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

Comments

[Earl Schunk]

Well said...nothing more to add than you have there already.

[John Moore]

Did McKinley run more than one offensive set all year? Curious how a guy can get coach of the year simply because his team won because of depth and elite talent. He was as much a spectator at these games as the crowd. Does the best team's coach always get your COY?

Not to mention how classless Dorsey was in the final when he lied to the ref and tried to convince him that it was Morris that was fouled and should be shooting the free throws and not the actual player who was fouled. Classless and a poor example for his players.

[sal]

His kids play really hard and that just doesn't happen. as far as what happened in final game never heard that before but do know of a coach that did do that and he gets nothing but praise. careful throwing stones

[fullcourt1]

I agree; yes MCKINLEY had talent and depth but they also had FERVENT INTENSITY and GREAT CHEMISTRY which doesn't happen by accident.

[John Les]

Obviously there is only one aspect to coaching and that is running offensive sets. You bring up a great point John Moore. All the other stuff coaches teach and do is pointless. John Moore is a freaking genius.

Another good point made by John Moore regarding the "elite talent" and depth at McKinley. Possibly the most D-I players ever to come out of one school in a season and the deepest bench in HS history. Wait, who came off the bench for McKinley again? Anyway, can't wait to watch the McKinley starting 5 at Kentucky next year. Another state run this year for McKinley is inevitable as well with all the depth that returns.

[centercourt]

In my opinion, Moore or Les, Zaire Dorsey is not only an excellent coach, he's one of the best and will stand the test of time. He's off to an amazing start after five seasons.

Yale Cup I teams will all play six nonleague games in 2014, meaning many or all may have openings in their schedules. East vs Olean in a B1/B2 crossover preview? Yes please!

6-6 Tanner Schmit will return to Nichols after playing his sophomore campaign at Clarence. Schmit said the move was not basketball related and spoke highly of the Red Devils and Clarence coach Todd Banaszak.

[sal]

JUly 20th NFHS team Camp at NFHS, top teams competing come check it out