Gibbons, Ginyard closer than family at St. John the Baptist

The bell rang indicating the start of the 2006 school year and the beginning of Joe Gibbons and Khaleev Ginyard's freshman year at St. John the Baptist. By virtue of the spelling of their last names, Ginyard sat directly in back of Gibbons when they took their assigned seats in homeroom. Little did they know of the friendship they would develop and the basketball defenses they would torment over the next four years.

The fate of alphabetization put their lockers and yearbook pictures side by side, which is where Gibbons and Ginyard have been since forming a bond while playing together on the freshman basketball team. During their sophomore season, both were promoted from junior varsity to varsity, where, as juniors last season, they helped St. John the Baptist advance to the state championship game after winning the Long Island championship.

But the rapport between the two became evident this season as they established themselves as one of the best backcourts on Long Island. They took a championship team that was stripped of talent and led it to the school's first undefeated league season and a first-round bye in the playoffs. After playing three seasons as teammates, spending summers with each other at AAU tournaments, and visiting a trainer together three times a week in the offseason, an undeniable level of comfort has developed between the two on the court.

"We've played on every level together," Ginyard said. "I look for him; he looks for me. I know when he's going to cut to the basket and I get him the ball, he knows when I'm going to spot up for the three-pointer and he gets me the ball."

As the top two scorers in CHSAA, their numbers may be nearly identical - Ginyard averages 20.2 points and 3.6 assists to Gibbons' 20.0 points and 3.9 assists - but how they go about accumulating them is quite different.

Ginyard is most dangerous from behind the three-point line and Gibbons is at his best when penetrating inside it. At 5-8, Ginyard relies on his quickness to create his own shot off the dribble and unload his quick release. Gibbons, 6-3, is a slasher who finds the open lane and attacks the basket or pulls up for midrange jumpers.

"It's like having two coaches on the court," St. John coach John Plate said. "Off the court, they are terrific kids. If either one of them came home and were taking my daughter out, I'd be the happiest guy in the world."

SEE PHOTOSHigh school sports -- February

The chemistry off the court is just as good as it is on. Although their relationship and conversation is consumed by basketball, they still find time to talk about girls and do the things that best friends their age are supposed to do. Whether it's going to parties, to the beach, or simply accepting an open invitation to have dinner at one another's house. The relationship has even extended to their parents, who sit together every game, the mothers dressed in matching Crusader red sweaters.

"Right away, we hit it off just because we respect each other's games so much," Gibbons said. "We see each other every day; it just helps that much more on the basketball court. Always knowing where each other is and always having each other's back."

Gibbons has drawn interest from Division II colleges but would rather attend a high academic Division III school and Ginyard is considering NYIT and C.W. Post. While they prepare for college life, they remain hopeful that their last game together is in the state championship game next month.

"I'm going to be sad," Ginyard said of playing his last game alongside Gibbons. "It's going to be hard."

"We have to go our separate ways," Gibbons said, "but at the same time, we will always have those memories together."

Their final season as teammates may be nearing its end, but the memories will last forever, and the friendship has only just begun.