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Neumann boys moving on in districts after beating Millville

By Chris Masse 5 min read

Josiah Coleman missed a last-second shot but Kane Wright grabbed the rebound and scored off a buzzer-beating putback.

That basket not only gave St. John Neumann 100 points in its District 4 Class A quarterfinal against Millville but told a story. The Knights unselfishly carved up Millville all night and even when they missed shots Wednesday at the Catholic Community Center, there often was a hustling player coming in to help create another opportunity. Put it all together and Neumann had its many fans smiling from start to finish as it defeated Millville, 100-56 in the District 4 Class A quarterfinals and reached Saturday’s semifinals at Milton where it will play Lourdes.

Hanief Clay matched a career-high with 35 points, Davion Hill added 21 and Neumann opened its title defense in strong fashion. It was a performance as complete as it was impressive with every player leaving his mark.

“It was just a good team win. Everyone got involved,” Clay said. “It’s all about executing and going in strong, every game, every possession. Every possession counts, especially defensive-wise.”

Neumann (20-3) struggled on that end against the upset-minded Quakers during the first half but still led 53-36 at halftime. When the defense picked up the intensity and matched the offense in the second half, Neumann really took off. The Knights led by 27 entering the fourth quarter and both starters and reserves keyed the rampage.

While Clayed scored 35 points, he also dealt a game-high nine assists. Naseer Dymeck played an excellent all-around game, adding 10 points and six rebounds to go with his six assists. Neumann moved fast and the ball moved maybe even faster as players took turns setting up each other for quality shots. That played a large role in Neumann making 56 percent of its shots and building a 28-17 first-quarter advantage.

“That’s our M.O. If we share the basketball we are very, very good,” Neumann coach Jamie Spencer said. “Millville played really well in that first half. They they made some shots. We scored some points but we worked really hard and contested shots and they made them.”

“Everyone gets the ball. It’s not about scoring for us,” Clay said. “I’m a point guard, so I’d rather pass it up for open layups, rather than me scoring. It’s a team thing for me. I care about the team and winning.”

That mentality permeated throughout the roster and Neumann never let its foot off the gas, fending off Millville’s comeback attempts and hot shooting throughout the first half. Highlighting Neumann’s well-rounded effort, all five starters already had scored midway through the first quarter. Clay and Hill were dynamic again, but so were there teammates, especially Dymeck who was a major factor in all facets.

JerVal Weeks-Shuler scored eight first-half points and made all four of his shots while adding six rebounds and three steals. Naz Smith was all over the court, pulling down eight rebounds and Wright and Coleman both provided sparks off the bench.

“It was a fun game. The atmosphere was really cool,” Spencer said. “Having a doubleheader with the girls was really special. It was neat to get in there and get it done.”

Eli Klinger scored 20 points and Patrick Stefan added 16. They both were among Millville’s hottest shooters during the first half. The Quakers could not play much better than they did there but Neumann’s execution still had the Knights up by 17. Clay had a lot to do with that, scoring 23 points and dealing six assists in the first half.

Neumann had Millville against the ropes and it wasted little time landing the knockout blow in the third quarter. Six players scored and Neumann made 11 of 16 shots as it never let Millville get closer than 15 again. Coleman scored four straight points to make it a 27-point game and he and Wright played some of their best basketball at a key time.

Wright stuffed the stat sheet, scoring 10 points, grabbing six rebounds and adding two steals. Coleman scored eight points and made 4 of 6 shots. Chase Wright and Corey Agnew kept Neumann surging after the starters exited as well and Neumann reached 100 points for a second time this season.

“Those guys are playing their roles and understanding the game and letting it come to them,” Clay said. “It was good they understood there roles and got to their spots. I’m glad those guys got some time and played well.”

Neumann and Lourdes meeting in Saturday’s semifinals features a showdown between programs who have won the last four district championships.

MILLVILLE (56)

Eli Klinger 9 2-4 20, Micah Savide 0 0-0 0, Patrick Stefan 7 1-3 16, Landon Evans 5 2-2 12, Hayden Waver 1 0-0 2, Jacob Fought 2 0-0 6. Totals 24 5-9 56.

NEUMANN (100)

Davion Hill 9 2-2 21, Hanief Clay 13 6-7 35, Nasser Dymeck 4 2-2 10, JerVal Weeks-Shuler 4 0-1 8, Naz Smith 2 0-0 4, Josiah Coleman 4 0-0 8, Kane Wright 4 0-0 10, Chase Wright 1 0-0 2, Corey Agnew 1 0-0 2, Angelo Fernandez 0 0-0 0. Totals 42 10-12 100.

Millville 17 19 14 6-56

Neumann 28 25 24 23-100

3-pointers: Millville 3 (Fought 2, Stefan); Neumann 6 (Clay 3, K. Wright 2, Hill).

Records: Neumann 20-3. Millville 3-19.

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