The View From Centercourt

Day two - Cooper Division: OTC wins late; East routs Nichols

They might not be the same Kats team that obliterated the competition in Class C a season ago, but this year's version of OTC Middle College showed tonight that they will be right back in the mix again this year.

 

Junior Khalid Brown scored 10 straight points for the Kats in the fourth quarter, including back-to-back 3-pointers, to put OTC up for good aginst Hutch Tech.  The Engineers never lead over the final eight minutes, but evened the score up three times before Brown's scoring outburst.  During the final seconds, Hutch Tech missed a go-ahead '3'.   Brown finished with a team-high 17 points for the Kats, while Marcus Nelson had a game-high 25 points for Hutch Tech.

 

Curtis Harper did a nice job running the point, Desmond Lamar was money shooting treys from the corner, and Cordell Torres showed a good all around game for the defending state champion Kats.

 

With 6:34 remaining in the second quarter, Davon Alexander took his warm-ups off and entered the game for the first time, with OTC MiddleCollege trailing Hutch Tech, 18-13.  By halftime, the Kats held a 33-29 advantage.

 

Final Score: OTC Middle College 67, Hutch Tech 63

 

In the second game of the Cooper Division, East had no trouble with Nichols.  The Panthers pressured the Vikings into countless turnovers right out of the gate and lead 32-8 after the first quarter and 53-14 by halftime.  Andre Jackson of East led all scorers with 25 points.

 

Final Score: East 77, Nichols 30

 

* The matchups are all set for Thursday and Friday, and are as follows:

 

Thursday Consolation Games

Pastor Division - St. Mary's vs. Grover Cleveland 6:45 pm

Cooper Division - Hutch Tech vs. Nichols 8:15 pm

 

Friday Championship Games

Pastor Division - Orchard Park vs. McKinley 6:45 pm

Cooper Division - East vs. OTC Middle College 8:15

 

 

 

 

-centercourt

Pastor-Cooper Memorial Tournament, day one - Pastor Division

When I first saw the Pastor division of the Pastor -Cooper memorial tournament, I was immediately looking forward to a second round matchup between the top two small schools in my preseason poll, Grover Cleveland and St. Mary's.  Well, I'll get to see the game I wanted, in the second round, but not on the day I was anticipating.

 

After a 66-51 victory for McKinley over St. Mary's and Grover falling to Orchard Park by a score of 57-52, the top two small schools will meet on Thursday night around 8:15 pm, in the consolation game.  One of them will open its season with a mark of 0-2.

 

Early on, the Lancers looked good in transition and ran well with the fast-paced Macks.  Peter Notaro in particular, stood out because the big guy was finishing on the break.  But as the game wore on, McKinley settled in after some early erratic shooting and started hitting shots against the zone defense of St. Mary's.   Offensively, the Lancers ball movement needs to be faster in half court sets.

 

 Antonio Avery should have a very nice season for the Macks.  He plays aggressive defense, showed he can hit from outside, and can get up and throw it down (although the rim got the better of him early on).  John Black was also impressive for McKinley, playing strong inside and away from the basket.  The Macks should fair very well in both the Yale Cup and Class AA.

 

Orchard Park played good team basketball, looked patient on offense and were very consistent on the defensive end.  Matt McCormick had a nice game for the Quakers and Kyle Witkowski showed a nice touch from outside, knocking down several from beyond the arc.

 

OP head coach Bob Rumschik came in with a solid game plan and definitely had his team ready to play.  During the game, Roger Weiss of Inside High School Sports, said of Rumschik "if he's not the best coach in the area, he's the finest". 

 

It's hard to put my finger on exactly what was wrong with Grover, but generally speaking, they have to play a lot better than they did last night and want to play defense every trip down the court.  Maybe the losses of Ricky Alejandro and Jahnel Tobias from last years team will hurt them more than expected.  The Presidents aren't lacking for talent and Holland is capable of taking over games. 

 

Grover is sporting new jerseys with new colors and a new name.  I don't like them.  Grover is Grover and Grover is green.  But instead, now they're blue and called I-Prep at Grover.  Then you see Earl Schunk watching the game, sporting the green team color of his new team, Tapestry Charter.  It's all so confusing.

 

I'm excited about the first game tonight, with Hutch Tech taking on OTC Middle College.  I'm curious to see what is left of the defending Federation champs, Nichols in the second game.  Since I'm 0-2 on picks this year, don't put much stock in these picks:

Hutch Tech over OTC Middle College and East over Nichols

 

See you back at Daemen tonight.

 

-centercourt

 

 

 

 

Predictions from the past

At the end of the season previews, I like to make some predictions.  Today I thought we'd look back at the predictions from the 2009-2010 preview.

 

My 2009-10 Preseason large school poll

1. Nichols; 2. NFHS; 3. Jamestown; 4. Sweet Home; 5. Williamsville South; 6. East; 7. St. Joe’s; 8. Canisius; 9. McKinley; 10. Maryvale.

They finished

1. Nichols 2. Williamsville South 3. Jamestown 4. Canisius 5. East 6. Timon 7. Clarence 8. NT 9. OP 1o. Sweet Home/Maryvale

My 2009-10 Preseason small school poll

1. Olean; 2. Middle College; 3. St. Mary’s; 4. Grover; 5. Depew; 6. Akron; 7. Allegany-Limestone; 8. Maple Grove; 9. Medina; 10. Wilson.

They finished

1. OTC Middle College 2. Olean 3. Maple Grove 4. St. Mary's 5. Depew 6. Grover 7. Akron 8. Lackawanna 9. Wilson 10. Cleveland Hill

 

 Predicted 2009-10 League Champs

MMAA – Nichols, Yale Cup – East, ECIC I – Jamestown, ECIC II – Williamsville South, ECIC III – Maryvale, ECIC IV – Lackawanna, NFL – Niagara Falls, N-O – Wilson, CCAA I – Olean, CCAA II East – Randolph, CCAA II West – Cassadaga Valley, CCAA III East – Hinsdale, CCAA III West – Brocton.

Actual 2009-10 League Champs

MMAA - Nichols, Yale Cup - OTC Middle College, ECIC I - Orchard Park, ECIC II - Williamsville South, ECIC III - Maryvale, ECIC IV - Lackawanna, NFL - Niagara Falls/North Tonawanda, N-O - Wilson, CCAA I - Olean, CCAA II East - Randolph/Portville, CCAA II West - Cassadaga Valley, CCAA III East - Ellicottville, CCAA III West - Sherman

 

Predicted 2009-10 Sectional Champs

AA – Niagara Falls, A1 – Williamsville South, A2 – East, B1 – Olean, B2 – Wilson, C – Middle College, D – Maple Grove

Actual 2009-10 Sectional Champs

AA - Jamestown,  A1 - Williamsville South,  A2 - East,  B1 - Olean, B2 - Akron, C - OTC Middle College, D - Maple Grove

 

Other Predictions from 2009-10

** Nichols will play in the Class A Federation championship game.

( They not only played in the game, they won it! I should have been more bold. )

 

** Middle College won’t win its own league, but will still win a state title in Class C.

( Middle College DID win its own league, and the Class C state title )

 

** Three other schools, St. Mary’s, Olean and Maple Grove, will win state titles, meaning Olean and St. Mary’s will meet in the Class B Federation Championship.

( With Alex Moore sidelined, Olean lost in the FWR to Batavia. Maple Grove and St. Mary's did win titles, although the Lancers fell a game short of the Class B Federation. )

 

** Regan will repeat as News POY.

( Yes, and only the sixth player ever to do so )

 

** Justin Stokes will be named NYS Class C POY.

( Actually teammate Darale Young took the honor, but Stokes had to have been the runner-up )

 

** Chris Secky will be named NYS Class D POY.

( Yes )

 

 

The 2010-2011 preview is out

Following an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday weekend, it's finally time for some high school basketball.  I've completed a preview for the upcoming 2010-2011 season, which is available in its entirety at the Prep Talk blog. 

 

Portions of the preview will be featured here as posts in the coming days, beginning tomorrow.

 

I did my best to include as many schools as possible in the preview, but unfortunately I wasn't able to touch on every school in WNY.  My apologies to anyone left out.  Also, only returning varsity players were featured.  If you know of any impact players who are new to the varsity level, please tell us about them on the main event post.

 

My favorite part of writing a preview is making preseason predictions and putting them in print.  In a post tomorrow, we will take a look back at how the predictions from the 2009-2010 preview went.

 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, after you've finished reading the new preview at Prep Talk.

 

-centercourt

 

 

Pastor-Cooper boys basketball tournament at Daemen College

As requested, here is the lineup for the Pastor-Cooper boys basketball tournament at Daemen College:

 

Monday, November 29, 2010 @ 6:45 pm - Pastor Division

St. Mary's vs. McKinley 

Grover Cleveland vs. Orchard Park

 

Tuesday, November 30 2010 @ 6:45 pm - Cooper Division

Hutch Tech vs. OTC Middle College

East vs. Nichols

 

Thursday, December 2, 201o Consolation Games

Pastor Division 6:45 pm

Cooper Division 8:15 pm

 

Friday, December 3, 2010 Championship Games

Pastor Division 6:45 pm

Cooper Division 8:15 pm

 

For more information on this event, check out Keith McShea's post on Prep Talk.

 

Let us know your thoughts on this year's lineup and who you think will win in each division.

 

-centercourt

 

 

 

Who's moving up from the opening act to the main event?

One of the most exciting parts of each new season is discovering new talent that wasn't playing varsity the year before.  Every season, varsity programs welcome in a new class of talent from its feeder program, the junior varsity.

 

 Whether it's a team gaining a solid crop of depth from a JV squad that finished at or near the top of its league the year before, or a gifted sophomore or freshman is on the verge of making a name for himself, many of this year's stars will come up from the JV.  But knowing who those players are is an area where I am way out of the loop.

 

A couple players who stood out to me when watching a JV game last year, were Matt Hart (Canisius) and Jayson Moore (St. Joe's).  Each of those players were called up for the postseason.  Moore has transferred to Sweet Home for his junior year.  Another player moving up who grabbed my attention last season was Tyler Martin (Wilson).  All three are guards with a lot of quickness and a good handle on the ball.

 

Coaches, parents, players, and fans of a particular program know who's got next at their school.  Let us know.  Use the comments section below to prognosticate who the future impact players at the varsity level will be.

 

-centercourt

Top 10 games from last season

The 2009-2010 season was full of some dramatic games with fantastic finishes and buzzer beaters.  I’ve compiled a list of what I thought were the top ten games.  All but two of them are linked to video.

 ****************************************************************************************

10. January 22, 2010 - Nichols @ Bishop Timon St. Jude

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/preptalk/2010/01/friday-night-live.html#tp

In Nichols first big game without 2nd Team All-WNY guard Ron Canestro, the Vikings trailed by as many as 18 points late in the third quarter.  The Tigers held off a late rally from Nichols, which included a controversial moment when Timon assistant and rules interpreter Mark Clifford seemed to influence the reversal of an officials call. A very rowdy Tigers student section stormed the auditorium floor as time expired.

Final Score: Timon 64, Nichols 60

 

 9. January 8, 2010 - Medina @ Newfane

The Panthers trailed by as many as 12 in the second half, but were able to pull within a point with under a minute to play.  After Medina hit the back end of a pair from the line, Newfane had the ball trailing by two with 28 seconds remaining. After a couple Panther misses and offensive rebounds, Rohn Pierce was fouled on a bucket that tied the game and with 2.8 seconds on the clock. Following timeouts from each team, he calmly sank the game winning free throw.

Final Score: Newfane 54, Medina 53

 

8. January 26, 2010 –  Grover Cleveland @ Lackawanna

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/preptalk/2010/01/grover-beats-lackawanna-82-79.html#tp

An exciting  non-leaguer between a pair of top ten small schools.  Grover knocked down four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and pulled the game out in the final two minutes despite its leader, Chris Holland, being fouled out of the game.

Final Score: Grover Cleveland 82, Lackawanna 79

 

7. December 27, 2009 – Jamestown vs. Olean - IAABO Tournament @ St. Bonaventue

The Huskies led most of the first half before Jamestown finished the half on a 9-0 run to lead by a point at the break. The Red Raiders held that lead until 12 seconds remained.  Trailing by two, Ryan Carney calmly drained a 3-pointer from straight away to put the Huskies ahead by one. The shot was just like the one that put East Aurora away in the B-1 championship in March of 2009 - except that it wasn't for the win. Carlos Rivera came right back and drew a foul while shooting the potential go-ahead jumper. He sank both free throws and Olean was unable to get a clean shot off in the final seconds.

Final Score: Jamestown 67, Olean 66

 

6. January 16, 2010 – St. Joe’s vs. Grover Cleveland – MLK Classic @ ECC

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/preptalk/2010/01/live-from-the-mlk-classic.html#tp

The Presidents seemed completely disinterested late in the third quarter and trailed by 22 after three.  But in the fourth quarter, St. Joe's players and Grover 3-pointers started dropping like flies.  As time expired, Chris Holland finished off the Presidents comeback with a trey reminiscent of the Jordan shot over Bryon Russell.  Luckily, the game ended in the first OT, because the two teams were nearly out of eligible players by the end of this one.

Final Score:  Grover Cleveland 89, St. Joe's 82

 

5. January 12, 2010 – Canisius @ Bishop Timon St. Jude

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/preptalk/2010/01/video-canisius-nevins-beats-timon-at-the-buzzer.html#tp

Despite a 20 point halftime deficit and still trailing by nine with one minute left in the game, the Tigers managed to take a one point lead on the Crusaders with under ten seconds on the clock.  Canisius then imbounded to Aaron Nevins, who drove the length on the court and finished with a driving lay up for the win.

Final Score: Canisius 78, Timon 77

 

4. January 14, 2010 – Jamestown @ Clarence

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/preptalk/2010/01/video-jamestowns-rivera-hits-lastminute-3-to-foil-clarence.html#tp

A great ECIC I tilt that first opened our eyes about the potential Clarence had.  With the home crowd believing after the Red Devils took possesion with a two-point lead with less than 30 seconds to go, Clarence missed a pair of free throws and a chance to ice the game.  That gave Carlos Rivera a chance, which he used to go for the game winner from downtown...and drilled it.

Final Score: Jamestown 70, Clarence 67

 

3. February 12, 2010 – Jamestown @ Orchard Park

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/preptalk/2010/02/video-watch-nowaks-gamewinner-on-preptalktv-.html#tp

The Red Raiders looked to be well in control over the host Quakers, leading by 18 to start the fourth quarter.  But over the final eight minutes, OP franticly pressured Jamestown into turnovers and bad decisions. Down by two in the waning seconds, Troy Nowak raced down the court and received a pass off a well designed play, then drained a game winning '3' over Jamestown's 6-8 Fletcher Larson.

Final Score: Orchard Park 63, Jamestown 61

 

2. February 14, 2010 – St. Joe’s @ Canisius

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/preptalk/2010/02/live-from-st-joes-at-canisius.html#tp

There was no love lost when these two rivals met up for a date on Valentine's Day.  After missing a shot from the baseline which would have given the Marauders the lead, Aaron Nevins was fouled.  He sank a pair of free throws, giving his Crusaders a three-point lead.  Steve Moser then brought the ball up for St. Joe's and when nobody could get open, he had to let a 3-pointer go from straight away...which dropped as time expired.  Canisius went ahead for good in OT when James Gaines scored after a wild scramble with three seconds left.

Final Score: Canisius 69, St. Joe's 67

 

1. March 4, 2010 – Clarence vs. Orchard Park – AA semifinal @ Buffalo State

With ten seconds remaining in regulation, the Quakers had a two-point lead as they headed to the line to shoot a pair of free throws.  After missing the front end, OP extended its lead to three by swishing the second.  Clarence quickly pushed the ball upcourt and penetrated the lane, while big man Tyler Funk  (who had made exactly zero 3's all season) waited alone in the corner.  When the Quaker defenders collapsed inside, a pass sailed out to Funk, who delivered the memorable 3-point bomb that sent this one to OT.  In the extra session, the Red Devils rode the momentum from regulation into the AA final.

Final Score: Clarence 67, Orchard Park 61

 

** But the single best buzzer-beating basket was this one by a long shot.

 

Have a better game in mind, a more thrilling finish?  Were you bored by one of my top ten?  Let me know.

 

-centercourt

The 2009-2010 Championship Teams

  Federation Champions

NYS Class A  - Nichols over Jamesville DeWitt

 

New York State Champions

Class C - OTC Middle College over Maple Hill

Class D - Maple Grove over Coleman Catholic

 

Catholic State Champions

Class A - Nichols over Stepinac

 Class B - St. Mary's over Salesian

 

Manhattan Cup Champions                                           

 Nichols over Canisius

 

Section VI Champions

Class AA - Jamestown over Clarence

Class A-1 - Williamsville South over McKinley

Class A-2 - Buffalo East over Maryvale

Overall Class A - Williamsville South over Buffalo East

Class B-1 - Olean over Depew

Class B-2 - Akron over Cleveland Hill

Overall Class B - Olean over Akron

Class C - OTC Middle College over Cassadaga Valley

Class D - Maple Grove over Sherman

 

 

Welcome to Centercourt

In late December of 2007, I discovered the Buffalo News blog, Prep Talk, a blog devoted to high school sports in WNY.   At first, I would just check it out periodically by following a link that promoted it after reading a high school sports article online.  It wasn't  long before I was leaving the page up and clicking the refresh button to see if a new comment was left. 

 

During the first week of January, I decided to chime in on the discussion.  I wanted to use a catchy basketball moniker, so I went with "centercourt".  While I consistently look for a good seat in the middle of the gym, I chose centercourt because during Buffalo State week I'm always in the same front row seat, right where the center court line ends.

 

Not long after leaving my first Prep Talk comment, some guy calling himself "hoopster" responded to me.  From that point on, I was hooked.  Prep Talk stays on all day, the refresh button gets a workout, and after games, I head to the computer to see what the rest of the Prep Talk Nation is talking about.

 

Keith McShea is the best in the business and because of him, Prep Talk developed a serious following.  Over time, McShea has added features to his blog such as online polls, iphone video from key moments, live chats, live chat coverage of championship games, and PrepTalkTV.  Because of all these features, coupled with his journalistic pedigree, Prep Talk will and should always be the king of online high school sports coverage in WNY.

 

Unfortunately, because of inappropriate and offensive comments left anonymously, the Buffalo News changed its web site policy to require all who comment to register in advance of commenting.  Even more unfortunate is that Prep Talk is by and large a victim of comments left outside of the Prep Talk Nation.  "I'm proud to say that while we've had hiccups here and there, the majority of commenting by Prep Talk Nation has been productive as we've tried to cultivate a responsible online high school sports community here" McShea wrote on his blog in August.  The resulting change has been a noticeable decline in reader comments, analysis, debates, banter, and general participation that helped Prep Talk to surpass three million hits.

 

So now with basketball season quickly approaching, I felt the time was right to re-establish a forum of reader comments similar to the one fans, parents, players, coaches, etc., had grown accustomed to.  Here, you will see recent comments and be taken directly to them by clicking on them.  You can post a comment using your real name or a moniker, simply by leaving an email address.  Comments will be posted immediately, without being screened first.  However, any comment I deem inappropriate, vulgar, or offensive will be removed. 

 

I encourage all of you to continue visiting the Prep Talk blog and if you haven't already done so, registering and leaving comments.  I look forward to a winter full of high school hoops talk and hope everyone feels compelled to participate on some level.  I'll see you at the games, where I'll be sitting...

 

- centercourt