By Ken Hamwey

Staff Sports Writer

Nine seniors have graduated from last year’s King Philip girls basketball team and that number usually would suggest that a rebuilding year will be on tap for the 2024-25 season.

For coach Jeff Miszkiewicz, the R-word is unthinkable.

“Rebuilding is not in our vocabulary,’’ he emphasized. “We may be young but our seven returnees are talented and they got valuable playing time last year.’’

Miszkiewicz, who’s beginning his fourth year as the Warriors’ coach, has guided KP to three playoff appearances and he’s made a fourth straight tourney berth his top goal.

“We’ve been to the playoffs every year since I became the coach and we make that our top priority each season,’’ Miszkiewicz said. “We not only want to qualify, but we also will strive to advance as far as possible. Another goal is to improve daily and be in the mix to win the Hockomock League’s Kelly-Rex Division title. It’ll be a wide-open race this year with Attleboro, Franklin and Taunton in the mix.’’

There’s another reason why rebuilding isn’t a topic for discussion and that’s because of the team’s strengths.

“The girls have a very high basketball IQ,’’ Miszkiewicz said. “They’re also energetic, coachable and possess a strong work ethic. This year’s squad also is very athletic and it looks like the most athletic group I’ve had at KP. They’ve got tremendous speed and quickness and that will enable us to attack opposing defenses by pushing the tempo. We’ll rely on fast-break basketball.’’

Two players who personify KP’s team strengths are the captains — senior guard Meg Burke and junior two-way guard Jessi Persky.

“Meg checks all the boxes on leadership,’’ Miszkiewicz said. “She leads by example, is a good communicator and she’s supportive. She’s improved a lot and I rate her as the smartest player I’ve coached at KP. On defense, she’s at the right place at the right time. More confident on offense now, she’s very coachable and has a strong work ethic.

“Jessi suffered an ACL injury last May but will be ready to compete in January. Our only returning starter, she was a league honorable mention all-star last year when she averaged 7 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds. Jessi passes effectively, finds open teammates, scores by hitting threes and finishes strong at the net. A leader by example, she’ll be the key to our up-tempo style.’’

Junior point guard Erin Berthiaume will be a key contributor. “Erin is very athletic at both ends of the court,’’ Miszkiewicz offered. “She gets steals, she can shoot and is very creative finishing at the rim.’’

Junior Anastasia Boiarchuk is a 6-foot forward/center who joined the team last year from Ukraine. “Anastasia does a lot of things well but her calling card is post defense,’’ Miszkiewicz said. “She can block shots and rebound. She’s adjusted very well to a new language, a new culture and a new style of basketball.”

Junior Shayne Dugan is another forward who will play a major role. “Shayne could be our best defensive player,’’ Miszkiewicz noted. “Very athletic, she’s got quick hands and long arms. We’re looking for her to do a great job rebounding. She’s also very effective in transition.’’

Two promising sophomores include two-way guard Tatum Morgan and point guard Katie Stierer.

“Tatum is versatile, able to play the point or the wing,’’ Miszkiewicz said. “She’s our best shooter, able to score from the arc or mid-range. A dependable passer, her court awareness is very good. Tatum missed time last year because of injuries she suffered as a freshman.

“Katie got lots of minutes last year and she reached double figures in four games. Her defense is strong and that led to steals and easy baskets. She’s fast, relies on quick hands, passes well and is comfortable with the ball.’’

Miszkiewicz’s assistants will include Grace Davis (freshman coach), Brett Coderre (junior varsity coach) and Justin Feinberg (varsity assistant coach). Two volunteer coaches are Chris Wilson and Ellen Wagner. 

When it comes to his philosophical approach, Miszkiewicz relies on a competitive style that focuses on winning, reaching one’s potential and having fun.

“Those situations are all related,’’ he said. “Reaching one’s potential leads to winning and winning creates enjoyment and fun. There also are life lessons the girls can learn from sports. The ones I hope they learn are how to overcome adversity, to be resilient, and to be good communicators, good leaders and good teammates.’’ 

A former combo guard at Cumberland High School in Rhode Island, Miszkiewicz graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2013, getting degrees in English and Secondary Education. After a year of teaching at the middle-school level in Central Falls, he joined the faculty at LaSalle Academy in Providence where he’s taught English for the last 11 years.

Miszkiewicz coached LaSalle’s jayvees for two years and also served as a varsity assistant for two seasons. He also was jayvee coach and varsity assistant for two years at East Greenwich High. 

The Warriors will open their season at Mansfield on Dec. 16 and both the coach and his squad are eager to get started.

“The keys to success are to stay healthy, remain a close-knit team and get comfortable playing at full speed at both ends of the court,’’ Miszkiewicz said.