Kusmieruk Signs Letter of Intent

By: Luke Jackson

Jakub Kusmieruk signed a National Letter of Intent to play at University of Central Florida. The 7-foot-4 center might be the first Division I men's basketball scholarship player that John Carroll has ever produced.

JOHN CARROLL BOYS' BASKETBALL GAINS NATIONAL RANKING

The John Carroll boys basketball team will begin the 2007-'08 season ranked 21st in the nation, according to the ESPN High Elite 25 rankings.

The rankings for the ESPN High Elite 25 were compiled by Chris Lawlor, formerly the lead editor on the USA Super 25. The ranking of 21st in the United States is a first for John Carroll's boys program. The big reason for this ranking began last season when the Patriots recorded 28 wins and showed how strong a team that had become after going winless just a few years before.

To be considered in these rankings (which were published Nov. 14 and are available online), a team must have a very high strength of schedule with an emphasis on participating in national events. John Carroll will take part in three events recognized among the national basketball community.

The Patriots will participate in the Charm City Classic at Loyola College Dec. 1. Two weeks after that, John Carroll will travel to Fort Myers, Fla., and play in the City of Palms Tournament, the nation's top-ranked tournament.

In the latter stages of their season, the Patriots will travel to Rutgers University to compete in the Primetime Shootout on Feb. 8, which will be regionally televised.

The strength of a team's competition within their league and the quality of a team's personnel is also strongly considered for the rankings. The Patriots will be playing in the very strong MIAA A Conference this season, moving up from the B Conference.

Coach Tony Martin realizes this ranking is just one step in the building of the John Carroll basketball program to the level he wants.

"Our goal is to take this recognition with an even greater dose of humility. Our young team needs to realize the bullseye this places on our collective backs, and as we move into uncharted territory we will face adversity," states Martin. "At no point have I said we are at the top or truly deserving, but rather, this is a step in the building process."

JOHN CARROLL'S CHARM CITY CLASSIC OPPONENT CHANGED

The John Carroll boys basketball team now has a different opponent in next month's Charm City Classic.

The Patriots and HoopGroup (event organizers) confirmed that John Carroll now will play fellow MIAA school St. Mary's from Annapolis in the tournament to be held at Loyola's Reitz Arena.

John Carroll was supposed to play St. Benedict's, a strong team from New Jersey, but that school now won't be playing, leaving the Patriots to meet St. Mary's.

"We were disappointed to hear that St. Benedict's decided to pull out of their game with us," said John Carroll coach Tony Martin. "We are, however, excited to take on St. Mary's. They have a unique style of play and talent that will test the resolve of our young men."

The Charm City Classic is scheduled to be a one-day event showcasing Baltimore's best teams with regional opponents, starting at 3 p.m. Dec. 1.

Posted November 19, 2007