King seeks 2nd lacrosse crown
Matt King is a senior midfielder for the Ballston Spa boys’ lacrosse team.
A four-year varsity standout who helped the Scotties capture a Section II Class B championship as a freshman, King will play college lacrosse at Robert Morris University.
Tuesday night, Ballston Spa takes on perennial power Niskayuna at Shaker High School for the Class B championship.
Q: All of the spring athletes last year did not have a state tournament to compete in because of the coronavirus pandemic. How much are you looking forward to Tuesday with the potential to reach the state tournament?
A: I am definitely looking forward to see my team succeed Tuesday. I think we have a great group of kids. We really play good together. We don’t have a lot of standout kids, but we all stand out as a whole team. I think we can make a decent run. I know Nisky is a tough team to play against. They are a really solid team. I think we can bring grit and good skill to the game. I think we can be a successful powerhouse on Tuesday.
Q: Looking back on the season, how would you assess things so far?
A: I think we have played really good, actually. I think each game, it sticks out that we don’t have one player that is scoring all of our goals. I think the team as a whole plays really good together on the offensive side and defensive side. Our coaches have helped us out a lot along the way by making good strategy calls and set plays. I think it has been really good so far.
Q: What have you tried to bring to the team this season, especially regarding leadership?
A: I think the leadership part with being captain this season is about not making the selfish play. I know there are kids on our team that could make a selfish play and probably could make a good play out of it, but I think as a whole we really like to play with each other. We know what we are doing, how to do it and when to do it. Personally, for me, I try to make an impact on the team by working on game strategy and communication rather than just skill plays with dodges and dives down the alley.
Q: How old where you when you started playing?
A: I started in second grade actually. I have always played at Ballston Spa. I played on a couple of club teams and actually played for (Niskayuna coach Mike Vorgang) for a couple of summers and falls. I actually moved out to Syracuse to play on the Orange crush club team. All of those experiences helped me grow as a player and as a person.
Q: What would it mean as a senior to win the sectional title?
A: Obviously, I am leaving it all out on the field. For me, and any other senior for that matter, it would really mean a whole lot. I am going to play college lacrosse next year, so I still have that to look forward to, but there is a
piece of me that really wants to win another sectional title after winning one in 2019. There has been a lot of outreach on the team wanting to win it. The community has been so helpful this past year and the years prior. I really think we can make it happen this year if we put our hearts to it.
Q: When you made your college decision, what was it about Robert Morris that you felt was right for you?
A: The coach at Robert Morris (Craig Mcdonald) is a graduate of Ualbany. My best friend’s godfather is (Ualbany head coach Scott Marr). I know him and what type of players he brings to his team. Having a coach that has been coached by coach Marr, I am really excited to play for coach Mcdonald. There are teams that have really good skill players, but the way the offense moves on Robert Morris is kind of a big deal for me because that is how I want to play lacrosse. It shouldn’t be about one player, but a team. I am really excited to go there next year.