By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE – Can you feel the madness?

It’s coming. Tonight marks the debut of East St. John’s All Night Madness basketball event, featuring a number of returning alumni and the 2010-11 ESJ basketball team facing off in an exhibition scrimmage.

The event will begin at 6:30 at the East St. John gym. Admission is free.

Returning alums include a pair of recent All-District selections in Malcolm Lago and Patrick Gales.

Meanwhile, Joseph Williams, Chester Victor and Jalen Kenner are among the top-returning players on the 2010 squad.

“It’s almost like a class reunion for these guys,” said East St. John basketball coach Yussef Jasmine. “It should be a night of entertainment and a nigh of fun for the school as a whole.”

The school’s dance team, cheerleaders and band will also be performing at the event.

Jasmine said that he hopes to have a large crowd at the event, and early indications from people in the area that he’s talked to are that a solid turnout will be forthcoming.

“Now, whether that equates to a Riverside/East St. John rivalry crowd, that I can’t promise,” said Jasmine. “I certainly hope it happens, of course. But I think all in all, it’s a way to get a lot of people involved and put the program in a good light.”