With Rutgers basketball Media Day set for Wednesday at the RAC, check out this interview with seniors James Beatty and Jonathan Mitchell, both of whom said they were upset that Rutgers was picked 15th in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Why? Because they wanted to be chosen 16th — and last — to serve as motivation. “We wanted to be 16 today,” Mitchell said last Wednesday. “Just more articles, locker room material. And we’re just excited for the challenge to come out here and compete every day.” Speaking of Rutgers, fans of the Scarlet Knights (and other Big East programs) should definitely head to Christ the King High School Saturday night for the Sharette Dixon Classic. Why? Well, other than supporting a good cause, this game, which tips at 8:30 p.m.., features four future Scarlet Knights in Kadeem Jack, Derrick Randall, Mike Taylor and Myles Mack. St. John’s commit Maurice Harkless and Cincinnati-bound wing Jermaine Sanders are also in the game. Two young women headed to play for C. Vivian Stringer — Syessence Davis and Shakeenah Richardson — will play in the girls game at 7. Prior to her passing on March 23, 2009, Sharette Dixon dedicated her life to educating young people. She was an instructor of English at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn and was particularly interested in African-American literature. Sharette was born in Brooklyn, raised in California and attended California State University at Fresno, where she was a McNair Scholar and earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English. The Sharette Dixon Memorial Classic will take place on Saturday, Oct. 30, at Christ the King High School in Queens (68-02 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY, 11379). Proceeds from the event will support a family education and child care fund being established in Sharette Dixon’s memory for her three children. For more information about this event, or to schedule an interview with any of the participants, please contact Kimani Young at 718-974-7110 or [email protected].
