DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette St. John Neumann’s Davion Hill goes up for a shot against Pottsville Nativity on Friday in the PIAA Class A semifinals.

Less than four minutes into last Friday’s Class A state semifinal against Pottsville Nativity, Hanief Clay found himself on the bench.

This was the last place the point guard wanted to be in a game this big. Clay picked up two early fouls but he did not think about himself at that point. It was all about the team. Clay took on a new role for the next six minutes, then returned and excelled in his normal role as the St. John Neumann engine revved as well as it has all season.

Clay scored 15 points, dealt nine assists and grabbed six rebounds as he Knights stomped the defending champions, 82-62, and reached the state final for the first time since 1972. Just as important, Clay did not pick up another foul until late in the game; after the outcome had been decided. Clay’s performance was a vital one as Neumann (26-3) captured the Eastern Region championship and earned a spot in Thursday’s title game in Hershey against Western champion Bishop Canevin.

“When I was out, my mindset was to stay motivated and focus instead of moping or being down about it,” Clay said. “I had to encourage my teammates and coach from the bench. Me being a leader, coaching from the bench was my focus.”

Clay focused well as did his teammates. Neumann led 9-5 when Clay exited and 18-12 when he returned. With Clay back, everything started falling into place and Neumann took over, building a 13-point advantage late in the half.

Nativity pulled within 37-28 by halftime but Clay opened the third quarter with a basket just 12 seconds in and Neumann led by double digits the rest of the way. The senior point guard scored six third-quarter points but was even more lethal with his passing, frequently carving up Nativity’s defense and setting up his teammates for high-percentage shots.

Nativity had blasted three consecutive state tournament opponents by a 28-point average but could not slow Neumann. Clay masterfully ran the offense, set the pace and played a monster defensive role as well, making five steals.

“He controlled the tempo very well for us. When he got those two fouls, we knew we would be good; we just tried to get the right shots and not start speeding it up too much without him in the game,” Neumann guard Davion Hill said following his 39-point performance. “He’s definitely our speedster. When he came back in it definitely was a good feeling that he got back in the flow and didn’t get any fouls and helped keep us going.”

Blink and one may miss Clay hustling up and down the court. He often sent Nativity defenders on a futile chase and either finished or found his teammates. Neumann’s lead kept growing throughout the second half and by the time Clay and the starters exited, the Knights were up 82-58 and making Hershey reservations.

“We wanted to bury them early instead of letting them hang around,” Clay said. “We don’t take any team lightly. We take every team seriously. We don’t care what the score is, we have to go after it no matter what.”

Clay averages 20 points per game and twice has reached 35 while adding a 34-point effort. But if one slows Clay the scorer, it still must deal with Clay the passer and he is equally every bit as dangerous there. It’s a case of picking one’s poison and Clay often has turned whichever option fatal.

Against Nativity, Clay repeatedly was creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Had it not been for two tremendous blocks by 6-foot-6, two-time all-state forward Marquis Ratcliff, Clay would have produced 11 assists and a second double-double in three state games. He is averaging 6.3 assists throughout the state tournament and Neumann’s offense has run like a Porsche as a result.

“He’s seeing the floor so well,” Neumann coach Jamie Spencer said. “He’s really making good decisions. I’m so happy for him.”

Only a person without a heart could not be happy for Clay. The senior has overcome so much personal adversity and tragedy in his life, but has kept moving forward. He has become a high honor roll student, an all-state candidate and has received an offer to play college basketball at Alvernia.

In a way, what transpired against Nativity was the story of Clay’s life. He took a hit but he kept moving forward. Now he and his team are moving forward, doing something no Neumann squad has experienced in 50 years.

“It felt unreal. It’s just a blessing,” Clay said. “I thank God each and every day that I’m able to play the game of basketball and reach the state final.”