The Doings Weekly

St. Joe’s programming Brown for success

 

BY KEN RYAN | Contributor | @kenryan15 January 22, 2013 4:50PM

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St. Joseph's Joffery Brown (14) looks to pass during their game against St. Patrick in the Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Challenge on Saturday, December 15, 2012, in Wilmette, IL. | Chandler West~For Sun-Times Media

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Don’t Miss

Thursday

Girls basketball: vs. Benet, 7:30 p.m.

The Chargers will tune up for the Girls Chicago Catholic Association Tournament with a nonconference game against Benet. St. Joseph had four players score in double digits for the second game in a row during their 59-19 victory over Lindbloom Monday at the MLK Classic at Whitney Young.

Kaci Beemon (14 points), Deja Horn (11 points), Shaakera Jones (10 points, 11 rebounds) and Kietta Sanders (10 points) led the way.

Saturday

Boys basketball: vs. West Aurora, 8:30 p.m.

The Chargers, who are still seeking some consistency, will play in another spotlight game when it travels to the Sears Center for a game against one of the DuPage Valley powers.

Updated: February 25, 2013 11:31AM

WESTCHESTER — Sophomore Joffery Brown of Burr Ridge feels fortunate to be playing varsity basketball for a storied program like St. Joseph.

The 6-foot-2 guard/forward knows not many players get the opportunity to play for coach Gene Pingatore, who has won 902 games, and Brown tries to soak up as much knowledge as possible.

“Playing varsity as a sophomore is a big deal, especially playing for Coach Ping,” Brown said. “I think you learn a lot of things you don’t learn at other schools about playing basketball. St. Joe’s is the school I was most interested in playing for.”

Brown came off the bench Friday to provide a spark for the Chargers, but it wasn’t enough as Fenwick pulled out a 53-46 Chicago Catholic League North victory in Oak Park. The Friars scored the game’s first 12 points and led 14-5 after one quarter.

Brown contributed four points, a rebound and a steal to help St. Joseph pull within three points in the second quarter. He finished with five points, four rebounds and two steals.

“He can be a real good defensive player and he’s working on his offense,” said sophomore teammate Glynn Watson. “When he gets that down pat, he’ll be a really good player.”

St. Joseph (10-9), which was highly ranked in the preseason, fell to 1-2 in the CCL North.

Brown’s continued progress is vital if the Chargers are to turn around their season. Brown has seen increased court time since standout sophomore guard Jordan Ash injured his back in the second half against New Trier Dec. 31 at the Proviso West Tournament and hasn’t played since.

“I just wanted to do what coach needed me to do and not do too much and get in trouble,” Brown said. “I just knew I had to play the game I know how to play and do what I could to help the team.”

Brown has shown flashes of his potential, along with his inexperience, but Pingatore has been satisfied with the sophomore’s play.

“I’m still pleased with what he’s doing,” Pingatore said. “We just have to get better as a team.”




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