ALUM JOINS KNICKS

The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that Kenny Atkinson has been hired as an assistant coach. As per club policy, terms of the contract will not be disclosed.

Atkinson joins the Knicks after spending the 2007-08 season as the Director of Player Development with the Houston Rockets where he was responsible for improving player performance through on-court, one-on-one skill development and the use of video analysis.

Atkinson joined the Rockets after three years serving as the Director of Player Development/Assistant Coach with the Paris Basket Racing Club in France from 2004-06. While in Europe, Atkinson also was a Reebok EuroCamp Coach in Treviso, Italy during the summers of 2005 and 2007. He spent the 2006 summer as the Director of Player Development for the national team of the Republic of Georgia.

Following a standout collegiate career at the University of Richmond where he led the Spiders to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the Northport, NY-native and St. Anthony’s HS (South Huntington) graduate played professionally in Italy, France, Holland, Germany and Spain from 1991-2004. (PRESS RELEASE COURTESY NEW YORK KNICKS)

11-8-08 CHSFL Class AAA Quarterfinal 10 a.m.

No. 4 St. Anthony’s hosts No. 5 Holy Cross in a CHSFL Class AAA quarterfinal JV football game.

11-15-08 Playoffs TBA

11-22-08 Playoffs TBA

Defensive tackle Scott Vallone signs with Rutgers, finally!

By JASON MOLINET

POSTED 2-6-08

Minutes later, Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano was on the phone with Vallone. “Congratulations,” Schiano reportedly told his star defensive recruit. “It’s been a long time coming. Now get ready to work.”

The 6-3, 270-pound St. Anthony’s defensive tackle orally committed to the Big East school over the summer, putting a halt to the recruiting process before it ever really revved into gear. Rutgers was the first school seriously interested in Vallone, of Central Islip, and he developed a bond with the coaching staff that in the end made his choice easy.

“It’s about the relationship he built with coach Schiano and the staff,” said Vallone’s dad, Gregg. “They are like family now.”

While Schiano received Vallone’s letter of intent bright and early, Vallone couldn’t celebrate the event until later in the day. St. Anthony’s held a signing day ceremony in the school library for both Vallone and four girls soccer standouts, also headed to Division I schools.

The usually spacious library suddenly overflowed with friends, family, coaches, school administrators and media. And let’s not forget the catered spread of pizza and pasta.

Vallone’s girlfriend, Kristine Best, is no stranger to choreographed moments. She is the point guard on the girls basketball team. She signed with Marist in the fall. But even she seemed overwhelmed by the moment.

“I’m just happy for him,” said Best, holding a Rutgers hat in hand.

Quarterback James Brady, one of three football players headed to Division I-AA schools, stopped in to mug with his teammate. Brady, the CHSFL offensive player of the year, is headed to Georgetown.

The girls soccer players enjoyed their moment in the media glare as well. Defender Brianna Garcia, the Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA MVP, signed with Penn State. Another defender, Lauren Lucas, is headed to Cincinnati. Goalkeeper Arianna Efstathiou will attend American. Defender Maggie O’Callaghan committed to Sacred Heart.

As athletic director Don Buckley fitting said as he introduced each student-athlete, it’s the rarest of days to see so many talented and accomplished teens in one place. No doubt this was a signing day unlike any other on Long Island.

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