Sports
Boys Basketball: Port Washington 2011 Preview
Vikings hope move into new conference, new offense leads to playoff success.
The boys basketball team looks to bounce back after a season that ended with a playoff loss at home to rival Herricks. The Vikings finished 4-13, however, after impressive wins against Farmingdale and Valley Stream North. Vikings coach Sean Dooley sees promise and looks to have the team on the rebound for 2011.
Doing so may prove a tough task for the Vikings, who move into Conference AA-2 after playing in the top ability conference in Nassau County last season. Dooley, who is entering his sixth season, learns something new each season. This year he is installing a brand new offense that he hopes will bolster his team into one of the best in the league.
"These kids never cease to amaze me," Dooley said. "Each team is different year to year, and the kids teach you a lot about having patience and understanding."
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Last Season: 4-14 overall, 2-10 Conference AA-1.
Coach: Sean Dooley (sixth year).
Key Players:
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- John Feshback, junior, guard
- K.C. Ozcayir, senior, center
- Michael Murphy, senior, guard
Position Breakdown: John Feshback, a junior transfer from Friends Academy, will be relied upon heavily for the Vikings this season. "He's our point guard and is a good ball handler and scorer," said Dooley.
Also integral to the team's success this year will be senior big man K.C. Ozcayir, whose talents lie in the post and will be needed both offensively and defensively.
Senior Michael Murphy, too, will be key for Port Washington. Said Dooley: "Michael has a very high basketball IQ and is the best shooter on the team."
Expectations: Despite last year's record and the caliber of talent the Vikings will face, they aspire to finish in the top half of the league and make it to the playoffs. With the trio of Feshback, Ozcayir, and Murphy, all captains, Port Washington has the nucleus to contend, but it will take a team effort to do so.
"We need good point guard play, but, more importantly we need all five guys on the court to play well too," Dooley said.
When asked who Port Washington's biggest rival this year Dooley did not have a definitive answer. "Baldwin is very good this year, but after that every team in the conference is pretty much even, which should make for a lot of exciting match-ups this season," Dooley said.
Overall, the Vikings will be in the mix and expect to improve upon last season's woes.
Key Games:
- Dec. 13: Malverne @ Port Washington, 6:15 p.m.
- Dec. 16: Port Washington @ Baldwin, 7 p.m.
- Dec. 21: Herricks @ Port Washington, 4:30 p.m.
- Dec. 23: Port Washington @ Massapequa, 7 p.m.
- Jan. 21: Baldwin @ Port Washington, 6:15 p.m.
