New mindset spurring Mustangs’ move

Derek Kurnitsky has done the preseason talking. Now he wants the East Rowan boys basketball team to do some postseason walking.

East Rowan in the playoffs? The mindset has certainly changed at a school with little tradition in boys hoops.

Kurnitsky, the first-year coach, has replaced Mark Flynn after a futile three-year term in Granite Quarry. He has brought a run-and-gun style to the Mustangs and so far, the players are feeding off his intensity and optimism.

And he is loving life right now. Going into his next game Friday at Concord, East Rowan is undefeated (1-0) and is averaging 88 points per game.

“You can win anywhere with this system,” Kurnitsky said of the offense he brought with him from Davie County, where he was the jayvee and freshman coach over the past five years.

He hasn’t lost often, having gone 72-7 since 1997. And he doesn’t plan on starting now.

The key, he says, is getting the players to believe in him and that starts with two seniors, his co-captains Matt Belk and Adam Shepherd.

Belk is a 6-foot-3 center, Shepherd a 6-1 post player.

“Matt is a key to this team,” said Kurnitsky. “He can play multiple positions and he provides leadership. He’s a great position rebounder.”

Kurnitsky says he is impressed with Belk’s attitude because, “he has seen the bad times.”

Kurnitsky calls Shepherd the emotional leader. He didn’t play last year but brings a toughness the team needs.

“He’ll have to guard the Donte Minters and the Junior Farmers,” said his coach. “He’s the heart and soul of the team. I’m hoping he gets 6-to-8 points and 6-to-8 rebounds.”

Although the seniors are only going to be with him for one season, Kurnitsky has told both the bottom line.

“Itold them (the East resurgence) begins with them,” he said. “It’s their year.”

Brent Whitley is a junior returning to varsity duty. He had his moments as a sophomore and Kurnitsky expects better this year. He’ll play at small forward and could post up smaller guards.

“Brent’s tough-minded and very athletic,” Kurnitsky said. “He can help us a lot.”

In Kurnitsky’s system, you need a sharpshooting guard who can come around screens and shoot the rock. Kurnitsky hopes its junior Derek Talbert, who he says will actually be a small forward after playing guard the first two seasons on varsity.

“He’ll get a lot of three-point attempts,” Kurnitsky said. “He’s probably our best shooter. He’s more athletic than I thought. He’s a coach’s son and he understands the game. He enjoys hoops more than I do.”

Another junior, Caleb Miller, will be following in brother Justin’s footsteps. While Justin was known as a scorer, Caleb might gain a reputation as a defender.

“He gets after people,” Kurnitsky said of the six-foot guard. “And on offense, he gets to the rack.”

Kurnitsky has decided that a freshman will take the reins at point guard. Eric Taylor is a long-range bomber.

“Eric’s the only freshman on the team but he doesn’t play like a freshman,” Kurnitsky said.“His basketball IQis higher than anyone I’ve ever seen. If there’s a better freshman around, I’d like to see who it is.”

The redhead made his coach look good in the opener, scoring 17 points in the 88-49 win over Jay Robinson.

“He just doesn’t act like a freshman,” Kurnitsky smiled. “Eric’s like going on a blind date. He has so much potential. But is he going to be Roseanne or Bo Derek? I hope he’s a perfect 10.”

Kurnitsky also has big plans for 6-4 sophomore Kenny Abel, whose uncle, Kevin, was a star Mustang 25 years ago.

“He’s the X-factor,” said Kurnitsky. “Once the light comes on, he can be a big-time player.

“Kenny has Shepherd and Belk tutoring him so he’ll know how to do things.”

Two other sophomores are Michael Lefko and Jason Cauble.

“Lefko is a combination guard with a lot of potential,” Kurnitsky said, adding that Taylor and Lefko can one day emerge as one of the best backcourts around. Lefko doesn’t turn the ball over. Cauble is 6-4 and he’ll help in the post.

Junior Drew Harwood is a 5-8 scrapper. Kurnitsky is impressed that he weighs only 140 pounds but bench-presses 225.

“He’ll press as soon as he gets off the bus,” he said. “He’ll dive on the court about 50 times a game.”

Kurnitsky looks at the roster and is excited. He looks at the jayvee team and is excited. And those freshmen?

“It’s better than any team I had at Davie,” he said, “and my last two teams went 36-1.”

Kurnitsky knows there will be some peaks and valleys but he hopes by the end of the season, the Mustangs have peaked enough to get where no Mustang team has gone in a long time — the playoffs.

Stay tuned. There should be some fun times in the East Rowan gym this season.

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Contact Ronnie Gallagher at 704-797-4287 or rgallagher@salisburypost.com .