BY MARCUS HENRY
Times have been tough for Emanuel Neto, whose mother died last Saturday after a long battle with kidney failure. But the 6-9 senior center has managed to channel the negative emotions into positive reinforcement. It worked on Monday night as Stony Brook picked up its second win of the season against NJIT. Neto could've missed the game. But he knew his mother would've wanted him to play and he knew his team needed him.
Coach Steve Pikiell left the decision up to his senior captain. Neto chose to play and it was a decision that paid off in a big way for the Seawolves. He didn't have a monster game on paper, but his emotion carried the team. "I didn't get the 20 rebounds coach wanted me to get," he said. "But I helped my boys get a win."
He made the biggest play late in the game. NJIT was poised for a comeback after it cut a 15-point deficit to four, 55-51, with 3:30 remaining. But Neto stepped in and took a charge, which negated a basket made by NJIT. The Seawolves ended the game on a 7-2 run for a 62-53 win. His emotion and that charge far outweighed the six points and two rebounds he had.
"He's our emotional leader," Mitch Beauford said. "We need him."
Neto credited his team and his coaching staff for helping him through a tough time. "The boys have been there for me. And that's really what's holding me together," Neto said.
One of the most popular athletes on campus, Neto is often seen at other sporting events, including soccer games and swimming meets. The rest of the athletic department returned the favor by attending the memorial service and Monday's game.
"When I go out to the swimming events it's usually just me and the family members. I just have to crazy, yelling and making up for the whole school. And I have a lot of soccer players in my family," Neto said.
I knew [the other teams] would come out for me. I'm there for them and they are there for me."