The View From Centercourt

The 2013 All-Centercourt Team: The Best in WNY

 

CC MVP:

Adam Weir - Canisius, Senior

Since his sophomore season, you could see something special in Adam Weir.  He returned for his junior season noticably taller and a whole lot more confident and aggressive, resulting in an outstanding season both for his team, and individually.  As a result, he was selected to First Team All-Centercourt as a junior.  This season, the talented 6-4 senior looked and played more focused than ever before, taking his game to yet another level.

 Whether he came bursting out of the gates to score in double figures before the end of the first quarter, or he took over at a timely moment later in the game, Weir always played a stretch of the game like he was on such a mission, there was simply no stopping him.  He could come flying off a screen and catch & shoot, beat you baseline and flush it with ease, or drive the lane and drop dimes without looking as the help came.  He was equally effective running in transition or in a half court set.

 Best of all, Weir played the game the right way.  He went hard all the time, was a leader to his teammates, and maintained that same look of focus regardless of the game circumstances.  There was no showmanship and no whining, just basketball. And this season in WNY, Weir played basketball at the kind of level that earns you Player of the Year honors.

 

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 First Team All-Centercourt

Adam Weir - Canisius, Senior

 21.0 PPG  /  7.0 RPG  /  2.0 APG  /  1.5 SPG

Earned the distinction of being the best player on the best team.  Led Canisius to an unbeaten season in the MMA, to a third straight Manhattan Cup in as many varsity seasons, and to the CHSAA Class A state championship game.  Named All-Catholic Player of the Year.  Last season's Manhattan Cup MVP and first team Manhattan Cup all-tournament team this year.

 

Jermaine Crumpton - Niagara Falls, Senior

20 PPG / 12 RPG / 3 BPG / 3 APG

Crumpton led a Wolverines team that was ranked at the top of WNY for much of the season.  Improved over his three-year varsity career into one of the premier players in the area, combining athleticism with a soft touch from anywhere on the court.  Dropped a season-high 32 points against Grand Island and led NFHS to season-opening win over NYSPHAA Class AA state champion, Bishop Kearney.  He will attend Canisius College next year, where he will continue playing basketball.

 

Sterling Taplin - Williamsville North, Junior

21.84 PPG  /  5.73  RPG  /  4.21 APG  /  2.94 SPG

A returning First Team All-Centercourt selection from 2012, Taplin was named ECIC Player of the Year.  Has already been a four-year starter on varsity and will enter his senior season with 1,425 points - the school's all-time leader. Needs just 41 more assists to own the school record in that category.  Named MVP of Five Guys Tournament and player of the game after a win over Batavia at the Cataract City Classic.  Has excellent court vision and is tremendous at creating opportunities for his teammates.  Plays such a smooth style that defenders are often left watching him blow by, having had no idea it was about to happen.  Put on a clinic in a 61-47  win at Jamestown in January as he sliced through the defense at will, finishing with 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals.  With one more season remaining, the sky is the limit as to where his talents could take him following his prep career.

 

Lovell Smith -  McKinley, Senior

15.0 PPG  /  10.0 RPG  /  4.2 SPG  /  2.6 APG  /  2.1 BPG

Led McKinley to its first ever NYSPHAA Class A state championship and was named MVP of the tournament.  Selected to First Team All-High for a second straight year after his Macks finished a second straight season unbeaten in the Yale Cup.  Brings relentless energy on both ends of the court for the entire contest and is highly effective. Plays  about five inches taller than he is.  Gets to the basket with ease and soars high above the rim.  

 

Marcus Morris - McKinley, Senior

16.0 PPG  /  8.0 RPG  /  5.7 APG  /  3.0 SPG  /  2.2 BPG

The Yale Cup I Player of the Year saw his stock skyrocket after his performance in the overall Class A championship win over Amherst.  Morris scored a game-high 28 points, including the game-winner with 18 seconds left.  Bombed in 57 3-pointers on the season.  Was at his best from the perimeter, but mastered the art of driving and stopping on a dime to pull-up over an opponent.  A good passer who seemed to have a highlight assist in every game.  Once described to me by his coach, Zaire Dorsey, as "in range" as soon as he enters the gym.  

 

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 Second Team All-Centercourt

Zed Williams - Silver Creek, Senior

17.7 PPG / 8.33 APG / 7.16 RPG

 One of the most versatile and well-rounded players in WNY and the unquestioned leader of the Black Knights.  Depending on the matchup, would run the point or play inside, and always drew the opposing team's top scorer to defend.  Led his team to a state semifinal appearance in Class C and 23-1 record, that included a 23-game win streak.  Scored a season-high 38 points in the sectional quarterfinals against Olmsted, and put on an inspiring performance to advance Silver Creek past Middle College in the overall Class C championship for Section VI.  Williams willl attend Virginia to play lacrosse.

 

Tommy Campion - Jamestown, Senior

21.2 PPG /  2.9 APG /  2.7 RPG /  2.3 SPG

Named Co-Player of the Year in ECIC I after Jamestown won the league for a second straight season.  A four-year varsity player, Campion led his Red Raiders to a third section VI Class AA title in four seasons this year.  Joined the elite 1,000 point club at Jamestown this year during a season-high 40 point outburst against Lancaster, and was on fire against St. Joe's, scoring 31 points in the MMA/ECIC challenge.  In Jamestown's regional loss to eventual state champion Bishop Kearney,  he was aggressive in attacking the defense and showed his game could thrive against the best competition in the state.  Campion will continue his hoops career at Hobart next year.

 

Wil Bathurst - Olean, Junior

18.4 PPG /  8.0 RPG  /  3.3 APG  / 1.9 BPG  /  1.8 SPG

The do-it-all junior stands out to anyone watching a Huskies game for his smooth and effective style that controls the pace of games.  Was named Co-Player of the Year in CCAA I and Olean's Tip-off Tournament MVP. In the Huskies' sectional  championship win, Bathurst scored 19 points, grabbed 10 boards, dished nine assists, blocked seven shots, and had two steals.  Scored the go-ahead basket following a steal in the Far West Regionals, before Olean fell in a heart-breaker at the buzzer.

 

Sam Eckstrom - Olean, Junior

18.2 PPG /  8.0 RPG  /  1.9 BPG

The most fundamentally sound big man in WNY has already surpassed 1,000 points in his career, before his senior campaign even begins. Routinely draws the attention of opposing defenses and double teams, yet still thrives in the paint.  Was named Co-Player of the Year in CCAA I.  Scored a season-high 30 points against Fredonia, and did it in just under two and a half quarters.  Will continue to field several offers until he makes a decision on where he will continue to play after next season.

 

Jonathan Belton - Amherst, Senior

17 PPG  /  7.64 RPG  /   6.95 APG  / 4.7 SPG  / 1.3 BPG

Named first team All-ECIC, ECIC III Player of the Year, Jolly Boys Tournament MVP, and team MVP.  Led Amherst to a Class A2 title and a 20-game winning streak.  Scored in double figures in 20 of 22 games, and in one of the games he did not score double figures, he logged double-digits in assists and rebounds.  The Tigers looked to get the ball in his hands, not only because he was a playmaker, but also because he took care of the ball - Belton recorded a 3.6 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. 

 

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Third Team All-Centercourt

Keir Anderson - Middle College, Senior

 22 PPG /  4.6 RPG  /  3.5 APG  /   2.6 SPG  

Led the Kats to a second straight Class C1 title and a second place finish in Yale Cup I.  Scored a season-high 32 points in the C1 final against Oracle Charter, with 22 of those points coming during an explosive first half.  Went off for a triple-double in winning the rematch at East, including 31 points.  Over the final month of the season, Anderson averaged better than 25 points per game.  His leadership qualities could be seen on the court and heard in any of his postgame comments.  Named to First team All-High.

 

Aaron White - Canisius, Senior

11.5 PPG  /  5.0 APG  /  3.0 SPG

The floor general for the three-time Maanhattan Cup champs.  Manhattan Cup MVP.  Named First Team All-Catholic.  Selected as MVP at the RAP Classic.  Regarded by many as not only the best defender, but also the quickest guard in WNY.  Shifty with an outstanding handle, White would constantly shake down defenders and then blow past them.  Added a reliable three-point shot to his arsenal this year, making him even more dangerous.  

 

Matt MacDonald - Canisius, Senior

15.5 PPG  /  5.5 RPG  /  2.0 APG

Named to First Team All-Catholic.  Manhattan Cup all-tournament team.  Has a very high basketball IQ.  Possibly the best pure shooter in the area this season.  Deadly from beyond the arc and knocked down free throws like they were layups.  Was an obvious leader for the Crusaders and facilitated the offense at a high level.  Described by his coach, Kyle Husband, as one of the hardest workers he's ever had.

 

Darnell Carson - CSAT, Senior

23.6 PPG /  4.4 APG  /  3.8 SPG  / 2.9 RPG

Combines a ridiculous handle with exceptional quickness, and at times, makes it look like he's just toying with defenders.  He can drive, dish, and shoot, and was an exceptional defender, as evidenced by his eye-popping steals per game average.  Led the Eagles to the first unbeaten season the  N-O  league has seen in over a decade.  Led a wild 17-point second half comeback victory at Newfane, pouring in a career-high 35 points, while completely taking over the game.

 

Reyjzon Jordan - McKinley, Senior

10.4 PPG  /  6.0 RPG  /  6.0 SPG  /  5.4 APG  

Was the point guard for the state champion Macks and one of the top defenders in WNY.  The Yale Cup Player of the Year in 2012, Jordan was named to First Team All-High this season.  Selected to the Federation Class A all-tournament team, following his 15-point performance there.  

 

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Fourth Team All-Centercourt

JJ Wilkes - Niagara Falls, Senior

13 PPG  /  7 APG  /  4 SPG  /  2 RPG

The three-year varsity starter dealt with a knee injury that limited him to just 16 games including the postseason, but still turned in an outstanding campaign.  Widely regarded as a top defender in WNY, he scored a season-high 26 points in the Class AA semifinals against Kenmore West.  Hopes to attend Monroe CC (where Davon Marshall started) or Polk CC in Florida.

 

Paul Rath - St. Mary's, Senior

14.1 PPG  /  5.3 RPG  /  5.2 APG  /  4.2 SPG

Was at his best in big games, particularly in three games against Nichols and in a double overtime battle with St. Joe's.  The reining Centercourt Sixth-man of the year winner, Rath was selected to First Team All-Catholic.  Took MVP honors at the Jack silvernail and Depew Tournaments, along with the Pastor-Cooper Showcase and Cataract City Classic.  Is between Hilbert, Medaille, and Daemen for his colllege choice.

 

Nate Wilkinson - Iroquois, Senior

23.48 PPG  /  3.5 APG  /   2.43 SPG  /   2.0 RPG

Winner of Player of the Year honors in ECIC II and also selected to First Team All-ECIC.  Led the Chiels to the Class A2 championship game.  Scored a season-high 36 points and also registered a pair of 34-point outings.  Holds the school record for steals in a game (11) and tied a school record for points in a quarter (19). 

 

Tyrell Mitchell - South Park, Senior

26.25 PPG

Led the Sparks to their best season in years, as they reached the semifinals in Class A2.  A pure scorer who could hurt you anyplace on the court.  Owner of the single-game scoring mark in WNY for the 2013 season fir his career-high 41 point game. 

 

Daequan Warren - McKinley, Senior

11.0 PPG  /  8.0 RPG  /  4.0 SPG  /  3.0 APG

 A key starter for the Class A state champs and back-to-back Class A1 champs.  Selected to Second-Team All-High.  At 6-4, Warren moved and handled the ball beautifully and his style of play complemented what the Macks did perfectly.  Perhaps the most well-rounded of the Macks this season, Warren got better as the season wore on and by the end of the year, his contributions were invaluable.

 

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Fifth Team All-Centercourt

Zach Blask - Portville, Senior

18.8 PPG  /   7.5 APG  /  4.3 SPG

Voted the CCAA II Player of the Year.  Was content to score, defend, distribute, and handle the ball for the Panthers and was always the focal point of opposing defenses.  Led Portville to the Class C2 championship game, after a masterful performance against Maple Grove in the semifinals, in which he repeatedly broke the Red Dragons trademark pressure.   A career 1,000 point scorer, his season-high of 32 points came against Cattaraugus/Little Valley.

 

Gerald Bibbs - Oracle Charter, Senior

12.8 PPG  /  11.5 RPG  /  3.0 SPG  /  1.9 APG  /  1.7 BPG

 Voted the Charter School Player of the Year and also selected as team MVP.  Controlled activity in the paint and played even bigger than what he was listed at.  Led the Phoenix through a 19-game winning streak, that included wins against McKinley and North Tonawanda, all the way to the Class C1 final.  

 

Ryan Funk - Clarence, Junior

18 PPG  /  6 RPG  /  2 APG  /  1 SPG

A First Team All-ECIC selection and the only underclassmen to earn that honor.  Also named team MVP and choosen as the MVP of the Clarence Tournament.  Led a Red Devils team that was ranked all season, to the Class AA semifinals.  Scored a career-high 37 points against Lancaster and dropped 33 points on Lockport in the quarterfinals, including 19 second half points. 

 

Jake Haight - Barker, Junior

20.2 PPG  / 13.2 RPG  /  3.1 SPG  /  2.3 APG 

A First Team selection in the N-O after both his sophomore and junior campaigns.  Will enter his senior season with 978 career points.  Can hurt you from the perimeter, drive the lane for a dunk, or pull up someplace in between for a jumper.  Led Barker to the Class C1 semifinals after  a tough road win at Holland.

 

Clark Brueckl - Lake Shore, Senior

18.3 PPG  /  5 RPG

Named to First Team ECIC III.  A scorer with incredible range from outside.  Set the school record for 3-pointers in game with nine, and finished the season 67 total treys to his credit.   Lit up Pioneer for a season-high 39 points on 9/12 shooting from downtown.  Will attend Alfred next year.

 

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 HONORABLE MENTION

Stephen Marcey - Silver Creek, Senior

Ramir Burton - Niagara Falls, Senior

Quinton Campbell - Kenmore West, Senior

Louie Oliveri - St. Joe's, Senior

Jordan Glover  - St. Joe's, Senior

Jaylen Morris - St. Joe's, Senior

Demone Harris - Timon/St. Jude, Senior

Chaq Nettles - Williamsville South, Senior

Jamarr Cuningham - Oracle Charter, Senior

Eric Waters - Oracle Charter, Senior

Clayton Hess - Tonawanda, Senior

Alex Turecki - Amherst, Senior

Jordan Parker - Cleveland Hill, Senior

Ahmad Abdo - Lackawanna, Senior

Jovohn Owens - Hutch-Tech, Senior

Jack Mulcahey - Niagara Wheatfield, Senior

Dan Lictus - Clymer, Senior

Donte Williams - Timon/St. Jude, Junior

Dylan Meyer - Fredonia, Junior

Nick Schmidt - Olean, Junior

Luke Hennessey - Olean, Junior

Kevin Briggs - Middle College, Junior

Tyree Tyson - East, Junior

Johnathan Lewis - East, Junior

Brendan Cox - East Aurora, Junior

Kaine Kettle - Silver Creek, Junior

Bryan Jost - Clarence, Junior

Derrick Sekuterski - Depew, Junior

Zack Panebianco - Jamestown, Sophomore

Branden Kellam - Jamestown, Sophomore

Chris Miner - Nichols, Sophomore

Cam Lewis - Nichols, Sophomore

Bill Brooks - Silver Creek, Sophomore

Bryce Morrison -  Randolph, Sophomore

Zak Ciezlik - Cheektowaga, Sophomore

 

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42 

McKinley's Zaire Dorsey is Coach of the Year

When Zaire Dorsey finally returned to the locker room in Glens Falls where his players anxiously awaited him following McKinley's victory over Burke Catholic, he quietly strolled in, seemingly knowing what was coming next.  And what came next was a cooler of ice water being dumped on him by star guard Reyjzon Jordan, making it official - the Macks were state champions.  Dorsey's response was an exuberant grin, as he began bobbing up and down.  The team converged around him and joined in.  McKinley was finally having that moment of exhaltation and celebrating its crowning achievement that came from the perfect chemistry molded by one man's vision and belief in his players.

 

Dorsey took over a program with consistent track record of success in 2009.  At the time, McKinley had reached the sectional semifinals (now played at Buffalo State) for nine consecutive seasons.  Since becoming the head man behind the bench, Dorsey has not only maintained a marvelous level of success, but guided his team beyond anything they'd ever accomplished.  The semifinal streak has now been extended to 14 seasons, including in 2011 when the Macks BEDS numbers bumped them into the AA classification for a season.  In his five seasons as head coach, Dorsey has compiled of record of 91-22, a NYSPHAA state championship, three Section VI titles, and a pair of Yale Cups, including a 26-game win streak in league play after finishing a second consecutive unbeaten run.

 

Those familiar with the program built by Dorsey, know that McKinley is renowned for its blistering style of high-pressure defense and waves of seemingly always fresh bodies coming at you, wreaking havoc.  It has drawn comparisons to the LaSalle teams of the late 80's and early 90's for the 32 minutes of hell approach that overwhelms many and simply wears down the rest.  Dorsey's players, who speak reverently about the man who created a family with his tough but always fair love, will tell you that those 32 minutes of hell are made possible by the tone, expectations, and required effort that are trademarks of afterschool practices over on Elmwood Avenue.

 

The team's motto, "Macks show no fear", is fitting, and certainly reflective of a team that embodies the spirit of its coach.  The trademark scowl that is permanantly affixed on Dorsey's face as he prowls the sidelines is mirrored in the intensity of his players.  The way he bellows a player's name when they miss their assignment is they same way they hold each other accountable on the court and constantly demand the most of each other.  The style and class that Dorsey carries himself with, always decked out in a sharp suit, carries over in the way his team takes the court before every game and handles themselves following them.  And the coach's supreme confidence in his team is equalled by the players' belief in both him, and ultimately each other.

 

McKinley made it throughout the first half of its season with just one blemish - a one-point loss in game three that came at the buzzer to St. Joe's, without the services of starter Daequan Warren or sixth man Dante Thompson.  They had opened the season with a convincing victory over Timon/St. Jude, followed by a 105-22 drubbing of Dunkirk.  After dropping the contest to St. Joe's, the Macks plowed through the first half of their Yale Cup schedule, winning those games by an average margin of 27.5 points.  They also routed top ten large school, Clarence, along the way by a score of 88-62.

 

The midway point of the season would also mark a turning point of sorts for the Macks.  They faced the then second ranked Canisius Crusaders in the MLK Classic in a game that was a great barometer of two of WNY's best.  After a tightly contested first half, the game got away in the third quarter when McKinley came out flat, and suffered its worst loss of the season, 78-60.  A week later, the Macks hosted a relatively unknown small charter school, Oracle Charter, amidst an impressive win streak against mostly inferior opponents.  Oracle made a name for itself on that Friday evening, stunning McKinley on its homecourt.

 

"The Canisius game was like a knockout, and we weren't recovered", Dorsey said.  "But both of those losses were the best thing that could've happened  because it brought us back down to earth.  At the time we had some guys who didn't have the proper respect for other people and opponents...but we got that taken care of".

 

Did they ever.

 

The game that ensued was a 111-48 win over Class A2 semifinalist South Park.  The Macks made it through the second half of its Yale Cup schedule with the closest game being a 13-point win and an average margin of victory reaching 34.5 points.  After plowing through Grand Island in the quarterfinals, McKinley dismantled Williamsville South, before finishing off Hutch-Tech for a third time to claim a Section VI title.  Then came the overall Class A final, a classic that McKinley took over Amherst in come-from-behind fashion, and sent them racing out of Buffalo.

 

McKinley blew the roof off of Blue Cross Arena in the second half of the Far West Regional against Aquinas, winning by 27 points.  Similarly, in the third quarter of the state semifinal against Bishop Ludden, the Macks put the game away in a 15-point win to earn a shot at the Class A state title.  Once there, McKinley quickly showed they belonged, and by the fourth quarter, had built a nine-point lead over Burke Catholic.  But in just over a two-minute span, the Macks lost their lead and suddenly trailed late.  Dorsey recalled that same scenario occuring less than two weeks earlier against Amherst.

 

"Against Amherst, we were up and lost the lead.  Coming back to win that gave us the confidence we needed for that championship game".

 

McKinley overcame deficits of three and two points in the final minute of regulation, forcing overtime in the Class A state championship game.  They owned the extra session, and the rest is history, literally.  McKinley is the only Section VI school to win a Class A state title since the AA classification was added.

 

Beyond all the x's and o's, past the motivating words and the serious scowl, is a great man that built a family with the boys he's watched grow over the last four years at Mack High.  It was something he thanked his players for in his postgame speech following the championship.  For allowing him to be part of their families, for being part of his, for becoming one together.  

 

The two lasting memories I'll take with me forever from my 2013 trip to Glens Falls when McKinley won it all, happened after the game.  

 

First, as the players celebrated in a mob scene on the court, I looked to find where he was.  He was heading the other direction by himself.  Then I realized why - he was going to his little girl, who jumped in to the arms of her father.  "They've (his family) had to share me a lot the last few months," he said.

 

The second lasting memory is of Dorsey mopping the floor of the Glens Falls locker room after all the celebration.   He didn't leave the floor soaked in ice water for someone else to take care of.  He finished what they had started.  Just like his Macks did on the court this season.  

 

As I drove back to WNY on that Sunday night after the Macks were crowned, I called Dorsey to congratulate him.  After we spoke briefly, he confirmed that I was heading home that night.  The last thing he said to me spoke volumes of why his players love him and why the success at McKinley will continue for years to come.  "Do me one favor" he said, "send me a text when you get home, so I know you made it back alright".

 

Congratulations to Zaire Dorsey, the 2013 Coach of the Year.  They couldn't have done it without you.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42