When the PSAL returns to Carnesecca Arena on the campus of St. John’s University for the Class AA semifinals on Saturday, it will do so with a regulation 3-point line. The question is, who does it help?
The quarterfinals were played with the 3-point line at an NCAA regulation distance of 20 feet, nine inches. A few of the coaches said they noticed it and Curtis coach Rich Buckheit was the lone coach to mention it post game. Boys & Girls’ Ruth Lovelace, for one, is happy about the expected change back to 19 feet, nine inches, which is mandated in the National Federation of State High School Associations rules
“We’re a pretty good outside shooting team, that might help us if they move it to the regular high school line,” she said. “We were able to knock down a few 3s [from the college 3-point line].”
Wings Academy coach Billy Turnage isn’t so sure the change is necessary. All eight teams played with the same distance, so why change now, he said?
“I don’t see what the big deal is,” he said.
Department of Education spokesperson Margie Feinberg said the PSAL was working with St. John’s to make the change. She said the only reason they didn’t have a high school 3-point line on Sunday was because it was the league’s first time at Carnesecca Arena this year and they weren’t aware the high school lines were removed as they were in place for last year’s postseason.
One player who doesn’t care about the arcs distance is Jefferson star Thaddeus Hall. He hit four 3-pointers in the Orange Wave’s 80-61 rout of Wadleigh and all of them were a few steps behind.
“I don’t know why, but I’m better from further out,” he said.
Pinder producing for Boys High: The most important player for Boys & Girls in Saturday’s PSAL Class AA semifinal against arch rival Lincoln may not be who you would expect. Sure, leading scorer Leroy (Truck) Fludd is important, along with guards Bryce Jones, Tyliek Kimbrough and Wesley Myers and forwards Rashad Andrews and Joel Angus.
But, 6-foot-7 reserve Shakur Pinder could be the X-factor for the Kangaroos against Lincoln’s forwards Tighe Oberg and Travis Charles.
“He’ll be important,” Boys & Girls coach Ruth Lovelace said. “He knows it’s important for him to do well and try to contain those big guys from Lincoln. Those guys can hurt you.”
The team’s top defensive presence, a solid rebounder and shot-blocker, Pinder got off to a slow start. He felt he wasn’t getting enough touches on offense and his minutes went down. After a series of talks with Kangaroo coaches, Pinder realized his value was at a glue guy.
In Boys High’s biggest wins – the two victories over Lincoln and Sunday’s quarterfinal win over South Shore – he’s come up big. For the Kangaroos to get back to Madison Square Garden, he will need to continue that recent trend.
“Once he saw he was making a different, he started to feel good about his role,” Lovelace said of Pinder, who is averaging seven rebounds per game in the playoffs. “He’s been a plus. Wayne Martin played well the other day, but he kind of limited him too. He’s been playing big. He’s been very big in regards to taking some of the pressure off Truck and Joel, giving them some rest. He’s been practicing a little harder and you see improvement in his game and his confidence has risen.”
Notes: Wings Academy guard Justin Jenkins recently picked up a scholarship offer from Florida Atlantic and Tulane plans to enter into his recruitment, he told The Post. The 6-foot-1 combo guard also has offers from LIU, St. Peter’s and Fairfield. … The PSAL Class A and B semifinals will be held at CCNY in Harlem on Sunday, beginning at 11 a.m. … St. Peter’s has joined LIU in the recruitment of Thomas Jefferson junior guard Jaquan (Son Son) Lynch, a source told The Post after watching him in the PSAL Class AA quarterfinals on Sunday. Lynch’s Jefferson teammate, Thaddeus Hall, has offers from St. John’s, Texas Tech, Maryland, Virginia Tech and South Carolina, coach Lawrence (Bud) Pollard said. The senior needs to finish strong and up his SAT score to qualify. … Lincoln sophomore Isaiah Whitehead has been invited to the Adidas Nations and NBA Top 100 camp showcases this summer, he said.