I’m sitting in the second row of the SJNRA bus with Mark Roman. The 20-4 Golden Knights are en route to Danville to play in the Single-A Boys District IV Championship. Mark is a great kid who doesn’t say a whole lot. Young Roman recently taught me how to synchronize my new Bluetooth earbuds. I know his grandparents quite well. Ken and Sandra Ramacher are also from the land of 10,000 lakes. I always ask him a few questions hoping he will open up. But tonight, our freshman statistician was rather short, and he is now reading in the dark. Hey Coach. Do you have an extra flashlight?

I usually drive separate and meet the team for these road games. It is an extremely busy time of year, and it is tough for me to sneak away. Our bus trips are brutal. The kids are super loud, and I truly believe that this driver means well. No thank you, boys. I retired from rap battles. I gave that up before you were born. It is not very comfortable for us big guys to travel. Especially for me as I tend to get a little queasy on these backroads. Hey Ludwikowsk, is there any Dramamine left in your fancy med kit?

Tonight’s journey is quite different. Most folks would say that this game is for all the marbles and granites. At the beginning of the year, Coach Joe Clark and I had a long talk with our players. We set our team goals for the 2019-2020 crusade. We wanted to win the overall Mid Penn Conference title. Check. We also wanted to qualify for the PIAA State Tournament. Check. Now the Golden Knights wanted to bring home a District IV Championship. Something that has eluded us the two previous seasons. Standing in our way were the 17-6 Northumberland Christian Warriors. This surging squad upset the number one seed Saturday and are led by a 6’4” sharpshooter named Aaron Knauss. The dude can play, and has over 2,000 scholastic points.

Our boys were up to the challenge. The Golden Knights got off to a great start. We lead 38-30 at the half. Made a few adjustments in the locker room and came out possessed. Neumann picked up the defense and forced ten turnovers, made 9 of 15 shots, and opened with a 19-3 run to start the third quarter.

“We needed to put it to them in the first three minutes,” freshman phenom Davion Hill explained. “We had great energy for the entire game. It was a total team effort.”
Davion and his older brother David combined for 47 points. Big Malaki Parlante posted another double-double, and many others contributed to our 71-55 victory. It was St. John’s sixth district title in eight years, but their first since 2017. Neumann will now face District 3’s fifth-place finisher on either Friday or Saturday. Time and place are yet to be determined.

“This was one of most memorable,” Senior Malaki Parlante said. “We came up short the past two years, and to go out and win one as a senior is a great feeling. We really had a good week of preparation. This was the goal. We needed to win District IV gold. There were a few bumps in the road, but we had each other’s backs all season.”

“It is an awesome feeling,” Junior All-Stater David Hill mentioned. “Last year was tough, and we really wanted it. The atmosphere was crazy, and our team came out here and handled business. We all stepped up to the plate. It takes a village. The energy from the entire team was amazing.”

“These guys have worked hard all year,” Rookie Head Coach Joe Clark added. “I couldn’t be more proud of every single one of them. We played very well tonight. Perhaps our most complete game on both ends. This is for several great people that are associated with our program. Thanks to the players, parents, administration and fans for all of the support. It has been a fun ride, and we aren’t done yet.”

Congratulations to the entire NEUMANN NATION with a special shout to my man, Coach Clark. I am very proud of you, pal. Thanks for reaching out to me this summer to ask if I would help. Props to the players too. Bravo for all of your hard work and dedication. I also wanted to thank ALL of you boys for being so good to Jensen. District IV Champs. Isn’t it amazing when you listen to your assistant coach? Cheers.