After winning back-to-back Conference titles, Plainview JFK took a step back in 2019 in large part to fielding a very young team after a huge graduating class the prior season.
Plainview finished 5-12 and missed the playoffs. Coach John Givargidze explains what he thinks went wrong last season.
“Everyone didn’t pull their weight, and when that happens, it doesn’t matter how talented of a group you are, winning and being successful won’t happen,” Givargidze said. “Our program philosophy is to be proud of the uniform you wear, work hard, be a family, and be accountable… we believe in working hard and competing every day in practice and games. We got away from that last year, and we are not going to let that happen again.”
Givargidze does not see last year as a total failure. He found some positives, including picking up two victories from the eventual county finalists in Port Washington and Massapequa.
“We played with everyone,” said Givargidze. We have to play and be aggressive and make things happen. We have to want it more than the team in the other dugout and compete as hard as we can.”
The offseason preparation began in November. The team this year, according to Givargidze, came in frustrated and disappointed. There’s a very different feel from last year. The team has been lifting more weights, doing more during winter workouts, and are more focused and hungrier than ever before.
Many impact players are returning to the team this year, including three seniors who have committed to playing college ball next year. Ziv Gar will play at Molloy, Jordan Lambert at Farmingdale State College, and Patrick Bartoletta at SUNY Maritime.
“They, along with our other seniors, have been instrumental in showing the younger guys how to work hard and what it means to be dedicated to the program and the sport.” Givargidze also mentioned how the older players in the clubhouse have been good role models in the past.
The biggest weakness for the 2019 team is the biggest strength for the 2020 team, according to Givargidze. As for what that newfound strength is? The depth of arms on the mound.
“I feel like we have a solid rotation, with two of the three spots sewn up,” said Givargidze. “We like what we have seen from our pitchers so far during our winter workouts. I like the mix of players we have.”
