Under the Monocle: Nate Shockey
As the York Dukes Varsity Basketball team heads into their final stretch of the season, I sat down with sophomore Nate Shockey to hear his thoughts on the year.
Shockey has been a big factor in the Dukes success this season. He’s been playing basketball his entire life, but just this year he’s been faced with one of the biggest challenges of his career. Being one of the two underclassmen on the varsity team, he has had to take a new role and adapt in a big way.
“The most significant difference I notice when playing varsity basketball is the speed of the game,” Shockey said. “The higher the level you play at, the faster the game moves, and I have been adjusting to that change all season.”
Shockey makes a pass in a win against Glenbard West.
Playing basketball at the varsity level is something that most people never get a chance to do, especially as a sophomore. It takes a lot of determination and hard work to take your game to the next level.
“Being an underclassmen, playing any sport at the varsity level is tough,” Shockey said. “You have to go up against bigger and stronger players, but I love the challenge.”
Shockey has been able to adapt very well, as he has found himself in the starting lineup for the Dukes most of the time. Having to join a team with players who have all previously played together is hard. It requires having to develop relationships with these new teammates and learning how to gel with them on and off the court.
Starting in many games for the Dukes, Shockey has had to adjust his game for the varsity level.
“I’ve learned so much from this group of guys,” Shockey said. “We really have formed a special bond this season. We are all very close with each other.”
With just seven games left on their schedule before the playoffs, the team holds an overall record of 13-8, and a 3-3 record in conference. The remaining games are all against conference opponents and can make or break the Dukes season.
“So far this season has been great,” Shockey said. “While we have lost a lot of close games, I think we are finally learning how to finish games. My expectation for our team for the rest of the season is to win as many games as possible, but to take them one at a time.”
