Mepham Pirates Boys Basketball Season Preview

2009-10 Record: 2-15 (missed playoffs)

Head Coach: Richard Wojcieski (3rd season)

Assistant Coach: James Koester

Top Players: Kyle Wechsler, PG; Jordan Gilroy, F; J.T. Elsasser, G

Wojcieski expects a big year out of Wechsler and Elsasser, who both got a taste of the varsity level last season and have matured on the court since.

"He sees the court well," said Wojcieski of his point guard Wechsler. "He runs the offense very well. He's got good basketball knowledge and we run the offense through him."

"J.T. came up last year onto varsity last year as a 10th grader and showed some real promise," added Wojcieski of Elsasser's progression on the varsity squad. "He grew a little bit, he worked out with the team all summer. Morning workouts, he was there and he should be a key component of the offense. He also plays defense real well."

The third piece of the puzzle is Gilroy, who will be expected to fill a much-needed leadership role that the team may have been lacking in the past. At 6'3", Wojcieski wants Gilroy to use his size on the court and his head in the locker room.

"I'm looking for him to take a leadership role this year," said Wojcieski of his senior leader.

Expectations: After a 2-15 season last year, the expectations are not just to improve, but to make the playoffs in the new realigned Conference AA-III, which has teams paired by school size as opposed to ability.

"Playoffs would be real nice, Wojcieski said. "I think it's possible if we follow through with what we've been working on since the end of last year. … If we make the playoffs that would be a real boost for us and this program."

Wechsler agreed with his coach, acknowledging the fact that their effort alone should be enough to get them past last season and into the playoffs.

"The goal is to ultimately make the playoffs. If we work hard in practice everyday we should reach that goal," Wechsler said. "... We're not the biggest team, but we hustle and we work hard, and we can compete with them."

Big Games: 12/14 @ Calhoun; 12/21 vs. Kennedy; 1/4 @ Elmont; 1/21 vs. Calhoun; 1/28 @ Kennedy; 2/1 vs. Elmont

In reference to the Pirates' schedule, Wojcieski certainly said it best: "Every game is a playoff game."

District-rivals Calhoun and Kennedy provide Mepham with four big games that the Pirates would love to win not just for rivalry's sake, but for the wins that might end up making or breaking them come playoff time.

Also on the Pirates' radar are the Elmont Spartans, a matchup that has Wojcieski and his players intrigued.

"I'm very curious to see how we match up against a team like Elmont," he said. "They're a powerhouse team and I know the kids are really looking forward to playing them to see where they are on Long Island's talent [scope] and hopefully we play well against them."

News & Notes: A 2-15 season might seem horrific to some, but according to Wojcieski, it taught his team to work harder so they don't have to go through the same experience ever again.

"I think this year we're going to be better than the 2-15 season we had last year," Gilroy said. "We had a summer team, and most of us built a lot of chemistry together and we believe that with that chemistry we can win more than two games this year."

Elsasser added: "We're trying to work hard this season. … We're going to rebound. We're playing new teams this year so we hope to do a lot better and bounce back."

The attitude and mentality to rebound from last season is certainly evident in the locker room, and the pieces appear to be in place for the Pirates to have a big turnaround season.

"We look like we should have a solid year," Wojcieski said. "I call them the 'Legos,' because they're all interchangeable parts. You can't really tell the difference between our point guard and our five, so we're like a Lego set. Hopefully we build something real nice this year."

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