By Joseph Staszewski
Tears welled up in Aaliyah Lewis’ eyes and rolled down her cheeks before she could utter the words “St. John’s.”
It hit the Bishop Ford senior point guard that the decision to commit to play at the Big East school was more than just a sign of her moving on in basketball, but in life as well.
“It got really emotional,” the normally collected and unflappable Lewis said. “I couldn’t believe I’m announcing my school right now. I just broke down.”
Her showing of emotion — as she picked the Red Storm over Seton Hall and Virginia Tech at a press conference at the Park Slope school Friday — surprised Falcons Coach Mike Toro and her mother Sabrina Murray.
“It meant a lot to her,” Murray said. “She normally never shows any emotions.”
The 5-foot-3 Lewis had wanted to announce her choice Nov. 5, her mother’s birthday, but following her visit to St. John’s last weekend, she couldn’t wait that long. She felt a loyalty to first-year head Coach Joe Tartamella. He had recruited her since she was a freshman and he was an assistant. She felt she fit in well with the players and the squad’s up tempo style. St. John’s, which is coming off its first ever trip to the Sweet 16, was her second scholarship offer after Rutgers the summer before her sophomore season. The Red Storm also got a verbal commitment from wing Jade Walker of DePaul Catholic, Lewis’ Ring City travel squad teammate.
“I knew I wanted to go there,” said Lewis, who put on a St. John’s hoodie. “I couldn’t wait. I couldn’t hold it in.”
The Red Storm is getting one of the city’s best players in Lewis, ranked in the top 100 in her class nationally. She is the sixth Division I girls’ basketball player from Ford in the last four years, but the program has reached new heights with her in the lineup.
Lewis helped lead the Falcons to an undefeated CHSAA JV city title as a freshman. Last season they reached their first Brooklyn/Queens title game. Lewis is a vocal leader on the court, a blur with the basketball in her hand an a streak outside shooter. No one is more determined to win.
“She wants to be the player,” Toro said. “She is not scared of pressure. She is willing to take the big shot. She is willing to carry a team.”
Unlike on the court, Lewis let her guard down for a rare moment as she paused to compose herself at the microphone. She realized a new life and a new program is in her immediate future.
“It’s that I’m grown up,” Lewis said. “I’m about to go to the next level. I’m about to be on my own. No more calling my mom. I’m about to be a grown lady.”
Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.
