The last time Shamorie Ponds played a game at Madison Square Garden, he won a PSAL championship with Thomas Jefferson High School with St. John’s coach Chris Mullin in attendance.
On Sunday, Ponds will play his first game at the Garden in a St. John’s uniform when the Red Storm (5-6) meet Penn State (6-5) in the Madison Square Garden Holiday Festival at 11 a.m. Rutgers (10-1) takes on Fordham (5-6) in the second game of the doubleheader.
“I think the best part was being able to get my first win at The Garden,” Ponds said of the March 12 win over Lincoln in which he went off for 31 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and five steals, including 21 second-half points in a 90-61 rout.
“I just want to repeat that feeling, winning in The Garden, because it was an unreal feeling. I want to go out there, lead this team and make sure we win.”
Ponds was named the Big East Freshman of the Week on Monday after he averaged 23.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in three games last week.
“He had a great week,” Mullin said. “I thought he got a little run down physically and looked a little tired on Sunday, but that’s what happens when guys go down. He’s really stepped up and performed at a high level. He’s really figuring things out.”
Part of the explanation for Ponds’ offensive explosion in those games was the absence of backcourt mate Marcus LoVett, who has been out for two weeks with an ankle injury.
LoVett “should” return to action on Sunday against the Nittany Lions, a source told ZAGSBLOG.
“He practiced [Thursday], so hopefully he’ll continue to progress,” Mullin said Friday.
St. John’s certainly needs LoVett back after losing to LIU-Brooklyn last Sunday at Barclays Center. After Penn State, their next two games are at Syracuse on Wednesday and then home to Butler to start the Big East season on Dec. 29.
“As the cliché goes we’ll focus on Sunday and Penn State,” Mullin said. “It’s a big game for us. [We’re] looking forward to getting our groove back. We’ve got some guys healthy, back in the lineup and [we want to] have a good performance.”
And Ponds will return to the Garden, site of his championship glory.
“It’s going to be a great feeling, but I’m going to be a little nervous when the game first starts,” he said. “It’s a big arena, bright lights, but I’m really excited to go out there with the Red Storm.”
