Saint Joseph's and Virginia Tech tip off at the Palestra on Saturday. (Photo: Aaron Bracy)
By AARON BRACY
December 21, 2024
PHILADELPHIA–Derek Simpson flashed into the passing lane, defending just as advertised after transferring from Rutgers to Hawk Hill last spring. He burst up the court after intercepting a Virginia Tech pass, speeding ahead of everyone just as he did about a month ago on the same court against Penn.
Against the Quakers, Simpson displayed the athleticism that had him so coveted out of Lenape High School by many high-level coaches, dunking the ball with such ferocity and beauty that you’re still amazed thinking back. This time, though, Simpson’s tired legs disappointed him and his double-clutch dunk attempt clanked off the rim. To make matters worse, a frustrated Simpson hung on to the cylinder and was whistled for a technical foul.
The Hokies made the ensuing free throw and got possession of the ball. What should have been a 15-point St. Joe’s lead with 15:31 remaining in Saturday’s afternoon tilt at the Palestra was now just 12. It felt like that could be a turning point in what had been an impressive performance to that point by the short-handed Hawks, who were without point guard Xzayvier Brown (strained hamstring) for the second straight contest.
But Simpson’s coaches and teammates put their arms around his shoulders and encouraging words in his ears, and the 6-foot-3 guard from Mount Laurel, New Jersey put the mishap quickly behind him.
“Tried to get too fancy and a little tired,” Simpson said of the missed dunk. “As soon as we got to the huddle, everybody was like, ‘Scratch it off, we’re good. Move on.’ And that helped me get past that. So, we moved on to the next thing and we kept going.”
Did they ever. The Hawks pummeled Virginia Tech, ultimately winning 82-62 in their most impressive performance of the season. There was so much to like if you were St. Joe’s coach Billy Lange. There were the 19 assists on 27 field goals, the strong team defense that limited Virginia Tech to just 31.8 percent from three-point range, and just the togetherness on both ends of the court that can’t be measured in the box score.
Individually, Erik Reynolds II looked like Erik Reynolds II again, playing his best game of the season and finishing with 25 points on 10 of 19 shooting overall and 5 of 11 from the arc. Rasheer Fleming continued his consistent play, tallying 18 points and eight boards, and Anthony Finkley chipped in with 13 points, making 3 of 4 from long range.
And, of course, there was Simpson, playing his best game in the Crimson and Gray. He had 18 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals. He seems to have found his footing in the last two contests, making 10 of 19 shots and 5 of 10 from deep while accumulating 33 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, and four steals.
“He’s understanding that he’s a great player, that he has staff that believes in him, that he’s allowed to make mistakes,” Lange said. “He plays with that joy and freedom. That kid’s a killer. That’s why we recruited him out of high school.”
Simpson said he felt at home immediately upon setting foot on campus. His game seems to be there now, too, and he upped his season totals to 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals, just the kind of complete player everyone said he could be for the Hawks.
“I’ve been able to use my voice at a better rate now,” he said. “It’s helping us and helping everybody else now. Just communicating and having fun. And that’s the goal, having fun.”
Lange also had fun watching the performance and even joked afterward about Simpson’s decision to choose Rutgers over St. Joe’s. Simpson laughed. There was a lot of smiling afterward, as Simpson is playing just the way Lange thought he could for the Hawks when he first watched him many years ago.
“I think he’s great,” Lange said. “Just trying to get him to see himself the way that I see him. That’s really what the last two weeks have been. I’ve seen him since he’s been in the ninth grade at his absolute best. He’s an assassin. He’s got moxie, joy, air underneath his feet, he’s aggressive, he attacks. This guy was at Lenape High School just giving people work. And he’s been coached. And he’s been pushed.
“And he can do it on both ends. And it elevates him and it elevates his teammates. I’m not surprised. I think he’s been good all season, but he’s part of this program now and I want him to know it.”
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Aaron Bracy has been covering Philadelphia sports since 1996. Follow Bracy on X: @Aaron_Bracy and like his Facebook and Instagram pages. His book on the 2003-04 Saint Joseph’s men’s basketball team is expected to be published on March 1, 2025. Read a summary and preorder it by clicking HERE. Contact him at aaron@big5hoops.com.