Former Cardozo Kid James Southerland Talks March Madness

It's been little over four years since James Southerland wore a Cardozo uniform. Now a sophomore at Syracuse awaiting a first-round NCAA Tournament game against Indiana St. tonight, his recall remains clear. 

"Definitely Coach Ron Naclerio," said Southerland, when asked about outstanding memories of his high school days while riding the Syracuse team bus Wednesday. "He's been there a long time," he said. 

It isn't hard to recall Southerland, baby-faced, with a hint of a beard, flicking jump shots from atop the key. With a gentle manner and an easy way, he hoisted jumpers with preternatural ease, as if it if were precisely what those gangly limbs were meant to do. "He was one of the nicest kids there ever was," said Naclerio. "He was a little bit lazy. He had a world of potential." 

Southerland is still an outside threat. He's filled out some, and is averaging 4.8 points, including 23 3-pointers, as a reserve for Syracuse this season. The third-seeded Orange take on 14-seed Indiana St. Friday in Cleveland. 

"It's exciting," said Southerland of the tournament. "The atmosphere, the crowds. You play against the top players. "

"At this level there are a lot more distractions. You've always got to stay focused," said Southerland, adding, "It might come down to me to make the big shot." 

Southerland is still a part of the Cardozo program. Late in the Judges' season, he visited the school. He had heard that "the next James Southerland" was coming up, and had a couple of words of advice. 

"He came back to speak with the team, and to speak with Jermaine (Lawrence)," said Naclerio. What Southerland told Lawrence, a similarly gifted, gangly sophomore was this: listen. 

"He told him to listen to (me), and that he didn't realize how hard he had to work until he got to Syracuse," said Naclerio. They are words worth considering. After all, James Southerland is a long way from Bayside, but clearly, a part of him still rests in Queens. 

"Knowing that Coach Naclerio will always be there," said Southerland. "It's a good feeling, that he's in my corner."