This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Plainview JFK Boys Basketball Returns to Postseason

Hawks to make first playoff appearance in eight years Thursday; face Hicksville in opening round.

is alive and well, mainly because, well, they're still alive.

For the first time in eight years, the Hawks are heading to the playoffs as they get ready to travel to Hicksville on Thursday for Class AA first round action.

It's a satisfying feeling for head coach who, in his sixth year at the helm, finally gets to taste the postseason after some narrow misses, including losing a play-in game a year ago.

Find out what's happening in Plainviewwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The boys are really excited, the town's really excited that we finally got to advance to the playoffs and we're really looking forward to Thursday," Harris said.

One of the keys to the 7-7 Hawks' run has been Chris Butigian. The senior was cut from his squad four years straight. This year, he's stuck around - as the team's starting center, averaging nine points and 11 rebounds since moving into the lineup.

Find out what's happening in Plainviewwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We call Jeremy Lin the Chris Butigian of the New York Knicks," Harris jokes. "He's an outstanding story, an outstanding kid, he does a great job down low for us."

Butigian has changed the Plainview offense, which features a four-guard set. Instead of just being an outside team, the Hawks now have an inside out style, with Butigian drawing double teams down low, freeing up shooters across the floor. Plainview guards now have options, and their coach says it's all about being aggressive in the paint.

"We would just throw the ball around the three point arc, wait for something to happen, now we have another dimension where we can get the ball inside, attack the rim," Harris said. "Attack, draw the double team, kick the ball out and then we have [chances] inside and out."

Elsewhere, junior Jared Bursky runs the point and is Harris' coach on the floor and main distributor. Kevin Massa is the Hawks top sharpshooter, Alec Abramowitz the team's top scorer, effective inside and out, and defensive whiz Jordan Ross rounds out the starting five.

Off the bench, Chris Pastier and Josh Sekler provide depth up front, with Jordan Sekler and Justin Bernstein seeing time in the backcourt.

Plainview split the season series against Hicksville (10-4), which is led by improving point guard Nick Petrucelli, along with slasher Pablo Segura and big man T.J. Danns. Harris knows it's a tough challenge, and hopes the Hicksviile gym will feature a raucous Plainview cheering section.

"This has been the best crowd I've seen since I've been here," Harris said. "They're loud, they're funny ... they're a big reason we're in the playoffs."

And it's a special time for the eight seniors on the squad who finally get to taste the playoffs before moving on.

"The excitement [the seniors] have had since clinching a playoff spot has been an unbelievable experience for me just to watch them, see the smiles on their faces every day," Harris said.

Hopefully after Thursday, they'll have even more to smile about.

The 12th seeded Hawks travel to take on 5th seeded Hicksville Thursday at 5:30 with the winner to face Farmingdale in the next round.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?