Neumann-Goretti Catholic High School juniors Antonio ‘Scoop’ Jardine and Rick Jackson had it all planned in eighth grade. They’d lead their Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) team to a national ranking, get noticed by Division I basketball coaches and bring their success to the same college program.

After Jardine verbally committed to Syracuse last Wednesday, the dream took another step toward becoming true. All Jackson – who also received a scholarship offer from Syracuse – needed to do was commit to the Orange.

Jackson made the dream a reality yesterday when he verbally committed to Syracuse, allowing the best friends to have another four years on the court together. Jackson is the third Syracuse commitment in the Class of 2007, joining Jardine and Niagara Falls High School guard Johnny Flynn. The 6-foot, 9-inch Jackson is the first non-guard in the class.

‘It felt like the right choice,’ Jackson said. ‘I wanted to be with a teammate. It’s going to be fun. We both know how each other plays. I don’t have to adjust to a new guard. We already have that bond.’

Jardine and Jackson started playing basketball together in seventh grade and quickly became close friends. They clicked on the court, forming a duo neither wanted to break up.

‘That’s been their dream since they started school here,’ Neumann-Goretti assistant coach John Mosco said. ‘They wanted to go to college together. They both like Syracuse and things worked out where they could both play there. Since Scoop committed, Rick felt like it was a good place for him.’

Jardine and Jackson will visit Syracuse together on Oct. 15, when the Orange kicks off the start of official practices. Jardine has visited SU twice before, once in July and again Sept. 4 for the West Virginia football game. Jackson also made two visits, both this summer.

The opportunity to play at Syracuse excited Jackson and Jardine so much that both made the decision less than a month into their junior year. Jardine received a scholarship offer from Villanova his freshman year, but he didn’t want to stay in Philadelphia, where he felt the pressure to perform would be too great.

Jackson also felt staying in Philadelphia would be detrimental. He said the attention the city puts on its home-grown stars would make it too difficult to focus on attending school and playing basketball at the collegiate level.

‘I went where I wanted to live for four years,’ Jardine said. ‘I want to get away from (Philadelphia). I can’t wait. I just wish I could be there this year.’

Jardine wanted to commit in his junior year because the vast availability of guards makes scholarship offers at top programs rare. Now with the pressure of the recruiting process off him, Jardine said he can focus on just school and basketball.

Jackson and Jardine are used to pressure, though. The Neumann-Goretti boys’ basketball team finished last season ranked No. 18 nationally in the USA Today Super 25 boys’ basketball rankings. Teammate Derrick Rivera will attend St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia. Earl Pettis has seen interest from Connecticut, Temple and LaSalle.

With four Division I prospects together, Jackson and Jardine learned to play within a team – something few big recruits have done in high school.

‘No one’s averaged 15 points per game on this team,’ Mosco said. ‘Playing with many talented players gets them ready for the next level. They’re not the only guy. They don’t have problems fitting into a team concept. They’re used to sharing the limelight.’

Jackson and Jardine will share the limelight in Syracuse once they step on campus in fall 2007. While much can happen over the next two years, the two newest Orange will not relax just because they’ve made a commitment.

‘They really push each other and challenge each other with top notch competition,’ Neumann-Goretti Athletic Director John Murawski said. ‘It’s an ego thing. They don’t want to get beat.’

Walk-On Tryouts

For those Syracuse students who think they’re good enough to play with the Orange, this is the chance to prove it.

Tryouts for the men’s basketball team will be held Oct. 14 at 10 p.m. at Manley Field House. Those trying out should bring their SU identification card and athletic gear. All the athletes should be in good academic standing.

This and that …

Flynn will visit Philadelphia to meet and work out with his fellow recruits. Flynn will be staying at Jardine’s grandmother’s house. … Syracuse also received a verbal commitment from Mike Jones, a 6-foot, 7-inch senior from Hopkins, S.C., last Wednesday. Jones is only the second commitment in the Class of 2006.

Published on October 4, 2005 at 12:00 pm