Sure it's seven games into the season and St. John's is
working in 5 freshman. Not only that there are no upperclassmen in the current
rotation. Each of those facts made the Red Storm's 89-65 win over South
Carolina even more impressive than the one-sided score indicates. For a team
that's played just 7 games together the roles the talented individuals on the
team must play are coming into focus and all of them made key contributions in
a big game before a crowd of just under 5,-000 at Carnesecca Arena.
Unlike many teams, even teams with
more experience together, St. John's already knows who their go to scorer is.
D'angelo Harrison continued to play that role perfectly with an efficient 26
point effort on 8-13 shooting. While his effort showed off what his coach Steve
Lavin called "an impressive (scoring) tool box"Harrison was quick to
give credit to his teammates. "I made a couple of shots but I had so many
easy layups It was me cutting and they found me and I made the layup," he
said. "Anybody could have had 26 today."
Harrison's modesty aside several of
his teammates did lots of good things. Phil Greene was efficient as well, scoring
13 points on 5-8 shooting while adding 4
assists. Amir Garrett was terrific off the bench with 15 points and 11 boards. He has quietly established himself as the
player for this team who's seemingly in the middle of every good run; getting key
rebounds, making a key pass or getting a deflection on defense whatever's
needed Garrett comes up with it. Players like him are euphemistically called
"garbage guys" but they are essential to a winning effort. And when
you add to those three elements the effective rim protection of Chris Obekpa,
the improved shooting of JaKar Sampson and the high flying energy of Felix
Balamou and the team has what Lavin called "some nice pieces" which
are slowly being shaped into a team.. And while Lavin had good things to say
about all who contributed he singled out Balamou as a guy who's shown the
coaching staff more than they expected as he demonstrated both the athleticism
people were aware he had and the ability to run the break and make decisions
which they did not expect to be a part of his game so quickly. "That's
what he does in practice every day." Lavin said. "And that's how he's gone from being a
redshirt (candidate) to 4 minutes to 12 to 22 and now a starter." All of this is coming together even as St.
John's must work in at least one more talented player (Jamal Branch) and
perhaps two if the NCAA rules on his eligibility soon. So far the process has
gone well thanks to both the coaching staff and a good group of young
players. It will be fascinating to see
how a team that is young talented and unselfish can integrate two more guys one
or two more new players. If they do so their chances for success in the Big
East are that much better.
With 13:34 left in the game junior
guard Brenton Williams was fouled on a drive to the basket, fell awkwardly and
sustained a neck injury. He was taken off the court on a backboard and his neck
was immobilized by a brace. South Carolina's training staff told coach Frank
Martin that Williams had never lost consciousness. And it was announced after
the game that he had movement in both his upper and lower extremities and that
he'd be allowed to return home with his team today.
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