Neumann-Goretti Begins State Title Defense With Four College Commitments
PHILADELPHIA, PA (CBS) — Wednesday is huge across the high school basketball landscape because it marks the first day of the early national signing period.
For many high-level high school players, their auditioning for college coaches is over. It's time for many to commit to Division I and II schools and put away any concerns where they're going after their senior year.
Neumann-Goretti, the defending national, PIAA Class AA state, city and Catholic League champs, had four players sign their national letters of intent on Wednesday: 5-11 Alisha Kebbe to Syracuse, 5-10 Kamiah Smalls to James Madison, 5-9 Morgan Lenahan to Wagner and 5-7 Jada Russell to Longwood University.
It's a senior quartet that will make up the core of a team that finished 30-0 last year. Their 30-game winning streak is the state's longest and one of the nation's longest. The Saints are looking for another quad-fecta this year of Catholic League, city, state and national championship.
Having four players commit early is a nice start.
"I think it makes it a whole lot easier not just for the four girls, but the team, it's a relief knowing where they're going," Saints' coach Andrea Peterson said. "It's a great group of girls that have been together for a while. Alisha Kebbe and Kamiah grew up together. To see them sign was a great relief, but importantly knowing that they're going to play in college and seeing the smiles on their faces when they signed is unbelievable.
"Our expectations for this year are to do what we did last year. This is a good, fun group. Our expectations are high and we know we have a target on our backs. We're going to go out and have fun. This is a new team and a new year and we always say that every team has a story. What is ours' going to be this year?"
This will be a different team. The Saints will be smaller, but they will also be faster than they were last year. That's because of the addition of 5-10 junior Chyna Nixon, one of the top high school players in Virginia and one of the country's best who moved to this area to live with her father.
Nixon will join 5-7 sophomore guard Jabria Ingram and 5-10 junior Minika Glenn, making the Saints the team to beat again.
"These girls know what's expected, because a lot of them were through it last year," Peterson said. "They're ready."
