St. John Neumann’s Niya Tutler gets a rebound in St. John Neumann Regional Academy’s game against South Williamsport. Dave Kennedy/Sun Gazette
One more foul and St. John Newman could have finished Saturday’s game against rival South Williamsport with just four players. As that thought ran throughout the roster, Neumann was trying to stop the charging cavalry on Frank Lupacchino Court.
Minami cut the lead from six points to one with 65 seconds left, but Neumann didn’t give up. A team with just six players on its roster came together to fight and overcome both adversity and a determined opponent.
Niya Tutler made clutch free throws, Bre Nixon grabbed a huge offensive rebound and the defense played solidly as the Knights cruised to a thrilling 40-38 victory. Tatler had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, Nixon had six assists and Newman (5-3, 2-1 Mid-Penn) won an entertaining game that featured 10 lead changes.
“We did a good job under pressure in the final minutes of the game. We didn’t overreact.” Nixon said after scoring 12 points, four steals and four rebounds. “The process of what we did to get the win here tonight was really encouraging. I’m proud of the team.”
“When we saw the girls in so much trouble, we had the right to give up right away. Instead, they rose to the occasion and took on the challenge, and I’m glad for that. I have no choice but to think.” Neumann coach Jaden Cioffi said: “It’s a great, courageous victory.”
St. John Neumann’s Niya Tutler takes a shot in the paint during St. John Neumann Regional Academy’s game against South Williamsport. Dave Kennedy/Sun Gazette
It was Neumann’s fourth win in five games, and this one could be especially encouraging considering how he won. Savanah Smith made a key 3-pointer with four minutes left to give Neumann a 38-33 lead, but fouled out a minute later. At this point, Curry Johnson (seven points) had four fouls and the Knights were on the verge of going 4-on-5. However, Johnson played calmly for the rest of the game, and Newman withstood a money foul shot from Abbey Akers in a drill. He made five straight free throws to tie South at 39-38.
From there, both teams exchanged turnovers, and seconds later Nixon grabbed the biggest rebound of his high school career. Playing from the left side, she sank a missed shot and helped a patient Neumann escape for 30 seconds before South was forced into a foul by Tutler, who hit a free throw to go up 40-38 with 24.5 seconds left.
Minami missed two potential game-deciding shots on its next possession, and Neumann capped off another hard-fought victory in a series defined by these types of hard-fought contests.
“We feed off each other’s energy. If one of us is on a roll, we can play really well as a team.” Mr. Nixon said. “We don’t play for ourselves. We play as a team.”
“Everyone there stuck with it. It was a very rough game, a lot of diving on the floor, and that’s what I’ve been trying to teach them.” Cioffi said. “We have to do that to win.”
St. John Neumann’s Callie Johnson (3) takes on St. John Neumann Regional Academy against South Williamsport. Dave Kennedy/Sun Gazette
South also gave it their all, continuing to fight back every time Neumann seemed to pull away. Newman built a five-point lead at halftime, but Ella Moore assisted Akers with a 3-pointer, a layup with Coco Klein, and a short jumper to give South a 20-18 lead. He scored 7 points in a 51-second frenzy.
The match from there resembled a Balboa vs. Creed title fight, with each team reacting to every proverbial punch that came their way. The lead changed hands eight times in the third quarter, all within seven minutes, before Neumann prevailed, leading 32-31 entering the fourth quarter.
Nixon led off the fourth on a Tatler 3-pointer, then Smith hit a dagger-like 3-pointer to extend the lead, then a Tatler foul shot made it 39-33.
“We’re telling Savannah to be a threat, but I don’t know if it’s a confidence thing or not, but great shooters always say it only takes one shot to go down, and once you go down, you’re in the world.” I always say it makes me feel confident.” Cioffi said. “It failed when we needed it the most. We certainly needed it, so I’m proud of her for being so successful.”
That was especially true when Akers made a series of big free throws and South’s defense ramped up the pressure. Just when it seemed like South was on the verge of a complete upset, however, Neumann kept his cool and got his best win of the season.
St. John Neumann’s Callie Johnson (3) takes on St. John Neumann Regional Academy against South Williamsport. Dave Kennedy/Sun Gazette
“We all get along so well, so it’s fun to be on the team and the season is fun.” Mr. Nixon said. “We all have personal skills that we have to put into the game to do our best.”
Nixon emerged as a sophomore last season and played a key role for a record-setting Neuman team that won 24 games and won the league and district championships for the first time in program history.
Her role has changed this year, and Nixon continues to embrace it and do everything she can to help the team. Reed played a similar role in his first season as a starter last year, and continued to perform well, grabbing eight rebounds. Johnson scored five points in the third quarter to help Newman withstand South’s push, and Haley Maisel came off the bench to make a splash with three steals.
Akers added a game-high 19 points, four steals and five rebounds. Carly Quimby shined defensively, making six steals and Caitlin Apker grabbing eight rebounds for the Wildcats (3-4, 2-2). Maddie Ready added six points and five boards.
The game was tied after the first quarter, but Neumann tightened its defense, allowing just one field goal in the second quarter and taking a five-point lead at halftime. Nixon put Newman ahead late in the third quarter with a game-tying 3-pointer to make it 32-29.
St. John Neumann’s Niya Tutler and South Williamsport’s Abby Akers dive for a loose ball at St. John Neumann Regional Academy. Dave Kennedy/Sun Gazette
“It was a close game, but instead of giving in to the pressure, we held together in the last minute or so. We showed some good looks and got some important rebounds and free shots.” Cioffi said. “It’s definitely a confidence and morale booster.”
South (38)
Abby Akers 4 9-12 19, Ella Moore 2 0-0 5, Carly Quimby 0 2-2 2, Caitlin Apker 2 0-0 4, Maddie Reidy 2 2-2 6, Brielle Borges 0 0 -0 0, Coco Klein 1 0-0 2, Abigail Holbrook 0 0-0 0. Total 11 13-16 38.
Neumann (40)
Niya Tatler 5 5-6 18, Bre Nixon 5 0-0 12, Callie Johnson 2 3-4 7, Sophie Reid 0 0-0 0, Savannah Smith 1 0-0 3, Hayley Makesell 0 0 -0 0. Total 13 8-10 40.
St. John Neumann’s Niya Tatler will take on St. John Neumann Regional Academy’s South Williamsport. Dave Kennedy/Sun Gazette
South 8 5 18 7-38
Neumann 8 10 14 8―40
3-pointers: South 3 (Akers 2, Moore). Neumann 5 (Tatler 2, Nixon 2, Smith).
Record: Newman 5-3, 2-1 Mid Penn. South 3-4, 2-2.
St. John Neumann’s Niya Tatler will take on St. John Neumann Regional Academy’s South Williamsport. Dave Kennedy/Sun Gazette
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