Twice Amityville has tried to have a ceremony to retire A.J. Price's jersey No. 12 at his old home gym. But twice the Indiana Pacers rookie had to cancel, including Friday night.

"In his words, they like to take rookies' money," Amityville coach Jack Agostino said. "He didn't want to get fined for being late to the arena."

So instead of Price coming home, the Amityville basketball community is coming to him. Price, in conjunction with the Nets, Pacers and school superintendent John Williams, arranged for 500 ticket vouchers - good for two tickets each - to be available for tonight's Pacers-Nets game at the Izod Center.

"That's A.J. He'll do anything to look out for the Amityville basketball program," said Agostino, who was Price's high school coach. The tickets won't cost the recipients anything and nearly all of them were gone as of late Thursday.

"Right after my game, we're driving to the Meadowlands,'' said Agostino, who hopes to earn career win No. 400 by beating Westhampton. "A.J. is starting to get some playing time, so we're looking forward to it."

The tickets have been distributed to Amityville players and coaches at the high school, middle school, CYO and AAU levels. As for the jersey retirement, Agostino said it might have to be arranged for the offseason at a school assembly.

"No. 12 is already hanging in our gym,'' Agostino said. "We know he'll be back for a ceremony sometime this year."

Rock climbing? Indoor beach volleyball? Water parks? Arts and crafts? NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to spend your winter break. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp, Kendall Rodriguez; Gary Licker

Things to do now on LI Rock climbing? Indoor beach volleyball? Water parks? Arts and crafts? NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to spend your winter break.

Rock climbing? Indoor beach volleyball? Water parks? Arts and crafts? NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to spend your winter break. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp, Kendall Rodriguez; Gary Licker

Things to do now on LI Rock climbing? Indoor beach volleyball? Water parks? Arts and crafts? NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to spend your winter break.

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