Aeropostale Holiday Festival Notes
by Ray Floriani
NEW YORK – For St. John’s the Aeropostale Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden came down to either making plays or not making them. The Red Storm made the key plays in a 52-49 semifinal win over Marist. In the final against Virginia Tech, the Red Storm came up empty as the ACC reps claimed the championship 54-48.
A rundown on the teams follows.
Hofstra – The Pride was without outstanding guard Antoine Agudio (26.3 ppg), who severely sprained his ankle in practice two days before the festival. Minus their top scorer and lone senior starter, Tom Pecora’s club struggled as Virginia Tech ran away from the Pride 84-59. Agudio should be back in action for the bulk of the Colonial schedule that resumes this week. Minus Agudio, the Pride started three freshmen. Hofstra not only missed Agudio’s scoring, but also his senior presence on the floor. Charles Jenkins, a 6’3″ freshman guard, was a consistent performer for Hofstra. The Pride are 2-8 following the Festival.
Marist – Suffered a heart-breaking loss against St. John’s and bounced back less than 24 hours later for a nice 73-67 consolation win over Hofstra. Syracuse transfer Louie McCroskey had a good tournament for the Red Foxes. Jay Gavin, a 6’1″ freshman guard, came off the bench to give Marist double-digit scoring and some nice outside shooting both nights. It was a recurrence of a familiar problem for Matt Brady’s club. The St. John’s game marked the fifth time in six losses Marist had a second half lead. Again, coming back so soon after a tough loss tells a lot about Brady’s team. Marist enters the major part of MAAC play at 7-6.
Virginia Tech – They looked to push the ball and had a nice combination of athleticism and strength inside. Deron Washington, a 6’7″ senior forward, gets out on the break and is Tech’s best defender. Jeff Allen, a 6’7″ freshman, is a strong post presence, and junior A.D. Vassallo is versatile option. The Tech guard is a perimeter threat and used his 6’6″ size to post up the smaller St. John’s guards for two late baskets in the stretch of the championship. A relatively young team, there are enough veteran performers to help the younger players mature.
St. John’s – A very young team, St. John’s showed a lot of character both nights. As noted they made the key plays to win the Marist game. In the final those crucial shots and necessary stops weren’t there. Senior guard Eugene Lawrence does a nice job running the team and can get in the lane. Anthony Mason, Jr. (team leading 12 points in the final) is the go-to guy. There are some promising freshmen. Among them are 6’8″ Justin Burrell, a hard worker inside, 6’6″ D.J. Kennedy, a rebounder who can hit the perimeter shot as well, and 6’3″ guard Paris Horne, whom coach Norm Roberts teamed at times with Lawrence and was pleased with the results. Roberts is pleased with the progress of the first year player. Now, Big East play starts, and unfortunately there is no “freshmen orientation”.
Notes
- Offensively, the tape of the final will not be enshrined in Springfield, Mass. Each team committed 20 turnovers and the final shooting percentages were Tech at 37 percent and St. John’s at 28 percent. Want more? St. John’s shot 19 percent the second half as both clubs combined for 14 field goals the final twenty minutes. The Red Storm had five field goals and didn’t get their first until Anthony Mason, Jr. scored on a baseline drive with 9:12 remaining. St. John’s had three field goals the final four minutes and two were treys in the latter minutes as they tried to trim the deficit to a two-possession game. Tech responded by hitting their free throws to seal the verdict.
- As noted, Mason was St. John’s scoring leader in the final. Still, Seth Greenburg was pleased with the defense of Deron Washington. “He is one of the best defenders in the ACC,” Greenburg said of his senior forward. “He did a great job with Mason and kept him in front all day.” Mason did score 12 points but was 4 of 12 from the floor.
- The St. John’s-Marist semifinal was one of those games where crucial plays stood out and will be remembered. One was a late second half three-pointer by Jasiulionis, a 6’11” junior center who had attempted one trey all season, as the shot clock was winding down. Another one came in the stretch when St. John’s missed a free throw, grabbed the offensive rebound and later converted for a basket. In a game of roughly 65 possessions, it’s significant that both Roberts and Marist coach Matt Brady alluded to these two key moments as big factors in helping St. John’s pull it off.
- As Big East play unfolds Roberts feels good about his club. “I like our group,” the St. John’s mentor said after the final. “We don’t have the luxury of getting down after a tough loss. With so many new faces we will have nights when they are very good and nights when they struggle.”
- Three things Roberts would like his team to work and improve on are: attacking the basket and drawing fouls, something they didn’t do well against Va. Tech; screen better; and pay attention to defensive detail, especially regarding opposition screening and weak side help play.
“I feel this tournament experience will only help,” Roberts concluded. We will soon find out as the Storm travel to Syracuse to open Big East play January 2nd. - Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenburg took his team on a visit to Ground Zero the day before the tournament. “We went through a horrible tragedy at Virginia Tech,” Greenburg said. “But I always take our team (on a New York visit) to Ground Zero because I think it’s good for them to remember that September 11 impacted and changed the world.”
- Greenburg only got to see Agudio on tape but he’s convinced he can play at a higher level. “I think he’s (Agudio) a pro,” Greenburg said. “He reminds me of Doug Christie or that Martin (Kevin) kid at Sacramento. He sometimes doesn’t look like he’s moving but he goes by everyone. He shoots it with range. Tommy’s (Pecora) group as a whole does a terrific job coming off ball screens. I think he (Agudio) is a legitimate pro prospect.”
- Tech improved to 8-6, while St. John’s fell to 6-5. A week ago Tech dropped a heartbreaker in their ACC opener at Wake Forest. “In a week our outlook is so much better,” Greenburg said. “In the final we just made enough shots and stops to leave New York feeling good.”
All-Tournament Team
Charles Jenkins, Hofstra – Consistent both nights for Pride.
Anthony Mason, Jr., St. John’s – Led Storm with 12 points In final.
Jeff Allen, Virginia Tech- Nice inside presence both games.
Louie McCroskey, Marist- Strong showing in consolation.
Deron Washington, Virginia Tech- Excellent defender, gets out in transition.
Lou Carnescca MVP – A.D. Vassallo, Virginia Tech. – Led all scorers with 16 in final.
On the Baseline
- There was a nationally ranked team gracing the Garden floor with excellence, poise and teamwork. The Hofstra Dance team, which placed third in last year’s nationals, performed at the half of both Hofstra games. Coach Kelly Olsen reports the team is gearing up for the nationals this Spring on Orlando.
- Marist had the best pep band and one of their best songs was a rock selection from a few decades ago, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. It’s an interesting selection for a catholic school, but as a few band members said,” we know the title and words but it’s the music that counts.”
