The Promise Fulfilled

An update on a Philly Mag story

Three years ago, I wrote a piece for the magazine about Rick Jackson and Antonio “Scoop” Jardine. The pair, friends since middle school, were then seniors together at Neumann-Goretti High in South Philly, and heading off that fall to play basketball for Division 1 Syracuse University on full scholarships. [SIGNUP]

Scoop’s college career got off to a rocky start; he was suspended from the team freshman year (he and Rick were roommates) for violating university policy, and a visiting cousin was arrested on forgery and larceny charges by Syracuse police. A stress fracture in the leg red-shirted him sophomore year.

He got back on track last season, and this year has blossomed, last week winning the Sixth Man of the Year award from Sporting News. Jackson’s been a solid presence at center since joining the Orangemen, averaging 10 points and 7 rebounds per game this year.

Tonight at 9:30, both Jackson and Jardine will take the court for Syracuse, ranked number one seed in the West in the NCAA tournament, facing 16th-ranked Vermont. Might as well watch and give some props to two young men who do Philly proud; neither Temple nor ’Nova is in ’Cuse’s division.

SANDY HINGSTON writes the Loco Parentis column for Philly Mag.