, while Neumann returns to the City of Brotherly Love 4-1.

All-Tournament Team:

Jason Burns – O’Connell
Jason Clark – O’Connell – Also MVP
Jordan Clark – Good Counsel
Scoop Jardine - Neumann
Rick Jackson - Neumann
Kevin Loyd- Bishop Gorman