VIDEO: Plainview JFK Boys Basketball Preview

The have some unfinished business.

Plainview JFK's boys basketball team finished the regular season last year tied for the final playoff spot. The playoffs were uncharted waters for coach Coach and his squad. Their inexperience played a part in their loss in the play-in game, but now they believe they are ready.

Harris has lost some key players to graduation, but believes the team's work ethic can help them compete with some of the conference top contenders.

"Our effort and our energy and our athleticism can't compare with any team on Long Island," he said.

Last season: 8-9 overall, 5-7 League

Coach:  Mike Harris (6th year)

Key Players:

• Jared Bursky, junior, point guard
• Kevin Massa, senior, guard
• Alec Abramowitz, junior, forward

Position Breakdown: Losing the play-in game last season just made the Hawks that much more dedicated to winning. There is no one standout player, so any success will be a team effort.

"I think depth is one of our strengths. We can keep rotating guys in," said Harris. Fresh legs will help the team compete with the more experienced teams.

Plainview has strong guards who can distribute the ball, see the floor and score points, Harris said. Burksy and senior Josh Bernstein share the pressure of controlling the offense for the Hawks.

They have big targets in shooting guards Massa and senior Jordan Sekler.  Sekler is Plainview's go-to guy around the perimeter. "He never misses. If he's open, he is going to hit the shot," said Harris.

The Hawks have worked hard on becoming a multi-threat team. If Sekler isn't open, Harris has confidence that his small forwards can post up and either score or divert the defense. Senior Jordan Ross and Abramowitz balance out the Hawk's offense.

Abramowitz may be big but he is also quick. Harris is hoping that Abramowitz can transition quickly from junior varsity to the varsity level.

While Abramowitz is getting acclimated to the speed of the varsity level, Harris can rely on the experience and athleticism of senior Chris Pastier as the big man down low. "He'll work as hard as anybody on defense," Harris says of his senior. 

The Hawks starting rotation will be complete once Josh Sekler is back. He will be the missing piece for the offense, but once he is healthy, Harris is expecting him to be explosive.

"He is probably our most talented basketball player," said Harris of the versatile senior. "He can shoot from the outside. He can make moves on the inside."

Key Games:

• Dec. 20: Mac Arthur @ Plainview, 4:45 p.m.
• Jan. 3: Plainview @ Calhoun, 6: 30 p.m.
• Jan. 6: Plainview @ Port Washington, 5:00 p.m.
• Jan. 20: Hicksville @ Plainview, 4:45 p.m.
• Jan. 27: Plainview @ Mac Arthur, 6:15 p.m.
• Jan. 31: Calhoun @ Plainview, 4:30 p.m.
• Feb. 3: Port Washington @ Plainview, 4:45 p.m.

Feb. 3 is also Plainview’s Coaches vs Cancer game.

Expectations: After experiencing a playoff dry spell for years and finally getting a taste of the playoffs, the team is working towards a second-consecutive playoff appearance.

"We took a step forward, finally getting over the hump and making into the playoffs last year," said Harris. "We want to carry that forward so anything less than the playoffs to us is unacceptable."

"Now that we got there, we want to win a playoff game," said Harris.

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