It was a warm day out in the city of Queens, New York. While many people were hitting the beach in anticipation for the summer, Steve Lavin and the St. John’s coaching staff (which included Mike Dunlap) were at the Elite Skills Camp in the Taffner Field house.
The Johnny’s had already received some good news prior to the camp when it was published that 6-foot-4 Nick Johnson ’11 of Findlay Prep was really into the school. Despite the hustle and bustle over the last month and a half, St. John’s is playing catch up better than the 2004 Boston Red Sox did when they came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the New York Yankees in the ALCS.
With over 50 players in attendance from primarily New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and the rest of the surrounding areas, it was a packed house. Despite Rice’s Jermaine Sanders ’11 not there, due to the S.A.T., big names from the classes of 2011, 2012 and 2013 showed up. Paterson Catholic’s Kyle Anderson ‘12, St. Patrick’s Austin Colbert and Jason Boswell ’13, Roy C. Ketcham High’s Ethan Telfair ’13 (who transferred from Lincoln a few months ago), St. Vincent’s-St. Mary’s JaKarr Sampson ’11, Our Savior New American’s Jevon Thomas ’13, NIA Prep’s Kelvin Amayo ’11, and even UConn-commit and the newest member of the South Kent basketball team, Maurice Harkless ’11. Those were just a few of the names who stood out!
“Yesterday was in a sense, our staffs coming out party and only having two and a half weeks to set it up we were very pleased,†remarked Assistant Coach Tony Chiles. “The turnout, talent, work effort was visible across the board. It was a great day for St. John’s Basketball and we hope it is the beginning of what’s to come.†Chiles, who came over from Drexel, was extremely proud of everything that happened. Both coaches and players alike were happy with the outcome.
Continue Reading for more quotes from players and coaches