As winter high school sports approach, all eyes are on the Orchard Park Varsity
Basketball team. The Quakers come into the season with high expectations, as they have three
returning starters and seven returning Seniors. The Quakers are coming off last season with a 7-5
league record and an overall record of 11-10 in which they had respectable wins over Clarence
(x2) and rival Lancaster.
This year a new opportunity presents itself in the Section VI AA ECIC’s, as Lancaster
(11-10, 7-5 Conf.) moves up to AAA, and West Seneca West (5-16, 0-12 Conf.) gets sent down
to A. That leaves Jamestown (18-4, 12-0 Conf.), Williamsville North (13-8, 8-4 Conf.), Clarence
(12-10, 6-6 Conf.), Frontier (7-14, 2-10 Conf.), and newcomer McKinley (19-5, 11-1 Conf.) in
AA basketball. With that being said, the Quakers know that their main priority is focusing on
themselves and reaching their personal goal, a State Championship.
“Our first goal is to always win our ECIC I division. Then, we want to advance to Buffalo
State University and win a Class AA Sectional Championship and a Class AA Far West
Regional Championship and then, finally travel to Glens Falls and win a NYSPHSAA Class AA
State Championship. I know that is what each and every one of the boys on our team desires to
do as well,” said Head Coach Chris Frankowski.
Coach Frankowski further mentions the steps and off-season they’ve had in hopes to
achieve their goals. “The off-season for the boys varsity basketball team has been tremendous.
Each and every player has been in attendance for our spring and summer practices and has put in
a ton of time working on their individual skill sets by working out with me in 1 on 1 sessions as
well. The boys went 9-0 and won the Depew – Lancaster Summer League and also competed in
organized scrimmages and tournaments throughout the summer as well. I am really hoping that
all the work and success that was achieved during that time period will carry over to the regular
season and playoffs this upcoming winter and spring.”
With the internal standard set in the program, the players still continue to look to improve
with less than a month to go before the start of the season kicks off.
“We are focused on ourselves internally and getting ourselves better. We are working on
getting our plays down along with limiting mistakes,” says Jack Bosinski, returning Senior.
For the best teams it starts with internal leadership from the Seniors. Chris McDonald,
who was named a captain as a junior, returns for his third varsity season and looks to continue
his success and leadership both on and off the court.
“[I] need to make sure our team stays level headed and not ride the highs and lows
throughout the season,” says McDonald, knowing his leadership is vital in the success of the
team.
The leadership and tightness of the group also trickles down to underclassmen on the
team. “I feel that the team is a lot tighter… we have very good chemistry on and off the court,
and it really shows in practice and scrimmages…” says Carter Switek who was on the team as a
sophomore last season and now looks to have a more pivotal role as a junior.
The tight knit Quakers will rely on its leadership and Senior Class this season. The team
begins their season at home December 14th at 7:30 pm. vs. The Park School of Buffalo.
