Malone Mulhall Benefit Game to feature Chris Mullin, other St. John's alumni

The image of the scene remains so tragic.

Five young volunteers from Floral Park, NY were driving along Nassau County's Meadowbrook State Parkway en route to a camp in Lido Beach on a July morning in 2010. When an adjacent car began to swerve into the left lane, the driver was forced to jerk the wheel in attempt to avoid contact.

Before the deviation could be corrected, it was too late. Justine Mulhall had been driving her friend Kelly Murphy, her older brother Michael, and friends Jamie and Paige Malone to Camp A.N.C.H.O.R., a recreational program dedicated to children and adults with special needs, that morning. What seemed to have been an avoidable accident became an irreversible disaster.

The sisters Jamie (22 years-old) and Paige Malone (19), along with Michael Mulhall (22) died from injuries sustained when the car collided with a roadside tree. Justine, the driver, and her friend Kelly were not severely hurt.

On Saturday, July 28th, Adelphi University will host the second annual benefit basketball game to honor Jamie, Paige, and Michael. The game will feature a collection of local (and notable) New York players and will include a few names St. John's fans are very familiar with.

More, below the fold.

When loved ones are lost, there are various ways that family and friends choose to remember them - photos, documents, or souvenirs. For those close to Jamie, Paige, and Michael, this basketball game is what best triggers positive memories.

Camp A.N.C.H.O.R., which stands for Answering the Needs of Citizens with Handicaps through Organized Recreation, provides summer activities for children and adults with special needs who live in the Town of Hempstead. By working there, the Malones and Mulhalls gave back to their community. This is what this honorary event is intended to do.

Last year, the first ever benefit game was played at Carnesecca Arena on the campus of St. John's. The day is meant to give children the opportunity to experience a joyous basketball-filled day, which includes an all-star game, a dunk contest, a three-point competition, raffles, and fan interaction.

Many notable basketball names are expected to appear at Adelphi on the 28th for the event. The game will have a St. John's feel, as Hall of Famer Chris Mullin will coach one of the teams. Justin Burrell (Warriors summer league)and Paris Horne (Bobcats summer league) are also expected to play.

Other players expected to participate are Danny Green (North Carolina, San Antonio Spurs), Scott Machado (Iona, Rockets summer league), Chris Taft (Pittsburgh, NBA D-League), Vernon Goodridge (La Salle, Bucks summer league), Truck Bryant (West Virginia), Rashad Green (San Francisco), Jeff Xavier (Manhattan, Providence, Spain), Tyrone Nash (Notre Dame, Germany), and Mike Cavataio (St. John's, Holy Cross). ESPN and MSG play-by-play man Mike Breen will be in attendance as well.

We figure that since many St. John's fans live on Long Island and in Queens, this would be a great opportunity to see some fun (and quality) basketball and contribute to a fantastic cause. All proceeds will be forwarded to the respective foundations of Jamie and Paige Malone and Michael Mulhall.

Ticket information can be found at the Malone Mulhall Benefit Game official website. The festivities will begin at 1pm (doors open 12:30pm). Afterwards, players will be available to meet the fans.

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