That was so important. Against Red Bank we started slow, but I think it was because these kids had never been there before. So we went back to practice, watched film and felt we had to come out strong.

Playing against a zone has been an Achilles heel for us this season. Teams are going to double and triple A.J. and we know that. We needed someone to step up, but it just wasn't there tonight. We couldn't hit a basket.

I think he proved to everybody what I've been saying all along: He's the player of the year in this conference. There's nobody that does all the things he does.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think winning 24 games and getting to play in this environment was possible. We set the number of 17 as our main goal because that was the school record for wins. But what these kids accomplished is a tribute to them.

Monroe basketball is here. Some of these kids are young and this is a great experience. We may not win all the time, but we'll compete. We didn't bring home a trophy, but these kids will bring home so much more. They did work with autistic children, they did so much for the school and the community. . . . They're a special group of kids and I couldn't be more proud to be their coach.

Maybe we should have come out with a zone in the second half to stop their dribble penetration. Our guards were not responsible for that, coach Turco was. I'll take the blame for that.