A Neumann-Goretti senior makes verbal commitment to continue his basketball career at a Division I school.
Shortly before last Friday’s trip to a St. Peter’s practice, Lamin Fulton sported his state championship ring and gripped a commemorative ball in Neumann-Goretti’s hall. The senior will look to add another ring this season before heading to Jersey City.
Lamin Fulton knows all too well about humility. Having spent his entire academic life in Catholic schools, he has learned of its rewards and pride’s snares. Next year, however, life will introduce the Ss. Neumann-Goretti senior to a wicked case of irony when he pushes the ball for St. Peter’s College. The Jersey City school uses the peacock, known for flaunting its feathers, as the mascot for its men’s athletic teams.
Fulton, of the 1300 block of South 29th Street, plans to avoid using any bravado in his on-court antics at the next level. He kick-started his future Oct. 4, announcing the 3,300-strong member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference as his choice among four pursuers.
“I’m looking to play a key role as a freshman next season,” he said Friday before venturing to watch some future teammates practice.
They may not have become his acquaintances if not for a bit of good fortune March 19. Scouts from St. Peter’s attended the Saints’ PIAA AAA boys’ quarterfinal game at Widener University’s Schwartz Athletic Center hoping for a big game from an Archbishop Carroll player.
Playing tight defense and contributing four points, Fulton helped his school, 1736 S. 10th St., score a 53-38 victory. One week later, the team would win the PIAA state championship, completing a 30-1 season that including Catholic League and City titles. Based on his efforts, the St. Peter’s coaching staff began looking at the 5-foot-9 point guard, intensifying interest in July.
Canisius College in Buffalo had won Fulton’s initial favor, but visits to St. Peter’s and conversations with parents Bonita and Lamin Sr. and Saints’ coach Carl Arrigale led to his deciding on yet another Catholic institution for his studies and athletic gifts. In addition to being a pending Neumann-Goretti graduate, Fulton is an alumnus of St. Thomas Aquinas School, 1719 Morris St.
“My mom had been a little concerned that I had only one school in mind,” he said of shifting focus away from Canisius, Central Connecticut and St. Francis in Central Pennsylvania — his three other seekers. “When we talked the evening of Oct. 3, she said to make my decision when I felt ready. After that night, I felt confident, so I announced my plans the next day.”
In just under three weeks, he can give the Peacocks his official endorsement when prospective student-athletes can sign National Letters of Intent. Though other high school stars have reneged on verbal agreements, Fulton, a Third Team All-Catholic selection last season, knows he will not join them.
“I’m set,” he said of his Nov. 10 date with destiny.
Once on campus, he will study either sports management or business. Judging from his track record, one could say his choice of major is the only area of uncertainty in his life.
“I feel great about being able to help St. Peter’s,” he said of the school, which last qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 1995. “I’m eager to see how they do this year, but I know last year they lost a few close games, games where they had the lead with only a few minutes left. I hope to be the one who’s there to close games.”
Assuming a big role with the Peacocks will come after completing a huge chapter in his high school’s annals. He enters this season as the Saints’ only senior and knows he needs to serve as a mentor, especially for the five freshmen who will vie for minutes.
“We’ve started conditioning and we’re looking forward to defending our titles,” he said.
Those titles came partly because of the contributions from four seniors who all intend this year to play for Division I schools.
“It’s going to be interesting coming off a year where we had four productive seniors, four guys who would become D-1 players to this year, where I’m the leader. I’m the lonesome senior,” Fulton said with a laugh.
Because of other teams’ depth and his squad’s supposed lack of it, he has heard whispers that the Saints soon will be hobnobbing with mediocrity.
“Yeah, people think we’ve fallen, but we’re out to prove people wrong,” Fulton said.
To do so, he and his mates will have to make their court communication as constant as their regular chatter.
St. Joe’s Prep knocked down the game’s first three-pointer, but Neumann-Goretti senior guard Lamin Fulton made sure the last one sent his team’s supporters home happy. In a riveting Friday contest, the Saints, 1736 S. 10th St., escaped with a 77-74 victory on Fulton’s buzzer-beating swish, giving them a record-setting 50th straight against Catholic League foes.
When sixth-grader Lamin Fulton earns points, it's not just because he plays basketball. It's also because he impresses his teachers at St. Thomas Aquinas School, 1719 Morris St., with his character and helpful ways. "Lamin has strong leadership skills. He is always willing to assist other students," notes teacher Yvonne Matherson. "He is friendly, hardworking, well-behaved and confident." Through his consistent hard work, the 13-year-old also has helped himself to a host of academic awards. Lamin, who excels in language arts, earned first honors last semester and maintains the highest GPA in his class, his teacher says. Unlike many of his peers, the youth actually enjoys doing research, which is key to much of his academic success, Matherson says. Lamin, of the 1300 block of South 29th Street, learned to be a leader by following one: his dad, Lamin Sr. The teen describes his father as "very helpful and caring." Between his athletic and academic talents, Lamin might have just what it takes to get into Duke University, the college of his choice, where he wants to major in computer engineering. Of course, he still has to get through six more years of school, but it seems as if all of Lamin's goals will be a...
Catholic schoolchildren learn heavenly saints never sought revenge. Earthly saints, especially those clad in sneakers, are not as forgiving.
The 2009-10 boys’ basketball season has been an exciting one for Neumann-Goretti with trips to Hawaii and Springfield, Mass. — home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
With seven Catholic League championships in the last 13 campaigns, the boys’ basketball team at Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St., has become a producer of local legends. The East Passyunk Crossing institution has accommodated college hoops fans, too, as it has sent numerous players to happy campuses.
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