Rumble In The Garden: All Posts by Jaden DalyHere in good times and badhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52646/ritg_fav.png2013-03-25T16:36:49-04:00https://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/authors/jaden-daly/rss2013-03-25T16:36:49-04:002013-03-25T16:36:49-04:00Dayton 96, St. John's 90
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<figcaption>Ashley Perez starred for the Red Storm, but Dayton was too much. | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Red Storm gave a valiant effort in their NCAA Tournament opener in front of a home crowd at Carnesecca Arena, but just couldn't get past seventh-seed Dayton.</p> <p><i>Jaden brings us a recap of the thrilling double overtime game action at Carnesecca Arena, where the St. John's women's team took seventh-seeded Dayton to double overtime, but ran out of steam - and out of <b>Nadirah McKenith</b>. </i></p>
<p><i>Read on...</i></p>
<p><b><i><u>Notes:</u></i></b></p>
<p>- St. John's erased a ten-point deficit in the final 4:19 of regulation, uncorking a 16-6 run that included a 10-2 spurt over the final 95 seconds of the second half. Led by <b>Nadirah McKenith</b>, (more on her later) the Red Storm took away Dayton's momentum and brought the home crowd to life until McKenith fouled out in the first overtime on a call that crippled the Lady Johnnies in the second extra session.</p>
<p>- Remember this name for the future: <b>Ashley Perez</b>.</p>
<p>The freshman guard, who had averaged just 1.2 points per game before today, erupted for a career-high 17 on 6-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-5 from three-point range. The Connecticut native, who backs up her striking good looks with a shot that is just as attractive, played with a confidence and swagger that belied her young age, showing some of the form that earned her the title of all-time leading scorer at her old high school in the Nutmeg State.</p>
<p>- In addition to Perez, four other St. John's players scored in double figures, led by McKenith and <b>Shenneika Smith</b> with 22 and 18, respectively. In addition, freshman guard <b>Aliyyah Handford</b> chipped in with 15 points while Amber Thompson contributed 13.</p>
<p>- After fighting all season to emerge from the shadow of former coach Kim Barnes Arico, who won her NCAA Tournament opener earlier today as Michigan defeated Villanova, head coach <b>Joe Tartamella</b> made the most of his rookie season at the helm, finishing strong with the Red Storm. Tartamella won six of his final nine games as his team fought harder with each passing day.</p>
<p>Despite losing two-thirds of his backcourt, Tartamella will still bring several valuable pieces back to Queens next season, when the Red Storm will no doubt be among the favorites to win the soon-to-be restructured Big East championship.</p>
<p>- Finally, what more can you ask from Nadirah McKenith and Shenneika Smith after four years of going above and beyond both on and off the court?</p>
<p>Both guards leave the corner of Union and Utopia with an NCAA Tournament appearance in every year, including the Sweet 16 appearance last season, and both made indelible lasting impressions in front of their hometown fans today. Smith gave a typical warrior's effort, playing all 50 minutes while scoring 18 points on 8-of-17 shooting along with five rebounds and two steals.</p>
<p>McKenith may have had her finest game in a Red Storm uniform, putting the finishing touches on a great career with 22 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds, including a driving layup at the end of regulation to send the game into the first of two overtimes.</p>
<p>Both perennial all-Big East selections will be greatly missed, and deserve any and all recognition for a job well done.</p>
<p><b><i>St. John's head coach Joe Tartamella's opening statement:</i></b></p>
<p>"Our seniors have done so much for us, and they can leave here with their heads held high. I couldn't be happier with this group, I'm really proud of them."</p>
<p><b><i>Senior guards Shenneika Smith and Nadirah McKenith on the realization that their careers have come to an end:</i></b></p>
<p>Smith: "It's not a great feeling. Obviously, we wanted to get the 'W.' It's terrible right now. We did some great things for the program, and that's what we came here for. I don't think we have any regrets."</p>
<p>McKenith: "I'm at a loss for words, but I'm just so proud of the way my team fought."</p>
<p><b><i>Smith and McKenith on Ashley Perez (17 points) and her breakout game:</i></b></p>
<p>Smith: "She hit a lot of huge threes. Being a freshman, you wouldn't think she'd have that kind of confidence."</p>
<p>McKenith: "I knew she was going to have a breakout game soon, and this was a big game for her to do it in."</p>
<p><b><i>Perez on her performance:</i></b></p>
<p>"It was exciting. Coach said I would hit some big shots, and it was nice to see that everyone believed in me."</p>
<p><b><i>Joe Tartamella on today's game:</i></b></p>
<p>"I think the energy we felt in the building today was what we expected, and I was pleased to see it. I never thought that we weren't going to come back, because that's what we've done. We let them (Dayton) do what they were good at early, they made threes. Those players gave everything they had for us today, and we'll be back."</p>
<p><b><i>On Nadirah McKenith:</i></b></p>
<p>"She's a special player. You can't replace a kid like that. When she made the shot, (at the end of regulation) it reminded me of Creighton last year. (in the NCAA Tournament) She's our leader, our general."</p>
https://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/st-johns-red-storm-womens-basketball/2013/3/25/4143626/dayton-96-st-johns-90-quotes-takeaways-nuggetsJaden Daly2013-02-27T10:35:37-05:002013-02-27T10:35:37-05:00Surging Red Storm eye return to NCAA Tournament
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<figcaption>Mike Stobe</figcaption>
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<p>St. John's has turned around a 9-9 start with wins in six of their last seven.</p> <p>Following a three-game losing streak that placed their record at 9-9, an NCAA Tournament appearance was arguably the last thing anyone could have associated with St. John's women's basketball this season.</p>
<p>Then the easier part of the Big East schedule vaulted coach <b>Joe Tartamella</b>'s team right back into contention.</p>
<p>With a lone setback being a six-point defeat to UConn that showed the Lady Johnnies could still contend, the team has won five straight and six of their last seven. Now St. John's (15-10, 9-4) prepares for their final three Big East contests of the regular season. The first two come on the road against Seton Hall and Villanova before a Carnesecca Arena season finale Monday night against DePaul that could have an impact on seeding for next month's Big East tournament in Hartford.</p>
<p>With their 9-4 record in the Big East, St. John's currently sits a half-game behind Louisville for fourth place in the conference standings, a crucial position since the last of the four double byes into the tournament quarterfinals is awarded to the fourth-place team.</p>
<p>Last season, the Red Storm enjoyed the No. 2 seed under former coach <b>Kim Barnes Arico</b> in the Big East Tournament and outlasted the Cardinals in overtime before falling to UConn the next night.</p>
<p>Since the four teams ahead of St. John's (Notre Dame, UConn, Syracuse and Louisville) all own head-to-head victories over the Lady Johnnies, Tartamella's team may have to run the table to have a shot at a top four finish. What aids the Red Storm down the stretch is that Syracuse, presently the No. 3 seed, still has to play Notre Dame and Louisville to close out the season, two teams that could potentially knock the Orange out of the double-bye scenario.</p>
<p>Undefeated Notre Dame still has one more game with <b>Geno Auriemma</b> and Connecticut to end the season in what will most likely be a battle for the regular season championship on Monday night. Meanwhile, St. John's welcomes DePaul into Queens. The Blue Demons lead the series 4-2 series lead in, and the Red Storm have not defeated <b>Doug Bruno</b>'s DePaul program at home in since January of 2007.</p>
<p>St. John's did not have a nonconference season to write home about, with close losses to schools such as Quinnipiac, UCLA and Delaware. However, the men's basketball team had a similar start to the season two years ago with shocking defeats at the hands of St. Bonaventure and Fordham prior to the start of Big East play. The Red Storm men had a senior guard with a refuse-to-lose mentality in <b>Dwight Hardy</b> the same way the women have two of their own this season in <b>Shenneika Smith </b>and <b>Nadirah McKenith</b>, not to mention the remarkable freshman season enjoyed by <b>Aliyyah Handford</b> as she continues to grow while replacing the injured <b>Eugeneia McPherson</b>.</p>
<p>With a hot streak this season that rivals the magical run the boys on campus enjoyed two years ago under <b>Steve Lavin</b>, the queens of Queens are drawing ever closer to a fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament people have come to expect their participation in.</p>
https://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/st-johns-red-storm-womens-basketball/2013/2/27/4033578/wrapup-surging-red-storm-eye-return-2013-ncaa-womens-tournamentJaden Daly2013-01-25T09:00:02-05:002013-01-25T09:00:02-05:00St. John's women's wrapup: UConn's looming
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<figcaption>Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After righting the ship with three straight conference wins following a lackluster start to the year, the Lady Johnnies dropped two in a row with the heart of the Big East schedule coming up.</p> <p>Following a heartbreaking 60-57 loss to Syracuse yesterday on an improbable halfcourt buzzer-beater, year one for St. John's under new coach <b>Joe Tartamella</b> currently stands at 9-8 (3-2 Big East). The Red Storm dropped their second consecutive Big East contest just three days after coming up short on the road against second-ranked Notre Dame.</p>
<p>It hasn't been easy for the Lady Johnnies in the wake of having to replace <b>Da'Shena Stevens</b>, <b>Eugeneia McPherson</b>, AND head coach Kim Barnes Arico, but this year's St. John's team has played the role of survivor quite well while trying to navigate a 16-game Big East schedule that kicks into high gear next week.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/949368/Louisville.gif"><img align="left" width="100" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/949368/Louisville_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Louisville_medium"></a> St. John's returns to the court on Sunday for a road meeting with Louisville that starts a stretch of three games in seven days. The Cardinals will no doubt be looking to exact a measure of revenge from the last time <b>Jeff Walz</b>'s team faced the Red Storm - a fierce overtime battle in the Big East Tournament that <b>Shenneika Smith</b> ultimately took over in the final minutes of regulation.</p>
<p>Smith guided St. John's past an upset-minded Louisville team with a refuse-to-lose attitude. This year, the Cardinals take the court for their rematch as the prohibitive favorites behind the Schimmel sisters, (<b>Jude</b> and <b>Shoni</b>, the Cardinals' leading scorer) as well as New Yorker and former Christ the King standout Bria Smith.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/949409/Friars_logo.gif"><img width="100" align="right" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/949409/Friars_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Friars_logo_medium"></a>From there, St. John's remains on the road three days later to meet a Providence team that is currently 6-12 and still trying to find their way, even after picking up their first Big East win last night against Villanova.</p>
<p>The Red Storm have traditionally enjoyed favorable matchups against the Friars, and this year should be no exception despite the trip to Rhode Island.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/960714/uconn_logo.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Uconn_logo_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/960714/uconn_logo_medium.gif" align="left" width="100"></a> After that, the Lady Johnnies return home for arguably the biggest game of their year, a February 2nd clash with UConn. Geno Auriemma's Lady Huskies will invade Carnesecca Arena for the first time since February 11th, 2009, carrying the bitter memory of St. John's ending their 99-game home winning streak last season, as St. John's emerged from Gampel Pavilion with a dramatic 57-56 victory that launched their run to the Sweet 16.</p>
<p>Even for all the struggles St. John's has endured, Tartamella is still receiving noteworthy contributions from junior Briana Brown and freshman Aliyyah Handford as supporting cast members to Smith and Nadirah McKenith. Newark native Handford, in particular, has taken her game to another level since stepping into the starting lineup and filling the void left by McPherson's torn ACL in mid-December.</p>
<p>The Red Storm are also yielding just 55 points per game on defense, while limiting their opponents to a 36 percent shooting clip from the field. On paper, the stats and the talent are there for St. John's to make another run. It all starts again this Sunday at Louisville.</p>
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https://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/st-johns-red-storm-womens-basketball/2013/1/25/3910360/st-johns-womens-basketball-weekly-wrapupJaden Daly2013-01-03T10:07:03-05:002013-01-03T10:07:03-05:00St. John's gives valiant effort, falls to Delaware
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<figcaption>USA Today Sports - Debby Wong</figcaption>
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<p>St. John's pulled out all the stops with a short bench against a formidable Delaware opponent, but fell in heartbreaking fashion on a game-winning basket by Elena Delle Donne in the final second of overtime to fall to 6-6 on the season.</p> <p>Playing one more home game before opening Big East play, against an NCAA Tournament team featuring arguably one of the best players in the country, last night was as big a game for St. John's as any other. </p>
<p>As it turned out, 40 minutes was not enough. For a while, it looked like 45 minutes would not even suffice. </p>
<p>St. John's had overcome a thin bench and countless missed layups throughout regulation, including three in the final five seconds after two <b>Elena Delle Donne</b> free throws tied the game at 51. St. John's had stifled a Delaware team that shot just 6-of-26 in the second half.</p>
<p>Then came the final second of overtime.</p>
<p>The Lady Johnnies could not contain the Blue Hens when they needed to most, falling in overtime by the final of 60-59 after Delle Donne converted a driving jumper with seven tenths of a second remaining in an extra session. </p>
<p>"We knew exactly where it was going to go," St. John's head coach <b>Joe Tartamella</b> said of the game-winning possession. "We didn't do it as aggressively as we needed to. We had a lack of execution against a great player, which you just can't do."</p>
<p>Delle Donne ended the night with 29 points and 16 rebounds. 23 points and 11 rebounds came after a first half in which St. John's limited her productivity. Her flair for the dramatic was more of the same in a season in which the 6-5 sensation has lived up to her longtime massive hype.</p>
<p>"I think we did a good job of defending her until we let her get to the free throw line," Tartamella said of the 6-5 senior sensation, who converted all of her thirteen foul shots. "I think we know we can play with anyone, but we've got to be able to convert. Our mental state is in a good place even though we've had some tough losses."</p>
<p>With this latest defeat, the Red Storm enter Big East play at 6-6, but the coach who needed last-second heroics to walk out of Queens victorious was confident that tonight's adversaries would soon reverse their fortunes.</p>
<p>"It's going to take them time to find themselves," Delaware coach <b>Tina Martin</b> said of St. John's, "but they're definitely competitors. They have the quality guard play to make noise in the Big East. <b>(Shenneika) Smith</b> and <b>(Nadirah) McKenith</b> will put the team on their backs and they'll find a way, because that's what great players do."</p>
<p>In overtime, St. John's missed each of the six field goals they attempted. It was part of a 28 percent (19-for-67) shooting performance from the field for the night. It was the second overtime game that St. John's lost by just one point this season.</p>
<p>Smith and McKenith combined for 26 points and 14 rebounds on a night where St. John's was limited to a seven-man rotation. Forward <b>Mary Nwachukwu</b> missed last night's contest due to injury. Her absence forced the Red Storm to once again start four guards, all of whom played at least 36 minutes.</p>
<p>Freshman <b>Aliyyah Handford</b>, who replaced <b>Eugeneia McPherson</b> in the starting lineup after the senior tore her ACL five games into the season, led the Lady Johnnies with 16 points. </p>
<p>St. John's will now need to regroup faster than usual, as their first Big East game is an equally stern test, coming Sunday morning against <b>C. Vivian Stringer</b> and <b>Rutgers </b>on the road in Piscataway. Tipoff for the contest, which can be seen on ESPNU, is slated for 11:30 a.m.</p>
https://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/2013/1/3/3830826/st-johns-womens-basketball-delaware-overtime-60-59-delle-donneJaden Daly2012-12-20T19:26:53-05:002012-12-20T19:26:53-05:00Big East "Catholic 7" to leave In 2014?
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<figcaption>Jamie Squire</figcaption>
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<p>Georgetown mascot Jack the Bulldog, and his six other friends, could be on the move sooner than originally thought. </p> <p>Unless you've been hiding under a rock this month, you've known for about a week now that the seven basketball-only schools in the Big East have decided to separate and form their own hoops-exclusive league.</p>
<p>The proposed conference is one that is reported to eventually include current Atlantic 10 programs Xavier and Butler, but may even spread to include other Catholic mid-major universities. Today, the saga provided yet another twist, as <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/McMurphyESPN/status/281757172881305600">ESPN's Brett McMurphy revealed this morning</a> that Big East commissioner <b>Mike Aresco</b> is open to allowing the seven soon-to-be expatriates leave the conference following next season's 2013-14 campaign.</p>
<p>In an interview with the Washington Post, Aresco intimated that Conference USA's East Carolina, rumored to be considered as a football-only member of the Big East, is now likely to join for all sports. The Pirates <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/2012/11/27/3697850/conference-realignment-tulane-east-carolina-big-east">were announced as the newest members</a> of the continually deteriorating Big East alongside Tulane last month, a move that is considered to have been the last straw for St. John's and its allies.</p>
<p>There is no word yet on how much, if at all, the exit fees for each program would be if the seven were to leave in 2014. Currently, the schools are slated to depart the Big East on June 30, 2015 in order to avoid paying the said fees and uphold the Big East's 27-month rule that was established before Syracuse and Pittsburgh started the seemingly endless game of musical chairs a year ago when announcing their decisions to join the Atlantic Coast Conference.</p>
<p>Stay with the Rumble for further news and late-breaking developments regarding the realignment scenarios.</p>
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https://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/st-johns-red-storm-mens-basketball/2012/12/20/3790180/big-east-basketball-seven-to-leave-in-2014Jaden Daly2012-12-13T08:35:09-05:002012-12-13T08:35:09-05:00Scouting St. Francis College
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<img alt="Dre Calloway" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CYDTObZpLSFu5-xLlHJ__wNVPyE=/0x234:2650x2001/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4917953/20121204_kkt_bl2_513.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dre Calloway | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>St. John's comes into the Barclays Center at 7-3 prior to their matchup with the Terriers, and we shed further light on the Brooklyn natives as the Red Storm prepare for battle.</p> <p>Through ten games, St. John's stands a respectable 7-3, with the extra point in their touchdown of wins coming a week ago in a <a href="http://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/st-johns-red-storm-mens-basketball/2012/12/8/3745058/st-johns-fordham-holiday-festival-chris-obekpa-blocks-record">58-47 grind-it-out affair in the Holiday Festival</a> against a scrappy <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/fordham-rams">Fordham Rams</a> team led by <b>Tom Pecora</b>.</p>
<p>Seven days later, the Red Storm leaves its home venue of Madison Square Garden for their debut inside Brooklyn's Barclays Center, taking on yet another local team. This team has a greater connection to the Johnnies (and one I am honored to be a play-by-play announcer for).</p>
<p>At 2-6, St. Francis College may not seem like a formidable opponent on paper, but the Terriers are seemingly in almost every game they play, but can't hold leads. St. Francis will no doubt be looking to spring the upset and defeat the Johnnies for the first time since 2004, when Terrier head coach <b>Glenn Braica</b> was in his first year on the other bench, as the top assistant coach in Queens under <b>Norm Roberts</b>.</p>
<p>Through their first eight games, St. Francis has struggled to replace the scoring punch and lethal outside shooting of Serbian swingman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53378/stefan-perunicic">Stefan Perunicic</a>.<b> </b>In his stead, the Terriers have picked up a breakout season from sophomore <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146150/kevin-douglas">Kevin Douglas</a>, not to mention early dominance from fellow second-year starter <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146147/jalen-cannon">Jalen Cannon</a>. What else does St. Francis bring to the table? The Rumble will break it down just a little further for you.</p>
<h3>Guards</h3>
<p>Now that former four-year starter Justin Newton has graduated, junior Brent Jones runs the point to start the game.</p>
<p>Jones had actually won the starting job midway through the season last year, and enjoyed an increase in his productivity in the process. Lightning quick, Jones will push the ball up faster than any other point guard the Red Storm has seen this year, and his five assists per game indicate that he has become much more of a facilitator.</p>
<p>Look for English shooter Ben Mockford to be the primary recipient of Jones' passes, as the one-time Iona transfer averages over ten points per game while taking three-quarters of his shots from three-point range, where he shoots 33% from beyond the arc.</p>
<p>Fifth-year senior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124360/dre-calloway">Dre Calloway</a> is still rounding back into form coming off a separated shoulder that sacrificed most of his 2011-12 season, with sophomore P.J. Santavenere and freshman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175789/anthony-white">Anthony White</a> providing valuable minutes as Braica emulates his former boss Roberts' tendency of spreading playing time equally, or "sharing the sugar," to use a popular "Lavin Line."</p>
<p>Junior college transfer Alex Isailovic arrives from Serbia as the heir apparent to Stefan Perunicic on paper, but is struggling to adjust to the speed and style of the American game. Having played in every contest this season, Isailovic has only scored 16 points in eight games, and is shooting a mere 5-for-22 from the field.</p>
<h3>Forwards</h3>
<p>The front line for the Terriers begins with Jalen Cannon, a Northeast Conference all-rookie selection last season who is making a strong case for first team honors in the conference awards this year. Averaging sixteen points and nearly ten rebounds per contest, Cannon is a double-double threat on any given night, reminiscent almost of a smaller version of former Iona forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26217/mike-glover">Mike Glover</a>.</p>
<p>Cannon is joined up front by senior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100783/akeem-johnson">Akeem Johnson</a>, the rock of the frontcourt who is just now getting into a groove once again after a few off nights in November. Normally a high-percentage shot taker, Johnson is only shooting 46 percent from the field this season, but that number should improve as the Terriers move into NEC play next month.</p>
<p>Swingman Kevin Douglas has undoubtedly been the NEC's most improved player through the first several weeks of the year, as he has come from playing sparingly as a freshman to starting every game and serving as St. Francis' second-leading scorer in his sophomore campaign.</p>
<p>For all the talk about finding a replacement for Perunicic, Douglas has been the one to fill the void so far, as his eleven-plus points per game and 54 percent shooting from the field (41 from three-point range) have paced the Terriers in a great deal of games this season.</p>
<p>At just 6-3 and change, senior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124364/travis-nichols">Travis Nichols</a> doesn't look like a prototypical power forward, but his defense is unparalleled. Moreover, Nichols is a lethal shooter and a deceptive matchup for whomever guards him. The Terriers' sixth man extraordinaire hasn't seen as many minutes as he is accustomed to, but can burn opponents whenever he is left open.</p>
<p>At 6-8, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124365/matt-milk">Matt Milk</a> is the tallest man on the St. Francis roster, but has been more of a body in his two-plus years than a scorer. Don't look for that to change anytime soon against a more athletic and long St. John's team.</p>
<h3>Previewing the Game</h3>
<p>St. Francis has historically struggled against zone defenses, so expect <b>Steve Lavin</b>'s matchup zone to give the Terriers problems throughout the night and take them out of their shooting element.</p>
<p>If there is one positive for St. Francis, it is that Jalen Cannon is a threat to approach 15 rebounds after how St. John's made <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145358/ryan-canty">Ryan Canty</a> look in the Fordham game last week. Ultimately, this game will come down to three-point shooting for the Terriers. If Douglas and Mockford, the latter of whom seems to torch the nets whenever he's <i style="font-weight: bold;">not</i> on his home floor at the Pope Center, can match D'Angelo Harrison from beyond the arc, St. Francis will keep this game manageable and within shouting distance for most of the night.</p>
<p>Speaking of Harrison, if he can get going early, he could seriously end the night as a 30-point scorer. St. Francis is a solid team and a more formidable opponent than Fordham, but the matchup still bodes better for St. John's, which should translate to a comfortable Red Storm victory.</p>
<p><u style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Shameless Plug:</u> If you can't make it to the Barclays Center on Saturday, be sure to follow myself (<a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/dalydoseofhoops">@DalyDoseOfHoops</a>) and Quinn, (<a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/qstjhoops">@QSTJHoops</a>) both of whom will be live-tweeting the clash between Brooklyn and Queens.</p>
https://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/2012/12/13/3760870/pregame-st-johns-scouting-st-francis-terriersJaden Daly2012-11-30T21:24:02-05:002012-11-30T21:24:02-05:00McPherson tears ACL, will miss rest of season
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<figcaption>Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>St. John's senior guard Eugeneia McPherson tore her ACL in Sunday's win over Hartford and will miss the remainder of the 2012-13 season.</p> <p>Just when it appeared that nothing could stand in St. John's way during a 4-1 start to the season under new head coach <b>Joe Tartamella</b>, the Red Storm were dealt a crucial blow.</p>
<p>After an MRI on Monday, it was revealed this afternoon that senior guard <b>Eugeneia McPherson</b>, an integral part of the program's first-ever Sweet 16 appearance last season, tore her right ACL in the Lady Johnnies' Sunday victory over Hartford, and will miss the remainder of the season. McPherson had been averaging 7.6 points and 2.6 assists per game through the first five contests.</p>
<p>"Gina has meant a great deal to our program's success over the last three years, and we will miss her on the court," Tartamella said in a press release. "We know she is disappointed, however, we know how hard she will work to get back, and she will be stronger than ever. Although not physically on the court, Gina will continue to be a leader for our team throughout the season."</p>
<p>McPherson will be eligible for a medical redshirt should St. John's decide to go down that road, as she will have missed at least 80 percent of the Red Storm's season when next season starts.</p>
<p>Assuming the Long Islander is granted a fifth year of eligibility, she will become the unquestioned leader of a backcourt that will be retooling after all-Big East selections <b>Shenneika Smith</b> and <b>Nadirah McKenith</b> graduate in May.</p>
<p>In McPherson's absence, the Lady Johnnies can be expected to rely more upon freshmen <b>Aliyyah Handford</b> and <b>Ashley Perez</b>. Both have made moderate contributions to start the season. Handford has averaged 4.4 points per game in 12 minutes; Perez has scored 1 point per game and hasn't gotten on track with her three-point shot yet.</p>
<p>Both will be looked to fill the fourth guard spot in Tartamella's lineup alongside Smith, McKenith and <b>Briana Brown</b>, who has made arguably the biggest and greatest strides for the Red Storm after playing sparingly in her first two seasons under former coach <b>Kim Barnes Arico</b>.</p>
<p>When McPherson does return, she need just 123 points to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau for her career. The senior was one of St. John's most durable players last season, the only member of the roster to start every game in a junior campaign that saw her average nearly twelve points per game while ending thirteen contests as the Lady Johnnies' leading scorer.</p>
<p>The 17/ 15 ranked St. John's next faces Boston University in Boston at 1PM on Saturday, and then a game against Duke without McPherson.</p>
https://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/st-johns-red-storm-womens-basketball/2012/11/30/3712890/eugeneia-mcpherson-out-for-season-torn-aclJaden Daly2012-11-20T12:11:10-05:002012-11-20T12:11:10-05:00Scouting St. John's next WBB opponent: Iona
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<figcaption>David Butler II-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Lady Johnnies welcome the Gaels into Carnesecca Arena for the first time since their 2008 WNIT meeting, in which St. John's prevailed by a 65-59 final.</p> <p>Three days ago, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/st-johns-red-storm-womens-basketball/2012/11/18/3660606/st-johns-73-hofstra-47-quotes-takeaways-nuggets">St. John's came away with a convincing victory</a> over their first local opponent of the season, a decisive 73-47 rout of Hofstra that served as an emphatic measure of revenge for the Pride's upset win in 2011.</p>
<p>One more squad comes to Carnesecca Arena for the Red Storm's pre-Thanksgiving appetizer, a young Iona Gaels team that is competing far beyond their years under veteran coach <b>Tony Bozzella</b> as they look to move up the ladder in the MAAC.</p>
<p>The last time Iona came to Queens back in 2008, this writer was a senior at St. John's the game on WSJU as the Lady Johnnies, led by the backcourt of <b>Kia Wright</b>, <b>Monique McLean</b> and <b>Sky Lindsay</b>, held off an older and more experienced Gaels team by the final of 65-59 to advance in the WNIT.</p>
<p>This time around, the tables have turned, but will the results be the same? The Rumble will help you find out more about the Gaels with some stats and vital information below.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><u>Scouting Iona</u></i></b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Now in his eleventh year in New Rochelle, Bozzella has become one of the MAAC's elder statesmen, a coach who gets the most out of underrated players. This year, he has one of his greatest and first true bona fide stars in sophomore guard <b>Damika Martinez</b>, the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year who has started her second season averaging just under eighteen points and more than six rebounds per game. She has been torching the nets shooting at a 48 percent shooting clip from three-point range.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Martinez can (and pretty much will) do it all, but Bozzella has yet another candidate for top freshman honors in his conference this season in the form of 5-11 forward <b>Joy Adams</b>. The first-year player from Orlando has already ripped down an average of nine rebounds per game, and can score too, with a total of 42 points in Iona's first four contests; not to mention a double-double in just her second career outing ten days ago, when she picked up 15 points, 12 boards, and the game-winning bucket against Long Beach State with just one second on the clock in regulation.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">While Martinez gets all the attention in the backcourt, fellow sophomore <b>Aleesha Powell</b> runs the show at the point. The Philadelphia native hasn't scored at her freshman pace to begin the season. But she has put up points in bunches since replacing program assist leader <b>Suzi Fregosi</b> at the "hub of the wheel," to use a Steve Lavin expression, highlighted by a 14-point outburst against Navy in the Gaels' season opener.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">New Jersey native <b>Haley D'Angelo</b> anchors the guard trio in her senior season, while 6-3 junior <b>Sabrina Jeridore</b> will cause matchup problems for the St. John's four-guard lineup on her sheer stature alone.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Gaels only managed 31 points in their most recent contest on Sunday, but that was in a hostile Cameron Indoor Stadium environment against third-ranked Duke (who get St. John's inside Madison Square Garden in another couple of weeks). That game alone makes Iona battle-tested and a stronger opponent than they appear on paper. The keys to victory in this game are simple and twofold for the Red Storm: 1) take advantage of the extra guard, and 2) do to Martinez what they did to <b>Shante Evans</b> of Hofstra.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The four-guard look for St. John's will entice Tony Bozzella to pound the ball inside to Adams and Jeridore early and often, but what Iona is not counting on is the blessing the Red Storm enjoys by having 6-1 <b>Shenneika Smith</b> in their backcourt. Because of her size, Smith can easily move up front to guard either Adams or Jeridore while <b>Mary Nwachukwu</b> takes care of the other, and not have to worry about sacrificing anything on the offensive end. Smith racked up a double-double before halftime against Hofstra, and can certainly do the same against an Iona team that enters Wednesday's contest shooting just 36 percent from the field.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">As far as Martinez is concerned, if given the opportunity, she can (and will) burn the Lady Johnnies, which has almost undoubtedly prompted head coach <b>Joe Tartamella</b> to make her an integral part of the St. John's game plan. Look for <b>Eugeneia McPherson</b> and <b>Briana Brown</b> to swarm Martinez from the opening tip, with <b>Nadirah McKenith</b> possibly coming over to join them once Aleesha Powell gives the ball up in the open court.</p>
<p><i><b>Shameless plug</b></i>: In addition to live tweeting the game as I usually do at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/dalydoseofhoops">@DalyDoseOfHoops</a>, I will most likely be appearing on the halftime show of the Iona broadcast, as my good friend <b>Nick Guerriero </b>handles Iona's play-by-play. Feel free to listen to the interview on the "Iona Insider" at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.icgaels.com">ICGaels.com</a>.</p>
https://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/st-johns-red-storm-womens-basketball/2012/11/20/3670020/scouting-st-johns-iona-preview-wbbJaden Daly2012-11-18T10:52:53-05:002012-11-18T10:52:53-05:00Quotes, takeaways St. John's win over Hofstra
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<figcaption>Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Quotes, takeaways and nuggets from a successful home opener for Joe Tartamella and the Red Storm.</p> <p>Sometimes, all you need for a big win is the friendly confines of your home court.</p>
<p>St. John's proved that yesterday, using an athletic first half to establish a lead over Hofstra before putting on a defensive clinic in the second half to defeat the Pride 73-47. The Red Storm move to 2-1 on the season, giving head coach Joe Tartamella the win in his first home opener at the helm of the Lady Johnnies.</p>
<p>Below are some quotes and observations from the Red Storm's big nonconference win, as they now shift their sights to a Wednesday matinee with Iona College:</p>
<p><i><b>Head coach Joe Tartamella on his team's effort:</b></i><br> "From a defensive standpoint, I think we did a great job with what we tried to game plan for all week."</p>
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</p>
<p><b><i>Senior guard Shenneika Smith (18 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals) on exacting revenge for last year's loss to Hofstra:</i></b><br> "When you get an opportunity to play a team again, you go back to what you know and you try to perfect it."</p>
<p><i><b>Senior guard Nadirah McKenith (24 points, 6 rebounds) on her performance:</b></i><br> "I was just trying to go out there and make a play for my team. Things just opened up for me to score."</p>
<p><b><i>Tartamella on taking Hofstra out of their element:</i></b><br> "We were able to get some of their key players in foul trouble, and that changed the complexion of the game in the second half. We had 29 points off turnovers...obviously that's a big piece to this game."</p>
<p><i><b>On St. John's playing Hofstra again and avenging a 93-82 loss from last season:</b></i><br> "We had more preparation than last year, which helped us."</p>
<p><i><b>On playing four guards:</b></i><br> "It's not something that's always ideal, but we have the depth and the personnel that can do it."</p>
<p><i><b>On junior guard Briana Brown (12 points, 4 rebounds):</b></i><br> "We always knew she had an ability to help us. Her impact has been extremely important."</p>
<p><i><b>On Shenneika Smith:</b></i><br> "She's a game changer...she brings confidence to our group. She brings another dimension."</p>
<p>St. John's won seemingly every facet of this game, particularly in transition. In addition to outscoring Hofstra 38-26 in the paint and 17-9 on second chance buckets, the Red Storm scored 29 points off 26 Pride turnovers. The Lady Johnnies also managed 13 steals and 12 blocked shots while forcing Hofstra into an uncharacteristic 28 pefcent (18-for-65) shooting effort from the field, including a 6-for-27 clip in the second half.</p>
<p>Shante Evans, far and away Hofstra's best player, was never able to find a comfort zone. As highlighted in our <a href="http://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/2012/11/16/3651992/st-johns-wbb-vs-hofstra-preview">keys to victory</a>, St. John's did a great job of double and triple-teaming the senior forward, limiting her touches and drawing fouls on the three-time all-CAA honoree. Evans finished the day with just 12 points and six rebounds, fouling out with 5:07 remaining in regulation to culminate a 4-for-10 afternoon.</p>
<p>The four-guard lineup that has become more common since former St. John's coach Kim Barnes Arico started experimenting with it two years ago may not give the Red Storm the most physically dominating lineup, but the contributions are unparalleled. Between Shenneika Smith, Nadirah McKenith, Briana Brown, and Eugeneia McPherson, the backcourt quartet scored 61 of the 73 St. John's points, with 26 rebounds, 10 assists and 9 steals. For what it's worth, backup guards Aliyyah Handford and Ashley Perez managed eight points combined off the bench as well.</p>
<p>Finally, Tartamella will need more of the same effort in his next game. Iona College comes into Carnesecca Arena on Wednesday with a dynamic backcourt attack of their own, led by sophomore dynamo Damika Martinez, the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year. The Rumble will have a preview of that game in the days to come.</p>
https://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/st-johns-red-storm-womens-basketball/2012/11/18/3660606/st-johns-73-hofstra-47-quotes-takeaways-nuggetsJaden Daly2012-11-16T23:33:13-05:002012-11-16T23:33:13-05:00St. John's hosts Hofstra in home opener
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<figcaption>Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Fresh off their season-opening trip to Florida, the Red Storm host a local rival in their home opener, and look to avenge a bitter defeat.</p> <p>This Saturday at 2:00 PM, St. John's can finally give their fans a glimpse of life after <b>Kim Barnes Arico</b>. The Lady Johnnies host Hofstra in their 2012-13 home opener following a two-game excursion to Daytona Beach that saw the Red Storm split decisions with Texas and Central Florida in the inaugural acts of the <b>Joe Tartamella</b> era.</p>
<p><b>Matchup</b>: #20/#18 St. John's (1-1) vs. Hofstra (1-1) <br><b> Time</b>: Saturday, Nov. 17, 2 PM<br><b>Where</b>: Carnesecca Arena (5,602), Queens, N.Y.<br><b>TV</b>: <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id/686187/hofstra-vs-st-john-exclusive">ESPN3</a></p>
<p>Last season, Hofstra came away the winner in a hotly-contested collision between the two local programs at Hempstead's Mack Center, and the 1-1 Pride will once again have an upset on their minds. The Rumble sheds further light on what could be a trap game for the Johnnies as they look to move over .500 once again.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Scouting St. John's</u></b></p>
<p>Following a 2012-13 debut against Texas in which they were outscored 15-4 down the stretch, the Red Storm rebounded nicely two days later, gaining a decisive win over future Big East foe Central Florida, the first for Tartamella since replacing Barnes Arico at the helm last April.</p>
<p>In the victory, St. John's got a 23-point performance from senior guard <b>Shenneika Smith</b>, playing her first game of the season after serving an NCAA-imposed suspension that kept her out of the opener. The biggest surprise for the Lady Johnnies has been junior guard <b>Briana Brown</b>. Brown has managed two consecutive double-figure scoring efforts to start the year, and comes into Saturday's matchup averaging fourteen points per game.</p>
<p>The Connecticut native played sparingly for Barnes Arico in each of her first two campaigns, but following the graduation of <b>Da'Shena Stevens</b>, Brown has become the biggest contributor to a four-guard lineup that has relied on experience and guile to catch their opponents off guard through the early part of the season.</p>
<p>Three of the four incoming freshmen have seen playing time so far, with <b>Aliyyah Handford</b> (6.0 PPG, 44% FG) being the most significant performer of that troika.</p>
<p>Now, for a look at the team the Red Storm will face...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Scouting Hofstra</u></b></p>
<p>Coached by <b>Krista Kilburn-Steveskey</b>, Hofstra has been built seemingly in the Red Storm's own image. The Pride's rise to prominence mirrors that of St. John's early ascent under Barnes Arico. With four WNIT appearances to their credit since 2006, Hofstra is intent on taking the next step. Despite the loss of their two senior guards, there is still more than enough talent to go around in Hempstead.</p>
<p>Senior forward <b>Shante Evans </b>is a big reason why. A mid-major version of Da'Shena Stevens in essence, Evans has improved with each passing season. With averages of fourteen points and nine rebounds coming into this weekend's battle with the Red Storm, Evans stands to go for similar numbers against a smaller and quicker St. John's team whose post presence has been significantly remade following Stevens' departure.</p>
<p>Hofstra may have the edge up front, but the loss of <b>Candice Bellocchio </b>and <b>Nicole Capurso</b> in the backcourt sacrifice the guard matchup into the hands of the Lady Johnnies. Sophomore <b>Andreana Thomas</b> has filled the gap at the point well, however, through her first two games with a combined total of fifteen points and nine assists. <b>Candace Bond</b> can slide down from the wing into the backcourt at any given time to give Hofstra an additional scoring punch alongside Thomas and sharpshooter <b>Asia Jackson</b>.</p>
<p><b><u>Keys to Victory for St. John's</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li><b>Interior presence.</b></li>
</ul>
<p>Evans becomes the center of attention now that Da'Shena Stevens is gone, which means that the Red Storm need to exert more energy in the post. Expect <b>Amber Thompson</b> to see considerable minutes alongside <b>Mary Nwachukwu</b> regardless of whether or not the 6-2 sophomore gets the start, providing St. John's with two capable bodies up front that can double-team Evans inside and limit her touches.</p>
<ul>
<li><b>Close to the three-point line.</b></li>
</ul>
<p>The Red Storm have not historically been an exceptionally gifted team from long range since <b>Kelly McManmon</b> graduated several years ago, and neither is Hofstra this season, entering the contest shooting 26 percent (10-for-39) from beyond the arc. With Nicole Capurso no longer around, Asia Jackson and <b>Annie Payton</b>, who has scored 21 points in two games off the bench, are the primary options from long range for the Pride. The danger to a double-team of Evans is that someone will ultimately be left open, but St. John's will need to rely on their athleticism to keep Hofstra off the scoreboard in that scenario.</p>
<ul>
<li><b>Draw away late.</b></li>
</ul>
<p>In two games this season, Hofstra has scored more points in the first half than they have in the second, and after the intermission, the Pride have been outscored 82-55. This plays well into the hands of the Red Storm, as their senior-laden backcourt has the experience edge and track record to take over a game in the final minutes.</p>
<p>If this one is close coming out of the under-4 TV timeout, expect Shenneika Smith to take matters into her own hands similar to how she did in the Big East Tournament against Louisville last March. In that game, she dominated the second half and overtime en route to a 24-point outing that propelled the Lady Johnnies into the semifinals in Hartford.</p>
<p>The Rumble will be live from Carnesecca Arena to cover this local battle, so follow us for updates throughout the afternoon.</p>
https://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/2012/11/16/3651992/st-johns-wbb-vs-hofstra-previewJaden Daly