Every year the U.S. Basketball Writers Association gives the Katha Quinn Award to someone who renders special service to those who cover college basketball. It’s named after the former St. John’s sports information director who lost her battle with cancer in 1989 at 34.

Ironically, this year’s recipient is Oliver Pierce, assistant athletics director and SID of Gonzaga — St. John’s first-round foe in the NCAA tournament.

Asked what Quinn would say if she knew the award named in her honor were going to a St. John’s opponent, AP hoops writer Jim O’Connell quipped, “She would have said, ‘Nice job, knucklehead. You’ll get your trophy another year!’ ”