John Dunne didn’t hesitate a second when it was suggested that St. Peter’s College play a regular season game at 6 a.m.
“In fact, we actually campaigned for it,” said the fourth-year head coach of the Peacocks, who will play college basketball’s first-ever sunrise contest Tuesday against Monmouth at Yanitelli Center, with the game to be broadcast live nationally on ESPN. “We had a league [MAAC] meeting in June and there was a representative from ESPN there. Niagara was already put in the 8 a.m. slot and the 6 a.m. slot was available. I honestly thought it was a good time slot.”
The Peacocks and Hawks will have their breakfast bonanza early Tuesday morning as part of ESPN’s “24 Hours of College Basketball.”
“It’s great for us to get that kind of exposure,” Dunne said. “When you think of people in fitness centers working out in the morning or others getting ready for work. They’ll turn on ESPN and see us. I thought it was a good opportunity to get us on ESPN regardless of the time. Monmouth was also supportive of it.”
Dunne was asked how he will get his team prepared for the early morning tipoff.
“Sunday morning, we may practice at 8 a.m.,” Dunne said. “We don’t want to wear them down, but we want them to get them ready early enough. We won’t do our regular pre-game routine and meal and probably won’t have them come up to the gym to warm up until 20 minutes before. As the game goes on, we’re hoping that the intensity picks up.”
Added Dunne, “It’s a one-shot deal. It might be a problem if we did it consistently. We don’t play again until Saturday, so we’ll have a day off and the hoopla will then die down and it will be back to business.”
It’s still a very novel approach and one that is gaining interest by the day.
“I think it’s brought some excitement, with the students, with the alumni,” Dunne said. “The campus is already making plans to be there before class. It’s a good thing.”
However, the players might think otherwise.
“When I first heard it, I asked, ‘How in the world are we going to be able to get up and play at 6 a.m.?’ ” junior guard Wesley Jenkins said. “I think the earliest I ever played before was like 9 a.m. When I heard it, I didn’t think it was true. I mean, 6 a.m.? But when you get a chance like this, you can’t pass it up. I think it should be exciting, even though it’s that early. Every kid always dreams about playing on ESPN. We’ll play any time we have to. We can’t change that.”
Jenkins, who averaged 15 points per game last season, is poised to lead the Peacocks to their best season in recent memory. They have a good group of returning players, like slashing forward Ryan Bacon and steady guard Nick Leon.
They also have a promising newcomer in junior college transfer Jeron Belin, a sweet-stroking left-handed shooter who might be the best rookie in the MAAC, and red-shirt freshman forward Darius Conley, who will give the Peacocks some strength down low.
“It’s the first time we’ve had the talent to compete,” Dunne said.
“It’s the best team we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Jenkins said. “It’s a season that I’m really looking forward to.”
So rise and shine and get out to see the Peacocks Tuesday morning. It’s an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…
After missing the NJSIAA state football playoffs for the first time in 21 years last season, North Bergen High School wanted to make sure they made it this season. Well, it took some extraordinary circumstances, but the Bruins are in.
When it looked as if the Bruins were set to be the No. 9 team in an eight-team bracket, North Bergen got into the North Jersey Section 1, Group IV playoffs. It happened because West Orange had three players ejected in their game Saturday night against Livingston.
Veteran coach Vince Ascolese remembered that a few years ago, Union Hill was kept out of the state playoffs for a similar infraction. The Hillers had three players ejected in a fight against Dickinson earlier in the year and that kept them out of the playoffs. So Ascolese’s recollection of that incident forced the NJSIAA to act accordingly and disqualify West Orange, allowing the Bruins to play Roxbury in the first round…
Congrats to Dickinson for advancing to the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group IV championship game. The Rams, who defeated Union, 3-2, in double overtime to get to the finals, was set to face Ridge on Friday for the crown. It’s the first time ever that Dickinson advanced to a state sectional soccer championship game. If the Rams were fortunate to have won, we’ll have more here next week…
The ninth annual Reebok/St. Anthony Basketball Clinic will take place on Sunday, Nov. 29 at the Golden Door Charter School from 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Under the guidance of Bob Hurley, the camp will include former Elizabeth coach Ben Candelino, former CBA coach Ed Wiecelinski and Hurley’s assistant Ben Gamble.
All of the proceeds of the camp will go to the Embrace Kids Foundation, which gives direct assistance to families of children who are suffering from cancer. For more information, contact St. Anthony High School at (201) 653-5143…
The famed St. Michael’s of Union City basketball program will have a free clinic at the St. Michael’s gym on 15th Street on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 9 a.m. There will be contests and prizes. Several high school coaches will be on hand to help with individual fundamental basketball skills. No registration is required. It’s open to coaches, parents and players…
So it’s time for the old wide one, the turban-wearing, wand-waving, crystal ball-gazing master of nothing, yes, the Great Hagueini, to come out of mothballs and make the first of his high school football playoff prognostications.
Remember, these are not to be used for any monetary wagering, unless it’s for a fried bologna on rye sandwich and a bottle of sparkling water with your Uncle Looie.
St. Peter’s Prep at Paul VI (Haddonfield), Non-Public Group 4: The mighty Marauders lose, 42-9, to perennial foe Don Bosco Prep last Friday night and it actually enhances their playoff chances, although they have to travel more than 100 miles to face Paul VI. It won’t be a problem for Savon Huggins, Sheldon Royster, Raphael Ortiz and the boys. Bring on the rematch with Bergen Catholic. St. Peter’s 35, Paul VI 6.
Weequahic at Secaucus, North Jersey Section 2, Group I: The Patriots earned the No. 1 seed in the section with the sole purpose of not having to leave the humble confines of Secaucus for the first time in the program’s history. Joey Impreveduto is a touchdown-making machine and Eddie Delgado is a perfect compliment in the backfield. Secaucus 28, Weequahic 7.
North Bergen at Roxbury, North Jersey Section 1, Group IV: The Bruins received a reprieve from the state when West Orange was booted from playoff contention for getting into an altercation last week against Livingston. You have to be in it to win it. On paper, this looks like a mismatch, but talented Bruin QB Peter Ramanand will find a way to keep in close. Roxbury 24, North Bergen 16.
Orange at Lincoln, North Jersey Section 2, Group II: For the first time since 1987, the Lions are playing a home game in the state playoffs. It’s really a very equally balanced match-up, but Lincoln QB Lamar McKnight and RB Tyron Stevens will make the difference. Lincoln 21, Orange 14.
St. Mary’s (Rutherford) at St. Anthony, Non-Public Group 1: The Friars make their first-ever NJSIAA football playoff appearance, with RB Jidamon Sparkman and QB Sylvester Wright leading the way. However, St. Mary’s has been a playoff participant and a state champion too many times. The experience is a key. St. Mary’s 21, St. Anthony 14.
There you have it. We’ll grade the Great Hagueini’s selections next week…
In closing, condolences to the family of former Jersey City motorcycle police officer Paul “Shecky” Greene, who died after a battle with cancer last week. “Shecky” was one of the funniest characters this corner ever came across. His wonderful wife, Jane, was the driving force behind both the Hudson County Parks Department and the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame for ages before she had to retire due to illness. To Jane, Jill and Brian, heartfelt condolences and the knowledge that Shecky was thoroughly beloved… –Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.