Trapper's Trash Stinks Up Eyesore

All The World Is Still A Stage For Shakespeare

By PAUL SOKOLOSKI; Times Leader Sports Writer
 Monday, February 10, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 10B 





WILKES-BARRE -- Sometimes, there's not enough time for a fast track to
basketball success, Jim Casciano is finding out. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 So, for the time being, he has tempered his game plan, worked on
development and set his sights on better days ahead at King's College. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I think people are realistic when they look at what we have, talent-wise,
and realize the only way we're going to get better is recruit players,"
Casciano said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Then again, Casciano always has been a dreamer. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 His fire and drive helped turn losing programs at Division III Castleton
State, Division II St. Michael's and at Valley Forge Military Academy into big
winners. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 So while King's has suffered through a 3-16 record so far this season,
including losing streaks of seven and nine games, Casciano stirs uneasily. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "He wants very badly for this program to succeed," said Casciano's wife
Daphne. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It's tough," Casciano admitted. "I think, being a perfectionist, being an
eternal optimist, having had success before, I've got to be patient, and
remind myself that back in 1983, I took over a program at St. Michael's very
similar to this, and it took three years. So don't expect things to happen
overnight." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They haven't. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Hired to replace the retired Ken Atkins in April, Casciano was given little
time to recruit players to King's, which had just two lettermen coming back
this season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "As a coach, you're always optimistic," Casciano said. "I'm an eternal
optimist. I thought we would be better than this, our record would be better
than this. Maybe that's just being naive and really not knowing the caliber of
play in Division III and not knowing how competitive the MAC is. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It's very good basketball." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Now, Casciano will know who to hunt for. After landing building blocks like
freshmen inside players Ron McIntyre and Sean Organ this season, Casciano will
spend the upcoming offseason trying to attract more gems. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My job is to attract the talent level necessary, coach them, and get them
to buy into the vision or the dream or the goals that we have for the
program," Casciano said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The next two years will tell whether or not my message is being heard." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Coach Plays Patience Game With Struggling Monarchs