Gaffney sets visits, women’s soccer falls

The notable news around St. John’s recruiting is that guard Jalen Gaffney has set his visits, per Zagsblog — and has given St. John’s, who has been recruiting the 6’2” Westtown School/ Team Rio point guard for years.

Gaffney has set officials to Florida (Sept. 14), UConn (Sept. 21), Xavier (Oct. 7), Clemson (Oct. 12) and St. John’s (Oct. 19), his father told ZAGSBLOG. He is also considering Pittsburgh, to which he took an unofficial in this summer.

Busy month, one that sets Gaffney up to choose and sign during the first signing period, November 14-21.

For St. John’s, Gaffney could be a logical continuation of the thread of slim scoring combo guards, from Marcus LoVett to Shamorie Ponds to Mikey Dixon. But the competition is tough, and the Johnnies are also taking a visit from James Bishop, Jr.

Meanwhile, athletic guard Jalen Lecque has listed his top six and St. John’s is not on the list.

Of interest on the recruiting side, though, is that guard Nico Mannion, a dynamic top-25 guard from Arizona, has set visits to Arizona (thought of as the leader for his services) and also to Villanova and Marquette.

Both of the Big East schools are becoming rivals for guard talent; both have established a reputation as places for guards to shine and get national attention.

This season, in our opinion, is the year for St. John’s to show that guards develop in Queens as well, for the sake of future recruiting.

Women’s soccer falls

The women’s soccer squad kept Tennessee off the board in the first half in Knoxville, but gave up two goals in the 73rd and 85th minute to drop their opener, 2-0.

St. john’s gets back in action on Monday against Buffalo at 7 PM.