May 28, 2008

Few realized when Samardo Samuels and Greg Echenique walked off the court together after their final game of the season - a victory over Virginia's Benedictine at St. Peter's College in February - it would be the last for both players in a St. Benedict's uniform.

Everyone knew Samuels was headed to Louisville to play for Rick Pitino. But Echenique was supposed to be back for his senior campaign and even gave a verbal commitment in March to attend Rutgers for the 2009-10 campaign after visiting the state university with his parents.

However, it was learned recently that Echenique had some transferable credits from the school he attended in his native Venezuela before coming to St. Benedict's and may be at Rutgers sooner than anyone expected when the season ended.

After making his decision early this Spring to graduate with this year's senior class, Echenigue signed a national letter of intent with Rutgers on Monday. He will enroll in Rutgers this fall and be eligible to be on the Scarlet Knights roster - pending NCAA approval.

The 6-9, 260-pound Echenique average 11.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game for St. Benedict's and coach Danny Hurley last winter. The Gray Bees wound up 24-1 and ranked No. 2 in the nation in all the national polls.

Echenique, who was recruited heavily by Duke before deciding on Rutgers, was ranked as high as No. 9 nationally for players to watch in the class of '09. But now, it looks as though he is headed for Piscataway instead of coming back to Newark.

"Not only is Greg a tremendous talent and competitor, he is a very insightful and poised young man," said Rutgers coach Fred Hill on ScarletKnights.com. "He also brings the invaluable experience of having played for Dan Hurley, an elite coach at one of the nation's premier high school programs."

Now that Hurley has to say goodbye not only to Samuels, but Echenique as well, he will count more heavily on Tamir Jackson and Tristan Thompson to play huge roles next season.

Jackson, a 6-1 guard, is no stranger to the limelight, coming up big for the Gray Bees in the biggest games. Included in his highlight reel is the game-high 29 points he scored before a national television audience against then No. 1 Oak Hill of Virginia, a 68-62 victory by the Gray Bees back in December.

Thompson, the heir apparent up front, will have to shoulder most of the load next year. Though an unproven entity - averaged only 5.7 points and 5 rebounds last year - the 6-8 Thompson, a native of Toronto, can sky over most big men and has the agility and athletic ability to excel in the paint. A junior next year, Thompson has already drawn interest from Villanova, Rutgers and Seton Hall.

--By Ron Jandoli

SAMUELS IS NEW JERSEY'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR

March 19, 2008

First, it was Brandon Jarrett.

Now, it's Samardo Samuels.

St. Benedict's is once again the place to be this school year if you want to get a glimpse of the Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year.

Samuels, the Louisville-bound phenom, who led St. Benedict's to a 24-1 record, is being lauded today as the Gatorade New Jersey Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

"I think it's a great honor to be mentioned as the best in the state," said Samuels, who came to St. Benedict's as a sophomore. "I didn't know when I came here that I would become the player I am today. All the hard work I've gone through has really paid off."

Samuels, a native of Jamaica who came to the U.S. four years ago, is the seventh athlete from St. Benedict's to be named as the New Jersey Player of the Year by Gatorade. He follows Jarrett's selection as the state Cross County Runner of the Year last fall and is the second basketball player from St. Benedict's to be selected, joining J.R. Smith (2004).

The 6-9, 245-pound Samuels was a model of consistency this season, averaging nearly a double-double every time out. He finished the year with averages of 22.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest.

He led St. Benedict's in scoring in all but five games he played in this season with a high of 35 against Life Center Academy. He earned a staggering 10 MVP awards, including picking up the honor in grueling tournaments in both Florida and North Carolina in late December.

The "Big Man" scored 20 points in a, 68-65, championship game victory over Chester (Pa.) in Fort Myers, Florida. He came back a week later and dominated with a 23-point effort during a 56-45 decision over Archbishop Moeller (Ohio) in the final in Charlotte.

Samuels, however, had one of his finer moments when he scored 30 points in a 68-62 verdict over St. Patrick at the RAC on the campus of Rutgers University. It was the first time a team in which Samuels was part of, defeated its nemesis from Elizabeth.

"We never beat St. Pat's. So doing it my senior year, made it a great achievement," he said. "I'm glad the way things worked out this year and I'm really proud of how hard all the younger guys worked to make us pull together in all the tough games we played."

Samuels and Jarrett are the first duo from St. Benedict's to garner the Gatorade Award during the same school year.

"We're just a great school," said Samuels. "But it's not only the coaches who push us" it's the teachers too. The only thing we know here is to go hard at everything we do."

Notes: The other athletes from St. Benedict's besides Samuels, Jarrett and Smith who have been named the Gatorade Player of the Year were soccer players George Dunn (1987), Pedro Lopes (1989), Claudio Reyna (1990) and Petter Villegas (1992 and '93). Reyna has been the lone representative to be named the National Player of the Year, an honor Samuels was given serious consideration for this year.

HOOP DREAMS COME UP SHORT OF NO. 1

March 18, 2008

Any hope St. Benedict's may have held out for being the No. 1 team in the nation was distinguished resoundingly Monday night at the Izod Center in East Rutherford.

That's because St. Anthony, coached by the legendary Bob Hurley, father of St. Benedict's coach, Dan Hurley stamped its stranglehold on the No. 1 national ranking by winning its 10th Tournament of Champions title with a 69-36 over Newark's Science Park.

The victory for St. Anthony capped a 32-0 season "its fifth undefeated campaign" and will mark its third overall No. 1 national ranking when USA Today announces its final Super 25 later this month. The Jersey City school also secured the No. 1 national ranking in 1989 and '96.

The Gray Bees will firmly be entrenched as the No. 2 ranked team in the Super 25. Dan Hurley's club, which concluded its season with a 24-1 record on Feb 23, held the No. 1 ranking for two weeks before relinquishing the coveted spot to St. Anthony on Jan. 15. Click here for the latest rankings.

--By Ron Jandoli

SAMUELS BIDS ADIEU, BUT CUPBOARD IS FAR FROM BARE
Big Man scores 19 in final game for Gray Bees

Feb. 23, 2008

It was only appropriate that Samardo Samuels' last play in a St. Benedict's uniform was a pass underneath to Gregg Echenique for a matter-of-fact dunk.

It was viewed as nothing more than an unselfish play by the big man the icing on the cake during St. Benedict's 58-44 victory over Virginia's Benedictine last Thursday night.

But for the Gray Bees faithful, it could be measured as something more symbolic than just a simple assist from one teammate to another.

Call it a passing of the torch.

Following the helper by Samuels, he and Echenique walked off the court together for the last time as frontcourt mates for St. Benedict's when coach Dan Hurley emptied the bench with 1:01 left in the game against its 24th and final victim. Samuels is headed to Louisville for continued grooming under Rick Pitino with a possible NBA future on the horizon, while Echenique returns for one more season wearing the Garnet and Gray for coach Hurley.

"We've had some great players here at St. Benedict's," said Hurley. "Samardo has to be one of the best interior players to ever play in this neck of the woods. Greg has understood his role, now he is going to have his turn."

Time-and-time again this season, Samuels did a bulk of the work with Echenique playing the role of more than adequate compliment while doing all the dirty work underneath.

"Greg's gonna be Greg," Samuels has said of his understudy. "You can count on him in big games."

Last Thursday was no different.

Before another large crowd at the Yanitelli Center in Jersey City and another national televised audience on an ESPN network, the duo showed, for one last time, how dominant they have been over the last two years.

The latest and final casualty to feel the wrath of the "Twin Towers" would be Benedictine's Ed Davis, the 6-8 power forward who's headed to the University of North Carolina.

When Davis got past Echenique, Samuels was there to force an awkward shot or poor decision making. If Davis happened past Samuels, Echenique welcomed the future Tar Heel with a physical presence that made shots from inside the paint anything but routine.

In the end, Davis finished with 14 points, but shot just 6-of-15 from the floor. Samuels concluded his career with a 19-point, six-rebound and 2-block showing, while his running mate, Echenique, contributed with 11 points (on 4-of-5 shooting), seven rebounds and four blocks.

"We've been very fortunate to have had two players on the interior to count on," said Hurley. "They've answered the bell for us all year at the highest level. A lot of Big East schools wish they had two guys like that."

NOTES: St. Benedict's, which held the No. 1 spot in the USA Today Super Prep 25 poll for two weeks this season, is ranked third in the latest poll. The Gray Bees will likely finish out of the running for No. 1, but if a body of work is taken into account, Hurley's squad has to be considered for the top billing by the pollsters.

"We challenged our team like no other team challenged their players this year," said Hurley, whose club beat six nationally-ranked teams. "It's been a great year. The kids rose to the occasion for a million big games this year and made us very proud."

Samuels, who has already been tabbed to play in the McDonald's All-American Game, the third player from St. Benedict's to be honored by the selection on March 26 in Milwaukee, was named by Nike to its All-American Team and will play in the Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden April 19. The game will be televised on ESPN2.

--By Ron Jandoli

PREP BASKETBALL TEAM CROWNED NEW JERSEY PREP A CHAMPIONS
Gaston leads total "team" effort in victory over Blair

Feb. 20, 2008

The St. Benedict's Prep basketball team began the season searching for an identity.

And in the end, the Prepsters found one in the name of T-E-A-M.

The Gray Bees put together a thoroughly cohesive effort that saw Chris Gaston pace four players in double figures en route to a 71-69 victory over Blair Academy Wednesday night in the state Prep A championship game.

The victory capped a 12-3 season for the Prep team, which beat Blair (17-10) for the second time this season.

Gaston, a 6-7 forward, scored 21 points and was followed in the point column by fellow fifth-year seniors, Mark Robertson (17 points), Dwan McMillan (15) and Zack Rosen (13 points).

"Every point I scored meant nothing for me. It was for the team," said Gaston, who's looking to continue his career at either St. John's or Fordham next year. "We needed a whole team effort and that's what we got tonight."

Gaston not only flourished offensively, which was highlighted by a couple of crowd-rousing dunks, he also blocked five shots on the defensive end, while Rosen capped his career with a ideal point-guard effort that included a double-double (13 points, 10 assists) before a capacity crowd in Dalton Gym.

"I couldn't have asked for a better way to go out," said Rosen, whose three treys in the second quarter helped St. Benedict's build a 37-25 halftime lead. "We had everyone come together as one and played as a complete team."

St. Benedict's held a double-digit lead for a better part of three quarters only to see it dwindle to single digits by the end. But, despite Blair's 26-13 edge in scoring over the final eight minutes, the Gray Bees kept the club from Warren County at bay with some clutch foul shooting in the end.

Rosen, McMillan, Quaron Pinckney and Robertson, each combined to hit for seven successful free throws over the final 73 seconds to seal the verdict. McMillan hit one-of-two from the charity stripe to give the Gray Bees a 71-66 lead with only 10 seconds left. Blair's Hakeem Harris buried a three-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin.

"At the beginning of the season we were a bunch of individuals without an identity," said the Pennsylvania-bound Rosen. "But tonight, we finished the season as a team. That's the goal of any season, to be better the last day of the season than the first. That was a big accomplishment."

--By Ron Jandoli

PREP BASKETBALL TEAM TO PLAY FOR THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Beats Hun in the state semifinals

Feb. 13, 2008

What a difference two months made for the Prep team in its second go-round this season with Hun.

The Gray Bees, which edged the Raiders by only three points before the Christmas break, used a stifling defense and double digit scoring by three players to post a 58-44 victory in Wednesday's state Prep A tournament semifinals in Dalton Gym.

"It just shows what type of improvements we've made defensively," said Pennsylvania-bound Zack Rosen. "We were just getting our season started the first time we played them. This time we were in much better shape physically and kept the pressure up all game."

St. Benedict's will now take on Blair Academy for the Prep A championship back at Dalton Gym next Wednesday, Feb. 20. The Prepsters posted an 81-74 victory in its first meeting this season with Blair, which advanced to the final with a 75-59 victory over Lawrenceville.

The Gray Bees (10-4) broke away from a tie game with Hun midway through the opening period and never looked back. Coach Bashir Mason's club went on a 14-2 surge, led by Quaron Pinckney's seven points, bridging the first and second quarters to take a commanding, 20-11, lead.

From there, it was mostly about defense. The stellar effort of Dwan McMillan, Pinckney and Rosen helped stymie the Hun offensive set.

The Prep allowed the Raiders' Sterling Melville and Mike Auriemma to combine for 25 points in their last meeting, a 69-66 Gray Bees victory. This time, the two only scored six points apiece, with Melville well below his season average of 14.4 points per game.

"Our main goal every game out is to be aggressive defensively and contest the shots," said Mason. "Tonight we did a great job doing that and getting our hands on the ball. When I looked up and saw they only had 37 points in the fourth quarter, I knew our defense was doing the job."

McMillan and Pinckney, both seniors, also did the job offensively, hitting for 15 and 12 points, respectively. Senior, Chris Gaston, who wasn't in the lineup the last time against Hun, contributed with 14 points.

--By Ron Jandoli

THE FUTURE IS NOW FOR ST. BENEDICT'S FRESHMAN
Kabongo helps end skid against St. Patrick

Feb. 10, 2008

Myck Kabongo was back in his usual role as the supportive sixth-man during St. Benedict's, 77-63, triumph over Our Savior New American of New York in Saturday's Prime Time Shootout at the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton.

But it was Kabongo's performance the night before that still had people in Mercer County talking.

Kabongo stepped to the forefront and exhibited the ball savvy and coolness-under-fire that was a prelude to the future for St. Benedict's. He was one of the main reasons the Gray Bees were able to knock off its nemesis St. Patrick, 68-62, before a huge crowd on Friday night at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway.

Sure, there were the typical huge efforts from Samardo Samuels and Greg Echenique. But what Kabongo did was equally as important for St. Benedict's as the effort provided by the pair of 6-9 "Twin Towers."

The 6-foot freshman guard was nothing short of spectacular. He was a perfect 12-of-12 from the line - the achilles heel of the Gray Bees for the better part of the season - and hit on all six of his free throws in the final quarter when St. Patrick was making one last charge.

"That little kid has a lot of heart," said Samuels, who matched his season-high with 30 points. "I can't wait to see him when he's a senior."

Kabongo's play, along with Samuels' MVP performance - his seventh such award on the year - and the double-double effort by Echenique (12 points, 10 rebounds), gave St. Benedict's coach Danny Hurley his first victory in six games against St. Patrick. The Gray Bees came into the contest ranked No. 3 in the nation and St. Patrick was 13th.

"He's not a typical freshman," Hurley said after the game. "He's got guts. He handled the ball against pressure and was a huge part of our game tonight."

Kabongo, who came into the game averaging 1.7 points per game, was instrumental throughout. He sank his first two free throws at the end of the first quarter to cut what had been an eight-point deficit down to one, 14-13. He also fed Samuels underneath for a lay-in that capped an 11-0 third quarter run that allowed St. Benedict's to break away from a 29-29 standoff and take the lead for good.

But it was down the stretch that Kabongo played like a seasoned veteran instead of that of a ninth-grader. He drew a charge against St. Patrick's Jermel Jenkins with 29.4 seconds left before sending Dean Kowalski to the bench with his fifth foul 13 seconds later. He hit both ends of the ensuing one-and-one to give St. Benedict's the final, 68-62, margin with 16.5 seconds remaining.

The freshman, for good measure, capped his night by burying a shot - albeit just after the final buzzer had sounded - from just inside the mid-court line.

"What can I say, it was just a tremendous performance," said Hurley. "He never wavered under the pressure and came through for us in a huge game. Awesome!"

Notes: Kabongo was back to his usual supporting role on Saturday without scoring a point. He didn't have to because Tamir Jackson was busy earning MVP honors by connecting on six treys and totaling 26 points in the 77-63 victory over Our Savior. Samuels poured in 25 points and Echenique chipped in with 12 during a game that came just 17 hours after St. Benedict's emotionally charged game against St. Patrick. "It was a brutal turnaround, but the kids handled it the best they could," Hurley said. "We've climbed a mountain of games and now we're on the downside of the season. We just have to keep our focus to the finish."

--By Ron Jandoli

ST. Benedict's EXCELS IN NIKE EVENT AT THE GARDEN
Gray Bees beat another nationally ranked team

Jan. 13, 2008

The bigger the stage, the bigger St. Benedict's "Big Men", Samardo Samuels and Greg Echenique, seem to play.

And yesterday, in the world's most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, Samuels and Echenique proved once again why they are arguably the most dangerous one-two punch in the nation.

The twin towers each contributed a double-double when St. Benedict's made a strong statement about retaining its No. 1 national ranking with a 55-52 victory over New York City power and 12th-ranked Rice.

St. Benedict's (14-1), coming off its lone loss to date against Academy New Church (Pa.), was competing in the final game of the Nike Super Six Invitational at Madison Square Garden. "This is the best place I've played in my life," said Echenique, a Venezuelan native. The atmosphere was amazing."

Samuels garnered the MVP, his fourth such honor this year, by scoring 14 points and pulling down 13 rebounds. Echenique was just as effective and backed up a scoreless effort in the loss last Tuesday with a more usual output, 15 points and 11 rebounds.

"The last game, I didn't have the right mindset. not focused. It was tough," Echenique admitted. "But we're moving forward and leaving that game behind us. Just like we'll leave this one behind us and start looking at the next game."

Samuels and Echenique were especially effective pounding the inside during the third quarter. St. Benedict's came out of the halftime break, trailing by three after shooting a dismal 8-of-25 from the floor in the opening half.

But the pair of 6-9 frontcourt mates took control of the game underneath, each scoring six points in the third when the Gray Bees hit on all but four of their 13 shots during a 20-9 surge that staked coach Danny Hurley's club to a 42-34 lead. None of the shots that connected were from beyond 12 feet from the hoop.

The Gray Bees, however, didn't put the game away until the final minute. Samuels converted a conventional three-point play with 29 seconds left to snap a 49-49 standoff. Tamir Jackson, who had another solid showing with a 15-point game, then closed it out by hitting 3 of 4 from the line.

"It feels good," Echenique said. "I'll never forget playing here. Hopefully, I'll get to do it again."

Notes: The victory gives St. Benedict's a strong argument for retaining its No. 1 national ranking. The body of work by the Gray Bees, winning two national tournaments and beating six teams ranked in the national poll, is arguably more impressive than anyone with a major stake at No. 1. Samuels was also featured Sunday in a story by the NY Times. Click here to read full story.

--By Ron Jandoli

GRAY BEES FALL FOR THE FIRST TIME

Jan. 8, 2008

St. Benedict's won't admit it, but maybe the Gray Bees were looking toward Sunday's date playing in the world's most famous arena - Madison Square Garden.

Or maybe coach Danny Hurley's club was sluggish from too many days on the road following a pair of long trips over the holiday break.

But whatever the reason, St. Benedict's couldn't take care of an inferior opponent in its own house.

Hurley's team dug themselves an early hole and may have expended too much energy trying to play catch up, running out of steam in the end.

Thus, an unbeaten season and, most likely, its No. 1 national ranking, came to a thunderous halt Tuesday night with a stunning, 53-50, setback to Academy New Church of Pennsylvania in Dalton Gym.

"We're always prepared," insisted coach Hurley. "They're a good team, made shots early and got their confidence going and we never really recovered."

St. Benedict's (13-1) was bombarded out of the gate. Shannon Givens provided the spark with a pair of treys and 12 points when Academy (9-1) raced out to a 14-3 lead.

But, despite the early hole, St. Benedict's surged in front with a 17-8 second quarter showing behind the play of Tamir Jackson. The junior guard contributed eight points during that run and St. Benedict's took a 27-25 lead into intermission.

The Gray Bees even maintained the lead and held a 35-33 lead after a monster slam by Samardo Samuels with 1:18 left in the third quarter.

Academy, however, never relented and scored nine unanswered points bridging the third and fourth quarters and took the lead for good at 42-35. That's when the team from Pennsylvania slowed the tempo down to near perfection.

St. Benedict's, though, did have numerous chances to tie or take the lead in the waning moments. But poor foul shooting and range from beyond the arc did them in - just as it had all game.

Even a last second attempt at a trey by Mike Michado couldn't find the mark as the Gray Bees finished 4-of-19 from three-point range.

"When you can't make free throws and go 4-of-19 from the three point line, it's hard to win," said Hurley, whose team shot 6-of-16 from the line and was also out-rebounded, 33-23, by the much smaller Academy squad.

Notes: Jackson looked as though he may have another Oak Hill-like performance with the big men, Samuels and Greg Echenique, struggling to find a groove. In the end, however, Jackson needed help, despite finishing with 22 points. The 6-9 Samuels finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, but hit only 1-of-8 from the free throw line. His frontcourt mate and equal all year, Echenique, was held inexplicably scoreless for the first time all season.

--By Ron Jandoli

CHAMPIONS AGAIN!!!

St. Benedict's reached its second championship game in as many Saturdays.

And for the second straight weekend, the Gray Bees secured a title south of the Mason-Dixon Line with its Big Man, Samardo Samuels, leading the way.

The Louisville-bound Samuels scored 23 points and pulled down seven rebounds when St. Benedict's posted a 56-45 verdict over Arch Bishop Moeller of Ohio in the final of the Bojangles Shootout in North Carolina.

Samuels, who averaged just over 20 points per outing during the tournament in Waxhaw,a city just south of Charlotte, was named the tournament MVP. He backed up his MVP showing in the City of Palms Tournament in Florida a week earlier, despite playing a better part of the Shootout with an injured ankle.

"I thought it was pretty bad when it happened," said Samuels, who injured his ankle after coming down on an opponent's foot on Thursday night against Erwin High of Alabama. "But my teammates needed me and I wasn't going to let them down."

St. Benedict's (13-0) continued its dominance as the No. 1 team in the nation. In its first two games of the tournament—victories over Erwin and South Atlanta—the Gray Bees used strong fourth quarter efforts to put the game away.

But Saturday night, the Gray Bees built a double digit lead early and never let Arch Bishop Moeller in the game after the half.

Tamir Jackson, a junior guard, whose "stock continues to rise," according to rivals.com, chipped in with another solid effort. He backed up a 16-point effort against South Atlanta with a 14-point output in the championship game.

"Everyone on this team is helping out," Samuels said. "I was the MVP but my teammates are the ones who make the plays and get me the ball."

St. Benedict's also got strong championship game performances from Mike Michado and Greg Echenique. Michado finished with nine assists to go along with nine points, while Echenique was his dominating self on the defensive end, ripping down eight boards and blocking three shots.

Notes: Samuels, Echenique and Jackson combined for 49 points against South Atlanta in the semifinals on Friday night. Jackson keyed a 21-11 showing in the fourth quarter when the Gray Bees hit on all but two of its 12 free throws.

Samuels, who had 17 points and hauled down 16 rebounds, and Echenique (16 points) held South Atlanta's Derrick Favors to 16 points. Favors, considered one of the top juniors in the nation, scored 40 points a day earlier in the quarterfinals, but missed 11 shots against a stingy, in-your-face defense of the Gray Bees.

In the victory over Erwin Thursday night, Samuels led the way with 21 points, while Echenique had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

THE "TWIN TOWER" HELP ST. Benedict's WIN CITY OF PALMS CLASSIC
Samuels (MVP) and Echenique make All-Tournament Team

Dec. 22, 2008

Samardo Samuels and Greg Echenique.

Greg Echenique and Samardo Samuels.

They are as interchangeable as they are compatible.

On Saturday night, the twin-towers helped St. Benedict's become the first New Jersey team in 35 years to claim the City of Palms Classic in Florida.

Samuels scored 20 points and Echenique hauled in 17 rebounds in another dominating effort up front when St. Benedict's grabbed an early lead and coasted to a 68-55 verdict over Chester High of Pennsylvania in the championship game in Fort Myers.

St. Benedict's, the No. 1 team in America, was the first of 31 Garden State teams to have captured the City of Palms Classic.

"It feels really great to have beaten everyone that came at us," Echenique said. "We were No. 1 and came here and showed everybody why."

Samuels, who scored over 20 points in every game in the Classic to earn MVP honors, added five rebounds and three blocks. Echenique dropped in nine points and swatted four shots to go along with his 17 boards (all but two offensive), joining Samuels on the All-Tournament Team.

"We always have each other's back," Echenique said. "It's like that every time we step on the court. If one of us doesn't get it done, the other one will."

St. Benedict's all but sealed the game with a 20-9 second quarter spurt that gave the Gray Bees a 36-20 lead at the break. Tamir Jackson, Mike Michado and Tristan Thompson contributed 12 points apiece against Chester, ranked 16th in the nation.

"We won this tournament, but we have to stay ready," said Echenique, who knows there's another mountain to climb beginning Dec. 27 in the Bojangles shootout in North Carolina. "Every game we play, it's the biggest game of the year for the other team."

--By Ron Jandoli

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Dec. 18, 2007

St. Benedict's is currently in Fort Myers, Fla. readying itself for the Palm City Classic.

This road trip began just three days after returning from Benton, Ky. where coach Danny Hurley's team knocked off the No. 1 team in the nation, Oak Hill Academy.

Oh, the Gray Bees also had a little matter to settle at home with back-to-back games on Sunday and Monday.

"It's been a little crazy around here," said Hurley just after his team defeated White Rock Christian of Vancouver, Canada, 76-44, on Monday in Dalton Gym. "But this is what we've practiced for. It's no surprise. The kids just have to be ready every day."

There were no signs of Hurley's troops suffering from post-ESPN blues after conquering Oak Hill, 68-62, before 6,000 fans and a national television audience last Thursday in Kentucky.

The team flew home Friday, returned to action Sunday in the Tip-Off Classic and bombarded Bloomfield, 83-38, at Seton Hall University. Samardo Samuels hit for 26 points to lead four players in double figures.

On Monday, Samuels was at it again in Dalton Gym. The "Big Man" erupted for a career-high 30 points to help St. Benedict's roll to its sixth straight victory with its triumph over White Rock Christian.

"I'm not too worried about getting overconfident," Hurley said. "We're good at beating the teams we should beat. We won’t be caught off guard. My biggest issue is dealing with the travel."

The itinerary currently has the team in Florida where St. Benedict's began action late Tuesday night against Gainesville High School in the Palm City Classic. After that, the Gray Bees return home for a short Christmas break before hitting the road again—this time in Charlotte, N.C. where play begins Dec. 27 in the Bojangles Shootout.

"Tired? We don't have time to be tired," said junior guard Tamir Jackson. "We have to be ready every day. Besides, it's a great experience traveling all over and having every team we play coming at us."

--By Ron Jandoli

ST. Benedict's STING NO. 1 TEAM IN THE NATION
Gray Bees close game with 23-15 effort

Dec. 13, 2007

St. Benedict's Tamir Jackson was tired of hearing the name Brandon Jennings.

So Jackson went out and did his best impersonation of the all-everything guard from Oak Hill.

And he did it in front of the lights, cameras and a national television audience.

Jackson, the junior from Paterson, scored a game-high 29 points playing in an ESPN televised game and helped spark St. Benedict's to a 68-62 victory over Virginia;s Oak Hill Academy, the No. 1 team in America.

"I took it very personally and wanted to show everyone there was another pretty good guard in the game tonight," said Jackson referring to all the pre-game hype directed at the Arizona-bound Jennings. "I just took what came to me and showed people what I could do."

Jackson, who averaged 11 points per game coming into the contest, not only showcased his talents on ESPN, he did it before 6,000 fans at Marshall County High School in Benton, Ky. Among the flood of NCAA Division 1 college coaches on hand were Memphis coach John Calipari and Creighton head Dana Altman, who each participated in the coaches clinic held earlier this year at St. Benedict's.

While Jackson was doing most of the scoring, it was Mike Michado preventing it by staying in the face of Jennings for much of the contest. The Oak Hill star, who came into the game averaging over 35 points in his previous 11 outings, was held to just five points in the first half and finished 7-of-23 shooting from the floor.

"I knew our guards were capable, but maybe not to the level of play that they gave tonight," said St. Benedict's coach Danny Hurley. "We came in here ready. We weren't looking for a moral victory. We came here to win."

Win they did, in nearly every aspect.

Louisville-signee Samardo Samuels and Greg Echenique, despite being collapsed on in the paint all game, each finished with a double-double. Samuels scored 10 points and hauled in 12 rebounds, while Echenique, a junior who is drawing strong interest from Duke, chipped in with 13 points and rebounds apiece.

But it was the play of Jackson that stole the show.

St. Benedict's, which will be ranked higher than its current listing as No. 6 when USA Today's next rankings come out, trailed, 47-45, entering the fourth quarter. Jackson, however, ignited a 23-15 showing over the final period.

He helped put the game out of reach with a pair of layups before feeding Echenique with a no-look, over-the-shoulder pass underneath for a slam. The rim-rattling dunk gave the Gray Bees an insurmountable, 61-54, cushion with 95 ticks left on the clock.

"We feel good about what we did," said Hurley, whose squad went to 4-0 while handing Oak Hill its first setback in a dozen games. "But we can't get too excited. We have seven more games just like this. We haven't accomplished anything yet."

ST. Benedict's PREP VS. OAK HILL ACADEMY
Live on ESPN: Thursday, 9 p.m.

Dec. 11, 2007

Playing in front of a national television audience can make the most self-assured teams become unnerved.

Throw in the nation's No. 1 ranked team and you have the possibility of making the previously infallible look vulnerable.

But that's exactly what St. Benedict's has to try to overcome Thursday night at 9 p.m. when it plays Oak Hill Academy in Kentucky.

The game will be televised live on ESPN and is part of HoopFest at Marshall County High School in Benton, Ky. It will be held in the 6,000-seat confines of Reed Conder Gymnasium, which also been tabbed as "Little Rupp Arena."

"Most of our players are scared to death," said St. Benedict's coach Dan Hurley. "It's uncharted territory for most high school kids. But, at the same time, it's an exciting opportunity for them to learn how to handle pressure and adversity."

The pressure will come squarely from Oak Hill, the consensus No. 1 team in America and reigning national champion. The team from Mouth of Wilson, Va. features one of the nation's best point guards in Arizona-signee Brandon Jennings.

St. Benedict's, No. 6 in the nation in the latest USA Today rankings, will, by no means, be intimidated by Oak Hill. Coach Hurley's team gave the Virginia club all it could handle before dropping a five-point decision two years ago in a game televised by ESPN2.

"Do I think we can win? Absolutely! The difference between the No. 1 team in the country and the 75th is probably eight points," speculated Hurley. "I believe we can beat anybody we face, if we play up to our capabilities."

Oak Hill may have a decided edge in game shape, having played 11 times since its season-opener on Nov. 2. The Warriors, which has produced four NBA lottery picks, has been averaging over 97 points per game.

St. Benedict's, conversely, has only played three games and hardly been tested—its margin of victory has been 47 points. Hurley is still uncertain of his guard play and will need the triumvirate of Tamir Jackson, Mike Machado and Steve Frankoski to break the press and find the right remedy against Jennings.

St. Benedict's can make some noise up front and hope its 6-9 twin towers, Samardo Samuels and Gregory Echenique, continue to jell and feed off each other by picking up rebounds and blocking shots while continuing to lead the team in scoring.

"We're excited," said Hurley. "Hopefully all the hype and magnitude of the game won't cause us to make too many mistakes."

--By Ron Jandoli

ECHENIQUE SHINES IN SEASON OPENER
Big Man produces double-double in rout

Dec. 3, 2007

Gregory Echenique is the first to acknowledge that this is Samardo Samuels' team.

But Echenique also showed that St. Benedict's has a lot more to offer than just its Louisville-bound behemoth.

Echenique stepped into the spotlight and introduced himself again late Monday afternoon as more than just a compliment to Samuels when he posted a double-double in a season-opening, 60-33, conquest over Edison Job Corps in Dalton Gym.

"It feels good. I've been working really hard for this," said Echenique, the 6-9, 255-pound center, who registered team highs of 14 points and 16 rebounds. "We were ready to show what we can do and got a big victory."

The "we" is what Echenique is about. He deflects all praise of himself for the betterment of the team concept.

"It's not about me or how I did," said Echenique, who also had three blocks. "The main thing is that we work together and win."

St. Benedict's built a 13-point lead at the half on a very balanced scoring attack. Echenique and Samuels scored six points apiece and Tamir Jackson chipped in with five against a feisty Edison Job Corps team.

Echenique, a junior whose already soaring stock among college prospects will continue to rise after efforts like this, helped seal any doubt in the contest when he capped a 9-0 run to start the third quarter with a pair of buckets. His last hoop during the surge, a strong put back off an offensive rebound, exemplified his effort on the day.

"Gregory was really good, and active with rebounds," said St. Benedict's coach Danny Hurley. "Today, he took a step forward being more aggressive and playing in tandem with Samardo. If he keeps playing like that, we're gonna win a lot of games."

Echenique is fine with Samuels in the forefront. But many more displays like Monday may change the game-plan for any team that doesn't pay particular attention and takes him for granted.

"Samardo makes it easier for me," Echenique admitted, "but we work well together. He deserves all the praise. I'm just here to back him up."

Overall, Hurley was pleased with the all-around effort of his team. Samuels finished with 11 points, including two thunderous dunks, and seven rebounds, while Tristan Thompson and Aaron Brown had eight points each. Scott Michado had five assists to go along with five points.

"There are some things we've got to tweak," said Hurley, "but as far as openers go, I feel pretty good about us."

Notes: The Prep team for St. Benedict's didn't fare as well in the nightcap of the season-opening doubleheader. Despite a 22-point showing by Zach Rosen, the Prep team lost, 63-61, in a game also held at Dalton Gym.

--By Ron Jandoli,

ST. Benedict's BASKETBALL TEAM GEARING FOR A HUGE CHALLENGE

December 2007

Coach Danny Hurley can't help but being heard muttering what he thinks about the whirlwind tour upon which his St. Benedict's basketball team is about to embark.

"Brutal!"

And that just may be an understatement.

The trek for the hoopsters includes week long stays in Florida and North Carolina. There also are stops at a few major universities.

Throw in a game in the world's most famous arena and another in an obscure place against a mammoth opponent and you have quite a challenge for coach Hurley and his coaching staff.

"For us, our mission is not about our record. It's to prepare these guys for college," said Hurley, whose team's preseason national ranking is No. 6 in USA Today. "With this type of schedule, we are literally preparing these guys to balance travel, school and sport. Hopefully this makes the transition into college easier."

Everyone wants a piece of St. Benedict's, including ESPN, which will televise its game against the nation's No. 1 team, Oak Hill Academy of Virginia, on Thursday, Dec. 13 in Benton, Ky. That is just the first of six games for the Gray Bees against teams currently ranked 11th or higher in the national polls.

"We'll find out pretty quick how good we are," Hurley said, "and it doesn't get any easier after that. It's unchartered territory for high school kids, but it's an exciting opportunity."

St. Benedict's has been invited on all-expense paid trips to Fort Myers, Fla., Charlotte, N.C., Springfield, Mass. as well as trips to universities such as Louisville, Pittsburgh and Villanova. Local jaunts include games at Rutgers, Seton Hall, Sovereign Bank Arena and New York's Madison Square Garden.

Why all the hype for St. Benedict's?

Coach Hurley's team went 24-1 last year, was ranked fifth in the nation and returns with arguably the nation's No. 1 big man in Samardo Samuels. The 6-9, 245-pound Samules, a senior who signed a national letter-of-intent to Louisville Nov. 14, is a solid double-double player game-in and game-out.

"If he wants to win, he better find a way to make the other guys raise the level of their game," challenged Hurley. "For Samardo, the motivation is to make the other guys around him good players and play well. With our schedule, he can't do it by himself."

Samuels is complemented in the post by junior Greg Echenique, who helps give St. Benedict's one of the strongest frontcourts in the nation. The 6-9, 255-pound Echenique already has drawn interest from the likes of Notre Dame, North Carolina, UConn and Kentucky to name a few. He, along with Samuels and junior guard Tamir Jackson (6-2, 180) are all returning to the fold.

Hurley's main concern is replacing Zach Rosen, the university of Penn product who's now leading the Gray Bees' prep team. He's hoping Mike Michado adapts to the point as well as Rosen did after transferring in for his senior year.

"Zach got it right away. He knew what it took to perform here and we're hoping to get the same from Scott (Michado's middle name)," Hurley said. "It's great to have all these big guys, but if you don't have good guard play, especially at the point, you can't win. We need stability and leadership from him."

NOTES: Junior Steve Frankoski (6-1, 155 pounds) and sophomores Aaron Brown (6-4, 185) and Mike Poole (6-5, 180) are vying for the fifth and final spot in the starting lineup. But all three, along with a few other interchangeable and talented players who would easily fit into a starting role on other teams, give St. Benedict's a solid nine-man structure. St. Benedict's opens its season 4 p.m. Monday at home in Dalton Gym against Edison Job Corps Academy.

IT'S OFFICIAL: SAMUELS A CARDINAL
Rosen set to sign with UPenn

Nov. 14, 2007

He's been one of the most sought-after basketball players in America for the last two years.

Not anymore.

St. Benedict's own Samardo Samuels, listed among the Top 10 players in the nation, including No. 1 in one scholastic magazine, officially signed with the University of Louisville.

"I think this is the perfect opportunity for me," said Samuels, a senior, who kept his promise to Louisville and coach Rick Pitino after giving a verbal commitment to the school last year. "They have a great program, a great coach and it's the best place for me to continue my career."

Samuels, who choose Louisville over the likes of North Carolina, UConn and Florida, signed his national letter-of-intent on Wednesday morning and had it faxed to Louisville assistant coach Steve Masiello.

Samuels, who already possesses an NBA-quality physique, inked his letter on the first day of the early signing period for college basketball recruits. Samuels teammate, Zach Rosen, a fifth-year senior, is expected to make his pick of Penn official by the end of the one-week window to lock up players early.

The 6-9, 240-pound Samuels is poised to make an immediate impression at Louisville.

"I'm considered to be one of the biggest recruits they ever had," Samuels said. "I would be disappointed if I didn't make an impact my first year. I just have to keep improving my game and make that a reality when I get there."

Samuels was also excited to get the process out of the way before St. Benedict's season officially opens with game action next month.

"I was comfortable about my decision so I decided to get it over with now," said Samuels, who's listed seventh overall on rivals.com rankings of the 150 best players in the nation. "Now I can focus on my season and focus on my school work."

Rosen, the slick-handling point guard who helped St. Benedict's post a 24-1 log last year, is set to sign with Pennsylvania in what the Ivy League terms a "likely" letter-of-intent.

"Penn offered me the best of both worlds," said Rosen, who will headline Benedict's prep team this year. "I wasn't losing out on basketball while getting a top-notch education."

--Ron Jandoli