http://www.nypost.com/seven/03082009/sports/college/stephenson_puts_on_show_for_sju_staff_158530.htmSt. John's had the welcoming committee out in full force for Lance Stephenson yesterday when the Lincoln senior played his first game on the SJU campus this year.
Norm Roberts, several assistants and players stood near the court for the duration of top-seeded Lincoln's surprisingly close 86-80 win over No. 9 Transit Tech in the PSAL AA quarterfinals. The three-time defending champs advanced to next Sunday's semifinals, where they will meet No. 4 Boys & Girls, a 63-51 winner over No. 12 Edison.
So, what kind of show did Roberts & Co. see last night from the coveted recruit?
Stephenson scored a game-high 28 points, but lacked some of the dominance that he has displayed at times during his four-year career at the Coney Island school. Still, he was good - and perhaps just as importantly - the demonstrativeness that occasionally has marred his game - arguing with teammates and officials, among other things - was largely absent.
"I had fun," said Stephenson, trying to help Lincoln become the first team in PSAL history to win four straight titles. "This was my first time on their new court, and I wanted to play well."
And he admitted that he is feeling the effects of being just two wins from history.
"There's a lot of pressure," Stephenson said. "Everyone knows what we're going for, and they don't want to let me get there."
Last night, Transit Tech put up a fight, staying in the game throughout. Lincoln figures to be in for another battle in the semis, taking on Boys & Girls, one of the few city teams that has shown it can beat Lincoln.
The teams met for the PSAL title in each of the past two years, and coach Ruth Lovelace thinks next week's game, also at St. John's, could be to his team's advantage.
"It might be good not to play at the Garden," Lovelace said with a laugh, her team filled with five new starters from a year ago. "Mix it up a little bit."
Second-seeded JFK also advanced to the semis, thanks in part to the coaching of Johnny Mathis, who has his players believing that the Knights can win it all for the first time since 2005.
JFK beat Lincoln in that championship game, the last time the Railsplitters didn't capture the title. Lincoln responded by ending the Knights' season with playoff wins each of the past three years.
"Other coaches don't have his experience," said Naquan Pierce, who scored 38 points as the Knights squeaked by No. 10 McKee, 85-81, in OT. "He's won championships. He's beaten Lincoln. There's no one else around who can say that they've done what he's done."
All while battling diabetes, which has cost him six toes to amputation.
"I've never thought of giving it up," said Mathis, 64. "Coaching keeps me young. It keeps me going."
Next up is No. 3 Jefferson, which knocked off sixth-seeded Forest Hills, 70-59, getting 24 points from Joel Wright and 19 from Keith Spellman.