58 THE COURIER SUN • OCTOBER 31, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com sports POLS PLAY HARDBALL JOHNNIES “TIPS OFF” BASKETBALL SEASON POLS BATTLE IT OUT BY LIAM LA GUERRE lguerre@queenscourier.com Politicians turned into playmakers for a special touch football game. Queens and Bronx politicians faced off in the fi rst ever Battle of the Boroughs Bowl at Monsignor McClancy High School in East Elmhurst on Sunday, October 27. The touch football match was organized to raise money by collecting donations, with all proceeds going to the United Service Organizations (USO) and the Wounded Warriors Project. “At the heart, the core of this little fun outing that we are having is a really serious intent, and that intent is to help our veterans,” said Assemblymember Mike Benedetto, who is chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. The lawmakers in attendance ranged from all levels of government, including City Comptroller John Liu, State Senator Mike Gianaris, Councilmembers Jimmy Van Bramer and Peter Vallone Jr., Assemblymember Mike DenDekker and many more. “Off the fi eld and out of the offi ce it’s good to have a personal relationship with your colleagues,” said DenDekker, who helped organize the event. In addition to playing for a good cause, the politicians seriously competed for city bragging rights. “It’s friendly, it’s a fundraiser for our veterans, but its also serious business,” said Van Bramer. “We’re obviously competitive people, we are used to winning. And I am anxious to demonstrate to the people of my district that I can play football even though it’s been 20 years.” In the end, Queens lost to the Bronx, 20-19. THE COURIER/Photos by Liam La Guerre Queens politicians faced off against their Bronx colleagues in the fi rst ever Battle of the Boroughs Bowl. THE COURIER/Photos by Liam La Guerre St. John’s University’s annual Red Storm Tip-Off event featured rapper Lupe Fiasco (below), tons of giveaways, games by the men’s and women’s basketball teams and a declaration from men’s head coach Steve Lavin. A ‘TIP-OFF’ TO THEIR SEASON BY LIAM LA GUERRE lguerre@queenscourier.com “Let’s get it in.” The St. John’s University men’s basketball team embraced this phrase as their season motto at the Red Storm Tip-Off on Friday, October 25. Head coach Steve Lavin said it fi rst, declaring that this year they are expecting to do something “special.” “This year the goal is to get it in,” Lavin said as he addressed the crowd of 5,308 in a packed Carnesecca Arena. “So let’s get it in.” While the motto, which was inspired by former Johnny Metta World Peace, started a chant by fans and made its way around social media, the news of the night was that sophomore center Chris Obekpa had been suspended. Lavin said Obekpa violated “university policy” and will miss two exhibition games, but return to the team in time for the season opener against the University of Wisconsin on November 8. The bad news dulled the mood slightly as it brought back memories of junior D’Angelo Harrison’s suspension last season and the need for the players to become mature. “I think it will be a valuable learning experience for Chris,” Lavin said. “That’s where the focus is on, the lesson and opportunity to understand that there is a responsibility that comes with representing this basketball program and University.” Obekpa’s trouble aside, the Tip-Off was once again a fun event for students, residents and past Johnnies to celebrate everything about both men’s and women’s basketball teams and to signal the start of the season. Much like previous years, the season kickoff event included tons of giveaways and prizes for fans, daredevil performances by the cheerleading squad and energetic performances by the dance team. Grammy-nominated rapper Lupe Fiasco headlined all performances for the night, and in his return to St. John’s he rocked the stage with his hits, such as “Kick Push” and “Superstar.” The event started with an alumni basketball game, which featured past St. John’s basketball greats, such as Felipe Lopez and Tyrone Grant, and recent Johnnies Rob Thomas and Sky Lindsay. As with tradition the current men’s and women’s basketball team members were introduced one by one with fog and music. The women’s basketball team performed a dance-off among themselves and then they separated for a three-point shooting contest. The men’s basketball team played a scrimmage game, which served as the debut of senior forward Orlando Sanchez, touted freshman Rysheed Jordan and lethal shooter Max Hooper. To end the athletic showcase, the men’s team held a dunk contest. Sophomore Christian Jones, who pulled off an amazing 360-throughthe legs jam, took the crown, but Jordan also made a big splash by dunking over 6’8” God’sgift Achiuwa. And when the event came to an end, the Red Storm knew that playtime was over. “Everyone is excited for the season to start so the energy was off the meter,” said sophomore Phil Greene IV. “This is a key year for us and we’re going to deliver.”
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