Mike Mastroianni
Mike Mastroianni
helped key last playoffs process taste
It's been a process here. The key to everything was just getting into the playoffs last year. We made it as the fourth-place team, but we got in. We were young, but we got a taste of things and I think that really helped this year.
half huge last played playoffs season second success year
Making the playoffs last year is a huge part of our success this season. We played very well the second half of the season and managed to get in as the fourth-place team. I think that was really the beginning.
everybody game playoffs point realize worry
You can't worry about where you are or who you are going to play. When the playoffs come you just have to take it one game at a time. We are going to refocus and realize that everybody is at the same point we are.
extra gear seemed
This is the personality of our team. We seemed to find an extra gear at the end.
counted defense hung kicked knew looked needed tired
They looked a little tired and we knew we could have them if we just hung in there. We did what we needed to do when it counted and our defense really kicked in.
early fell happened
It was real important what happened early and we fell behind.
center events great neat opportunity sitting
It's sitting out there. That's a neat atmosphere. To have an opportunity to play at Petersen Events Center is great for WPIAL basketball.
anybody difficult few followed game knows last left prouder section teams tremendous
It's tremendous to come into this section with the high-caliber of teams and be 12-1 with one game left to go. Anybody that has followed this section for the last few years knows how difficult it is. I couldn't be prouder of my team.
basket beat close talked
They beat us around the basket and we talked about that at halftime. Those are things you need to do in a close game.
both familiar good scary teams wants
No one wants to play them. They will be very scary to play in the playoffs. Both teams are familiar with each other. That is the only good thing if we play them again.
athletic bad definitely felt few gave good half strength team teams wear
I felt good only down three. We are definitely a second-half team and we gave up a few baskets in the first half that were really bad bounces. Our strength is our team speed. We are pretty athletic and we can wear teams down.
floor guys three tremendous
Those three guys are tremendous players. But everyone else they put on the floor can play and that's what really makes them good.
ball care compete defense playing playoff taking
We have all the ingredients to compete at the playoff level. Taking care of the ball and playing defense will become even more important down the stretch.
average basketball eight five guys players points proud season six top tremendous understand
We had a tremendous season because our players understand that basketball isn't just about one player. We have five or six guys that average between eight and 12 points each night. I'm proud to say that we don't have a player that's in the top 70 for WPIAL scoring.