St. Johns Lands Third New England Product
When Norm Roberts was named the Head Coach at St. John’s three years ago he made it clear that recruiting the local New York players was going to be his top priority. But because so many of the top players in the city choose to attend prep school in New England for a variety of reasons, Roberts and his staff have become some of the most dedicated and efficient recruiters of the New England region as well.
On Tuesday, St. John’s landed their third commitment from the New England Prep School league this season and fifth in the last two years. 6’3 swingman Paris Horne, from Bridgton Academy in Maine, will join his teammate 6’8 power forward Justin Burrell in addition to 6’10 center Ayodele Coker from South Kent along with Christ the King (NY) point guard Malik Booth in the Red Storm recruiting class. The class, which was already ranked in the top half of the Big East by Hoop Scoop Online, is bound to rise even higher with the addition of Horne. Horne's commitment also gives the group a different dimension by adding a super athletic slasher who is great in transition and can get to the rim in a half-court set as well.
Last season the St. John's recruiting class was also based around two New England products, again from Bridgton and South Kent, in 6'8 forward Qa'rran Calhoun and 6'6 forward Rob Thomas respectively. But Thomas, who was expected to have the biggest immediate impact, was declared only a partial qualifier and is consequently unable to suit up until January of 2008. What that means is that while this years St. John's team has had its ups and downs, next years team will definitely be the most talented in Coach Roberts' tenure when Thomas, Horne, Burrell, Coker, and Booth all step on the court.
As for Horne, this year has been invaluable to his development as he has become one of the most important pieces to the rotation at Bridgton Academy, currently the number one ranked prep school team in the nation according to scout.com. With so many talented players around him Horne has showed great maturity by finding ways to impact games without needing a lot of shots. He has proven his value with his passing and rebounding from the perimeter, in addition to his work on the defensive end of the floor. That maturity and unselfishness will serve him well next year as he attempts to earn minutes on a very talented Big East club next year.
Justin Burrell
Paris Horne