For the first time since moving up to powerful Conference I, the Plainview Hawks Boys Basketball Team has qualified for the Nassau County playoffs. The Hawks, coached by Tom Hayes and his assistant Rob Filer, are currently in third place in Division A-11 with a record of eight wins and three losses.

The team, which is one of the deepest Plainview has had in years, is a mix of experience and youth. The team is led by a strong core of seniors, including Captain Lee Lipschutz, Jason Greenberg, Jason Sarney, Jonathan Schubach, Sunny Singh, Danny Han, Joe Vozilla and Ryan Oxsenhendler. Contributions to this year's success have also been made by juniors Matt Franzino, Jared Wein, Ross Carmel and Chris Cambell. Also contributing were sophomores Michael Harris, Randy D'Ambrosio and David Bizgia.

The season began with the team taking to the road to play two non-league games against strong upstate teams. Both games ended in losses. However, the competition got the team mentally and physically ready for the tough Long Island teams to follow. The trip was followed by two solid winning efforts in non-league games against Massapequa and Baldwin. The team then finished its pre-season with a second-place finish in the Great Neck South tournament.

The league's season opened against number-one-ranked Long Beach. Though the Hawks lost the game, their tenacious defense and refusal to give up were strong indications that the team was growing stronger and more dominant. Convincing wins against quality opponents such as Port Washington, Valley Stream Central, Herricks, Mepham and MacArthur and two strong showings against highly ranked Elmont have put the Hawks on the Nassau County basketball map.

Now it's on to the playoffs, where the Hawks hope to continue their winning ways. While the first round matchups and dates have yet to be scheduled, the team is counting on the community's wonderful support to continue.