Winter Sports Preview: Kingsmen Looking to the Playoffs

In recent years, the Kings Park boys basketball team has had its fair share of success, reaching the pinnacle locally four years ago and qualifying for the postseason in each of the last two years. This year's club is well on its way to making it three in a row, but those littered throughout the boxscore aren't those with whom hoops fans became familiar last year. Just two of the team's many seniors saw significant time last year, and now with the reins in their hands, the Class of 2011 hopes its relative inexperience in crunch-time situations will be overshadowed by talent and chemistry that has developed in its years coming up through the ranks. 

2009-10 Record: 12-7 (lost to Bayport-Blue Point in first round of playoffs)

Head Coach: David Shouler (5th year)

Pre-season League Rank: 4th out of 7

Key Players:

• Nick Borkowski, 6-1, Sr., G: A three-year varsity player and second-year starter, Borkowski is on pace to earn All-County accolades. He struck for 32 points in the Kingsmen's win over Lynbrook to open the year, and another 20 to help them beat Rocky Point. Borkowski's best quality, per Shouler, is his motor. He's aggressive on both ends of the floor, and with the ball, is a threat to go to the basket or bury the three. He's received special attention from opposing defenses yet still excelled. The senior's also a fine on-the-ball defender. Borkowski is expected to play college football as a defensive back upon graduation.

• James Clutter, 6-3, Sr., F: Clutter's a pure shooter. In his third season on the varsity squad, he'll be counted on to keep defenses from sagging. With attention going to Borkowski, his production will be vital to KP's success. Clutter also shows a decent ability on the block with good footwork. Even more important than his offense might be his presence on the glass. If Clutter can grab double-digit rebounds nightly, "we're a different team," said Shouler.

• Craig Jeudy, 6-2, Soph., G: The St. Anthony's transfer has made a huge impact off the bench for the Kingsmen. As Shouler states, "to get 10 points a game off the bench is rare," but that's just what Jeudy provides. He's instant offense, whether it's hitting the outside shot or doing the dirty work inside. Jeudy's also a force on the glass. He isn't short on hustle either.

• Henry Baker, 5-11, Sr., G: A team captain with Borkowski and Clutter, Shouler calls Baker "a glue kid." His physicality allows him to defend bigger players and push them off the block.

Key Losses:

• Sean McCarthy, attending SUNY Plattsburgh
• Joe Konopski, attending Suffolk CC West
• Joe Aducci, attending SUNY Plattsburgh

Key Games:

• Tuesday, January 4, vs. Miller Place (5:45 p.m.)
• Thursday, January 20, vs. Eastport-South Manor (5:45 p.m.)
• Tuesday, February 15, at Islip (5:45 p.m.)

Expectations: "Our goal is to make the playoffs; my expectations are it's going to be painfully close whether we make it or not," Shouler said. "In our league, it's a possession or two here or there. I expect we'll sniff around the playoffs. This group has a little something where there's a small chance we can do something better. It's the type of team that could go 8-4 or 9-3 [in the league] and maybe make a little noise, but I can't say that's an expectation."

News & Notes: The Kingsmen won the Long Island championship in 2006-07 before losing to Peekskill in the state semifinals. They missed the playoffs the following year, but have qualified each of the past two seasons. … Beyond Borkowski and Clutter, players three through 13 on the Kings Park roster are about even, allowing Shouler to shuffle players in and out without there being much of a drop-off. … At 6-foot-5, Henry Gurlides is the Kingsmen's tallest player inside, and he's been a factor on the backboards. While relatively new to the game, he averaged 12 rebounds a night through Kings Park's first six games. … Harborfields was ranked first in the pre-season poll, bringing a majority of its team back, while Islip and Eastport-South Manor ranked ahead of KP, which was slotted at fourth. … KP as a whole isn't a team blessed with great height. Entering the season, Shouler told his players that if they could be even on the boards with its opponents, he would be satisfied.