The Pastor-Cooper Showcase tips tonight, so it's official...high school hoops season is here!
Below in this year's version of the Pre-View From Centercourt, you will find:
- What's New
- Coaching Changes
- Classification Changes
- Top Nonleague Games
- Returning 2012 All-Centercourt Players
- Player Watch List for 2012-2013
- A League-by-League look at top returning players & newcomers
- Predictions
- Preseason Top 10
What's New
- Middle Early College dropped the OTC, so in place of OTC/MEC, I'm going old school and calling them Middle College again
- Sweet Home moved from ECIC I to ECIC II
- Lake Shore moved from ECIC II to ECIC III
- Ellicottville moved down to CCAA IV, while Panama bumped up to CCAA III
- Sectional seeding points will be updated more regularly this year - details when they're available
- There is now a Yale Cup I, II, & III, and Middle College will play up in League I with the big boys, despite its BEDS numbers
- Depew head coach Larry Jones has replaced former Lew-Port head coach Jim Walker as the Section VI Boy's Basketball Chairman
- The Canisius/St. Joe's rivalry games will both be played at the Canisius College Koessler Center this season
- In Section V, Bishop Kearney (who added another tower to its roster) moved up to Class AA and Batavia moved down to Class B1
- Williamsville South and Allegany-Limestone will finally play each other this year...twice
- Two new charter schools will compete in Section VI - Global Concepts & Health Sciences
- Dunkirk has seriously stepped up its nonleague schedule: Home & home with Silver Creek (C2 champ), at McKinley (A1 champ), and at Frontier (AA semifinalist).
New Coaches
Gabe Michael, Williamsville South
Ben Scaffidi, Starpoint
Paul Rath, St. Mary's
John Reinholz, Nichols
David Nieves, Hutch-Tech
Matt Bradshaw, Lew-Port
Darren Kresge, Tapestry Charter
Dave Carson, Barker
Joe Mihalics, Bishop Timon/St. Jude
Brian Ferris, St. Francis
Ron Krysztof, Grand Island
Tim Anderson, Falconer
Classification Changes
North Tonawanda moves down from Class AA to Class A1
West Seneca East moves down from Class A1 to Class A2
Starpoint moves down from Class A1 to Class A2
Lake Shore moves down from Class A1 to Class A2
Bennett moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
East Aurora moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
Maryvale moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
Albion moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
Lafayette moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
East moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Medina moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Buffalo Arts moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Allegany-Limestone moves down from Class B2 to Class C1
DaVinci moves up from Class C2 to Class C1
Randolph moves up from Class C2 to Class C1
Olmsted moves up from Class D to Class C2
Top Nonleague Games
12/5 - Williamsville East vs. Middle College @ Daemen College
12/6 - East vs. St. Mary's @ Daemen College
12/6 - Timon vs. McKinley @ Daemen College
12/7 - Bishop Kearney @ Niagara Falls
12/8 - Jamestown vs. Williamsville South @ NFHS
12/8 - Brunswick (OH) @ Niagara Falls
12/8 - East @ Olean (projected in round two of tournament)
12/11 - Jamestown vs. St. Joe's @ St. Mary's
12/11 - Canisius vs. Olean @ St. Mary's
12/12 - Williamsville South @ St. Mary's
12/12 - CSAT @ Middle College
12/14 - St. Joe's @ McKinley
12/18 - Bishop Kearney @ Canisius
12/20 - Middle College @ St. Joe's
12/22 - Timon @ Jamestown (projected in round two of tournament)
1/17 - Bishop Kearney @ St. Joe's
1/18 - Timon @ Bishop Kearney
1/19 - St. Joe's @ Aquinas
1/19 - Canisius vs. McKinley @ City Honors
1/19 - East vs. East Aurora @ City Honors
2/2 - Niagara Falls @ Bishop Kearney
2/4 - Oracle Charter @ Olmsted
2/6 - Timon @ Bishop Kearney
2/7 - Canisius @ Cathedral Prep
2/9 - Nichols @ Aquinas
2/12 - St. Joe's @ Frontier
2/12 - Aquinas @ Timon
2/13 - Olmsted @ Tapestry Charter
2/14 - Sweet Home @ St. Joe's
2/14 - Williamsville North @ Williamsville East
2/14 - Dunkirk @ Silver Creek
2/18 - Cleveland Hill @ St. Mary's
The Players
Nine of the top 25 players from the 2012 All-Centercourt teams return to the WNY high school hoops scene, along with another 13 players that received Honorable Mentions following last season. In addition, many others are primed to have breakout seasons, while the influx of talented underclassmen continues to surface at multiple schools throughout WNY.
Returning 2012 1st Teamers
Adam Weir - Sr., Canisius: 18 ppg, 7 reb. Helped lead the Crusaders to a second straight Manhattan Cup championship, where he earned MVP honors, while leading team in postseason scoring. His familiarity with success on the Koessler Center floor should serve him well when he continues his hoops career with Canisius College after high school.
Sterling Taplin - Jr., Williamsville North: 19.1 ppg, 5.7 reb, 3.6 asst, 2.7 stl. Sank five 3-pointers and scored 13 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter of the AA semifinal in an effort that fell just short of an upset bid against eventual champion Niagara Falls. Enters his junior season having already eclipsed 1,000 career points.
Returning 2012 Second Teamer
Jermaine Crumpton - Sr., Niagara Falls: 17 ppg, 7 reb, 3 asst, 2 blk. Helped to lead the Wolverines back to prominence as they recaptured the Class AA title, defeating Jamestown . Played very well against top competition, including game-highs in points and rebounds when Falls faced Milton, a team that finished in the top ten nationally in 2012. Crumpton will also continue playing hoops for Canisius College following graduation.
Returning 2012 Third Teamers
Tommy Campion - Sr., Jamestown: 18.6 ppg, 4.3 asst, 2.1 stls. The lone returning starter from the Class AA NYS runners-up in 2011, Campion's leadership and abilities on the court returned the Red Raiders to Class AA Section VI championship game. He shared ECIC I Player of the Year honors with Taplin thanks to his contributions in all phases of the game for Jamestown.
Sam Eckstrom - Jr., Olean: 14.8 ppg, 9.2 reb, 2.0 blk. Helped lead a Huskies squad loaded with expectations to the brink of a state title in just his sophomore campaign. His footwork and positioning in the post, along with a soft touch around the rim, make him the most fundamentally sound junior big man WNY has seen since Will Regan.
Wil Bathurst - Jr., Olean: 11.8 ppg, 7.6 reb, 2.2 asst. Complemented Eckstrom's talents wonderfully to give the Huskies a potent 1-2 punch. Combines raw athleticism with a silky-smooth style that allows him to shoot from anywhere, get to the basket (and above) with ease, and snag every rebound within his radius that Eckstrom didn't already secure.
Returning 2012 Fourth Teamer
Zed Williams - Sr., Silver Creek
Returning 2012 Fifth Teamers
JJ Wilkes - Sr., Niagara Falls
Darnell Carson - Sr., CSAT
Returning 2012 Honorable Mentions
Johnathan Belton - Sr. (Amherst), Justice Feggans - Sr. (Riveride), Aaron White - Sr. (Canisius), Matt MacDonald - Sr. (Canisius), Quinton Campbell - Sr. (Kenmore West), Reyszon Jordan - Sr. (McKinley), Marcus Morris - Sr. (McKinley), Lovell Smith - Sr. (McKinley), Jordan Glover - Sr. (St. Joe's), Chaquiel Nettles - Sr. (Williamsville South), Clayton Hess - Sr. (Tonawanda), Nick Scmidt - Jr. (Olean), Brendan Cox - Jr. (East Aurora)
Other names to watch for this season
Jake Haight - Jr. (Barker), Steve Marcey - Sr. (Silver Creek), Jack Mulcahey - Sr. (Niagara Wheatfield), Kyle Radack - Sr. (Southwestern), Dylan Meyer - Jr. (Fredonia), Zach Blask - Sr. (Portville), John Coe - Sr. (Westfield), Louis Oliveri - Sr. (St. Joe's), Tyree Tyson - Jr. (East), Johnathan Lewis - Jr. (East), Fulton Bryant - Sr. (Timon), Bri'an Brown - Jr. (Middle College), Keir Anderson - Jr. (Middle College), Paul Rath - Sr. (St. Mary's), Brandon Kellam - So. (Jamestown), Kole Gilchrist - Sr. (Sweet Home), Jordan Parker - Sr. (Cleveland Hill), Ramir Burton - Sr. (Niagara Falls), Connor Sears - Sr. (Newfane), Lonnie Taylor - Sr. (Medina), Connor Ladd - Sr. (Akron)
League-by-league
MONSIGNOR MARTIN
Canisius
Key Returnees: Adam Weir - 12, Aaron White - 12, Matt MacDonald - 12, Jamel Mosley - 12, Jake Cercone - 12, Ryan Raccuia - 12
Key Newcomers: Ryan Richards - 11, Josh Huffman - 10, Patrick MacDonald - 11, Howard Washington - 9 (Transfer from City Honors)
St. Joe's
Key Returnees: Jordan Glover - 12, Jalen Morris - 12, Mark Cerza - 12, Louis Oliveri - 12, Dan Maher - 12, Dylan Hall - 12
Key Newcomers: Justin Hollins - 11, Tremaine Shelton - 11 (Transfer from Buffalo Arts), Tyler Hill - 11
Bishop Timon/St. Jude
Key Returnees: Bryant Fulton - 12, Donte Williams - 11, Manny Welch - 12,
Key Newcomers: Derick Simpson - 10, Kyler Hairston (Transfer from Park School), Brandon Donohue, Sean Murphy
St. Francis
Key Returnees: Cory Cullen - 12, Brennan Macey - 12, David Kennedy - 11, Wenny Xie - 12
Key Newcomers: Treyvon Holness - 11 (Transfer from Montreal), Maurice Burse - 11 (Transfer from Lackawanna), Devantie Campbell - 11 (Transfer from Montreal), Austin Taylor - 11, Chris Shriver - 11
Nichols
Key Returnees: Liam Ryan - 12, Christopher Miner - 10, Cam Lewis - 10, Adam Noonan - 12
Key Newcomer: Tom Nuttle - 11, Jack Vance - 11
St. Mary's
Key Returnees: Paul Rath - 12, Latrell Tyson - 12, Quinn Gill - 12
Key Newcomers: Tyler English - 11, Corey Kiebzak - 11, Matt Wrobel - 11, Dione Strong - 11, Jake Concannon - 10
Niagara Catholic
Key Returnee: Jonathan Jackson - 11
Cardinal O'Hara
Archbishop Walsh
YALE CUP I
McKinley
Key Returnees: Marcus Morris - 12, Lovell Smith - 12, Reyjzon Jordan - 12, Deonte Bell - 12, Samuel Smith - 12, DaeQuan Warren - 12, Stephen Johnson - 12
East
Key Returnees: Tyree Tyson - 11, Johnathan Lewis - 11, Damone Brown - 10, Dajuan Quarles - 12
Key Newcomer: Percy Bryant - 10 (Transfer from St. Mary's)
Riverside
Key Returnees: Justice Feggans - 12, Shawn Johnson - 12, Willie Smith - 11, Jarmel Caldwell - 11
Key Newcomers: Jevon Rosier - 11, Jovell Littlejohn - 10
Middle College
Key Returnees: Bri'an Brown - 11, Keir Anderson - 12, Kevin Briggs (formerly Reese) - 11, TJ Scott - 11, Brandon Jefferson - 11, Donavin McLean - 12, Aterah Dickinson - 12
Key Newcomers: Isaiah Jenkins - 10, Joseph Staton - 9, Khoron Ferguson - 9, Devon Singleton - 11, X-Ray Xavier Drayton - 11, Elijah Mingo - 11
Hutch-Tech
Key Returnees: Tim Whitehead - 12, Roman West - 11, Jovohn Owens - 12, Amanuel Radford - 11
South Park
Key Returnees: Zachary Kaczor - 11, Tyrell Mitchell - 12, Darius White - 12
Bennett
Key Returnees: Aurelio Ayala - 12
YALE CUP II
I-Prep
Key Returnees: Justice Radford - 12, Damon Boykin - 11, DaQuan Evans - 10
City Honors
Key Returnees: Marqell Massey - 11, James Miller - 11, Yusef Burgos - 11, Matt Cieslik - 10, Jordahn Summers - 10
Burgard
Key Returnees: Daquan Walker - 12
MST Seneca
Key Returnees: JaVaughn McNab - 12, RayShawn Jones - 12
Key Newcomers: Adrian Blackmon - 11, Ben Bolden - 11
YALE CUP III
Olmsted
Key returnees: Jalen Schumaker - 12, Malcolm Hendrick - 10, Ballah Burch - 11
Buffalo Arts
Key Returnees: Derek Simpson - 10
Lafayette
Key Returnees: Jon Colon - 12
Emerson
Key Returnee: Lenny Dowell
DaVinci
ECIC I
Jamestown
Key Returnees: Tommy Campion - 12, Quinn Lee Yaw - 11, Brandon Kellam - 10, Zack Panebianco - 10
Williamsville North
Key Returnees: Sterling Taplin - 11, David Berkun - 12, George Attea - 10, Aman Washington - 12
Clarence
Key Returnees: Bobby Florio - 12, Ryan Funk - 11, Bryan Jost - 11, Elliott Case - 11
Key Newcomers: Tanner Schmidt - 10 (Transfer from Nichols), Matt Sadowy - 10, Emaure Williams - 11
Lancaster
Key Returnees: Sean Murray - 12, Jacob Plonka - 12, Joe Jankowski - 11, Steve Musso - 12, Mac Garby - 12, Colin Stotz - 12
Key Newcomers: Tyler Lis - 10, Griffin O'Brien - 10, Eric Zimpfer - 11
West Seneca West
Key Returnees: Nick Clancy - 11
Orchard Park
Frontier
ECIC II
Williamsville East
Key Returnees: Michael Spina - 12, Cort Williams - 10, Nicholas Clough - 10, Zachary Bischel - 12
Williamsville South
Key Returnees: Damian Powers - 12, Pat Stasiak - 12, Chaquiel Nettles - 12, Trent Ferguson - 12, Jack Fitzpatrick - 12, Sam Castronova - 10
Iroquois
Key Returnees: Nate Wilkinson - 12, Matthew Zimmerman - 12
Sweet Home
Key Returnees: Kole Gilchrist - 12, Khalid Barnes - 12
Hamburg
Key Returnees: Kyle Violanti - 12, Andrew Sardinia - 12, Griffin Ryan - 11, Jeremiah Bill - 11, Tony Guzzetta - 12, Matt Odre - 12
Key Newcomers: Tim Kane - 11, Kyle Munro - 10, Joe DeGrood - 10
West Seneca East
Key Returnees: Alex Pacer - 12, Austin Spindler - 12, Corey Fermo - 12, Matt Kumro - 10
Key Newcomers: Nick Parucki - 1o, Ed Radka - 9, Dan Picciano - 9
Starpoint
Key Returnees: Andrew Rankie - 12, Julian Mott - 11, Ian Emerick - 10
ECIC III
Amherst
Key Returnees: Johnathan Belton - 12, Dion Lewis - 12, Alex Turecki - 12, Dorian Billups - 10
East Aurora
Key Returnees: Brendan Cox - 11, Ian Allen - 12, James Ritchie - 12, Grant Haffenden - 11
Key Newcomers: Mike Coatsworth - 10, Kevin Tierney - 11
Cheektowaga
Key Returnees: Zak Ciezki - 10, Derek Clyburn - 12, Dileon Pearsall - 12
Depew
Key Returnees: Derek Sekuterski - 11, Jake Lamb - 11, Nate Hyman - 12
Maryvale
Key Returnees: Tyler Smith - 12, Demetri McCallie - 12, Max Aikin - 12, Tyler Graham - 12
Key Newcomers: William Lamar - 8
Pioneer
Key Returnees: Terik Lewis - 12, Connor Johnson - 12, Dylan Souder - 12, Ryan Miller - 12
Key Newcomer: Bryce Little - 10
Lake Shore
Key Returnees: Clark Brueckl - 12, Ryan Joslyn - 12, Wade Bergum - 11
Key Newcomers: Matt Vona - 11, Colin Hart - 11
Springville
ECIC IV
Cleveland Hill
Key Returnees: Jared Watkins - 11, Jordan Parker - 12, Rayshawn Smalls - 12, Richard Sotero - 12, Andrej Krajewski - 12
Key Newcomers: Aaron Phillips - 11, Jermaine Hairston - 10
Lackawanna
Key Returnees: Shaquille Brooks - 12, Cam Smith - 11, Norman Sweat - 12, Deron Adams - 12
Key Newcomer: Ahmad Abdo - 12
Tonawanda
Key Returnees: Clayton Hess - 12, Ben Stitch - 11
Key Newcomer: Tristan Bolling - 10
Holland
Key Returnees: Clay Lewis - 10, Curtis Blendinger - 12
JFK
Key Returnees: Nick Anderson - 12
Alden
Key Returnees: Corey Barczykowski - 12
Eden
Key Returnees: Brad Palmerton - 11
Niagara Frontier League
Niagara Falls
Key Returnees: Jermaine Crumpton - 12, JJ Wilkes - 12, Ramir Burton - 12, Stefon Caffee - 12, Tikere Ralands - 12, Vinzell Watkins - 11
Key Newcomer: Jamar Waters - 10 (Transfer from Nichols)
Kenmore West
Key Returnees: Quinton Campbell - 12, Alex Price - 11, Joel Northup - 12, Shay Cuadra - 12, Adam From - 11
Key Newcomers: Terell Ford - 9, Tyler Grandits - 11
Grand Island
Key Returnees: Nick Soos - 12, Ryan Ross - 11, Jordan Jelks - 12, Corey Adamshick - 12
North Tonawanda
Key Returnees:
Niagara Wheatfield
Key Returnees: Jack Mulcahey - 12, Anthony Cappucilli - 12, Chris Galvano - 12
Lockport
Kenmore East
Lew-Port
Niagara-Orleans
Akron
Key Returnees: Connor Ladd - 12, Austin Mietz - 12, Noah Diebel - 11, Gowah Abrams - 12, Steve Poodry - 12
Key Newcomers: Sturgis Sundown - 12, Austen Lauricella - 11
Newfane
Key Returnees: Connor Sears - 12, Bryan Geise - 12, Reid Weber - 12, Alex Intihar - 12, Jake O'Keefe - 12, Brian "Rat" Ratajczak - 12
Key Newcomers: Jimmer Branca - 12, Ryan Doyle - 12, Sean Costello - 11, Josh Kneeland - 11
CSAT
Key Returnees: Darnell Carson - 12, Dylanta Carson - 10
Key Newcomers: Alex Santos - 11, Quinton Lamar - 9, Bryan Locke - 10
Medina
Key Returnees: Lonnie Taylor - 12, Dan "Mungie" Brown - 12, Jason Hellwig - 10
Barker
Key Returnees: Jake Haight - 11, Mitchell Luckman - 11, Bryce Moeller - 11, Chris Sweeney - 10, Brett Cole - 12, Hayden Gooding - 11
Key Newcomer: Jared Worthington - 11
Roy-Hart
Key Returnees: Brad Bobbitt - 12, Blake Copella - 12, Ryan Farewell - 12, Marc Roman - 11, Alex Stoddard - 11
Key Newcomers: Andy Xapsos - 9, Austin Heschke - 11, DeRon Woods - 11, Sam White - 10
Wilson
Key Returnee: Matt Baker
Albion
CCAA I
Olean
Key Returnees: Sam Eckstrom - 11, Wil Bathurst - 11, Nick Schmidt - 11, Luke Hennessey - 11, Max Portlow - 12, Pat Scholla - 12, Evan Ryan - 12
Key Newcomers: Dante Tarr - 11, Chris Gayton - 11
Fredonia
Key Returnees: Dylan Meyer - 11, Nick Johnston - 11, John Piper - 10
Southwestern
Key Returnees: Kyle Radack - 12, Alek Peck - 12, Peter Trathen - 12, Nick Baglia - 12, Jacob Pilling - 12, Kyle Moran - 11, Andrew Greenlee - 12
Top Newcomers: Riley Ribicki - 11, Nathan Schrope - 11
Falconer
Key Returnees: Brandon DePietro - 11, Nick Conti - 11
Dunkirk
Key Returnees: Marquel Ruiz - 12, Jacob Lockett - 12, Drew Messina - 12
Key Newcomer: Emanuel (Manny) Masonet - 11
Allegany-Limestone
Key Returnees: Dom Saglimben - 11, Ryan Vossler - 11, Caswell Stanton - 12
Key Newcomers: Dom Conroy - 10, Trevin Barber - 12
Gowanda
Key Returnees: Chase Williams - 11, Brennan Geiger - 11, Zach Stevens - 11
Key Newcomer: Jordan Young - 10
CCAA II
Silver Creek
Key Returnees: Zed Williams - 12, Kaine Kettle - 11, Steve Marcey - 12
Key Newcomers: Bill Brooks - 10, Brennan White - 10
Portville
Key Returnees: Zach Blask - 12, Josh Watson - 12
Randolph
Key Returnees: Bryce Morrison - 10
Salamanca
Key Returnees: Tanner John - 12
Key Newcomer: Damion Taylor - 11
Frewsburg
Key Returnees: Alex Elderkin - 12
Cassadaga Valley
Key Returnees: Randy Dabala - 12
Cattaraugus Little Valley
CCAA III
Maple Grove
Key Returnees: Jeff Tampe - 12, Will Soffel - 12, Aaron Germain - 12, Austin Goerke - 12, Oliver Simpson - 12
Westfield
Key Returnees: John Coe - 12
Panama
Key Returnees: Alec Blose - 12, Dan Odell - 11, Brandon Lewis - 12
Chautauqua Lake
Key Returnees: Ian Clute - 11, Cody Thomas - 12, Jeremiah Russin - 12, Jordan Briggs - 12
Pine Valley
Key Returnees: Lucas Trombley - 12
Forestville
Key Returnees: Jacob Nosbisch - 11
Franklinville
CCAA IV
Sherman
Key Returnees: Ryan Robson - 11, Andrew Graham - 11, Devin Moorhead - 11
Clymer
Key Returnees: Dan Lictus - 12, Connor Payne - 12, Mitch Einink - 11, Jacob Wiggers - 11, Caleb Clark - 12
Brocton
Key Returnees: Dan Ferguson - 12, Jordan Patterson - 12, Macalum Buchanan - 11
West Valley
Key Returnees: Mike Grigsby - 12, Colton Myers - 12
Ellicottville
Key Returnees: Cameron Wilson - 11, Storm Wilson - 12, Alex Steinbroner - 12
North Collins
Ripley
Charter Schools
Oracle
Key Returnees: Gerald Bibbs - 12, Julius Allen - 12, Jamarr Cunningham - 12, Eric Waters - 12
Key Newcomers: Nelson Modi - 11, Jayson Jones-Johnson - 11, Antone Gullege - 11
Tapestry
Key Returnees: Tom Lucas - 12, Tong Mawein - 12, Jon Spears - 11
Key Newcomers: Gary Foster - 9, JaQuoine Fogan - 9
WNY Maritime
Buffalo Science
Health Sciences
Global Concepts
Predictions
Manhattan Cup: Canisius
Class AA: Jamestown
Class A1: McKinley
Class A2: Amherst
Class B1: Olean
Class B2: East
Class C1: Middle College
Class C2: Silver Creek
Class D: Clymer
- McKinley, Olean, & Middle College will all advance to Glens Falls
- Olean will win the Class B State Championship
- Canisius will win the CHSAA Class A State Championship
- Section V "super power" Bishop Kearney will lose one of its games played against a WNY team this year (Falls, Canisius, St. Joe's, Timon)...or maybe Jamestown)
Preseason Top 10 - Large Schools
1. Canisius
2. Jamestown
3. Niagara Falls
4. McKinley
5. St. Joe's
6. Bishop Timon/St. Jude
7. Williamsville North
8. Clarence
9. Amherst
10. Riverside
Preseason Top 10 Small Schools
1. Olean
2. East
3. Middle College
4. Silver Creek
5. East Aurora
6. Depew
7. Nichols
8. St. Mary's
9. Cleveland Hill
10. CSAT
-centercourt
TJ Scott, Middle College is a transfer from ST MARYS
Posted by: big bopper | Tuesday, December 04, 2012 at 11:46 AM
TJ Scott played for Middle College last season, the reason he is not listed as a transfer this year.
Posted by: centercourt | Tuesday, December 04, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Great job as always centercourt! Glad your back keeping us all well informed on WNY HS Basketball.
Posted by: Fan at the game | Tuesday, December 04, 2012 at 12:43 PM
I have to disagree with Jamestown being ahead of the Falls...Falls beat them head to head and have just as much if not more talent returning. I have to give the Falls the edge on a "higher ceiling" for that talent this year.
Also, the BK losing predicition...it's possible but if BK is fully healthy it will be a HUGE ask, even for Canisius. Thomas Bryant is the key for me...if he has matured and plays with an edge/agressiveness, BK shouldn't lose to a local team.
Posted by: TML1000 | Tuesday, December 04, 2012 at 01:26 PM
Other than that, I agree with mostly everything. Does anyone know what is going on with Feggans? He wasn't in the box scores up at Wilson. Tough to rank Riverside if his status is unknown...although they are still decent.
Very interested to see Joe's/KW tonight...Joe's has some good talent coming back, but not sure about their size and one thing KW does for sure have is size. I'm looking for Shay Cuadra to have a big year...has the potential to score the ball in a number of ways.
Posted by: TML1000 | Tuesday, December 04, 2012 at 01:31 PM
I hope everyone realizes the time, effort and thought that goes into this kind of production, and all for the love and enjoyment of high school basketball. Pretty amazing.
Thanks CC! I am chairman of the CC adulation/appreciation society!
Posted by: hoopster | Tuesday, December 04, 2012 at 03:52 PM
Hey hoopster does that make MIG chairwoman of the CC adulation/appreciation society? Yeah, MIG!!!
Posted by: Karl Hungus | Tuesday, December 04, 2012 at 04:20 PM
I thought (s)he was chair(wo)man of the McShea society!
Posted by: hoopster | Tuesday, December 04, 2012 at 04:56 PM
Great work Student athletes love this stuff. It's what HS sports should be.
Posted by: Coach Rich | Tuesday, December 04, 2012 at 05:50 PM
Centercourt breaking it down!!! This is awesome, what's your twitter so we can spread the news
Posted by: Tripp | Tuesday, December 04, 2012 at 11:27 PM
Great job CC I am already looking forward 2 the Falls-Jamestown game on March 2nd 8:15pm! Love that people r already getting on me. I am doing some light cross-dressing this year so I am not sure which way I am swinging at this point as far as male female.
Taplin, Weir, Crumpton - who gets Player of the Year? I will let all of u know soon :)
Posted by: McShea is God | Wednesday, December 05, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Nice preview. 1?, how can a freshman be called a transfer?
Posted by: FanCave | Wednesday, December 05, 2012 at 10:52 AM
I'm assuming you're referring to Howard Washington.
He played varsity as an 8th grader for City Honors. I guess technically we can argue the semantics and phrase it as "Washington chose to further his secondary educational experience at Canisius rather than continue within the Buffalo Public School system, where he received his first two years of secondary educational instruction, and attend City Honors.
I just went with transfer.
Posted by: centercourt | Wednesday, December 05, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Similarly; JAMAR WATERS transferred BACK to Niagara Calla that is where he is from and was in the NF school system prior to attending NICHOLS for 1 year. Other than that; GREAT job on the preview and early games; keep it rolling!
Posted by: fullcourt1 | Wednesday, December 05, 2012 at 11:37 AM
Buffalo New York's own Reggie Agbeko honing his skills at South Kent in the NEPSAC Class AAA in preparation for college against the best division one prospects in the country. http://www.highschoolcube.com/highlight/reggie-s-dunk-with-bad-intenti-32233
Posted by: Panthers | Thursday, December 06, 2012 at 04:05 AM
South Kent? You mean Kent right? Thought for sure he was playin for Calp after all the hype last year. Two years here and he is "Buffalo's own" now that is immigration reform you can believe in. Ricky and SJCI are you still on this one trick dunking pony?
Posted by: New year same old stuff | Thursday, December 06, 2012 at 08:12 PM
SJCI is still trying to figure out what happened in the Manhattan Cup playoffs...
Posted by: I Heart MIG | Thursday, December 06, 2012 at 08:47 PM
Buffalo's own - Stan Weir 2012 WNY Player of the year!
Posted by: McShea is God | Thursday, December 06, 2012 at 09:41 PM
I love all the transfers to the MMA schools.
Posted by: Dark LMT | Thursday, December 06, 2012 at 09:54 PM
I guess in time we will see where all these talented kids end up. It is going to be an interesting year of HS ball once again. Gonna be a good one in NF tomorrow night.
Posted by: Panthers | Thursday, December 06, 2012 at 10:14 PM
will try to come see the nieghbors play but we are at 1:30 Wally,Mike & co. are welcomed faces in any gym and always glad to catch a game or 2 with them!!!!!good luck Wilson.....we are all in for a battle...lets make a showing!!!
Posted by: Ken Sears | Friday, December 07, 2012 at 01:53 PM
maybe do a google search on freshman transfer....first start with the word transfer and the rest will come right to you....Word CC!!!!!!LOL
Posted by: thats my boy! | Friday, December 07, 2012 at 01:59 PM
Taplin - WOW!!! Player of the year race is OVER! Crumpton and Weir haven't played yet!!!
Posted by: McShea is God | Friday, December 07, 2012 at 08:16 PM
So i take it Will North won? Any update on Niagara Falls vs. Bishop Kearney?
Posted by: Yale Cup | Friday, December 07, 2012 at 10:06 PM
Falls won in OT . Kearney was not nearly as impressive as the hype, big men never exploited the considerable size advantage. Kearney much to willing to settle for perimeter J's
Posted by: PJB | Friday, December 07, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Taplin 23 points AND a tip dunk v big bad Batavia Wow is right! ST overrated and overhyped. Let's get the UB signing done so he and Reggie can be average together.
Posted by: New year same old stuff | Saturday, December 08, 2012 at 07:15 AM
Sorry but who is ST?
Posted by: Gus Buster | Saturday, December 08, 2012 at 09:23 AM
I'm sorry. I figured it out. Usually when someone says somebody is overhyped and overrated on here it is because they think someone else is better or more deserving than Taplin. So who is it that you think deserves more hype?
Posted by: Gus Buster | Saturday, December 08, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Taplin and Crumpton both very impressive last night!
Player to watch this year, really think he's going to have an incredible season,- Donte Williams from Timon. Kid's an absolute beast!
Posted by: Ricky | Saturday, December 08, 2012 at 04:58 PM
Taplin impressive offensive skills. Crumpton showed a well rounded game especially the defensive intensity to match up on the perimeter.
Posted by: PJB | Saturday, December 08, 2012 at 10:48 PM
It's a 2 man race Taplin or Crumpton. I can't have a white guy named 'Weir' win it 2 years in a row. But he will b on 1st team w 1 of the Olean kids so that leaves 1 first team spot left.
Posted by: McShea is God | Sunday, December 09, 2012 at 12:58 AM
^ I don't want to say Williams will make 1st team, but the kid is an absolute baller.
Posted by: Ricky | Sunday, December 09, 2012 at 10:10 AM
Jamar Waters actually attended Niagara Catholic for the 2nd Semester last year, after leaving Nichols, before enrolling at NFHS this year.
Other transfers: Derick Simpson (Buffalo Arts to Timon), Najee Peters (Timon to Sweet Home), Ahmad Abdo (West Seneca West back to Lackawanna), Kevin Tierney (Eden back to East Aurora), Sean Buckley (Clarence to Park School), Melvin Henley (Cheektowaga to Park School), Derek Cheatom (West Seneca West to Park School), Brennan White (Gowanda to Silver Creek), Andrew John (Lake Shore to Silver Creek), Tyler Mascio (Lake Shore to Canisius - Played QB on Football team, chose not to play basketball this year), Stafford Trueheart (Christian Central Academy to Canisius).
Posted by: Hawk Pride | Sunday, December 09, 2012 at 05:09 PM
Anybody know why Riverside player Justice Feggans has not yet played this year?
Posted by: BBBfan | Sunday, December 09, 2012 at 06:07 PM
Speaking of the Olean kids ... Bathurst and Eckstrom each went for 23 and double-digit rebounds on Maple Grove Saturday (Buff News had Eckstrom total wrong in Sunday paper) after Eckstrom scored 21 and Bathurst 12 against Bradford, Pa. (class AAA in Pa.) the night before.
Of course, the big early test comes Tuesday...
Posted by: Use Ya Left | Sunday, December 09, 2012 at 07:02 PM
Justice Feggans (Riverside) is still recovering from an early season Football injury but according to one of his coaches, he will be ready to go soon.
Posted by: Hawk Pride | Sunday, December 09, 2012 at 09:40 PM
Speaking of the Buffalo News, they have been brutal so far this season with wrong box scores, wrong final scores, wrong player names, and wrong team records. The box scores never add up to the total amount of points and the individual player points are typically wrong. I'm not sure who they have receiving the results being called in but it needs alot more quality control!!!
Posted by: Hawk Pride | Sunday, December 09, 2012 at 09:44 PM
Couple more things from weekend in Southern Tier:
Maple Grove looks like they will be as tough as ever in their classification. They beat Buffalo East in first night of the Olean Tip Off rather easily.
As for East, last couple of years they started slow, and then came on strong later in the season. A lot of people down here were anticipating an Olean-East matchup in the Olean tourney final ... but East has some work to do.
As an aside: Olean's future would appear to be bright as ever. Olean JV (with two 8th-graders playing significant roles) notched a 30-point win over Bradford, Pa. and then a 40-point win over East (all juniors and sophs listed on East's JV roster).
Watch out for Portville in C. Zach Blask is as good a combo guard as anyone in small-school Sec. 6. Also, keep an eye on Salamanca, led by Tanner John. Both schools are off to strong starts.
Archbishop Walsh has some nice young players coming up ... but they will struggle big time in MMAA this year.
Posted by: Use Ya Left | Monday, December 10, 2012 at 09:15 AM
The Buffalo News website has been absolutely horrible since they switched over to their new format a few weeks ago. HORRIBLE. And the funny part about it is that they want you to pay them to start viewing articles now. Why would someone pay for a product that has had known issues for a while now is beyond me.
Posted by: StateChamps2003 | Monday, December 10, 2012 at 11:44 AM
Buffalo East was missing their starting PG Sophomore Percy Bryant (Transfer from St. Mary's)vs. St. Mary's (Pastor-Cooper) and at the Olean Tournament vs. Maple Grove and vs. Bradford (PA).
He would have made a difference in all three games and East would probably be 3-0 right now. Without Bryant, Jonny Lewis is the lone ball handler and is more of a scoring Guard than a Point Guard. I attended the East/St. Mary's game @ Daemen and you noticed right from the start Lewis was trying to do too much without Bryant in the backcourt with him.
Posted by: Hawk Pride | Monday, December 10, 2012 at 01:47 PM
Olean-Canisius tomorrow will b the HS game of the year until Falls plays Jamestown March 3rd. Since Olean has 2 in the books and Canisius has yet 2 play a real game, I think Olean wins in by 4.
Posted by: McShea is God | Monday, December 10, 2012 at 10:16 PM
Olean won, they are clearly a great team, but Canisius is better. Kyle Husband proved he is the best coach in WNY. After being shell-shocked in the 1st half CHS came out and dominated the 2nd. They figured Olean out and just dominated the 2nd. Adam Weir is an absolute stud, as are Bathurst and Eckstrom, but Weir was on fire. I think CHS would crush Olean if they were to play again.
Joe's is in for a down year. Not a very impressive SJCI team, but Jamestown is impressive. Campion can flat out shoot!
Posted by: Ricky | Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 11:48 PM
So all people who rip me 4 being a woman NOBODY is going 2 give me props on my prediction? Canisius Olean will b the 'best HS game until Falls Jamestown' AND picking Olean 2 'win by 4' (I was off by 1) c'mon BOYS give a girls some credit!!
NEVER has All WNY 1st team been done so early. Taplin, Crumpton, Weir LOCKS 1st team Sam E and Will B from Olean fighting with Tommy C from Jamestown 4 the last 2 spots. I'd hate 2 b Keith and have 2 knock 1 of them down.
Posted by: McShea is God | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 01:27 AM
Kyle Husband is the best coach in wny based on his team being down 26 and losing by 3 on a neutral court to a small school?!?!? LOL! LOL LOL
Posted by: I Heart MIG | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 07:03 AM
Olean would not be "crushed," if they played again. How can you say Canisius is better? Olean was the better team for the first half and Canisius for the second. Clearly they are quite even. If you think Olean would not make adjustments as well if they were to play again, you are kidding yourself.
If they were truly the far and away better team, they would not have been "shell-shocked," to start the game...it doesn't matter it was their first game.
Posted by: TML1000 | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 08:25 AM
Joe's not in for a down year. Simon sat two out of his three best players for the majority of the second half one for the entire second half. The game was back and forth late in the first and early and late in the second half. Trust me they will bounce back.
Posted by: guest | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 08:49 AM
I wasn't able to make the game last night, no doubt missed a good one. I think MIG's point is quite valid; Olean having played two games already while Canisius had not played any was a huge advantage for the Huskies. What would happen if they played again is anybody's guess. No doubt Canisius will get better and hopefully Olean too. Championships are not won in December, but in late February and March.
Nice prediction by MIG btw.
Posted by: hoopster | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 10:38 AM
guest, why did Mark sit out his best players? I'm sure he had an excellent reason.
Posted by: hoopster | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 10:39 AM
One came out for missing a dunk at an important point in the game - he only had about two steps and I was surprised he attempted it. The other was sat for getting a 'T' due to a remark to the official.
Posted by: centercourt | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Centercourt, that is correct. Thanks for responding before I did. I can verify that those are the reasons for Morris and Oliveri being benched.
Posted by: guest | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 01:06 PM
I already voiced my comments about the benchings on twitter.
Posted by: TML1000 | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 01:15 PM
I applaud Simon for making the decision to sit Morris and Oliveri for disciplinary reasons. Guarantee they never do that again.
Posted by: StateChamps2003 | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 01:15 PM
Never try to dunk and never receive a technical?
How about talking to your players about the mistake they made but then having enough trust in them to go back on the court and have enough sense and discipline to not make the same mistake again?
To me the prolonged benchings send out a more negative message than a positive...not just to Morris and Oliveri but to the rest of the team. This would tell me that the coach feels it's more important to "teach them a lesson," than giving his team a chance to grow together, with his best players on the floor, by going shot for shot with one of the best teams in the area...which Joe's was doing for a good portion of the game with a full team available.
Oliveri got a technical apparently for a solitary remark to a ref...he didn't try to injure an opposing player, he didn't demonstratively try to show up the ref. I don't know exactly what was said but it's likely something that could have been let go...especially in a close, hard fought game such as the one that was occurring. One in which the officials made some poor charge/flop calls...shouldn't be an excuse to make a comment to an official, but it happened and you move forward.
Benching players for extended minutes and making an example out of them, especially those tabbed as your leaders, sends the wrong message to the entire team. The "strict disciplinarian" role just doesn't work in this day and age...it is evident at every level of sports. Coach Simon has been a heck of a coach for a long time, but in this instance it doesn't seem just.
Posted by: TML1000 | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 02:02 PM
It seems to me, short term pain=long term gain. I'm sure Mark knows both kids much better than any of us and felt based on his knowledge of the kids and the circumstances his decision was more than justified. I trust both of them will grow from the experience.
Posted by: hoopster | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 02:09 PM
TML,
I appreciate all you have done for the blogs on WNY basketball and your continued enthusiasm is certainly welcome. However, I would disagree with you on this one for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, high school athletics is NOT all about winning, even in a championship game at the end of the season. And believe me, nobody enjoys winning more than I do. Secondly, and I think I read this from you, this is not the first time these problems have occurred therefore, decisions were made on an "entirety of the situation" not just on what happened last night. Not going to discus things further or get into detail lets just say we have to get better as a team and as individuals if we are to have the success we desire.
Posted by: jackherlan | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 02:26 PM
That's fine, however, I didn't say it was all about winning...I said growing as a team on the floor against a good team.
Posted by: TML1000 | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 02:38 PM
Point taken, probably should have said its not even all about basketball.
Posted by: jackherlan | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 02:45 PM
Fair enough...we'll see where it goes.
Posted by: TML1000 | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 03:42 PM
TML, sorry but today in this forum you changed your words to "grow together" and that's commendable, but in your first comment about it on the game blog last night, you used the words,"Gotta have your best out there to win the game" and you tweeted, "Not sure what Simon's trying to prove other than losing games".
Posted by: Factchecker | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 04:33 PM
Yes, one of the many improvements to "The View From Centercourt" this season, we now employ a fact checker who gets paid in Skittles. I recruited him from the News, likely the reason some records have been printed incorrectly early on.
Not sure why my Cattaraugus County error wasn't caught by my FC. He may have been searching for the red, purple, & orange Skittles, which I first remove before making payment.
Posted by: centercourt | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 04:44 PM
"The "strict disciplinarian" role just doesn't work in this day and age"...tml, that statement is not only whats wrong with high school sports, it is what's wrong with society in general. We can't keep letting a 17 yr old kid dictate to his coach, officials, etc. that he is in charge because he has a little talent on the basketball court? Thank god there are still adults that coach around here like Simon and Herlan. I wish my kids had the chance to play for them so they could have learned about basketball but mostly about life. (my kids weren't good enough at b ball to play at Joe's by the way) Great job coach. That statement sounds alot like an ECIC parent doesn't it. It's so annoying to go to maryvale, Depew, Tonawanda springville, etc. etc. to watch a game and listen to the parents scream at officials, complain about coaches, etc. Nowadays, these players are tweeting about weed, showing pictures on facebook with beers in hand and that is just fine because they play a high school sport? I'll never understand that
Posted by: wake up folks | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 04:49 PM
Yes...you sure do have to have your best on the floor to win games against good teams. The second statement indicates that I disagree with what occurred...I think that's clear by now. Many agree with what occurred...that's fine. Still never said that winning is everything.
Posted by: TML1000 | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 04:52 PM
Your words indicate that you were saying you thought coach should have been more concerned with winning the game than teaching a lesson. Yes, in your opinion.
Posted by: Factchecker | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 05:04 PM
Right...because the I feel the "lesson" will do more harm than good to the team.
Your tone also indicates you are craving more skittles.
Posted by: TML1000 | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 05:09 PM
Right...but you denied that to Coach Herlan.
Posted by: Factchecker | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 05:38 PM
personally, i see the thinking of TML, it is that of a sports fan, not someone that works with youth. At the end of the day no matter who won, what records are, I guarantee the kids remember coach simon longer than TML remembers that game. TML as a fan question coach's move basketball wise, but anything long term Mark does is for the betterment of the kids.
Posted by: sal | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 05:54 PM
I apologize on The News' behalf for the errors.
We are working at smoothing out the most recent web transition and we appreciate your patience.
I can say that there have been improvements made almost every day this week involving the high school sports end of buffalonews.com; included today was the records situation.
Anyone who wants to email me about errors can certainly do so. I will do my best to get them addressed.
Great prediction by Mrs. MIG, by the way.
Posted by: Keith McShea | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 06:47 PM
Exactly Sal, I am a fan...I'm not a coach nor am I saying I know more than Coach Simon, but I do care about the athletes and want them to succeed...Anyone that posts here regularly knows that. If I just wanted to commentate on basketball I'd stay home and watch the NBA and post on message boards.
I hope the athletes do learn from this...all I said was simply that I disagreed with the length of time the players should have sat. Clearly there is a lesson to be learned for the players...just felt they could learn it while going back on the floor at some point. Winning is not everything but it can sure do a lot to bring a team together...so can a tough loss, under the right circumstances.
Posted by: TML1000 | Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 06:48 PM
MIG, congrats on the prediction and being the 1st female in the St. Mary's hospitality suite. I heard it was good as usual. Dan Gill would be proud.
Posted by: Joe B | Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 01:30 PM