Photo credit – William Floyd School District
You can feel it in the atmosphere as soon as you walk into the gym. If you didn’t know it was still the pre-season, you’d think the William Floyd boys’ varsity basketball team was preparing for the second round of the playoffs. There’s an intensity and determination that’s running through the veins of this program and the team as a brand-new season is about to begin.
“To sum it up, we all know we have unfinished business to take care of this year. We’ve been talking about it the whole off season,” expressed assistant coach Darrell Sumpter.
Under the leadership of head coach Will Slinkowsky, the William Floyd Colonials had a historic season last year. Coach Slinkowsky, a Sachem North graduate and decorated three-sport varsity athlete, led the hyper talented and athletic Floyd varsity basketball team all the way to the Suffolk County final game. Floyd and Bay Shore were the last two heavyweights standing in an electric game and atmosphere with Bayshore coming out on top.
“We were getting back into that game in the second half and simply just ran out of time. But we are more skilled, seasoned, battle tested and ready to go this year,” said Coach Slinkowsky.
Floyd is returning three of their starters who many have rightfully labeled as amongst the top players in Suffolk County. Jermaine King, Jawuan Smith and Dahmarion Moses will all be wearing green and white this year in their final lap around the county and potentially the state.
“I’ve worked all off season on what was lacking in my game. Our goal is ultimately a Long Island Championship and a trip upstate to play for the state trophy. My game needed to mature in order to help my team achieve that,” said first team All Long Island pick last season, Jawuan Smith.
For Slinkowsky and the Colonials this isn’t a seasonal, part time pursuit. A team of this caliber and determination has their gymnasium open every night from 7:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. for the players to come in and workout. It’s not uncommon to walk into the gym on any given night and find Jermaine and Jawuan working on their three point and mid-range jump shots. Dahmarion perfecting his moves in the paint all while Sharod Sutton and JJ Smith Jr are playing one on one on the opposite court. All collectively with one goal in mind: the championship trophy being placed in their hands this March.
Only a week after losing the county championship game last season, the gym was back open, full of players hungry for redemption. Furthermore, the coaches are constantly on top of the players’ grades, their character, and their whereabouts.
“We offer these kids a full program, not just a basketball jersey. It’s a commitment to the whole program that we lay out before each player. I’m always really proud when I can show a college coach who’s interested in my players their good grades along with a good basketball player that will be as asset to their team,” said Slinkowsky, who has been a gym teacher in the district for six years.
“Coach Slink,” as many of the players call him, believes firmly in keeping an open two-way dialogue with each player as he invests his time into the individual and the program at large. He believes that the players know that he cares, even when correction and redirection is needed. This in turn causes each player to work hard to improve, love the game and succeed as a whole team.
Floyd pursued a tough schedule this year and it’s all planned on purpose by the coaching staff. After being amongst the top teams on the Island last season they have accepted invitations to several non-league tournaments alongside Bay Shore, Chaminade, Smithtown East, and Hills East. Floyd is anticipating facing off with Nassau’s toughest for non-league matches in Elmont and Baldwin, not to mention a tough back-to-back schedule in League One play and a season opener, non-league dog fight at its neighbor’s house, Bellport.
“We’re ready and excited for it all,” said Coach Slinkowsky. “I’ve already told Jermaine, Jawuan and Dahmarion that this is it, the last time they will ever wear William Floyd basketball jerseys so leave everything they have out on the basketball court this year.”
