Originally from Jackson Heights, Niagara University head men’s basketball coach Chris Casey returned to Carnesecca Arena at St. John’s University, Jamaica, Dec. 2 for a non-conference game against the Red Storm.

Casey spent six years at St. John’s: two as a director of operations and four as an assistant coach, 2004-2010, under Norm Roberts. He played his Catholic Youth Organization basketball and went to grammar school at Corpus Christi, Woodside.

“It’s nice to come back to St. John’s,” said Casey, who spent three winning seasons at LIU Post, Brookville, L.I., before taking over the Purple Eagles in 2013. “St. John’s has done a lot of terrific things for me. I made a lot of very good friends.”

In his return to Queens, Casey’s Niagara team lost 70-57 to the Red Storm.