ALL THAT JAS: Alston thanks Loughlin teammates after emotional state title win

Every other week during the season, Bishop Loughlin’s star junior guard Jasmine Alston took us into her world on and off the court. In this exclusive diary for NYPost.com, Alston chronicles Bishop Loughlin’s quest to prove itself as one of the city’s top programs and it winning a state Federation Class A title.

We did it for Chicken!

We know we can't bring her back, but winning this state Federation ‘A’ championship in her honor was the best thing yet. If she was here, she would have been there cheering us on no matter what.

Violence. All of this needs to stop. It takes for someone close to us to lose their life for everyone to open their eyes and realize that it's not worth it and it's not fair. Life is too short and you can be here and gone tomorrow.

Denis Gostev

Bishop Loughlin's Jasmine Alston helped lead her team to the state Federation Class A title last weekend in Albany.

I love my team with all my heart, but I don't think we couldn’t have come this far without our seniors. They came into Loughlin winning a 'B' JV championship with Chicken.

Aliyah “Nyree” Alston is my big/lil cousin, sister, shrink, teammate, etc., whatever you name it that’s her. Growing up together until today, we are still inseparable. Playing with her my whole life and going to school together with her forever, it’s hard comprehending that she is going to leave me in a few months to go to college and I won’t have her by my side whenever I need her. There isn’t a person I know wholaughs at anything I say no matter how corny it sounds and motivates me to do my best on and off the court at the same time.

Ayana “Yani” Ratliff is like the crazy sister I never had. When I play with her it’s like having Chicken on the court because she plays with so much heart, energy and emotion, it just makes you want to play harder to win. Having Yani not being part of the team next year leaves some stress on us because there is only one Yani, but we know next year we have to step up and get the job done.

Simone Charles is like my back bone/right hand and a part of my family I gained off the court because we are together all the time that she might as well be an Alston. I love her with all my heart and she has left a huge affect on my life forever.

Kiana Clark a.k.a. our freshman has stepped up to play varsity during the season. Even though it was a little difficult adjusting so fast, she will be more than ready by next season.

I am truly grateful and blessed to have all of them in my life and hope the best for them in the future.

On Sept.11, 2011, our angel Tayshana Murphy was taken from us but her legacy and name will never be forgotten. We will make sure everyone knows who Chicken was and what she stood for. She is the best basketball player I will ever meet in my life and I will aspire to fulfill her goals. I will carry her on the court with me every day and she will always be on my mind.

Some people come into your life as if they were “God sent”. They have come to assist you through a difficulty and help show you a way. That was Chicken -- she came into my life for a reason and was taken before I even got to say thank you.

I have been given a chance to honor all that have fallen before me with the skills that I have been blessed with on and off the basketball court. I vow to always give 100 percent because I am truly blessed! Thank you all for sharing a part of me.

Thank you Chicken. Ball in Peace.

Jasmine Alston, Bishop Loughlin, state Federation Class, basketball court, Alston, state Federation

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O’Brien takes fifth

Edith O’Brien ain’t saying nuthin’.

The former MF Global assistant treasurer , who may know the secret behind the $1.6 billion in missing client funds, declined to answer questions from House lawmakers yesterday.

The money, which disappeared during MF’s chaotic final days, may have been moved by O’Brien — and lawmakers tried to ask her about the missing moolah.

But O’Brien invoked her Fifth Amendment Constitutional right against self-incrimination to the first two questions from the House panel.

She was then dismissed — and her much-anticipated appearance was over in about three minutes.

Bloomberg

Edith O'Brien

One question O’Brien was asked was whether she is seeking immunity in exchange for cooperating with federal prosecutors with their probe into the missing funds.

O’Brien’s zipper mouth frustrated some on the panel.

“I am disappointed because I believe you have important knowledge,” Rep. Randy Neugebauer, chair of the panel, said before dismissing her.

O’Brien, who wore her reddish, brown hair conservatively pulled back behind the ears, sat for a moment in stunned silence before saying “OK.” She then swiftly darted out of the ornate conference room followed by her high-powered legal team.

O’Brien entered the public spotlight in December after MF’s fallen CEO, Jon Corzine, fingered her as the person who assured him that $175 million in customer funds transferred to JPMorgan on the Friday before the Oct. 31 bankruptcy was perfectly legit.

The $175 million transfer covered an overdraft in a JP Morgan account held by MF’s London subsidiary and was necessary to help generate liquidity for the faltering firm, a JPMorgan executive testified yesterday.

JPMorgan’s General Counsel Diane Genova told lawmakers that Corzine had assured the bank’s executives that MF “had ample funds to cover the overdrafts and that they would be covered promptly.”

Documents obtained by the House Financial Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee show that $200 million was moved that day from customers’ accounts to a firm account. Then the $175 million transfer was made from the firm account.

In an e-mail, O’Brien said she made the transfer at the request of Corzine, or “Per JC’s direct instructions.”

In a statement, Corzine said he “never directed Ms. O’Brien or anyone else regarding which account should be used to cure the overdrafts.”

MF executives were also grilled yesterday about rich bonuses they might get from trustee Louis Freeh, who is collecting assets for the main company for creditors.

Asked if he would accept a bonus while customers are left holding the bag, Henri Steenkamp, who was MF’s CFO at the time of the collapse, said, “If the trustee determines it is fair.”

kwhitehouse@nypost.com

Jon Corzine, O’Brien, O’Brien, MF Global, Randy Neugebauer, JPMorgan, lawmakers

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Number of people filing for unemployment benefits falls to lowest level since April 2008

The number of US workers filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell to its lowest level since April 2008, showing the labor market is continuing its steady improvement this year.

Separately, the US economy's fourth quarter expansion was unrevised at three percent, while corporate profits moderated from the previous quarter.

Initial jobless claims fell by 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 359,000 in the week ended March 24, the Labor Department said Thursday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast that claims would increase by 2,000.

The prior week's figure was revised to 364,000 from a previously reported 348,000. Labor made its annual adjustment to seasonal factors this week, causing revisions to claims data back to 2007. As a result, recent weeks' figures were adjusted up.

The four-week moving average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, decreased by 3,500 to 365,000.

For several weeks, new claims have hovered near levels last seen before the onset of the recent financial crisis. Since October, new benefit applications have remained below 400,000. When claims fall below that mark, economists say the economy typically adds jobs.

And that's been happening in recent months. Nonfarm payrolls grew by 227,000 in February and the economy has added an average 245,000 jobs over the past three months. The March payroll report is due out next week.

Still, the unemployment rate remained high last month at 8.3 percent and may decline only gradually.

On Wednesday, a Business Roundtable survey of 128 US CEOs found that 42 percent expect to increase payrolls at their firms in the next six months, but the pace of hiring is expected to be more modest than sales growth.

Boeing Co. CEO Jim McNerney said the economy is not yet growing fast enough to overcome productivity improvements "and really drive job growth."

Thursday's report showed the number of continuing unemployment benefit claims -- those drawn by workers for more than a week -- decreased by 41,000 to 3,340,000 in the week ended March 17. Continuing claims are reported with a one-week lag.

To read more, go to The Wall Street Journal

unemployment benefits, unemployment benefit, jobless claims, Dow Jones Newswires, Labor Department, unemployment rate, claims data, economy, labor market

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Zynga insiders price new stock offering at $12 a share

Online games company Zynga Inc. said Wednesday that CEO Mark Pincus and other insiders will sell some of their stake at $12 a share, slightly below Wednesday's closing price.

Zynga earlier announced that the insiders planned to sell 43 million shares of stock, but it hadn't disclosed the price. Zynga, which had its initial public offering of stock in December, has said proceeds from the sale will go to the individuals, not the company.

Zynga is the maker of online games such as "CityVille," ''FarmVille and "Zynga Poker." Many of the games are played on Facebook, though Zynga has been working on expanding to other areas, notably mobile devices. "Words With Friends," a Scrabble-like game played mainly on smartphones, is one of its best-known titles.

It was one in a group of social Web companies that went public over the past year. Others include LinkedIn Corp., Groupon Inc. and Yelp Inc. Facebook is expected to have its IPO this spring, possibly in May.

Zynga shareholders are selling their stock, just three months after the company went public, to try to avoid a drop in its stock price. Early investors typically must wait about six months after an IPO to sell off parts of their stakes. By selling some shares now, shareholders won't be flooding the market all at once in June when the post-IPO "lock-up" is scheduled to expire. A mass wave of selling can drive down the stock price.

Pincus, who founded Zynga Inc. in 2007, will control about 35 percent of the company once the offering is complete. That's down only slightly from 36.5 percent because he will retain his Class C shares, which have 70 times the voting power of the stock being offered, Class A.

Zynga's stock fell 78 cents, or 6 percent, to close Wednesday at $12.24. That is 22 percent above the IPO price of $10 and 2 percent above the offering price for the new shares.

At $12, the 43 million shares will be worth about $516 million. Pincus is offering 16.5 million shares, worth about $198 million.

Zynga Poker, Mark Pincus, Zynga, stock price, initial public offering, Groupon Inc., LinkedIn Corp., Facebook, Yelp Inc., Zynga Inc., Class A.Zynga

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PSAL baseball preseason rankings

This spring starts the way last year ended – with George Washington at the top. The nationally ranked Trojans are loaded yet again and have coach Steve Mandl back in the dugout after his one-year suspension. They will have plenty competition from traditional powers Grand Street Campus, Tottenville and James Monroe and unlikely ones such as Cardozo and William Bryant.

For a full rundown of The Post’s preseason baseball rankings, read below:

1. George Washington

Despite a serious ankle injury to stud center fielder Fernelys Sanchez, George Washington remains the odds-on favorite to repeat as city champion. Catcher Nelson Rodriguez is a blue-chip prospect, shortstop Randy Rodriguez is a sparkplug at the top of the lineup and Kevin Torres, Edwin Corniel and Reynaldo Hernandez lead an absurdly deep and talented pitching staff.

An Rong Xu

George Washington and catcher Nelson Rodriguez start the season atop The Post's PSAL baseball rankings.

2. Grand Street Campus

This could be the year the Wolves finally get past the semifinals. They return an impressive core, which includes Maryland-bound shortstop Jose Cuas, speedy center fielder Basael McDonald, catcher Ernesto Lopez and pitchers Alex Cuas (Jose’s brother), Wily Santana and Geraldo Gonzalez in addition to Xaverian transfer Kevin Martir, a Maryland signee who will also catch and play third base.

3. Tottenville

The Pirates won’t quite hit like in years past – Tom Kain, Kevin Krause, Gil Mendoza and George Kantzian graduated—but they have a pair of aces to match up against anyone in the city. Southpaw Michael Sullivan, who has drawn interest from St. John’s and Rutgers, and Rider-bound flamethrower Vin Aiello will be a force, while FDU-bound catcher John Giakas and Iona College recruit Joe Sessa, a fleet-footed center fielder, are ready to lead the a rebuilt lineup.

4. Cardozo

Cardozo failed to reach the quarterfinals last year after a perfect league season in Queens A East, but expect the Queens school to take a major leap forward this spring. Junior southpaw Adrian Castano will play high Division I baseball – if he isn’t drafted too high next spring – and Townsend Harris transfer Connor Doyle is a perfect complement to him in the rotation from the right side.

5. James Monroe

This isn’t your father’s Monroe. The Eagles have just two seniors – shortstop Luis Santini and second baseman Ramger Iglesias – and are more focused on winning Bronx A East, usually a given, than competing for a city title. With that said, coach Mike Turo sees promise, particularly in a starting rotation that features junior Ricky Parra and sophomore Innoel Nunez.

6. William Bryant

Two innings away from the semifinals last spring, Bryant returns virtually its entire team. Brothers NIck and Chris Alvarez, pitchers Adonis Lao and Darlyn Valdez and infielder Chris Aubry and catcher Brian Esposito are all back to make another run at the city’s elite.

7. James Madison

For most teams, going 12-4 in a beefed up division and reaching the playoffs would be a solid season; not for Madison. Don’t expect that to continue as the Knights gained invaluable experience and will be much improved with seniors Mike Fitzpatrick, Matt Zalon and Joe Cali leading a deep pitching staff and catcher Ray Draxdorf and infielder Chris Vasquez the backbone of an improved lineup.

8. Lehman

Sure, the Lions have a myriad of positions to fill and an extremely young team – three sophomores and three freshmen – but consecutive Bronx A West titles and semifinal berths builds you plenty of credit. Look for big things out of pitcher/outfielder Steven Pinales and for longtime coach Adam Droz to get the most out of his talent, a spring ritual in The Bronx.

9. Manhattan Center

This should be the year the Rams make some postseason noise after so many first-round exits. Shortstop/ace Jesus Medina is drawing Division I interest and sophomores Jerry Liang, Alex Sanchez and Michael Pena are stars in the making.

10. Beacon

The four-time Manhattan A West defending champions started fast last spring, but ended early, surprisingly falling to DeWitt Clinton in the opening round. Beacon is yet again favored in its division with co-aces Kai Glick and Juan Adorno leading the pitching staff and first baseman Dylan Long a power bat in the middle of the Blue Demons’ potent lineup.

On the bubble: Telecommunications, John Adams, New Dorp, Susan Wagner, John F. Kennedy, DeWitt Clinton, Walton and Norman Thomas

zbraziller@nypost.com

George Washington, James Monroe, Catcher Nelson Rodriguez, George WashingtonDespite, Grand Street Campus, Nelson Rodriguez, Fernelys Sanchez, John F. Kennedy, The Eagles, center fielder, George Kantzian, Steve Mandl

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Louisville rallies past Florida to reach Final Four

PHOENIX — In the end, the mentor got the best of the student. Rick Pitino, burned in the first half by the three-point shooting of Billy Donovan’s Gators, switched from a match-up zone to a pressing man-to-man defense in the second half.

The strategy worked as the Gators, who made eight 3-pointers in the first half, made zero in the second, allowing the Cardinals to rally from an 11-point deficit to beat Florida 72-68 to win the NCAA tournament West Regional final and advance to the Final Four in New Orleans.

The fourth-seeded Cardinals closed with an 18-3 run to steal the victory at U.S. Airways Center. Russ Smith scored 19 points and Chane Behanan added 17 as Louisville advanced to its ninth Final Four. It will be Pitino’s fifth strip to the Final Four. He is already the first coach to lead three different teams to the Final Four and is now 0-7 against his protégé Donovan, who won back-to-back national titles.

Reuters

‘LOU’ CAN’T STOP THIS FEELING: Russ Smith (center) was overcome with emotion as he, Chris Smith (left) and Wayne Blackshear celebrated Louisville’s 72-68 victory in front of Florida’s Patric Young (No. 4) and Erik Murphy yesterday. The Cardinals advanced to the Final Four.

AP

Peyton Siva cut down the nets.

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“I’m happy for Coach Pitino,” said Donovan, who played for Pitino when the Providence Friars reached the Final Four in 1987. “Emotionally, going into the game it’s always difficult because of our relationship. Nobody likes to lose, but I’m happy for him at the end of his career to be able to enjoy this.”

Louisville (30-9) entered the game hoping to keep the nation’s leading three-point shooting team from getting hot from behind the arc. The Gators shredded that gameplan in the first half, burning the Cardinals matchup-zone by hitting 8 of 11 from three-point range to take a 41-33 lead at the break. Considering how well the Gators shot the ball — 66.7 percent from the field — the Cardinals did well to stay at close. Especially because point guard Peyton Siva went to the bench with 6:45 remaining in the half after collecting his second foul.

The Cardinals would trail 39-29 last in the first half and 43-33 early in the second. With senior point guard Erving Walker (12 points, seven assists) from Brooklyn orchestrating the offense, freshman Bradley Beal (14 points) showing the talent that has NBA scouts drooling and center Patric Young (11 points, six rebounds) holding his own against Louisville center Gorgui Dieng, the Gators kept the Cardinals struggling just to stay close.

The Florida lead was 58-47 minutes later after Pitino was called for a technical foul. Walker hit the two technical free throws and two for the foul for a 4-point play. They keep the lead at 11 after a dunk by Young made it 65-54 with 8:16 remaining.

But the Cardinals, having now won eight straight games, would not go away easily. The Big East Tournament champions switched to a man-to-man defense and seventh-seeded Florida couldn’t make anything from three-point range, shooting 0-of-9 in the second half.

Russ Smith, the streak-shooting sophomore from Briarwood, New York, teamed with Behanan to give Louisville a chance. They combined for 12 points that helped cut Florida’s lead to 65-64 with 4:57 to play. After a Florida free throw, Behanan converted a tough shot in the lane to tie the game at 66-66.

The Cardinals would gain their first lead since early in the first half when Behanan buried a short turn-around jumper to put Louisville ahead 69-68 with a one minute left. Louisville kept the lead for good as Florida (26-11) got stone cold.

Pitino was proud of his team, who finished without Siva, who foul out with 3:58 to play.

“It hurts to see Billy lose,” Pitino said. “But this team reminds me of the ’87 team. I’ve never wanted a Final Four more than in ’87. But I’ve never wanted a Final Four more than for these guys. They give me everything they have in their bodies. They’re going to enjoy this experience. But I’ve asked them not be satisfied with just going.”

george.willis@nypost.com

Rick Pitino, the Cardinals, Florida, Florida, Billy Donovan’s Gators, Cardinals, Russ Smith, Gators, Gators, Louisville, Louisville, Cardinals, Patric Young, Patric Young, Chane Behanan, Peyton Siva, U.S. Airways Center

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Kansas survives to set up UNC showdown

ST. LOUIS — Kansas’ NCAA tournament win over N.C. State wasn’t easy or pretty, in doubt all the way up to Richard Howell’s final shot at the buzzer. But with Thomas Robinson’s dominance and Jeff Withey’s defense it was enough — barely — to earn an Elite Eight date with a familiar face in former Jayhawks coach Roy Williams.

Second-seeded Kansas pulled off a 60-57 escape in the Midwest Regional semifinal, and it was withering defense that did it. The Jayhawks clinched a 5:05 p.m. date tomorrow to face top-seeded North Carolina and Williams with a spot in the Final Four at stake.

Reuters

REAL DEAL: Kansas forward Thomas Robinson , who scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds drives past N.C. State’s C.J. Williams.

“It wasn’t the prettiest game. But our first-shot defense was terrific all night,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “On a night we couldn’t throw it in the ocean, we hung around and made enough plays to eke out a win. Give credit to the guys because the last two games they found ways to pull it out when the ball wasn’t going in the hole.’’

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Robinson had 18 points and 15 rebounds, living up to his Big 12 Player of the Year billing. Withey, blocked 10 shots — one shy of the NCAA tourney record — and altered enough others to hold the Wolfpack to 28.4 percent shooting.

“I was kind of in a zone in a zone. I knew they were going to keep on attacking. It was coming to me,’’ said Withey, whose defense helped Kansas (30-6) rally from an early 14-3 hole to take a 58-52 lead late.

N.C. State’s Scott Wood got fouled behind the arc and hit all three free throws, and after Tyshawn Taylor turned the ball over, senior C.J. Williams dunked to cut it to 58-57. The Jayhawks turned the ball over yet again to give N.C. State hope, but C.J. Leslie (18 points) got bottled up in traffic, and Kansas got a huge Elijah Johnson layup off an inbounds for a 60-57 lead with 13 seconds to play.

When a crosscourt pass sailed high and forced Wood to catch it with his foot on the sideline with five seconds left, the game was all but over. Robinson missed the front end of a one-and-one and Wood snatched the rebound, but Howell’s fullcourt catch-and-turnaround fell well short.

“[We hit] two shots outside of five feet for the game. For the game. And won. That’s amazing,’’ said Self. “We can’t be like that Sunday. But that should give us some confidence. We haven’t done it yet, and found a way.’’

Leslie scored 18 points for the 11th-seeded Wolfpack (24-13), despite sitting much of the second half with four fouls. He also shot 7-of-16, but his teammates were just 12-for-51.

brian.lewis@nypost.com

Thomas Robinson, Kansas, The Jayhawks, The Jayhawks, Jeff Withey, N.C. State, Jayhawks, Withey

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