The final push

Defending champ Park View aims for playoff berth

By ALEX SPONSELLER
Posted 1/15/20

By ALEX SPONSELLER The Park View boys basketball team has a new-look club after securing an undefeated, state championship season in 2019. Between graduating its large eighth grade core from last season to welcoming in a new coach, the Cougars were new

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The final push

Defending champ Park View aims for playoff berth

Posted

The Park View boys basketball team has a new-look club after securing an undefeated, state championship season in 2019.

Between graduating its large eighth grade core from last season to welcoming in a new coach, the Cougars were new in just about every area heading into the 2020 campaign.

“I had no expectations going into the year. This is my first year here, we lost eight or nine eighth graders, this is a brand new team. We’ve got some guys that are stepping up and playing well, they’re all learning. They’re learning how to ply together, the season goes by very fast. It’s been fun, they have a positive attitude and they’re good kids,” said new Park View coach Jon Pincince.

After a rocky 1-4 start to the season, the Cougars have improved as of late and have won three of their last five matchups.

Learning to play together as a unit and buying into the system has allowed the roster to gel and put its best foot forward during the midseason grind.

“I think anyone that saw us at the beginning of the season and sees us now will see that we’re sharing the ball a lot more. When you have one or two guys that have the most talent, it’s tempting to give them all the shots and put the pressure on them, but I feel that everyone is better when they’re sharing the ball,” said Pincince. “Sharing the ball, getting the open shots, and our defense is coming along. We’ve made progress.”

Although Park View has turned its season around and pulled itself back in the playoff hunt, the Cougars will face an uphill battle to secure a spot in the postseason.

Park View will likely have to win out in order to reach the playoffs, and Pincince believes that his club is up for the challenge.

“We have to win most, maybe even all (five) of our final games to qualify. We just need to keep working hard at practice, we’ve got some winnable games left,” said Pincince. “We’re not going to blow anyone out, but I feel that these games are very winnable.”

Park View took on Paul Cuffee on Tuesday afternoon, but the results were not available at press time. The Cougars will also be facing cross town rival Bain this afternoon.

Members of the 2020 Park View boys basketball team include: Juel Goris, Jadyn Buco, David DeMartin, Adam Morello, Juelz Derricks Reyes, Maurice Cannon, Joshua Smith, Junior Joaquin Hernandez, Zachary Smith, William Gallogly, Kaden Richard, Larry Yin, Caillou touch, Charles Pincince, Noah Barros and John Devine. Team managers are Jackson Ortiz, Brady Croke, Christian Del Carmen and Ryan Dellinger.

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