Philly is known for the Liberty Bell, cheese steaks, and their fanatical sports following.
Over the last four years these fans have also had the opportunity to follow the 6-foot-1, 170-pound senior point guard of the
Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) Saints,
Ja'Quan Newton.
Ja'Quan Newton, Neumann-Goretti
Photo by Mike Braca
The Philadelphia product is a three-time first-team PIAA Class AAA all-state selection with two state championships under his belt.
As a sophomore, Newton averaged 15.8 points per game on his way to being named a
MaxPreps Sophomore All-American.
Last season his average rose to 18.4 points per contest for a 23-6 Neumann-Goretti club that lost to
Donegal (Mt. Joy, Pa.) 55-50 in the state quarterfinals. The loss snapped a streak of three straight PIAA Class AAA championships for the Saints.
Newton is averaging 21 points a game during his senior season for the 26-4 Saints, who are one win away from their fourth state title in five years after beating
Philadelphia Electric Charter 65-53 Wednesday night for their 16th straight victory.
Newton scored 21 points in front of his future college coach, Jim Larranaga, surpassing the Catholic League career points record of 1,925 held by Monsignor Bonner's Jeff Jones.
The Miami Hurricanes' top signee is the No. 46 ranked player in the country according to
247sports.
Neumann-Goretti plays
Susquehanna Township (Harrisburg) tonight at Hershey's Giant Center for the PIAA Class AAA boys basketball championship .
