Plainview JFK Basketball Season Ends in Hicksville

Plainview JFK students packed their side of the gym at Hicksville High School, anxious to see their Hawks long awaited return to the postseason. Unfortunately it was a one and done, as Plainview was defeated 51-47 in boys basketball playoff action on Thursday.

It was the Hawks first postseason appearance in eight years, and they were up to the task, leading the 5th seeded Comets for much of the first three quarters. After Hicksville rallied to take a 35-30 with .4 seconds left in the third, Plainview's Chris Pastier somehow received the full court pass all alone for a lay up at the buzzer to cut the lead to three. 

Chris Trasz hit a three on the Hawks first possession of the fourth to tie the game and swing momentum back to the visitors. In the blink of an eye, however, Hicksville got it all back, with big man T.J. Danns and slashing forward Pablo Segura combining for seven points in the span of a minute, and just like that it was 42-35.

When Justin Tocays hit a turnaround jumper to give the Comets a nine point lead with 2:20 left, it looked bleak for the Hawks. Then Kevin Massa took over, hitting a trey seconds later to cut it to six. Massa missed his next shot from downtown, but Danns was called for an offensive foul with 51 ticks remaining, and Massa took advantage. His second three cut it to 49-47 with 32 seconds left, and the POBJFK crowd was alive once more.

Plainview had to foul and Nick Petrucelli hit both his free throws to put his club up four. Massa's next three was no good, and Hicksville was able to effectively run out the clock from there.

Still, considering where the program was just a few years ago, just getting to the Class AA tourney was a victory for Plainview, and head coach Mike Harris says things are looking up, even if his players were down after a tough loss.

"I can't be more proud of these kids, the program, it's a great thing, we'll keep on taking the right steps," Harris said.

Hero: Pablo Segura. The Hicksville forward hit a baseline jumper, and followed with a layup off a steal, all mere seconds apart, as the Comets took a seven point lead early in the fourth, forcing Plainview to play catchup the rest of the way, falling just short.

Turning Point: The seven point outburst by Hicksville definitely qualifies, but losing point guard Jared Bursky early in the game to an ankle injury hurt the Hawks the rest of the way. Bursky tried to come back, but was unable to go, costing Plainview its floor general and main distributor.

Key Stat: 33, as in the number of points Hicksville scored in the second half. With Danns in early foul trouble, Plainview held the home team to 18 in the first half, but once the big man got into the flow, especially on the boards, the Comets were able to keep the Hawks at arms length down the stretch.

Bottom Line: Hicksville was sinking back into a zone, giving Plainview the outside shot early, and they capitalized. Those same shots didn't fall as much late, and by the time the Hawks got top inside man Chris Butigian involved in the action, Danns was too, denying Plainview second chances, and allowing Hicksville to rally.

Quotable:"It hurts now, in the end you have to look back at all the good things we accomplished, where the program's been and where they took it to," Hawks coach Mike Harris said afterward. "They'll be real upset tonight, but after a couple days [and] a couple weeks, they'll look back and see what they accomplished, [it'll] put a smile back on their face."

                        1      2      3       4      F

Plainview JFK  11.....10.....11...15 -- 47

Hicksville        6.......12.....17...16 -- 51