Published: October 05, 2006
QUEENS, N.Y.
Red Storm fans got a sneak preview of the upcoming men's and
women's basketball seasons, with interactive games, giveaways and
hoops highlighting STORM FEST '06, a preview event for the 2006-07
season, at Carnesecca Arena on Thursday. Head coaches Norm Roberts
and Kim Barnes Arico introduced their squads, while a crowd of
1,645 fans stayed heavily involved with music from D.J. Zeke and a
series of trivia contests and games with Howie Schwab of ESPN's
Stump The Schwab.
Schwab joined Master of Ceremonies Brandon Tierney in hosting
the night's many events. The evening started off with a free BBQ,
T-shirts, face painting and a carnival-like scene outside of
Carnesecca Arena and was brought indoors for an introduction to the
2006-07 men's and women's teams.
Barnes Arico, the reigning BIG EAST Coach of the Year, addressed
the fans and gave special thanks for their support in the team's
2005-06 run to the NCAA Tournament. "Bus loads of fans came to
support us in our games at Penn State," she went on to say, "and
that made a big difference between a win and a loss for us."
Shortly after, Barnes Arico's five-year old son Trevor stole the
show with a surprisingly well-choreographed dance routine with
senior Angela Clark and members of the women's team.
Men's basketball newcomer Larry Wright and junior forward Tiina
Sten of the women's team took home the Three-Ball title, as a men's
player, women's player and fan made up three-person teams. Wright
and Sten needed an overtime session, but combined to sink one more
basket in the final to take the crown.
Between men's and women's intros, five trivia contest winners
from points throughout the night competed at center court for a
free campus parking space in the spring semester. Schwab quizzed
the five participants in St. John's history and BIG EAST Conference
facts in an elimination style contest.
Roberts relayed the excitement that he and his staff have for
the upcoming season with a recruiting class that has been listed
among the Top 5 in the nation. The third-year head coach set the
table for a 15-minute intrasquad scrimmage that ended in a 51-51
tie.
Lamont Hamilton scored 20 points for the Red team and Anthony
Mason Jr. added three rim shaking dunks and 13 points, but it was
point guard Eugene Lawrence's buzzer beating 3-pointer that
finished a late five-point spurt to tie the game. Aaron Spears, who
attempted four 3-pointers in 15 minutes after attempting zero in
555 minutes last season, finished with 17 points to lead the Black
team. Junior transfer Avery Patterson knocked down a pair of
three's and finished in double figures with 14 points.
Roberts and the men’s basketball team open their preseason
schedule on Nov. 4 with an exhibition matchup against Division II
squad St. Thomas Aquinas. The Red Storm returns five starters, 11
letterwinners and 92.3 percent of its scoring from a season ago.
The squad adds four talented newcomers – a class that has received
a Top 5 rating from recruiting publications – to a cast of seasoned
veterans that includes preseason honors candidates Hamilton (12.6
points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game), Daryll Hill (12.3 ppg),
Lawrence (9.3 ppg, 4.9 assists per game) and Mason Jr. (8.4
ppg).
Fresh off its second round NCAA Tournament appearance and 22-8
overall record in 2005-06, Barnes Arico and the women’s team open
their preseason slate on Nov. 2 against Team adidas Elite at
Carnesecca Arena. The women return their leading scorers in first
team All-BIG EAST selections and All-America candidates Clark (13.8
ppg, 8.4 rpg) and Kia Wright (14.8 ppg, 4.5 apg). Also returning is
Red Storm junior Sten (4.1 ppg) and sophomores Monique McLean (7.0
ppg) and Angel Tate (.474 FG pct.). Six newcomers complete
the 2006-07 Red Storm squad.