Kingsway boys basketball Aaron Crispin looks forward to 2021-22 season
SWEDESBORO, N.J. — Basketball is back once again in New Jersey, high school basketball that is. Yes, the 2021-22 New Jersey high school boys basketball season has officially begun after months of anticipation.
Now, more than ever, it鈥檚 apparent just how important basketball is within the Garden State and this season, the first full one in two years, is expected to be one of the best in recent memory. Down in South Jersey, the Tri-County Conference is already in the swing of things, with most programs having started their respective seasons on Dec. 17. Kingsway, in particular, began its season schedule with back-to back games against Delsea and Pennsauken, respectively.
Before the season began, Kingsway boys basketball head coach Aaron Crispin answered some questions about what to expect from the Dragons this winter.
How do you look back at last season? Due to COVID-19, was it more of a wash or how did you approach it to build off of for the future of the program?
“I look at it a couple different ways, one of which being individual development. The returning guys you聽 look to see, even in the short amount of time we had, what development they have during the season. We did have some team chemistry issues throughout the season that we had to deal with and I think we’ve grown from. It was just tough starting in January.
What sort of things did you see from this year鈥檚 returning players last season that you found encouraging and things to build off of?
“Our corner pieces, Colin Gill and Jourden Keels, I saw from Colin later in the season that he was someone who can step up and hit big shots, score when we needed to score and distribute when we need to distribute.
“With Jourden, he had an absolutely dominant defensive performance in the tournament semifinal guarding a really good point guard from Williamstown. We鈥檙e trying to figure out how their roles fit in as an offensive/defensive duo and build off that for this year.”
How are you looking and hoping to replace the six-man senior class you lost coming into this season?
“It’s been a recurring theme that Kingsway is a big school. Our freshman and JV teams are always very talented and are very effective and with a lot of games. We always have a solid pool to pull from and a good ability to reload.
“I have a sophomore class that I’m really excited for and several juniors this year that are going to fill those gaps on our roster. Last year, we had a roster that was effective, but had some deficiencies defensively. We played a more post-up style offense which is effective, but my style is more fast-paced. The younger guys that we have coming up really fit that fast-paced style.”
Have you already started thinking about what kind of lineups you’re going to put out for the season and if so, what is your plan?
“I鈥檓 looking to run with a smaller lineup. I’ll still probably have at least three guys on the floor about 6-foot or taller, but we’re definitely going to be more perimeter oriented which is how I prefer to play. I want to run in transition. I want to get the ball down the floor. I want to be able to switch on defense and trap and run and be aggressive.”
This season, where do you see Kingsway fitting in within the rest of the Tri-County Conference?
“I think it鈥檚 a three horse race in our division between Timber Creek, Clearview and ourselves. All three teams have to prove themselves, but those will be the two that I’m looking to make some statements against in our division this season.”
Talking with your coaching staff and players, what are your thoughts and feelings coming into the season?
“I’m still trying to grow. This is just my third year at Kingsway. Being that it’s my third year, I’ve definitely focused on building a great team atmosphere and a great team culture. I think we have a lot of really good guys to help do that where we focus on hard work and positive attitudes.
“Also I鈥檓 working with younger guys who are stepping up into bigger roles to manage the physical toll that comes with the three-and-a-half month season grind that it is. We go from a 15-game sprint last year to a 25-game marathon this year. It will be a little bit of adjustment, but overall, I feel the guys are excited to be back. They’re excited to play.
How excited are you coming into the year?
“I’m excited. Basketball, it鈥檚 my life. It’s the family business. My entire family is all coaches or players so it’s something we look forward to all year. It鈥檚 something I love to be a part of. I’m really excited about these kids. It’s a really good group of guys that work really hard that I’m definitely going to have a pleasure coaching and achieving whatever we achieve with this group. I think it’ll be rewarding.”
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.