MU men's hoops/Saturday Press story for Mount St. Mary's game

By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER

From watching him create for his teamates and distribute the ball, not to mention
hitting his own shots, it's hard to believe Monmouth University freshman Jhamar
Youngblood had never played point guard before this season.

But since taking over the position from academically ineligible Mike Shipman three
games ago the 6-1 Youngblood, a graduate of 2006 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions winner
St. Patrick's Elizabeth, has flowed into the position like a striper entering the sea.

""I always knew the skills of being a point guard, by being around so many great
point guards that came through St. Patrick's,'' said Youngblood following Friday's
Monmouth practice for Saturday's Northeast Conference game vs. Mount St. Mary's (3-10,
2-0) at Boylan Gym.

Monmouth (6-8, 1-1), which dropped both games to the Mount last season, has won each
of Younglood's last three starts during which he has averaged 15 points and four
assists.

Thursday Mount St. Mary's won its first road game of the season when it outlasted Long
Island U. in an NEC record tying four overtimes, 78-76.

""I always sat and listened to what the (St. Patrick's coach) coach said to our point
guards,''said Youngblood. But it never applied to him. ""The point guard, all the
passing stuff, that wasn't my game. But now it's changed.''

Whether it was floating passes or driving and dishing, Youngblood racked up a career
high seven assists Thursday vs. Wagner.

""I know it makes me feel real good to score,'' said Youngblood. ""Just seeing my
teamates score, or a guy like Deki (Dejan Delic) or Marques (Alston), who may be
struggling in the game, to get them going is exciting.''

Monmouth coach Dave Calloway said he remembered in college basketball when both guards
on teams were distributors.

""We can have any guard bring the ball up and get in the offense but when one guy
like him is playing as well as he can, then you want to get him involved more,'' said
Calloway.

""He's doing a good job of seeing when he has things, and then when he doesn't, of
not forcing it and pulling it back out and getting us into our offense.''

Thursday in practice Monmouth's White team (the reserves) defeated the Blue team (the
starters), 35-27.

""I thought the white team played great,'' said Calloway. ""Unfortunately they were
running Mount St. Mary's stuff.''

""This is the second game in a row where if we lose, we fall two games behind the
team we're playing,'' said Calloway. ""Plus they'll have a win over us. So this is very
important.''

NOTES... Former Hawks Chris Kenny and Villanova assistant coach Tyler Azzarelli
will be among those Dave Calloway said plan to participate, as well as himself, in
Saturday's men's alumni game which will begin at about 4:30 p.m. after the women's NEC
game with Mount St. Mary's.

Others who Calloway said have committed to playing are Jimmy Keane, John Giraldo,
Glenn Stokes, Russ Anderson, Jason Krayl, Dwayne Byfield, Matt Kukoda, and Josh Peters.

Calloway said Blake Hamlton, who had been practicing with Monmouth this season, has
landed a professional job in Austria.

e-mail tonygsports@aol.com