By Ken Hamwey

Staff Sports Writer

Coach Dave DeStefano and his King Philip boys basketball teams have qualified for the state playoffs for the last two years, and three times during his five years at the helm. For the 2024-25 season, the coach says: “A tourney berth isn’t a goal, it’s an expectation.’’

The Warriors, who are off to a slow start, had a 3-5 record at Local Town Pages deadline, but a playoff date is still an expectation. If a three-point loss to Milford had gone the other way, KP would have started the season at .500.  In spite of a sub-.500 record, the Warriors’ power ranking was No. 32, still good enough for a playoff berth.

“It has definitely been an up-and-down beginning to the season,’’ DeStefano said. “We’ve shown flashes of greatness, but there definitely are areas where we can improve. Our rebounding has been fantastic. We still have a long season ahead and our best basketball has yet to come. The boys have been working hard every day and show a willingness to improve. Overall, this is the most coachable group I’ve had in my coaching career.’’

Only five seniors graduated from last year’s squad that finished with an 11-11 record, leaving the current contingent with 10 experienced returnees. And, when DeStefano lists his team’s overall strengths, it’s easy for Warriors fans to be upbeat about a tourney date.

 “We’re athletic,’’ he emphasized. “We’ve got good senior leadership, our basketball IQs are high and we’ve got experience and depth. This group’s skills are the best I’ve seen in my six seasons at KP.’’

Battling for the Kelly-Rex Division championship in the Hockomock League is another goal but DeStefano calls that objective “possible but lofty.’’

“Franklin and Attleboro are teams that will be in the title race,’’ he said. “Franklin has won the division crown the last two years, and they were Division 1 state runners-up last year. Attleboro has everyone back and they’re a team that’s tough to beat. Our guys, nevertheless, have a strong competitive edge and will strive to be in the mix.’’

KP’s captains are a good starting point when assessing the cast that DeStefano will rely on. The captains, all seniors, are Jack Assini, a 6-1 guard; Brandon Nicastro, a 6-foot-guard; and Tommy Kilroy, a 6-3 power forward. The coach likes the trio’s leadership style. They’re vocal, lead by example, accept responsibility and are accountable.

Through seven games the trio is setting the pace in the statistical department — Kilroy is averaging 14.4 points and 8.3 rebounds; Assini is averaging 14.3 points; and Nicastro has a scoring average of 10.3.

“Jack was our top scorer last year (12.6 average),’’ DeStefano said. “A three-year veteran point guard, he knows what it takes to win. He was our assist leader last year. He’s got a high hoop IQ, he makes his teammates better and he can score at the hoop, mid-range or from the three-point arc. Relying on great court awareness, he took 26 charges last year and forces lots of turnovers.’’

Nicastro was KP’s No. 2 scorer last year (12.4 average) and is also a point guard. “Brandon is a four-year veteran, a sharp-shooter from the three-point line who also can drive and finish,’’ said the 38-year-old DeStefano. “His court awareness is good and he’s very instinctive.’’

Kilroy is another four-year veteran. “Tommy is a good three-point shooter who can also finish at the hoop,’’ DeStefano offered. “He’s athletic, instinctive and quick. A read-and-react player, he guards our opponents’ best players.’’

Seniors Drew Laplante (6-foot guard) and Ryan Higgins (6-foot off-guard) are key players building on the minutes they got last year.

“Drew was our sixth man and unsung hero last year,’’ DeStefano noted. “He’s very athletic, quick, and instinctive. He’s improved his shooting and has a winning mentality. Ryan has a high hoop IQ and he’s very instinctive. His shooting ability is good, he’s quick on defense and he can guard effectively on one-on-one situations.’’

Two seniors DeStefano believes will make a big jump from last year on both ends of the floor are Andres LePain (6-2 forward) and Ryan Evans (6-1 guard).

“Andrew had a good off-season where he improved his shooting,’’ DeStefano said. “He’s athletic and has good court sense. He provides a spark on the boards. Ryan is a sharp-shooter and a threat from the three-point arc. An instinctive player with a high hoop IQ, he’s improved his defensive ability.’’

Five talented juniors will get opportunities. They include Brodie McDonald (6-2 forward), Cole Pitman (5-11 guard), Liam McGrath (6-3 forward), Brian Hitchen (6-2 guard), and Matt Shore (6-3 guard).

“Brodie has a physical presence inside, is athletic and can help us rebound,’’ DeStefano said. “Cole handles the ball well, is quick, has improved his shooting and is a threat when he attacks the hoop. Liam is athletic and long, finishes at the basket and will help on the boards. Brian is a good shooter who’s got defensive ability. He gets steals frequently. Matt is long and should help us on the boards. He’s also capable around the hoop.’’

Three sophomore guards round out the roster — Roman Assini (6-1), Donovan Rohrs (6-0), and Ryan Marrone (5-11).

“Roman has improved, he’s athletic, and is quick on defense because of a quick first step,’’ DeStefano noted. “Donovan alternated on the jayvees. A sharp-shooter, he’s a threat on offense. Ryan is quick and a strong one-on-one defender. A capable three-point shooter, he’s got a high hoop IQ.’’

A native of Attleboro, DeStefano has two reliable assistant coaches. Jim Danielson coaches the junior varsity and Nolan Bradley is the freshmen coach.

Before taking the KP job, DeStefano previously was Foxboro’s jayvee coach for three years. He also was a varsity assistant for seven years at Bishop Feehan. He played football and basketball at Feehan and during his four years there, he was on the Shamrocks’ grid teams that won four Super Bowls. 

Banking on an athletic philosophy that focuses on winning, reaching one’s potential and having fun, DeStefano hopes his players learn valuable life lessons from basketball. 

“Some life lessons that can be learned in sports are overcoming adversity, learning how to be good teammates and good learners, setting goals and being accountable,’’ he emphasized.

How well KP executes during the second half of this season and how much they’ve improved on defense will be key factors if the Warriors are to fulfill their goal of battling for a division title and realizing their tourney expectation.

“On offense we aim to have a balanced attack,’’ DeStefano said. “We don’t have a player who’ll score 17-plus points. We have to create great scoring opportunities as a team. One area that I think we will improve on from a year ago is defense. It’s no surprise that this team is athletic and if we really commit to defense, we’re going to have a successful season. We want to make our opponents uncomfortable and focus on working together to get stops.’’

The Warriors may not be vocal about a three-peat as far as a tourney invite goes, but they certainly will focus on competing intensely for a playoff berth.