BY JEREMY FUCHS
GLADSTONE, N.J. — Tyus Battle played only a few minutes for Gill St. Bernard’s in front of coaches John Beilein of Michigan and Mike Brey of Notre Dame after suffering what coach Mergin Sina called a foot injury. The 6-foot-6 Battle only took a few shots and did not score a point.
Battle, who did not start against St. Benedict’s because it was Gill’s Senior Night, played a few minutes before walking off into the locker room, where he spent the remainder of the game and did not speak to media.
“He has a foot issue,” Sina told SNY.tv. “But I haven’t talked to the trainers.”
There was no word yet on the extent of the injury or if any additional time will be missed for the junior guard. He missed the first portion of the season with a stress fracture in his foot before debuting Jan. 31.
Without Battle, Gill struggled against an athletic St. Ben’s team, losing 70-54.
“We didn’t have a breakdown guy,” Sina said.
Battle was not available after the game to speak to the media.
Earlier this week, Battle cut his list down to Louisville, UConn, Michigan, Syracuse, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Duke. Battle removed Villanova, Kentucky, Florida and Virginia from consideration. He is expected to visit Louisville and Duke after the state playoffs.
Former Seton Hall guard Jaren Sina—the coach’s son—was at the game, cheering wildly for his alma mater. Halfway through the game, Seton Hall assistant Fred Hill made his way to Sina’s seat, and the two chatted amiably for awhile. Sina recently left Seton Hall and plans to transfer.
“He’s doing great,” Sina’s father told SNY.tv. “He’s in a good place. He has some things to figure out.”
Hill was at the game for 2017 St. Benedict’s guards Trevon Duval and Nate Pierre-Louis, according to Andrew Slater of 247Sports.com.
Brey and Beilein, who were seated next to each other during the game, did not get much of a chance to see the talented Battle. This was Brey’s first time at Gill. Earlier, he saw 2016 guard T.J. Gibbs of Seton Hall Prep, Seton Hall guard Sterling Gibbs’ brother. Notre Dame offered T.J. Gibbs three weeks ago.
Eli Cain, of St. Ben’s, scored his 1,000th career point tonight. He is planning visits to Iona and DePaul. Cain will visit DePaul March 3rd and Iona the 13th.
