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Not Your Average Jones Cast
Storm
ANTHONY SCIANNA Staff Writer
We have not yet seen Christian Jones’ full potential, but we have seen flashes of it. As a 6’7 native of Texas and power forward on the St. John’s men’s basketball team, Jones appeared in only 24 games his freshman year. During this stretch, he averaged only 9.4 minutes a game, almost teasing fans as to what they could expect next year. His freshman year totals reflected his limited playing time as he averaged 2.5 points, 1.2 rebounds and shot 45.2 percent (28-for-62) from the field. Before his sophomore year, Jones was forced to make a tough decision. With the help of family, friends and head coach Steve Lavin, he decided to sit the year out and declare a red-shirt position. “When I first declared to red-shirt, I didn’t think it was a good move. I wanted to play, but as games started I got a bigger picture view. I started to look from the outside in. Mentally, it really prepared me for this year,” said Jones in an exclusive interview with the Torch after St. John’s 94-81 win over Franklin Pierce University. In the win, Jones scored eight points while also grabbing four rebounds and dishing out five assists. With the loss of key men Keith Thomas and Adonis De La Rosa, Jones’ role is almost guaranteed to be greater. Both of
these losses shatter depth in the frontcourt and Jones is ready to pick up the pieces. “It hurt when we lost Keith, but it also told me that I had to step up. Doing everything that I can to help the team, I try not to shy away from things. Confidence is huge for me and hopefully that reflects in my play,” stated Jones. With two more years of eligibility including this year, Jones is set to make his mark on St. John’s basketball. “Long term, I just want to keep the St. John’s wins going. Ultimately, we look to win the Big East Championship and get to March Madness. Short term is really as simple as taking it day-by-day and getting better,” said Jones. Christian Jones is an interesting player. His skill set blends speed and force. In fact, Jones describes his play in a completely different way. He stresses the importance of team play in order for the team to be successful. “I don’t come in expecting to get the ball every time. I focus on the dirty work, trash work, rebounds, assists, charges and diving on loose balls. I view myself as a hustle player. I try to do everything that other players wouldn’t do. I’m here for the team, so I’ll help us do whatever it takes to win,” admitted Jones. After the disappointment of last year’s team not qualifying for the NCAA Tournament, this year’s team is poised to perform at a high level and Jones knows that. “The expectations are pretty high. From the three years I’ve been here, I really think this year can be our year,” said a confident Jones.
Leavin’ their Mark
Adonis De La Rosa elgibility status under investigation by NCAA
STEPHEN ZITOLO Sports Editor
TORCH PHOTO/MAGDALENA CASTILLO/
Christian Jones walks onto the court before the opener in Carnecca Arena.
Volleyball storms past Georgetown 3-1 in Taffner Bourisquot and Karkkainen’s defense tough on Hoyas REZA MORENO Staff Writer
St. John’s women’s volleyball won 3-1 against Georgetown University on Friday night in Taffner Field House. The Red Storm moved to 19-11 overall and 8-7 in Big East play. The team beat the Hoyas 25-17, 25-20 and 25-11, but both teams played back to back trying to get the first 25 points in the third set. Unfortunately though, Georgetown won that one 25-22. Still, the Storm pushed their way through in the last set versus Georgetown. Throughout the match, the defense team of senior Ashley Bourisquot and sophomore Mona Karkkainen were very strong. Coach Persico said, “Today we had 17 blocks altogether and a really nice defense which is something we did well in today’s match.” In the first few minutes of the first set, the Storm already had a head start with three points with no time for the Hoyas to catch up from the spikes made by junior Karin Palgutova and sophomore Briana Guzman. In the second set, senior Morgan Thomas showed her overall great plays by serving and saving multiple times. After St. John’s called a timeout when they were ahead by 6-3, Georgetown pulled ahead. The team really pushed through trying to save the ball when the Hoyas were ahead 10-6. Defense again helped St. John’s catch up and senior
Aleksandra Wachowicz had excellent spikes scoring points for the Red Storm as they dominated the set. After winning two sets, St. John’s and the Hoyas were at crunch time. The Red Storm really tried their best to dominate this set to win 3-0. Palgutova and Thomas played great as both teams were playing nonstop before giving the point to St.John’s 11-9. Georgetown caught up, tying with St. John’s until
they caught up to two points more winning 25-22. Going into the last set, St. John’s defense really helped the teams as they finally dominated winning the match all together. With the final two matches this weekend and the Big East Tournament, coach Persico hopes to “Gain our 20th win and win all games against these tough teams.”
It has been a crazy week to say the least for freshman center Adonis De La Rosa. Last Tuesday evening it was announced by St. John’s that De La Rosa was declared a non-qualifier by the NCAA. De La Rosa remains enrolled at St. John’s but cannot participate with the men’s basketball team until he meets the academic standards set forth by the NCAA. “The St. John’s Athletic Department was recently informed by the NCAA Eligibility Center of the change in certification status for Adonis De La Rosa after new information revealed the student-athlete does not meet eligibility requirements,” said St. John’s Director of Athletics Chris Monasch. “The University will continue to review the options available in this particular case.” “Adonis is currently attending his classes and working with the institution to gain clarity on his eligibility status,” said St. John’s Head Coach Steve Lavin. “We are hopeful that he will be able to rejoin the team at some point in the future.” The reasoning the NCAA declared De La Rosa ineligible was because of suspicion that he had not taken his SAT’s before he graduated in June of 2014. De La Rosa filed an appeal to the NCAA as he was able to obtain proof that he did indeed take his SAT’s while attending Christ the King High School in Middle Village. So last Thursday, after the proof of taking the SAT’s was sent to the NCAA, they decided to make him eligible until they make a final ruling on his appeal. Head coach Steve Lavin spoke about his being declared eligible and said that De La Rosa wont play until the NCAA has made their final decision on his appeal. So until the final ruling comes down from the NCAA, De La Rosa won’t be seen on the court for the Red Storm.
TORCH PHOTO/ELIZABETH ADAM
Aleksandra Wachowicz spikes the ball over the net versus Georgetown.
TORCH PHOTO EDITOR/ CHEYANNE GONZALES