Both Neumann-Goretti and Timber Creek are playing their second game of the day. For Timber Creek, it’s another matchup against a powerhouse basketball school. Neumann-Goretti had better not underestimate Timber Creek though, as the team gave St. Patrick’s some problems earlier today. The game is near halftime, so I’ll fill you in. Again, the scorebook on has numbers, so I apologize for that.

2:25pm- It’s 25-19 in favor of Timber Creek with 25 seconds left in the first half of play.

2:27pm- WOW! Collin Johnson ’09 just got the ball in transition, went up, cocked the ball back, slammed it, and got fouled. He then hit the free throw for an old-fashioned three point play.

2:28pm- Timber Creek is up 28-19 at the half.

2:30pm- Tony Chenault has eight points for Neumann –Goretti, while Collin Johnson on Timber Creek is the game’s leading scorer far with 11 points.

2:34pm- Timber Creek is playing really well, and leads 34-21 with just over 16:30 play in the game            .

2:36pm- Timber Creek just scored a bucket to end a 6-0 N-G run. It’s 36-27 with 14 minutes to play.

2:38pm- Montez Blair knocked down a trifecta for TC. They now lead 40-28.

2:40pm- N-G scored four straight points, making it a 40-32 game with 10 minutes to go.

2:42pm- Neumann’s Tyreek Duran had to come out a little while ago because of a bloody nose. It’s still bleeding, and it’s not looking good.

2:43pm- A runner from Johnson has put Timber Creek back up by 10, 42-32, with 8:30 left.

2:45pm- This seems to be a major upset in the making. With under 6:30 to play, Neumann-Goretti is trailing Timber Creek 42-32. Tony Chenault just took a seat on the bench, as he has four fouls. Tyreek Duran has just re-entered the game for N-G.

2:46pm- Duran went the length of the floor with the ball, but missed a layup. The next time, though, he made up for it, as he came down, hit a layup, drew a foul, and made the and-one, cutting the TC lead to seven, 42-35.

2:47pm- Duran AGAIN took it to the hole and scored.  N-G then got a steal and Chenault converted it for a bucket, making it a three-point game.

2:48pm- Chenault just got another bucket, making it a one-point ball game, 42-41. Timber Creek then took a timeout with 3:34 left in regulation. Neumann is on a 13-2 run, which includes a 9-0 run.

2:50pm- Timber Creek seems to be falling apart. They were just called for a five second violation on an inbounds play. N-G took advantage, as #50 scored a deuce, putting N-G ahead, making it 11 straight points for the squad from Philly on a 15-2 run.

2:51pm- Timber Creek answered at the other end with a basket to re-take the lead.

2:52pm- Mustafa Jones missed a three from the corner for N-G. #50 of Neumann then fouled #11 of TC with 55.4 to go, trailing 44-43. Andre Gillette then replaced him on the floor.

2:53pm- A wide open #11 took a pass from #1 and scored, putting TC up by three. At the other end, Chenault scored, got fouled, and made the free throw. It’s a tie game, 46-46, with less than 30 seconds to go.

2:54pm- Tony Chenault took a charge on Johnson with 5.8 seconds left. Neumann then took a timeout. It will be their ball under their own hoop, needing just one point to win.

2:55pm- Tyreek Duran threw a pass into traffic to Gillette that was knocked away. TC took a full-court shot that went off the backboard. We are headed to a two-minute overtime (last minute stopped clock) to settle this. Right now, it’s 46-46.

2:57pm- Gillette tipped the ball away out of bounds, so Timber Creek will have the ball.

2:58pm- #1 hit a three or TC. After some missed shots, N-G used its fourth chance or so for a Chenault three that was good. Thus, it’s all knotted up at 49 apiece.

3:00pm- TC will have the ball out of bounds in N-G’s half with just 1.4 to go.

3:01pm- Timber Creek could not convert, as the ball bounced away. It’s 49-49 as we head to a one-minute stopped clock double overtime period.

3:02pm- Gillette won the tip for Neumann. Duran got to the rack and laid it in, putting N-G ahead 51-49.

3:03pm- #1 of Timber Creek was called for an offensive foul driving to the hole with 4.9 remaining. Chenault was then fouled with 2.6 to go, and will be at the line for a one-and-one. The rising junior made both free throws, so it’s a four-point lead for Neumann, 53-49, with 2.6 left in 2OT.

3:04pm- Timber Creek’s long inbounds pass attempt over Gillette hit off the ceiling, giving the ball to N-G, who then passed it in ending the game. Neumann wins 53-49 in 2OT.

Tony Chenault showed why he is so highly-regarded, dropping 24 points in the Saints’ double overtime win. Collin Johnson led Timber Creek with 14 points, while #23 added 11 points of his own. Tony Chenault of Neumann-Goretti and Collin Johnson of Timber Creek are Northstar Basketball’s MVPs from the barnburner.

Note- photo is of Tony Chenault, and is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/.