While the Jordan Brand Classic games were going on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, Elijah Carter was up in Bridgeport, Conn., playing in the JCC Schoolboy Classic.
Carter, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound guard from Jersey City (N.J.) St. Anthony who has signed with St. Bonaventure, played every minute of the game because his team brought only six players.
And he still dropped a game-high 42 points in New Jersey’s 124-119 double-OT loss to Connecticut.
It was the most points scored in the event since Jeff Ruland dropped 45 in 1977, according to the Stamford Advocate. Aishon White, an uncommitted guard from Union, N.J., added 39 points.
“There was only six guys, a lot of guys backed out,” Carter said Monday morning by phone. “I just wanted to go out there and win. I knew we were going to play harder because there was only six of us. Me and Aishon had to score a little more than usual so we stepped up and did that.”
Despite a strong season in which he led St. Anthony to the New Jersey Non-Public B state title game, Carter was left off the roster for the Jordan Regional Game Saturday afternoon.
“I thought about it,” he said. “I think I should’ve been in it. It’s like that sometimes. I just moved on.”
Carter’s performance Saturday was no one-hit wonder, either.
Two nights before, he poured in a career-high 55 points when his New Jersey Roadrunners beat Waterview Triple Threat 126-119 in the Donofrio Classic in Conshohocken, Pa.
“I was sore the next morning,” Carter said.
While St. Anthony played without injured forward Ashton Pankey, Carter led the Friars to a 27-3 record and the Non-Public B state title game.
Born and raised in Paterson, N.J., Carter put up 28 points and 14 rebounds when the Friars dismantled previously unbeaten Paterson Catholic, 63-49, in the North B title game.
Had Carter waited to sign until the spring, he might’ve gone to the Big East. Instead, he didn’t receive a single Big East offer.
“At one point Rutgers offered and then they took it back,” Carter said.
Notre Dame, Providence and Virginia were also involved, Carter said.
“After seeing Eli play in the last two games, I’d have to say he’s taken his game to a whole new level,” St. Anthony assistant Jason Hasson said. “Right now he’s practically unstoppable. He’s been in the gym working out every day and it shows. His shooting range has increased to 22 feet and he’s finishing at the rim. I think right now he’s a Big East guard going to play in the Atlantic 10.”
Said Carter: “I know I could’ve been recruited higher. I had interest from some Big East schools. I’m pretty much happy where I’m going.”
AISHON WHITE UPDATE
According to White’s mentor, Billy Diamond, the 6-3 White currently has interest from Miami and Kansas State.
“Miami assistant Coach Jake Morton and Head Coach Frank Haith have seen him play and practice twice in the past month. Aishon will retake the SAT’s shortly and if he qualifies, he will begin taking official visits and we will sit down and make a decision at that time,” Diamond said.
“After his junior year at Union (NJ) High School, Aishon was considered a mid-major player and was being recruited by Niagara, Robert Morris, Siena, Fordham and University of Houston. Aishon has really taken his game to another level and is now considered a high-major player. If he doesn’t qualify this year, he will attend prep school next year.”
(Photo courtesy Hudson County Varsity)
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