A talented, experienced roster gives JFK high hopes

November 27, 2014 at 12:05a.m.

WARREN

There’s a quiet confidence surrounding the Warren JFK basketball program heading into this season.

It’s quiet because that’s the way the Eagles’ leader prefers it.

During practice on Monday, senior James Burney plucked a basketball off the rim, made a strong outlet pass to one of his teammates, received a pass as he went streaking down the floor and finished at the other end with a pro hop between two defenders.

Eagles first-year head coach John Richards turned his head, gave a half-smile and a chuckle, and said, “The best part about it is he’s an even better person than he is a basketball player.”

Warren JFK basketball hasn’t exactly been the hallmark of stability in recent years. This season, the program is transitioning from Shawn Pompelia to Richards — who was an assistant under his predecessor for seven years.

“It’s been a nice transition — pretty easy,” said senior guard Preston Caparanis. “We’ve known him since freshman year, when he coached us, and he knows his basketball, so we’re glad we’re under his wing.”

He’ll have control of a roster that is rich with talent and experience. Including Caparanis, the Eagles have eight returning seniors.

“We could easily be 10 or 11 deep,” Richards said. “This group is athletic and we feel like the quicker they play, the more comfortable they are on the court.

“An up-tempo style is what fits us.”

FRONTCOURT

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more talented frontcourt in the Valley than the one the Eagles will run out this season.

Burney has the ability to be the best player in the area thanks to his size and athleticism.

“He’s the best one-on-one player I’ve played against,” said senior Isaac Carrino.

“He can take you to the rack, he can pull up for the mid-range [shot]. He’s a very versatile player.”

Burney is 6-foot-4, but very comfortable with the ball in his hands. He joined the Eagles toward the end of last season when he and his siblings moved from Dayton to the Valley after the tragic death of their mother.

Burney has blossomed into the undisputed leader of the team in just a short time, according to his coaches and teammates.

“I take a lot of pride in it,” Burney said. “It motivates me to do better and be a good role model, not just for my teammates but people that watch me.

“You never know who’s watching. You never know if there’s that little kid who’s looking at you — looking up to you. Gotta be doing the right thing.”

The inside presence will come from 6-foot 7 senior Zach Usher. The native of Belize earned second-team all-district honors last year, in what was his first season at JFK.

BACKCOURT

Caparanis and Carrino will be the “engines,” according to Richards.

Caparanis will look to push the ball up and down the court, to get the Eagles playing at a tempo other teams can’t match. His shot-making ability make him an extremely dangerous player.

Carrino is a slasher who can finish at the rim. Luke Keck is a spot-up shooter that can bury teams from beyond the arc.

“We have a lot more strength, a lot more experience,” Carrino said. “We kind of know what we’re doing, what to expect. We’re ready.”

OUTLOOK

This Eagles group is extremely unselfish and has the confidence in one another to deliver in crunch time. That makes for a lethal combination.

“We’ve been together all summer,” Burney said. “We’ve been over to each others’ houses, coming to the gym together at six o’clock in the morning to work out, and it’s been nothing but positive.

“It’s building us into a brotherhood.”

The schedule is never easy for JFK and this year will be no different. Playing in the North Coast League means the Eagles will have dates with defending Division IV state runner-up Villa Angela- St. Joseph, among others.

“Those of us who have been here since our freshman year, this has been the year we’ve been looking forward to,” Caparanis said. “Not to discount the other years, but there’s a lot of hype around this year and I’m really excited for it.”