Gettysburg falls to defending champ Neumann-Goretti in first state appearance since 1984

PHILADELPHIA >> And then there were none.

The Gettysburg boys' basketball team — the only Adams County squad to qualify for states — fell, 77-29, on Friday night in Philadelphia at the hands of defending the Class AAA state champion, Neumann-Goretti.

While one team's players spoke afterward of preparing for yet another run at the state title, the other team's players called it a great experience to play in the state tournament for the first time since 1984.

The Warriors didn't look intimidated by the moment or their opponent in the first half. Gettysburg shot 4-of-8 from the field in the first quarter and 7-of-17 for the half. Twice in the first quarter, Gettysburg cut the lead to three — once on a Jordan Turner 3-pointer and once on a pair of Tyler Lampe free throws.

A Ray Dillard layup cut the lead to 20-16 midway through the second and it seemed that Gettysburg's strategy to slow the game down and hang around could work against the Saints.

"The plan was to get eight to 10 passes and run a set, but we got some looks earlier than that," Gettysburg head coach Jeff Bair said. "Our guys got some good looks against this team, and we didn't know if that would happen."

But the Saints, who came into the game ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 23 in the country by MaxPreps.com, ended the half on a 10-2 run to take a 30-18 lead into the locker room at halftime.

"We talked about holding them to 50 to give ourselves a chance," Bair said. "So giving up 30 in the first half was too much."

The Saints, who have won four of the last five Class AAA state tournaments, flexed their muscles and opened the second half on a 20-0 run, extending the lead to 50-18.

"They were definitely a lot different (than YAIAA competition)," Gettysburg guard Marquise Camel said of Neumann-Goretti. "We knew we would have to come out and run, but we just couldn't stop them at times."

Neumann-Goretti shot 12-of-20 from the floor in the third quarter and 20-of-34 in the second half. Meanwhile, Gettysburg struggled from the floor and shot 5-of-25 in the second half.

In all, the Saints outscored Gettysburg, 47-11, in the second half to pull away.

"When the score goes from a 10-point game to a 30-point game, the game changes," Bair said. "Their guys started to relax and have fun, and our guys were just trying to get through it."

Max Lampe led the Warriors with eight points. St. Joseph's-commit Lamarr Kimble paced the Saints with 15.

"I think it's great for our underclassmen to see that kind of talent and aspire to get better over the summer," Bair said. "It's all about getting better."

While the result was one-sided, the Warriors still received an applause from the Gettysburg faithful who had made the near three-hour trek as they exited the locker room for the last time this season. There was no reason for the Warriors to hang their heads afterward, Bair said, especially the seniors.

"There's no reason to take away the season we had based on two quarters," he said. "We're going to enjoy the bus ride home."

Camel and the Warriors hope to use the moment as a confidence boost going into next season.

"It gives us great experience and confidence," Camel said. "It tells us we can beat most of the teams we play now. They (Neumann-Goretti) were a good lesson for us."

GETTYSBURG (29)

M. Lampe 3 0-0 8, Turner 2 0-0 6, T. Lampe 1 2-4 4, Camel 2 0-0 4, Bortner 1 0-2 2, Dillard 1 0-0 2, Sauter 1 0-0 3, C. Weikert 0 0-0 0, B. Weikert 0 0-0 0, Ringler 0 0-0 0, Biggins 0 0-0 0.

Totals — 11 2-6 29

NEUMANN-GORETTI (77)

Quade Green 4 1-1 10, Lamarr Kimble 5 5-7 15, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree 6 2-2 14, Zane Martin 5 2-3 12, Brown 3 0-0 7, Taylor 2 0-0 5, Tyler 2 0-0 4, Holly 1 0-0 3, Milsap 1 0-0 2, Warren 1 0-0 2, Covington 1 0-0 3.

Totals — 31 10-13 77

Gettysburg12665—29Neumann-Goretti18122918—77

3-point goals — GB 5 (Turner 2, M. Lampe 2, Sauter), NG 5 (Green, Covington, Brown, Holly, Taylor)