Facebook Twitter Instagram
718 426 7200
Facebook Twitter Instagram

Red Storm win First BIG EAST Tournament Since 2000!

BQE Admin on March 18, 2025

#2 Johnnies Head to Providence for 1st Round Matchup with #15 Omaha

By Noah Zimmerman

The St. John’s Red Storm are BIG EAST Tournament champions for the first time in 25 years. A 82-66 win over Creighton punctuated a stellar campaign, following up a regular season championship with a tournament title and sending the program to their 31st NCAA Tournament appearance as a #2 seed, just like in 2000.

The Red Storm weren’t tested by the Butler Bulldogs in their opener at Madison Square Garden as they won comfortably in the quarterfinals 78-57. In the semifinals it was a much tougher battle against nationally-ranked Marquette, hungry to best the Johnnies after two tight regular season losses.

Kai Jones was electric at the Garden as he looked to avenge his Senior Day defeat to St. John’s. The guard put up a strong 24 point, 7 rebound effort in the BIG EAST Semifinals, leading the Golden Eagles.

For the Red Storm it was Zuby Ejiofor dominating on New York’s hardwood. The junior put up a career best 33 points as St. John’s outscored Marquette 44-26 in the second half to complete a season sweep.

With the back-to-back champion UConn Huskies falling 71-62 to Creighton, the Red Storm would face the Bluejays in the BIG EAST final, the team that played them the best all season long.

St. John’s dug themselves into a typical early hole, but they quickly erased a 10-2 deficit as the game entered halftime 28-25 in favor of Creighton. In the second frame RJ Luis Jr. hit the jets as he finished off a 29-point, 10-rebound double-double.

After the Johnnies had opened a 70-55 lead with five minutes left, there was no path back into the game for Creighton, who finished a remarkable season with a 15-5 conference record and NCAA Tournament berth of their own.

On Selection Sunday, St. John’s were drawn into the West Region as the tournament’s best #2 seed, ranked 5th on both the AP Top-25 and Coaches Poll on Monday afternoon. They open the tournament on Thursday night in Providence, RI as they take on the #15 Omaha Mavericks.

The winner will take on either #7 Kansas or #10 Arkansas, meaning there may be another clash between Hall of Fame coaches after Bill Self’s Jayhawks and John Calipari’s Razorbacks face off in the first round.

For head coach Rick Pitino it’s a chance at a third national championship after he led Kentucky and Louisville to glory in 1996 and 2013 respectively. It’s a 20th appearance in the tournament for Pitino, who was named BIG EAST Coach of the Year last week. He also made history as the first BIG EAST coach to win the conference tournament at two schools, winning three times at Louisville.

RJ Luis Jr. continued to rake in national accolades as well, as the Red Storm star was named to the Associated Press 2nd Team All-America on Tuesday afternoon. The BIG EAST Player of the Year will have more to prove as his stage keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Three other BIG EAST teams qualified for the NCAAT, including UConn who were also drawn into the West as the #8 seed as they hunt a third straight title. They take on #9 Oklahoma in round 1 and have a chance to meet the Red Storm in the Elite 8 in San Francisco should both teams advance.

Creighton enter as the South’s #9 seed and Marquette the #7. They could also meet in the Elite 8. Xavier’s BIG EAST Tournament loss to Marquette put them on the verge of missing the NCAAT, but they will take on Texas in a First Four matchup to decide the #11 seed in the Midwest.

NY Basketball Midterms Bring A Mixed Bag of Grades…

BQE Admin on February 11, 2025

By John Jastremski

On the weekend of the Super Bowl, the two basketball teams in town with massive aspirations to do big things come the Spring took center stage on Friday and Saturday Night respectively. 

On Friday night, St Johns traveled to Storrs Connecticut to take on UCONN, the reigning back to back champs. 

Saturday, the Knicks hosted the Celtics, the defending champs of the NBA. 

The weekend provided a mixed bag of results. 

The Knicks could not have failed their big test any worse. 

In front of a star studded Saturday Night Madison Square Garden crowd, the Knicks could not have looked more overmatched against the Celtics. 

They fell behind early, couldn’t guard Jayson Tatum, allowed the Celtics to hit a zillion 3’s and were all out of sorts on both sides of the ball. 

The Knicks have done wonderful things thus far this season, but they have a massive Celtics problem. 

In both matchups so far in the regular season, they have both been incredibly one sided. 

The Knicks have struggled with the versatility and three point prowess of Boston. 

The Celtics have brilliantly exploited mismatches defensively and have made the Knicks pay at every level. 

It’s only two regular season games, but it’s an ominous sign for playoff basketball. 

If the goal is for the Knicks to break through and get back to an NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, you’re going to have to go through the Celtics. 

It’s very difficult for me to believe that in early February that a potential playoff series will look any different to what I saw on Saturday night. 

On the flip side, the college basketball team in town could not have aced their midterm any better. 

St Johns had a week taking on two nationally ranked teams and two of the top teams in the Big East. 

Last Tuesday they hosted Marquette and on Friday night they were in Storrs taking on UCONN. 

St John’s swept both games and once again showed a level of fight and determination that is the calling card of a Rick Pitino coached team. 

The Johnnies trailed by 14 early in one of the best environments in college basketball. 

They didn’t panic and let their defense and star transfer guard Kadary Richmond lead the way. 

Coach Rick Pitino’s St John’s team have now won ten straight. It’s the program’s best start since the days of Carnesecca and the 1980’s.

After the best week for St John’s in decades, the dream of a regular season Big East title is in reach.

And an even bigger dream of a deep NCAA Tournament run awaits… 

Midterms alter expectations. Now let the second semester of the NY Basketball season begin.

Luka to Lakers Shocks NBA ahead of trade deadline

BQE Admin on February 4, 2025

What would it have taken a team like Brooklyn to pry the 25-year-old superstar from Dallas?

By Noah Zimmerman

The Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Even after a handful of days there is little sense to be made of the blockbuster trade that shook the NBA and sports world to its core late Saturday night.

Los Angeles also received Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in the deal. Alongside Davis, the Lakers sent Max Christie and a first round pick to Dallas, as well as Jalen Hood-Schiffino to the Utah Jazz. 

Following the trade, a dejected Mavs team was forced to take the floor against the Cleveland Cavaliers, one of the best teams in the league. The Cavs scored 50 points in the first quarter en route to a 144-101 trouncing, a foreboding sign for the future in Dallas.

Despite bringing Anthony Davis to Texas, the Mavs departure from their franchise player confused fans and risks going down as one of the worst trades in sports history. Only time will tell if this deal damages the Mavs as much as Billy Kingís trade for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce crippled the Nets.

To defend his move, Mavs GM Nico Harrison echoed a well known sentiment that defense wins championships. There were many concerns with Dallas regarding Luka’s apathy on the defensive side of the court, as well as his conditioning and injury issues. With Luka due for a max contract extension at the end of the year, Harrison decided it was too risky to pay up.

As a result, Dončić is no longer eligible for the $346M/5-year contract Dallas could have given him. The most he can receive from LA is $229M/5-years.

Another young superstar, Minnesota’s Anothony Edwards had trouble making sense of the deal. “At 25 they traded, probably the best scorer in the NBA,” the 23-year-old guard lamented. “He just went to the finals.”

“I still feel like there is something, some facts that are going to come out over time,” said Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. “I can’t really comprehend how that makes sense to be honest.”

What would it have taken other teams to land a player as coveted as Dončić? It’s clear that the Mavericks’ priority was to land a dominant two-way center in Davis, but it’s hard to see any long-term benefit with their new center turning 32 in March. Their inability to fetch more than one first round draft pick is baffling considering the modern trade market.

Other centers like Rudy Gobert netted four first round picks on the trade market. The Nets were able to fetch five first round picks from the Knicks in exchange for Mikal Bridges. 

Brooklyn was able to transform their return for a 34-year-old Kevin Durant into 9 first round picks, two first round pick swaps, a handful of second rounders, Cam Johnson, and Zaire Williams. Dallas turned a 25-year-old Dončić into Davis, Christie, and a single 2029 draft pick.

For a rebuilding team like the Brooklyn Nets, young centers and draft stock were aplenty. Surely if Harrison had shopped Luka around the league he could have netted a haul of picks from the Nets alongside younger centers with upside like Nic Claxton or Dayíron Sharpe.

Regardless, whatís done is done. The NBA has been forever changed by the arrival of Luka in LA. With the trade deadline on Thursday afternoon, teams will finish making tweaks to their rosters while carefully eyeing the future.

“I thought I was gonna stay my whole career there. Loyalty is a big word for me,” said Dončić in his Lakers press conference. “But I got the ocean here. I get to play for the Lakers. Not many get to say that.”

Luka also expressed his love and admiration for the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. After landing in LA he made sure to mention Bryant and his daughter Gigi, who tragically passed in 2020.

Dončić is nursing a calf injury that has sidelined him since December. He is currently slated to make his Lakers debut this Weekend as LA plays two games against the Jazz ahead of the All-Star Break.

St. John’s erase 16-point deficit to down Xavier in OT, Red hot Red Storm 8-1 in BIG EAST, ranked #14

BQE Admin on January 28, 2025

By Noah Zimmerman

The Red Storm keep rolling in the face of adversity.

It seemed as if this was surely the game they’d lose to snap a 5-game winning streak as St. John’s trailed Xavier by 16. Still, Rick Pitino’s squad were able to mount a comeback, sending the game to overtime before winning 79-71.

This time it was graduate Kadary Richmond leading the way for St. John’s. The guard erupted for 19 points, his highest scoring performance of the season. Richmond was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll, the latest of a handful of Johnnies named to the list.

Other high-scorers for St. John’s were Zuby Ejiofor, RJ Luis Jr., and Simeon Wilcher, who all scored 16 apiece. Ryan Conwell led Xavier with 21 points despite the losing effort.

With the win, the Johnnies continued to climb both the AP and USA Today polls, earning #15 and #14 rankings respectively.

The real test comes up next month as St. John’s finally clashes with Marquette and UConn after finishing the season series against Providence on Feb. 1.

Marquette and St. John’s continue to jockey for the BIG EAST lead, both 8-1 entering the week. It’s likely the two will decide who gets the top spot when the Red Storm welcomes the Golden Eagles to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

The Huskies have slipped into 4th in the conference behind Creighton, but remain a dangerous foe as St. John’s heads to Connecticut next Friday, Feb. 7.

Nets Retire Carter’s #15, Former teammates, coaches, execs gather for halftime ceremony at Barclays Center

BQE Admin on January 28, 2025

For years in New Jersey, Nets fans watched #15 hang on the rim, throwing down emphatic dunks and catching lobs from fellow Hall of Famer Jason Kidd.

For the rest of Nets history, fans will see #15 hanging from the rafters at the Barclays Center, alongside Kidd’s #5 and other legendary numbers from the team’s nearly 60-year history.

Jason Kidd’s #5, Drazen Petrovic’s #3, John Williamson’s #23, Bill Melchionni’s #25, Julius Erving’s #32, Buck Williams’ #52… and now Vince Carter’s #15

Carter’s trade to the Nets in 2004 was one that transformed the franchise. Paired with Kidd’s brilliant court vision and young star Richard Jefferson’s explosiveness, Carter elevated the Nets into must-watch basketball just a few years removed from their back-to-back trips to the NBA Finals.

Even for a hefty return package including Alonso Mourning and multiple first round picks, the fact that the high-flying superstar had landed in Jersey was shocking to fans both local and around the country.

In his five seasons in NJ Carter averaged 23.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, his best for any team in his storied 22-year career. Carter was a true swiss army knife equipped with devastating hops and a lethal distance shot. Once familiarized with Kidd’s trust, he was catching any ball the star point guard threw near the rim.

It wasn’t just his skill that made Carter such a special Net, and in his opening remarks at the retirement ceremony, broadcaster Ian Eagle was sure to note how much love was in the building.

In attendance were fellow Nets retirees Julius Erving, head coach Lawrence Frank, and executives like Bobby Marks and Rod Thorn. Some teammates like Nedad Kristic and Jason Collins also gave video speeches, as well as other NY legends like Mets captain David Wright.

On the court, the Nets were unable to match the tenacity of the Miami Heat despite a solid battle through three quarters. They fell 106-97, as they continued to close in on favorable positioning for the NBA Draft lottery. The tank continued with a 110-96 loss to Sacramento to cap the homestand.

Brooklyn will open up a pair of games with the Houston Rockets, playing them in Texas on Saturday before returning to the Barclays Center on Tuesday.

St. John’s Opens BIG EAST Play with Pair of Wins

BQE Admin on December 23, 2024

Rick Pitino’s Red Storm improve to 10-2 with wins over DePaul and Providence

NOAH ZIMMERMAN

noah@queensledger.com

The St. John’s University Red Storm improved to 10-2 last Friday night as they capped off a pair of wins to open conference play in the BIG EAST, 89-61 over DePaul and a 72-70 victory in Rhode Island.

The Red Storm overcame a 16-point 1st half deficit in Providence, taking the lead with 4 minutes remaining in the 2nd half. A three from Bensley Joseph knotted the game up at 70 with 20 seconds remaining to keep the Friars in the game, but St. John’s carried the ball back down court with a chance to win.

Breakout Jr. Zuby Ejiofor pulled down an offensive rebound in the dying seconds, bailing out a miss by Sr. guard Deivon Smith. Ejiofor floated home the game-winner at the buzzer, leading St. John’s to victory with a game-high 19 points and 10 boards.

“Obviously, it was good to be on the good side of a buzzer beater and just win on the road,” said the forward following the game.

“Showing your toughness, fighting through adversity, coming back in the second half and taking care of business. Everybody can go home and enjoy Christmas.”

An extra gift for Ejiofor this holiday season is his third consecutive appearance on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll and 4th honor this season. He maintains a Division 1-leading 4.6 offensive rebounds, with the most recent setting up his game winning shot.

“My philosophy and Coach [Pitino] says every shot is essentially my rebound. I have pride in going and getting my team a second chance. That’s exactly what I did, find a way to get an offensive rebound and put it in the rim,” said Ejiofor.

Despite the early deficit in Providence, Coach Pitino ensured the Red Storm remained confident in the face of adversity.

“I told the guys in one timeout, ‘This is nothing. I’ve been down 30 points with 15:30 to go on the road. It’s nothing. You’re going to come back and win this game. Just be patient, take your time, one possession at a time.”

St. John’s head into their final non-conference matchup this Saturday as they host Delaware at Carnesecca Arena in Queens. The Red Storm return to BIG EAST play on December 31, wrapping up 2024 in Nebraska as they visit Creighton.

 

Zuby Ejiofor has water poured on him in the locker room

Breakout junior Zuby Ejiofor was celebrated following his game-winner in Providence (Photo from @stjohnsbball on Instagram)

 

The Red Storm poured onto the court to celebrate the buzzer-beater as they began BIG EAST play 2-0. (Photo from @stjohnsbball on Instagram)

St. John’s Basketball signs 7-foot-1 Mohamed Keita

webadmin on May 18, 2022

The St. John’s men’s basketball program announced the signing of incoming freshman Mohamed Keita, a 7-foot-1 center out of NBA Academy Africa and The Winchendon School.

“Mohamed is an elite defensive prospect with great size and versatility,” said Head Coach Mike Anderson. “He’s also a very coachable young man who also has a tremendous offensive upside and an unrelenting motor. We think he’ll fit in nicely with the rest of our team and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the St. John’s Basketball family.”

Keita saw an uptick in his recruitment following a dominant defensive performance during the April live period with the New York Jayhawks, a local AAU program that produced both Rafael Pinzon and Andre Curbelo.

Prior to his noteworthy series of showings in the states, Keita also impressed at the NBA’s Basketball Africa League this spring. NBA Academy is a year-round elite basketball development program that provides top high school-age athletes from outside the United States with a holistic approach to player development and a predictable pathway to maximize potential. Playing with S.L.A.C. (Guinea), he averaged 5.0 points on 71.4 percent shooting to go along with 4.3 rebounds per contest. In his final appearance against AS Sale (Morocco) on March 14, Keita posted a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double in just 19 minutes of action.

Keita also has experience playing internationally with Guinea, averaging 5.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in five games at the 2020 FIBA U18 African Championship.

Keita spent the past season at The Winchendon School in Winchendon, Mass., averaging 6.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game in the AA Division of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC).

Striving for success on the court and in the classroom

webadmin on April 6, 2022

Martin Luther School Senior reaches 1,000 points, reflects on success during his 5-years as a student-athlete

Adam Kirouani, a senior from Astoria, Queens, netted his 1,000th point this season. As captain of the Martin Luther Varsity Basketball team, the 5’7 point guard led the Cougars to a successful season; finishing above .500 and making their 7th playoff appearance in a row. The team eventually fell to western rivals, Avenues, but not before Kirouani reached the 1,000 point mark in his high-school career.

“Honored and grateful,” were two words Kirouani used to describe what reaching the milestone means to him. “To know that my hard work is recognized amongst other high-achieving student-athletes that graduated from Martin Luther is an honor, and I am grateful for the opportunity that the Boys and Girls Club gave me to attend this school that I love,” Kirouani said.

Kirouani is referring to the Student-Athlete Sponsorship that the Variety Boys and Girls Club granted him in 2016. The sponsorship fund, established by Peter Vallone Sr. decades ago, was meant to help high potential Variety Boys & Girls Club Members (Club Kids) who were under-performing at their current school, find a school where they would excel academically and athletically. Between 2016 and 2022, 15 Club Kids have been sponsored to attend Martin Luther School.

Kirouani was one of the 15 selected by former Head Varsity Basketball Coach, John Sanchez, together with Variety Boys & Girls Club Athletic Director and CM3 AAU Basketball Organizer, Charles Melone.

“Although he was always the smallest player on the court, his voice was always the loudest,” John Sanchez said. “His confidence, grit, and strong voice indicated that he would be a good leader and a team player,” Sanchez added.

“Besides his skill on the court, his positive attitude and strong work ethic have always been contagious to those around him,” Charles Melone, a mentor and coach of Kirouani’s for the last several years, said.

Kirouani was the only eighth-grader selected, and in his first year at Martin Luther, stepped into a big role on the JV team, led by Coach Jon Kablack.

Kablack was assistant coach for one year in 2016 before becoming JV coach in 2017. He coached Kirouani throughout his entire five-year high school basketball career.

“He’s a special kid,” Coach Kablack said when asked to describe Kirouani on and off the court. “He deploys kind candor when communicating, leading to feelings of respect and admiration from his teammates,” Kablack added.

To his teachers, Kirouani was a bright light around school; always smiling and engaging with others. Through his hard work and commitment to seeking extra help with subjects he struggled with, Kirouani was able to maintain a 3.0 average during his time at Martin Luther.

“It’s been a true pleasure watching him mature from middle school to high school,” said Assistant Principal, Ann Boyle. “The growth he was able to demonstrate, both in the classroom and on the court, has been impressive,” Boyle added.

Kirouani is eyeing a few D2 and D3 basketball schools, but is undecided as to where he would most like to attend college. “Knowing that Martin Luther and The Variety Boys and Girls Club are in my corner means the world to me,” Kirouani said. “I couldn’t have dreamt of a better high school experience, and I am thankful to God, my family, friends, and of course MLS & The Club for making my high school career an unforgettable one,” Kirouani added.

New York, New York: A Final Four For The Ages

webadmin on March 30, 2022

By: John Jastremski

So I’ve known for the better part of months that for Final Four Weekend, I was going to be in Las Vegas for a buddy’s bachelor party.

Unbelievable timing, unbelievable weather, but would it end up being a picturesque Final Four?

Aside from years where my alma mater Syracuse was a part of the festivities, I can’t think of a year where I’ve been more stoked for Final 4 Weekend.

The host city New Orleans will be treated to a weekend of powerhouses.

The fact that the undercard features Villanova and Kansas with two Hall Of Fame coaches patrolling the sidelines in Bill Self and Jay Wright is mind boggling.

The main event is the nightcap. For the first time ever, Duke and North Carolina will face off in the NCAA Tournament.

That first win or go home just happens to be in the National Semi Final.

The best rivalry in College Basketball combined with the magnitude of the Final Four sets the scene for an incredible environment.

However, there’s another extra wrinkle in play.

The Coach K Farewell Tour

About a month ago, Coach K’s final home game was spoiled by North Carolina in a game that really changed the entire landscape of the Tar Heels season.

Duke and Coach K had to deal with the embarrassment of losing the Cameron Indoor Finale and was the butt of all jokes throughout social media.

Make no mistake, come Saturday. All of the pressure in the world is on Duke.

UNC has had a fantastic season. They were an 8 seed, they played their way into the Tournament and parlayed that into a Final 4.

They spoiled Coach K’s final home game, could you imagine if the Tar Heels sent him into retirement with a loss in the Final 4?

After Duke’s semi-final win in the ACC Tournament, freshman phenom Paolo Banchero was asked if he had a preference for his next opponent in the ACC Tournament Championship.

Banchero was defiant and said North Carolina without hesitation.

Well, Paolo is getting his wish except he’s getting his wish in a Final Four game.

The young Dukies have been the most impressive team in this tournament.

They have come of age and have executed brilliantly down the stretch in both the Round of 32 against Michigan State and in the Sweet 16 against Texas Tech.

It’s time for redemption or Retirement for Coach K.

That storyline alone doesn’t get any sweeter.

Is it Saturday night yet???

You can listen to my podcast New York, New York every Sunday & Thursday plus my picks on The Ringer Gambling Show every Tuesday & Friday on The Ringer Podcast Network on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. You can also see me weeknights at 11 PM on Geico Sportsnight on SNY.

© – All Rights Reserved – Queens Ledger
Facebook Twitter Instagram

Fill the Form for Events, Advertisement or Business Listing