Neither C.W. Post nor NYIT is enjoying a standout men's basketball season. But optimism is high in both programs because of a pair of freshman point guards who have been playing with each other for years and, in all likelihood, will wage some epic NYCAC showdowns in the seasons to come.
Jonathan Schmidt is averaging 13.1 points and 5.6 assists per game for Post; just down Route 25A, Bryant Lassiter leads NYIT in scoring (15.0) and assists (3.2). Together they have won nearly every NYCAC rookie of the week honor this season and should go head-to-head for conference rookie of the year.
Lassiter said the two players talk often and compare each other's stats after games. "We drive each other," he said, "even though we're not on the same team."
That hasn't always been the case. The two played together on the AAU Silver Bullets as well as the Long Island Thunder. They even went on some recruiting visits together before landing at two schools separated by about a mile.
Though both players said they are surprised at the impact they have made as freshmen, Post coach Tom Galeazzi said Schmidt was recruited to be the starting point guard, the program's first freshman starter at the point since Juan Griles in 1984. Schmidt has been so integral that at one point this season, he was averaging more than 40 minutes per game, thanks to some overtime contests. Entering this week, he's still at 39.4 per game.
"We thought he was good enough to come in and run the show as a freshman," Galeazzi said. "He's a great building block for our program. We'll be in good hands with him at the point for the next three years after this year."
Schmidt, a St. Anthony's product, and Lassiter, from Bay Shore, faced each other a few times in high school. In their first collegiate meeting, Lassiter scored 17 points to Schmidt's 11, but Schmidt also had eight rebounds and four assists as his Pioneers won, 65-62.
"He's quick, he's got a great jump shot and he's a tough competitor," Schmidt said of his teammate-turned-rival. "It's always fun playing against him."
Round 2 is scheduled for Feb. 25 at Post and could be a crucial game. The Pioneers (11-12, 7-9) have lost four straight NYCAC games but still are fighting for a home first-rounder; NYIT (5-17, 4-11) is clawing at the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.
Post has a much better chance of advancing into March, with Schmidt feeding upperclass scorers such as John Morris and Raul Mercedes. "If I see an open man," Schmidt said, "I try to hit them with the ball because I know they can finish."
Lassiter isn't as lucky yet. He's had to carry the scoring burden himself along with fellow freshman Daniel Cox (10.6). But those two and junior Jermain Stokes should return next season to form a nice core for progress. Of NYIT's nine roster players, five are freshmen.
"Everybody will get better as the years come," Lassiter said of the young team. "Next year we'll bring in some guys and grow on the team we have this year. I think we should be good."
