Pine Crest basketball has done it again! On Thursday, March 1, the team came out victorious as Division 4A state champions against the number-one ranked team in the state, Lake Highland Prep, with a final score of 63-57. This marks the third time the team has won the state title in the past five years under the direction of coach David Beckerman. Since the graduation of Brandon Knight after the 2010 season, the team has had to make major adjustments to their game plan while reinforcing the concept of a team effort. The starting five this year included seniors Traveon Henry and Miles Nolting, juniors Kalvin Cline and Romas Marcinkevicius, and freshman Lance Crawford. As a power forward and center, Romas had contributed a lot to the team this year, and he gladly shared some details about himself and his Pine Crest experience.

Q: Romas…how tall are you?

A: 6’7”

Q: How have you improved your game during your junior year?

A: This past summer I did a lot of plyometrics and worked a lot on my legs in the weight room in order to improve my jumping abilities.

Q: Are there any particular NBA players that serve as inspirations for you to learn from?

A: I look up to Alonzo Morning because I grew up watching him play. Having the opportunity to watch him play and seeing how much heart he put into the game was very inspirational.

Q: Is there any NBA player that you would compare your playing style to?

A: Zach Randolph because he combines strength with a little finesse as an undersized power forward in the NBA. He also can hit the mid-range jumper, which is critical.

Q: What’s your favorite pre-game and after-game meal?

A: I usually eat pasta or some type of food loaded with carbs for a pre-game meal. For post-game meals, I enjoy anything my mother or father prepare at home.

Q: What’s your favorite pair of basketball shoes to wear in a game and why?

A: I like any high-top Adidas basketball shoes because of the extra support and comfort which is the ultimately the most important factor when selecting my game-time shoes. My favorite pair to wear usually changes every year, but this year it was the Adidas Dwight Howard that the team received early in the year.

Q: What made you pick #50 as your number? Is there a story behind it?

A: I wanted to pick a unique number that not many people wear because it’s not like the number 23 or number 32 which belonged to some of the greatest players of all-time.

Q: Explain the nickname that you’ve made up: “Mr. Bang Bang”.

A: Mr. Bang Bang was created about half way through the season and was very spontaneous. After hitting a mid-range jumper during an early season practice, one of my teammates said, “Bang Bang!” Ever since then, it has just turned into one of my rituals after making a mid-range jumper.

Q: Do you have a particular motto that you follow on a day-to-day basis?

A: “You get what you put in.” I believe this saying can work for almost anything in life. Ultimately, the harder you try and the more time you put in will usually give you a better result.

Q: What’s your favorite off-the-court memory with the team?

A: When we made our trip up north to play First Academy; we bonded throughout the trip, which helped create better team unity.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time other than playing basketball?

A: I enjoy spending time with my little brother and older sister. In doing so, we create stronger bonds that will surely last a lifetime.

Q: Do you know where you would want to play basketball at the college level or in which division?

A: I would love to play college basketball in the Ivy League because the basketball competition is high, while academics are equally valued.

Q: What changes/adjustments were made to the basketball team since last year that led to the team’s successful season that culminated with the state championship?

A: Early in the year we lost three games by a combined five points, which was very frustrating and tested our team’s unity. Through our ups and downs we managed to finish the season strong, and in the playoffs we were able to close out three very tight games, which we won by a combined six points. This ultimately shows that our tough times in the beginning of the season helped us in the end to prevail. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Q: What thoughts were running through your head when this year’s state final game ended?

A: After the final buzzer rang, the only thing that was going through my mind was that we FINALLY did it.

Q: How does it feel to finally be a state champ yourself?

A: It feels great to be the only team in 4A to finish a season with a win after two very disappointing endings in Lakeland. This is what I have wanted since day one in the gym three years ago, and am proud to be a Pine Crest Panther.

Q: Have there been any other games in your high school career so far that have been as memorable as this year’s state final game vs. Lake Highland Prep?

A: Every game this post season has been memorable because it sets up a “biggest game of my life” scenario. This post season, my teammates and I all gave our hearts out to keep our season alive and ultimately become 4A state champions.

Q: What’s your advice behind being a successful student-athlete at PC?

A: Balancing sports and academics is very challenging at PC, but it is something that any student- athlete will have to do. The keys to being successful are organizing your time and trying to minimize the time wasted during the week. Also, staying on top of all your classes and resting every night is key in keeping your body and mind healthy throughout school and practice.

Q: Do you have any specific offseason training programs?

A: Yes, I have a trainer that I work with almost every day during the summer and we work on everything from lifting weights to basketball drills.

Q: What are your main goals for your senior year both on and off the court?

A: The goal every year is to win a state championship, and that is ultimately what my teammates and I are going to strive for next year. Off the court, my main goal is going to be to try and finish off my Pine Crest career strong and try to attend a school that I believe will be the best fit for me.

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