Newton plays with mother on his mind; delivers 33 points and another state title for Neumann-Goretti

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER

Playing in the state championship game just one day after the death of his mother, Ja'Quan Newton capped a brilliant high school career with perhaps his best performance.

He scored 33 points, including six in an extra stanza and helped the Saints prevail in overtime, 64-57, for their fourth PIAA 3A title in five years and the third title of Newton's career.

This is the same team that eliminated Central Catholic a week earlier when Newton, a Miami recruit, had 20 points in a 60-50 win.

Unlike a week earlier, Neumann-Goretti (27-4) had trouble gaining separation from Susquehanna Township, which got 18 points from Quintin Ward and 16 from Nehemiah Mack.

Newton was the difference, making 11 of 19 shots overall, including 5 of 9 from 3-point range. He also had eight rebounds and two steals.

"Ja'Quon was unbelievable," N-G coach Carl Arrigale said. "He handled it better than me. I've been near tears for two days. This hit close to home because I also lost my mother to cancer. His mother, Lisa Brown, was in her late 30s.

" I don't know what I would have done in the same situation at 18 years old. To come out and put on a put performance like that? Wow. I was worried that he'd actually try to come out and do too much. But he let the game come to him and made every big play for us."

SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP (57)
N. Mack 6-14 3-4 16, G. Mack 4-13 2-4 11, Marshall 1-5 3-8 5, Ward 8-9 2-3 18, Letterlough 0-2 0-0 0, Penn 0-0 2-2 2, Blair 0-0 0-0 0, Milberry 0-0 0-0 0, Turner 2-7 0-0 5. Totals 21-49 13-21 57.
NEUMANN-GORETTI (64)
Toplyn 2-3 1-2 5, Harper 2-10 7-9 12, Kimble 3-9 4-7 10, Custis 2-6 0-0 4, Newton 11-19 6-8 33, Covington 0-1 0-0 0, Green 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-49 18-26 64.

Susquehanna Township   13 - 13 - 18 - 9- 4 -- 57

Neumann-Goretti      12 - 14 - 21 - 6 - 11 -- 64

Officials: John Barley, Thomas Drennan, Justin Crum.
3-pointers: ST (3-10) N. Mack, G. Mack, Turner. Goretti (6-18) Newton 5, Harper.
Rebounds: Sus. Twp. 37 (Marshall 11). Goretti 32 (Newton 8).
Assists: Sus. Twp. 5 (G. Mack, N. Mack 2). Goretti 4 (Kimble 2).
Turnovers: Sus. Twp. 8. Goretti 13.
Blocks: Sus. Twp. 2 (Ward 2). Goretti 4 (Toplyn 2).
Steals: Sus. Twp. 7 (Harper, Newton 2). Goretti 3 (N. Mack 2).