The View From Centercourt

East wins tournament at Aquinas

 

One of the early season themes this year in WNY has been that Olean's once young squad is finally a senior laden group, expecting to make a push for a state championship in Class B, after preparing for 18 games with an ambitious independent schedule.  The only thing that has prevented local hoop followers from anointing them is the possibility that there might be a better team in Class B within the same section - the East High Panthers.  I've certainly discussed that East should be heeded, but have continued to give Olean the nod in the rankings, taking a wait-and-see approach.  Well the wait is over, and I saw all I needed to last night.  Forget about whether or not Rasheed Paul is available to East this season, forget about what happened last season or the one before, and forget about the cohesion & chemistry of other teams.  After the display I witnessed last night, I'm convinced that East won't lose a game this season - something they've felt since before the ball even began bouncing this year.

 

East battled through injury and foul trouble, and after making road trips to Rochester on consecutive days, captured the Mike Dianetti Aquinas Tournament championship by defeating the previously unbeaten hosts, Aquinas of Class AA, 75-62.  East's Johnathan Lewis scored a game-high 32 points, to go with seven rebounds and seven steals in the title game, and was awarded tournament MVP.  

 

In the early going, Aquinas jumped out to a 9-2 lead, held the Panthers without a field goal for the first three minutes and with just two minutes remaining in the opening quarter, the Lil Irish held a 17-9 advantage.  East got a spark from Lewis when he drilled his first of four 3-pointers in the game and they finished the last two minutes of the quarter on an 11-4 run that ended with a Percy Bryant trey at the buzzer.  Aquinas led 21-20 after eight minutes.

 

Just 30 seconds into the second quarter, East's big man Tyree Tyson who already had five points and three boards, went down to the hardwood after suffering a hyper-extended knee and was unable to return.  At the time, it seemed like Aquinas would be too much for the Panthers to overcome without his presence in the paint.  Instead, the Panthers continued to keep pace with the Lil Irish and even took their first lead of the game, before heading into the intermission trailing by three, 39-36.

 

Less than two minutes into the second half, East starter AJ Ayala was whistled with his fourth personal foul and forced to the bench.  Aquinas netted a pair of free throws to take a 43-38 lead and with two of East's starters off the court, it seemed like things would start to get away from the Panthers.  However, the backcourt tandem of Lewis and Bryant had other ideas.  On the ensuing possession, Lewis sank a trey from the side and the energy from East started to turn up.  A minute later, Bryant got a circus layup to fall and after East forced a turnover, he buried one from downtown.  Just like that, East had a 46-43 lead, and they would never trail again.  The '3' from Lewis had begun a sequence where the Panthers held Aquinas without a field goal for four minutes, as East used a 17-2 run to take a 55-45 lead late in the third quarter.

 

"They're the top pair of guards around, they're so quick and keep the pressure up the whole game" East head coach Starling Bryant said of Lewis & Bryant following the contest.  "They really took it upon themselves when Tyree went down to make sure we won this game".

 

Lewis and Bryant combined for 33 of the 39 second half points scored by the Panthers and were relentless on both ends of the court, controlling the game and dictating the tempo.  Their effort was contagious, as Ayala, Damone Brown, Shaun Young, and Ricardo Humphrey all combined to keep Aquinas off the glass and constantly pressured in its own end.  East held a 46-33 advantage on the glass and forced 21 Lil Irish turnovers.  

 

East never allowed the Lil Irish to get any closer than six points during the fourth quarter.  Every effort Aquinas made to close the gap was answered by the Panthers.  Over the final eight minutes, as the game became more hotly contested and things began to get chippy, East seemed more in its element than ever, and it became obvious they weren't going to let its lead slip away.

 

"This team is playing with a big chip on its shoulder and it got even bigger when Tyson went down.  They're tired of hearing about Olean and Canisius. I knew there was no way these boys were losing this game" Bryant said.  

 

As the season progresses and we move closer to the postseason, don't expect East to start looking over its shoulder...the chip that's sitting there is far too big to see over anyway.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

State Rankings - Week 2

 

The second state rankings of the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class A

Canisius #4

McKinley #23

Timon #25

 

Class B

East #1

Olean #3

St. Mary's #18

 

Class C

Middle College #5

Silver Creek # 20

 

Class D

Sherman #2

Clymer #14

 

** According to the rankings:

- There are at least three Section V teams in Class AA better than any team from Section VI

- Canisius will face Bishop Ludden in the Class A Federation Tournament

- East should win a Class B Federation crown

- Middle College & Silver Creek duel again at season's end, but this year it's at JCC

- Sherman remains a state title contender

 

 Click here for a complete list of state rankings.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Poll Ballots - Week 2 - 2014

 

As a pollster for the Buffalo News, I'm asked to send in my weekly ballots ranking the top ten large and small schools.  The polls are based on games played through Sunday of each week.  Here's a look at how I see them and some of the rationale used to get there.

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius (MMA) - The three-time defending Manhattan Cup champions open the season with wins over the likes of Nazereth & Olean after graduating a pair of D1 players and a couple more who landed in D3...and doing it with three underclassmen in the starting lineup.  What was that 80's drama - Dallas? No....Knots Landing? No....Oh yeah, Dynasty.

2. Timon/St. Jude (MMA) -  Let's go boys!  I'm voting the Timon Tigers, a team I've been tough on in the polls the last few years,  number two.  They deserve it.  Loses have been to Aquinas, Olean, & East, not bad loses.  Wins over Williamsville North and St. Mary's carry a lot of weight right now, especially with the way the Lancers are playing this year.  Are they good enough to trip up the team I have above them?  Maybe, but only if Donte & Company decide all decide to lay it on the line for 32 minutes, something I'm still waiting to see out of this very talented group - and the reason I began this blurb with, let's go boys!

3. Clarence (AA) - A fast start to the season for the Red Devils until the hit a speed bump called St. Mary's.  It only makes sense that Saints would win out over Devils at this time of year, after all - 'tis the season'.  The good news for Clarence, those early quality wins keep you here on my ballot.

4.  Williamsville North (AA) - Erased a 15-point deficit against Jamestown in three minutes.  Life got in the way of me writing a post about that game, but I didn't forget about it.  How could I?  Nice comeback & nice '3' Jack...Maceo Jack that is.

5.  Jamestown (AA) - Someone said it to me this way following the collapse at North - "If somebody put a gun to my head and asked who the best team in Class AA was, I'd still say Jamestown.  They were up 15 in the 4th, lost in the final seconds, on the road, and if they could have hit a free throw it never happens".  I just looked around the room and don't see any firearms displayed, so I'm sticking with the results - the Red Raiders get slotted here behind the Spartans.

6. St. Joe's (MMA) - Speaking of voting based on results, the Marauders get this spot, ahead of the Macks, for beating them over the weekend for a third straight year.  Wins over Lockport & McKinley deserve some love.  Maybe the loss at Park earlier in the week says more about how good those Pioneers really are.

7. McKinley (A1) - Despite their recent struggles with the Marauders, the Macks have done just fine the last few seasons (actually like the last 15 seasons).  They still have a 28-game winning streak active in the Yale Cup and a nonleague games against Clarence and Williamsville North after the break that could get them back up to the top half of this poll.

8.  Amherst (A2) - The Tigers are rolling along with their only loss coming to Clarence on a buzzer-beater.  They'll look to capture another Jolly Boys Tournament title at Williamsville South over the break.

9.  Kenmore West (AA) - After opening their season with a loss against the blistering pace of McKinley, the Blue Devils are off to a 5-0 start in the NFL, including taking the first meeting against both Lockport and North Tonawanda.

10. Lockport (AA) - The Lions two losses were in overtime to St. Joe's and by three points at Kenmore West.  They still haven't put it all together - watch out if they do, there's a lot of talent at Lockport this year.

 

Small Schools

1. Olean (B1) - If they were starting to puff their chests out about the way the season started, the Canisius loss should remind them that nothing wass promised last season and nothing is promised this season - everything they achieve, they'll have to earn.  With that said, I don't think any team in WNY was beating the Crusader team that took the court on Saturday.  The Huskies are a much better team than they showed this weekend.

2. East (B2) - I'm keeping them here at number two until I see Rasheed Paul in the lineup.  With him and the addition of AJ Ayala, the Panthers have a legitimate case for the top spot.  Without Paul, they may still have a case.  But if the wins continue, and when Paul is playing, I'll give East a bump.

3. St. Mary's (MMA) - The Lancers scored a big time 15-point win against Clarence over the weekend and chased it with a 30-point thumping of City Honors.  Lancer, what is your profession? 

4. Fredonia (B1) - The Hillbillies picked up a quality road win in a nonleaguer against Lackawanna.  Over the break, they play in the Clarence Tournament.

5. Park (MMA) - The Pioneers have beaten everyone they've faced except Canisius (12-point home loss).  These guys seem like they're for real, as evidenced by home wins over St. Joe's, Silver Creek, and Health Sciences.

6. Middle College (C1) - Played St. Mary's tight to the vest and earned a recent rout at Hutch-Tech behind a monster game from Kevin Briggs (35 points & 12 assists).

7. Nichols (MMA) - Pounded on Depew without the services of Tanner Schmit.  Quite a turnaround from the team that got pounded on by Lancaster with Schmit playing.  Sounds like the Vikings can be as good as they want to be.  On my ballot, they're as good as number seven for now.

 8. Sherman (D) - Anyone remember reading how Randolph blew out Maple Grove by over 50 points?  Well Sherman just beat Randolph.  These guys are a state title contender in Class D

9. Silver Creek (C1) - The wins are piling up for the Black Knights almost as fast as the triple-doubles are mounting for Billy Brooks.  

10. Randolph (C2) - The overtime loss at Sherman slides them down a few spots on my ballot, but I'm still big on the Cardinals this season and their chances of making a postseason splash.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Canisius removes any doubt as to who's #1 in WNY

 

Polls and debates about which team is better and who could beat who make for some interesting banter throughout the basketball season.  Sometimes it takes until the end of the season to find out the answer.  Some years the debate carries into April because top teams play in different leagues or classes, and never end up facing each other.   But for a second straight in WNY, the top ranked large and small schools, also regarded as the very best representing the area, got together for an early season tilt to settle local bragging rights, assuming the teams can maintain their rankings.  And unlike last season's game that went down to the final minute and left spectators room to continue the conversation, we got a firm answer about which team should be considered the best WNY  has to offer.  

 

Before a near capacity crowd at the Bernard J. Kennedy Field House at Canisius High School on Saturday afternoon, the Crusaders scored a convincing 67-49 victory over Olean.  The win improves Canisius to 5-0 on the season, a record that also includes a win over defending CHSAA state champion Nazereth.  For the Huskies, it's their first setback (4-1) in a season where they play a brutal independent schedule in hopes of seasoning a squad for a state title run.  

 

Early on, the game and atmosphere displayed all the intensity you could hope for in a highly anticipated duel of top teams.  The first quarter saw the lead change six times and included a pair of ties.  Olean's last lead 8-7 on a basket bt Dante Tarr at the 2:51 mark of the opening quarter.  Canisius held a 13-10 advantage following the first stanza.  Midway throught he second quarter with the score favoring the Crusaders, 22-19, Canisius stole the game's momentum when Stafford Trueheart rose up behind the Husky's defense and flushed a beautifully thrown lob from fellow sophomore teammate Howard Washington.  The play got the field house rocking and was followed up by a Michael Keenahan 3-pointer, giving Canisius a 27-19 lead.  

 

The game went to intermission with the Crusaders in front, 29-24, but would soon get blown wide open.  Canisius began to disrupt the offense of Olean, while getting its mojo going in its own end, resulting in a 16-2 run that pushed the score to 45-26.  It would prove to be more than the Huskies could overcome, as they trailed by double figures for the remainder of the game.

 

The biggest difference in the game through my eyes was the defensive pressure and rebounding from Canisius, made possible by the athletes on its roster.  They are more of a matchup nightmare for Olean this season.  The Huskies couldn't score inside and struggled equally from the perimeter, connecting on just two shots from downtown after 20 attempts.  Canisius held a 55-34 advantage cleaning up the glass, and only one of the Husky players (Wil Bathurst) finished with double figures in scoring.  He was just 9 of 23 from the field in reaching a game-high 21 points.  

 

 Trueheart and TJ Wheatley did a great job defending Olean's Sam Eckstrom inside and held him to just two field goals and six points.  Trueheart played like he was the highly touted big man in WNY, and Wheatley, who won't be out-muscled by anyone I've seen, moved Eckstrom away from the basket, altered his shots, and kept him off the glass.  Ryan Richards (my pick for the player of the game) was a force on both ends - defending, rebounding, getting out in transition, and converting both passes and second chance points around the basket.  Josh Huffman came off the bench and frustrated the Huskies with his quickness and intense defense.  Washington and Keenahan both did a great job of staying with Olean's guards, handling the ball, and facilitating the offense.  And I still haven't mentioned LaTerrance Reed, who just makes Canisius go.  Reed has a great motor, is another solid defender, and can flat out score. 

 

Richards big game included a team-high 19 points, along with 10 boards. Reed scored 14 points, Washington had 13 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds. Trueheart scored 10 points and ripped down a game-high 16 rebounds.  Keenahan scored seven points and dished eight dimes.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

Lancer win highlights Friday's games at the challenge

 

Friday was night two of the three-day AdPro Public/Private Challenge held at Canisius High School.  Following Friday's results, the Monsignor Martin Association held a 4-1 advantage through five games over the public school participants.

 

St. Mary's 58, Clarence 53

In a battle between both the third ranked large and small schools in WNY, it was the smaller neighbor of Clarence who scored a large win.  Matt Wrobel scored 10 of his game-high 25 points in the third quarter, helping his Lancers create a lead Clarence was unable to recover from.  After being locked at 24 apiece at the break, St. Mary's used a 10-0 run late in the third quarter to gain a 49-39 advantage heading into the final stanza.  The Lancers held Clarence's Ryan Funk in check most of the second half, limiting the scoring machine to one field goal and four points over the final 16 minutes.  St. Mary's dashed any hopes the Red Devils had of mounting a late comeback as they answered every basket scored by Clarence over the final eight minutes.

Cory Kiebzak and Latrell Tyson each finished with 12 points for St. Mary's.  Funk led Clarence with 16 points, while Bryan Jost scored 14 points. 

 

Lancaster 56, Walsh 53

The Redskins trailed by six points in the third quarter, when Mike Spengler canned his first of two treys during a 10-2 run that gave Lancaster some momentum as the teams headed into the fourth quarter, tied at 43.  With under three minutes remaining in the game, Lancaster was up by five, before a late push by Walsh tied things up at 53 each in the game's final minute.  As the final seconds ticked off the game clock, Spengler hoisted up a trey from the left side that swished through cleanly with 3.9 seconds showing, lifting Lancaster to the win.

Mike Spengler finished with 15 points to lead the Redskins, while Andy Fellner scored 12 points, and Collin Murray added 11 points.  Gregor Greer scored a game-high 20 points for the Eagles, Buzz Watson  added 18 points, and Adam Moore chipped in with 12 points.

 

Cardinal O'Hara 70, Alden 63

Zach Glowacki poured in a game-high 33 points for the Hawks, who pulled away in the fourth quarter.  O'Hara trailed in the third quarter, before gaining a three-point advantage after the third quarter.  The Bulldogs were paced by 22 points from Dylan Dussault.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

First state rankings are out

 

The first state rankings of the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Jamestown #25

 

Class A

Canisius #5

McKinley #11

Timon #25

 

Class B

Olean #1

East #2

St. Mary's #16

 

Class C

Middle College #5

Silver Creek #15

Randolph #19

 

Class D

Sherman #2

Clymer #7

 

** According to the rankings:

- Canisius is the top Class A CHSAA team in the state

- McKinley is heading back to Glens Falls

- An Olean/East crossover game at Buffalo State would serve as the real Class B Federation championship game

- Middle College makes it to Glens Falls

- Sherman should play for a state championship this year

 

** The most glaring omission in my opinion is Fredionia in Class B - not even an honorable mention.

 

Click here for a complete list of state rankings.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Barker's time is now

 

With over 100 teams competing in the WNY high school basketball scene, there's always going to be some very good players you've never of.  But if you spend any time reading this blog, you're aware of the kid that's turning heads in the northeastern end of Niagara County.  By the end of the season, you may even gain some familiarity with his teammates.  Last night I watched a team that looks poised to make a run in the postseason, a group that is far from a one-man show.

 

Barker got a game-high 18 points from senior career 1,000 point scorer Jake Haight and another well-rounded outing from his supporting cast, as they had no trouble disposing of Pembroke of Section V, 67-31.  With the win, the Raiders improve their record to 4-0 on the season.

 

It didn't take long for Haight to make an impact on the game.  After Pembroke took control of the ball following a sloppy scramble off the opening tip, Haight stole the first pass of the game and was off in the other direction, finishing with a one-handed slam.  Minutes later, he was off to the races on another break, but this time it was contested by a Pembroke defender.  Haight glided through the air, faked a pass to a trailing teammate, and then softly laid it in like he was Dr. J playing in the ABA.  On the very next possession, he swished a 3-pointer that gave him eight points in the first five minutes.  Mitch Luckman, who also netted eight points in the opening stanza, banged a pair of treys to end the quarter, giving Barker a 16-7 lead.

 

Early in the second quarter, the Raiders used a 9-0 run (four points apiece from Haight & Luckman) to take a commanding 25-9 lead.  The teams headed to intermission with Barker in front 29-14 and with the outcome seeming to be a foregone conclusion.  Three minutes into the second half, Christopher Sweeney (four second half 3-pointers) had begun to heat up from the perimeter and the Raiders extended their lead to 21 points.  After carrying a 47-27 advantage into the game's final frame, Barker pushed its lead to 59-29 in less than three minutes, and gave way to the reserves over the final five minutes of the contest.  Even the Raider reserves were feeling it, outscoring the Dragons, 8-2, during the final span.

 

This Barker team is active defensively and they like to go after the ball.  That style is made possible by the interior presence of Bryce Moeller.  There were no heights listed in the program, but Moeller has to go about 6-6 with long arms.  He was excellent at rejecting or altering the shots of any Pembroke player able to penetrate inside or beat a gambling defender.  He also did a nice job on the boards.

 

Luckman does a lot of the ball handling for Barker, is a strong, competitive kid, and can hurt you from outside.  He finished with 17 points, with 12 of those coming in the first half.  Sweeney added 14 points for Barker, and as I alluded to above, shows off a nice touch from outside.  Haight looks about 6-3, and can do it all.  Athletically, he was at another level from the others in the game and plays with a free spirited style that makes it evident as to just how much he enjoys playing the game.  His all-around effort included six rebounds, six assists, five blocks, and three steals.

 

According to the banners on the wall, the last time Barker won a league championship was 1978.  I think it might be safe for the locals to begin planning a parade, because I'd be very surprised if there's another team in the N-O that will challenge this year's Barker squad from capturing its first league championship in 36 years.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42 

Poll Ballots - Week 1 - 2014

As a pollster for the Buffalo News, I'm asked to send in my weekly ballots ranking the top ten large and small schools.  The polls are based on games played through Sunday of each week.  Here's a look at how I see them and some of the rationale used to get there.

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius (MMA) - You can't start the season much better than knocking off the defending CHSAA Class A state champions, who brought back four starters, two of which will play for Manhattan College.  Even more impressive, the Crusaders did it with four new starters - three of which are underclassmen, including two sophomores.  

2. McKinley (A1) - They've only played once, but showed enough in 32 minutes this season that I'm comfortable putting them this high, despite returning no starters. 

3. Jamestown (AA) - Opened with a 20-point home loss to Greece Athena before hammering Bennett the following night.  I'll give them the nod as the top Class AA school because they've earned that respect.  Greece Athena might be the top Class AA school between here and Syracuse, and possibly beyond.

4. Clarence (AA) - Tough to start off any better than the Red Devils have, and they certainly have an argument to be ahead of Jamestown.  But I'll need to see them end a 13-game skid to the Red Raiders or see Jamestown lose tomorrow at Williamsville North before they'll get the bump.

5. Timon/St. Jude (MMA) - Despite losses to East, Olean, and Aquinas, I think the Tigers grab this spot on the strength of their win against Williamsville North at the Cataract City Classic. I also think the losses they suffered would happen to all the teams I have below them.

6. Williamsville North (AA) - Rebounded from an overtime loss to Timon and a last second home loss to Clarence, with a nice victory over visiting Lancaster.   Jamestown comes a knocking tomorrow night, which likely means another dramatic finish for the Spartans - one they hope to be on a different end of this time around.

7. Amherst (A2) - Loss to Clarence on an Elliott Case buzzer-beater gets them a spot right next to the Spartans who also lost by two points to the Red Devils.

8. St. Joe's (MMA) - Winners of the Lockport Tournament have a full plate this week, playing Bishop Kearney, Park, and McKinley.

9. Lockport (AA) - A 3-1 start with its only loss in overtime to St. Joe's.  A very important week for the Lions as they visit both Kenmore West and North Tonawanda.  We'll know by week's end if they are really the Kings of the jungle, or at least the NFL.

10. Kenmore West (AA) - Rebounded from a season-opening loss to McKinley with a pair of 40-point wins and then went into the Lumber Yard and handed North Tonawanda a 10-point loss.  Tomorrow night is a big one for the Blue Devils against visiting Lockport.

 

Small Schools

1. Olean (B1) - After taking care of Timon at home, the Huskies went out to Rochester and made a statement at Bishop Kearney in a 20-point win over the defending Class AA state champions.  That result swayed me, because until then, I had a different team in mind for number one.

2. East (B2) - The Panthers have just one game in the books, but it was a doozy - a 23-point win against Timon - the same Timon that lost by only five at Olean.  As I wrote above, the Huskies beating Kearney swayed me, but if Rasheed Paul enters the East lineup and puts them at yet another level, I might just sway back.

3. St. Mary's (MMA) - Led the entire contest against Middle College and looked like a team with a lot of chemistry along the way.  Lancer Nation will be a tough out this season.

4. Fredonia (B1) - Tough to gage them early on with a win over Falconer/Frewsburg and a loss to Greece Athena.  But recalling the team from last season and judging by the start Dylan Meyer is having, they should be highly regarded.  The Hillbillies are at Lackawanna tomorrow night.

5. Randolph (C2) - Cardinals 74, Maple Grove 19 - no, that's not a football score. The rematch is tomorrow, sorry Red Dragons.

6. Middle College (C1) - I saw enough from the Kats in their loss to St. Mary's to know they belong up here and that they'll be at JCC at season's end looking for another sectional crown.

7. Nichols (MMA) - They beat a very good Cleveland Hill team in a game that I saw, then lost badly to Lancaster in one that I missed.  But from what I did see of them, I'd take them over...

8. Park (MMA) - the Pioneers, who have joined the MMA this year and started fast.  Earned a pair of significant wins this weekend against Health Sciences and Silver Creek, after trailing in both contests.  Host Canisius tomorrow night.

9. Silver Creek (C1) - Billy Brooks has been phenomonal for the Black Knights, who will be a dangerous team once again when they get Kaine Kettle back in their lineup.

10. Health Sciences (B2) - The Falcons have started 6-1, with their only loss coming at Park by five points.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Snowy weekend of hoops in WNY

 

Despite all the snow that has been dumped on WNY (and everywhere for that matter), there was plenty of high school basketball played.   I made it out to five games over the weekend and followed along on twitter and preptalklive for the others.  My apologies for the lack of stories/posts this weekend - between the snow, the impending holidays, a daughter's birthday, and a family that likes my company & attention when I'm not at the games, computer time has been tough to come by.  With all that said, here's a smattering of thoughts from this weekend:

 

Canisius is good

- For a second straight season, the Crusaders win the Tom Keenan Memorial Tournament by knocking off Nazereth.  When it happened last season, it turned out to be a preview of the CHSAA Class A state championship game.  What makes this year's tournament victory for more impressive to me - Nazereth returned four starters from last year's state championship team...Canisius brought back one (Ryan Richards) from its runner-up squad.  In my opinion, considering the opponent, it was the most impressive victory of Kyle Husband's coaching career.

We've all heard plenty about Howard Washington by now. After seeing him play twice this weekend, I now understand why he's so highly sought after.  He stays within the game, stays under control, and keeps his teammates involved.  Against Fordham Prep on Friday, he quietly scored 20 points and then finished with just five points on Saturday, but seemed equally effective in both games.  He's a great example of a player who doesn't look to get his, but rather looks to help his team get theirs.  

The other Crusader sophomore in the starting lineup, Stafford Trueheart, made a huge impression on me.  He is the best big man Canisius has had since Gordon Lyons, and when it's all said and done, he will likely be the best big man Canisius has ever had. Period.  Trueheart is active, athletic, and long.  He held his own against the inside presence of a pair of future D1 players for Nazereth, including a wicked rejection of 6-9 Manhattan commit Sampson Akilo.  He combined to score 27 points in the tournament, and most, if not all of those points  came without Canisius looking inside to him as its first offensive option.  If the Crusaders ever run their sets looking to get him esablished inside this season, I'd expect some monster stat lines.

 

Olean is also good 

- I didn't see the game, but the Huskies traveled to Bishop Kearney on Friday and used a strong second half to earn an 89-69 victory over the defending Class AA state champions.  Sam Eckstrom went off for a career-high 38 points in the win, an impressive feat considering the Kings had both Branden Kellam and Joseph Gause inside for him to contend with.  The Huskies are off to a 4-0 start and appear hungrier than ever to make this their year to bring another state championship back home.  If you have plans this Saturday afternoon, you better change them now.  Olean is at Canisius for a scheduled 3:30 pm tip.  The game is the fourth of a quadruple-header, so the tip time may be delayed.  I'd still get there early and find a seat, and you can watch McKinley and St. Joe's go at it while you wait.

 

Amherst downs Maryvale to open ECIC III league play

- TC Brown and Jordan Nwora each netted 20 points for the Tigers in a 71-61 win over the visiting Flyers.  Amherst raced out to a 9-0 lead in the first three minutes and never allowed Maryvale to get any closer than three points, which happened early in the second quarter, before the Tigers stretched the lead back to seven points at halftime.  The Tigers showed off a deep rotation littered with underclassmen, that kept the energy fresh all game.

It was another father/son Kensy vs. Kensy battle between Mark (Maryvale) and Chris (Amherst). However this season, former Maryvale assistant, Garrett Kensy (Chris' brother), has joined the Amherst bench.  He is the head coach for the JV Tigers, and now also the right-hand man for Chris.

Both schools had great fan representation at the game, with Amherst using a whiteout theme.  Following the game, Tiger fans stormed the court.  It seemed a little unnecessary, considering it was just the league opener.  But since game security wasn't expecting it and the fans were all fired up, I say have at it.

My favorite moment of the game was watching the Maryvale cheerleading coach berate one of her cheerleaders for doing backflips.  Not sure what the problem was, but she came flying out to half court from the baseline to yell at her cheerleader.  That couldn't have waited until she returned to the baseline?  Not sure if she was looking to make an example out of the student, but from the fan commentary I could hear around me, combined with my own thinking, the only person who looked bad was the cheerleading coach.  Ready? OK!

 

The best player no one is talking about?

- I'd like to nominate Silver Creek junior Billy Brooks for that category.  Here's his two-game stat line from the Park Tournament:

58 points - 28 rebounds - 15 assists - 14 blocks

On Friday, he was two blocks shy of a quadruple-double.  Saturday, he scored 21 of the Black Knight's 25 second half points, including all 16 of their points in the fourth quarter.  Against Olean, he scored 16 points, while Sam Eckstrom finished with 18 points in their head-to-head battle. I suspect Brooks had to side away from Eckstrom to help his teammates defensively, while the opposite was unlikely required.  

The analogy I've been using to describe Brooks style - picture a super coordinated 5-9 player with great hands and vision saying, "If I was like 6-8, I would dominate inside".  That's Billy Brooks, except he is 6-8.  He lacks the classic post moves and footwork that players like Eckstrom and Will Regan use to command the paint, but his feel for the game, his coordination, and his timing could land him in the D1 ranks by the end of his prep days.  

You would expect a guy his size to own the glass and block shots - check & check, big time.  But then you see his passing and really start to become impressed.  Touch passes, kick outs, threading it inside to a cutting player, and behind-the-back passes like he's holding a lacrosse stick.  And nevermind any cliches like "he plays in Class C...look who he's playing against...he should dominate, he's 6-8".  If you can ball, you can ball. He can ball. He is dominating, and he's putting up the kind of numbers from a big man that I haven't seen since James Ewing left Cardinal O'Hara in 2008.

 

Park Tournament

- I went to the Park Tournament on Friday to check out Health Sciences, who started the year 5-0.  I saw all of the Silver Creek/Buffalo Arts game and most of the first quarter of Park/Health Sciences.  With Health Sciences up by double-digits early, I figured it was safe to head over to Amherst, thinking I could watch Health Sciences in the championship game on Saturday afternoon following the Tom Keenan Tournament.

Instead, Park came back and earned a 57-51 victory over the Falcons.

The following day, I returned and watched Park down Silver Creek, 48-42.  Derek Cheatom scored the go ahead basket with 58 seconds remaining in the game for the Pioneers, putting them up, 44-42.  Brooks missed a shot to tie the game with 13.8 seconds remaining and was then whistled for his fifth foul.  

Park has won all seven of the games it has played this season, but its record is now 2-5.  The Pioneers were forced to forfeit their first five wins after ineligibility of one of their players was discovered.  Regardless, this team can play and will be a factor among the Class B schools in the Monsignor Martin.  My brief takeaway from the few minutes I saw of Health Sciences - they are deep and very good too.  So good, I'll be making it a point to see more of them this season.  Good enough to challenge East in Class B2?  Probably not, but I'll be shocked if they don't make it to Buffalo State this season on a mission to prove me wrong about that.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Funk leads Red Devils past North

 

If the opening night of ECIC I league play gives us any true indication of what's in store this season, then we're in for a treat.  Clarence and Williamsville North gave us a look into mid-season league competitiveness on Tuesday night, as the two schools battled in an exciting affair that featured two of WNY's top players, two of WNY's top programs, and a two-point victory that was secured in the final seconds.

 

With ice water flowing through his veins, Ryan Funk calmly swished three straight free throws with 3.1 seconds on the clock to lift his Red Devils to a 70-68 victory over the host Spartans.  Funk finished the game with a team-high 27 points in the Clarence victory.

 

Funk's late-game heroics were set up by a thrilling fourth quarter that saw the lead change 15 different times, and included three ties.  With the back-and-forth stanza knotted at 65 apiece, Elliot Case stroked a jumper from a couple feet inside the three-point arc, putting Clarence up by two at the 1:28 mark of the fourth quarter.  Sterling Taplin got to the foul line on the ensuing possession and connected on one of two, pulling the Spartans within a point, 68-67.  

 

The Red Devils were looking to extend their lead, when Funk was called for a travel in the lane with Spartan defenders smothering him. The Clarence bench was assessed a technical foul for its protest of the call, sending Taplin back to the line, who hit both shots from the stripe with 53 seconds left in the game to put North in front, 68-67.  Unable to build on that lead with a possession following the 'T', Clarence got the ball back and called a timeout to set something up for the win.  The Red Devils called Funk's number, who came off screens and fought through the clutching of Spartan defenders and got the ball at the top of the key, well behind the 3-point line.  As Funk elevated for a deep, desperation '3', he was sent to the floor and awarded the foul call, where he would sink all three attempts with 3.1 seconds left in the game.

 

The win improves Clarence to 3-0 on the season, and all three wins have come against formidable opponents.   Prior to last night, the Red Devils claimed the championship at Amherst's Bob Hettler Tip Off Classic Tournament with wins over Amherst and North Tonawanda, who just won by 17 at Niagara Falls.  For Williamsville North, who had next to no team preparation time because of its football program's success, it's a second gut-wrenching loss to open a season filled with high hopes.

 

Emaure Williams finished with 13 points for Clarence, while Case scored 12 points, and Evan Harof added 10 points.

 

Sterling Taplin scored a game-high 32 points for the Spartans, while Maceo Jack and George Attea each contributed 12 points.

 

** Game Notes **

- North outscored the Red Devils, 28-16, in the third quarter after trailing by nine at halftime

- Taplin scored 15 of his 32 points in the third quarter

- Williams scored 11 of his 13 points in the first half

- Maceo Jack attempted to dunk over a defender on the fast break but was fouled 

- Clarence never trailed in the first half & led by as many as 10 points

- 12 of the game's final 14 points came at the charity stripe over the final 2:52

- Elliot Case had become a major factor for the Red Devils & gets after it on defense

- So often overlooked is the phenomenal passing of Taplin, and he makes it look easy & effortless

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

 

NFHS Youth Movement

 

This weekend at the Cataract City Classic at Niagara Falls High School, I got my first look at the 2013-2014 Wolverines.  It wasn't just my first look at  this year's squad, it was literally the first time I had ever watched any of the athletes on Falls' roster play.  How is that even possible?  Last year's bunch that fell in the Section VI Class AA final to Jamestown, was led by a host of seniors.  In fact, all of the postseason points registered by the Wolverines were the product of seniors.  There was junior Vinzell Watkins, who was a key player for Niagara Falls during much of the regular season, but an injury ended his season early, and after being ruled ineligible in the offseason, NFHS was suddenly looking at a whole new landscape on Porter Road.  Instead of the mighty Wolverines simply reloading like they do annually, it was finally time to rebuild.  Enter the youth movement.

 

This year's squad has just three seniors, and only one, Zach Walker, starts for Falls.  There are four juniors that made the team, two of which made an impression (Devin Scarborough & Antwan Palmer).  The other five roster spots at NFHS are composed of two sophomores and three freshmen, and everyone of them stood out to me.  The sophomores are Elijah Griggs and Breon Harris, while the freshmen are Charles Lamar, Tyler Sanders, and Devin Sanders.

 

It's one thing to make or even play at the varsity level as a sophomore or freshman, but the pressure cooker that these kids stepped into was significantly more intense than most young underclassmen experience.  For starters, their first varsity action is played in the Cataract City Classic, an annual event renowned for bringing in top competition, selecting the right matchups, and always producing some memorable, down-to-the-wire battles.  Then there's the NFHS Pep Band making the game feel larger than life under the bright lights on the biggest hardwood in the area, surrounded by massive bleachers for a high school gymnasium.  Add to that the banners that hang, honoring the 2005 team that was crowned NYS Class AA Federation champions & National Champions by one source.  Mix in the pictures as you pass through the halls of guys like Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris, & James Starks, showing the come-up from high school, to D1 college programs, and then even the pros.  Now sprinkle in some alumni who have been part of a rich tradition over the last decade, sitting in attendance and looking on.  Finally, there's the opponents this young team got to compete against.  On night one, Sir Allan MacNab of Canada, a team that played against Huntington Prep last season and boasts a major D1 big man.  On night two, the defending NYSPHAA Class AA champions, Bishop Kearney.

 

All things considered, and I just gave you  a lot to consider, opening the season with 12 & 15 point losses is downright respectable.  Neither game got out of hand, with the young Wolverines scratching and clawing throughout every minute of both contests and making their clearly superior in talent and significantly more experienced opponents, earn their points and their victories.

 

Following night two, Niagara Falls head coach Sal Constantino said "Just because we're young this year, I wasn't going to dummy down our schedule.  You never like to lose, but I can't ask for more effort than these kids gave me this weekend."

 

From my vantage point at centercourt this weekend, both the effort and the attitudes of the young players at Falls were commendable.  No negative body language, no rolling their eyes at the coach, no hanging their heads when the going got tough, and no plays off!

 

It will be interesting to see where this team is at the end of the season.  Don't be surprised if it's at Buffalo State, like always.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

Clarence jumps on NT early

 

On Friday night in the opening round of the Bob Hettler Tip Off Classic at Amherst High School, Clarence was paired against North Tonawanda in an intriguing nonleague matchup of two teams with high aspirations for the upcoming season.  In what was the opener for both teams, and Clarence opened the game by taking a 13-point lead after one quarter...and won the game by the same margin.

 

Ryan Funk poured in a game-high 30 points, while Bryan Jost added 15 points to help advance the Red Devils to the championship game against Amherst.  It will be the second straight season that the two teams face each other in this round.

 

Clarence was leading the Lumberjacks, 13-10, with just under two minutes remaining in the opening quarter, when they began to create the margin that would ultimately hold.  Funk spurred a 10-0 over that span, nailing a 3-pointer from the side.  Jost added five points during the run, including a '3', and along with a bucket from Emaure Williams, Clarence had a 23-10 lead through eight minutes.

 

The rest of the game was the contest I was expecting to see, with the Lumberjacks taking the second quarter by two points, Clarence doing the same in the third, and the two teams scoring 16 apiece over the final frame.  But to the Red Devils' credit, they never allowed North Tonawanda to make a run and never stopped attacking.  The efficiency of Clarence from long range helped, with Funk and Jost combining for seven treys, while North Tonawanda struggled to get the long ball to fall.

 

Joe Piotrowski led the Lumberjacks in scoring with 16 points, while Michael Awad scored 11 points and Chris Woodard added 10 points.   The Jacks will look to bounce back against Oracle Charter in the consolation game today.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Thoughts from Thursday's Pastor-Cooper games

 

East 74, Timon 51

In my preseason smatterings, I made it known that I felt East could be a serious threat to Olean for the overall Class B title this season.  After watching them play last night, they may just be the favorites.  The Panthers wasted no time setting the tone against Timon last night, building a 9-0 lead out of the gates.  The game was never close - never even had the feel of a competitive contest. At one point, the Panthers' lead reached 28 points.  I expected East to look good, but not that good.  I don't think Timon looked nearly as good as they will once the season wears on, and I still expect them to make noise in the MMA and challenge for the Manhattan Cup.  That's what makes last night's result so impressive.

The returning players starting for East (Johnathan Lewis, Percy Bryant, Tyree Tyson, & Shaun Young) all look improved, and in particular, very focused.  Bryant finished with 13 points & 11 assists.  The addition of AJ Ayala from Bennett is far more impactful than I even thought it could be.  The kid is a player.  He has that gym rat feel for the game - does everything well and can straight up score.  He had a nice two-handed stuff on the game's second field goal and showed great range from the perimeter.

Lewis finished with a team-high 27 points for East and didn't even score for the first ten minutes of the game.  He had a stretch in the third quarter where he netted 11 consecutive points for his team in just under four minutes.

The kicker in all of this is the Panthers were missing Rasheed Paul last night.  If you read my preseason smatterings, you know I'm high on him.  At 6-5, Paul does everything, and does it well.  When he enters the mix for East, things could get downright scary for opponents facing the school from Northampton Street.

Donte Williams scored a game-high 29 points for Timon in the loss.  Two of those 29 points came on a drive to the basket that ended in a posterizing, two-handed flush in traffic that wowed the crowd (and me).  Hopefully he stays healthy and gets a full season in, because he's one of the top talents in WNY.

 

St. Mary's 63, Middle College 58

The Lancers never trailed and led by as many as 12 points in the game, but they sure allowed things to get interesting at the end.  Tyler English scored to open the fourth quarter, giving St. Mary's a 49-38 lead.  A 10-2 run from the Kats ensued with six of those points coming from Bri'an Brown, closing the deficit to 51-48.   The Lancers would extend their lead back to six points, before Middle College scored the next six points, tying the game on another basket from Brown with under three minutes remaining in the game.  Moments later, Latrell Tyson scored for St. Mary's, a bucket that would give them the lead for good.

The game went about as expected, with both teams looking as good as I had hoped.  Each squad brought back a healthy amount of experienced talent, which accounted for almost all of the game's points.  The Lancer senior trio of Wrobel, Cory Kiebzak, and Tyler English have great chemistry together.  Last night, the Kats seemed intent on limiting English, and he seemed content to stay within the offense and pass out of double teams.  Junior Dione Strong is much more confident this season, and much improved.  The addition of Takal Molson looks like it will serve St. Mary's well.

Kevin Briggs of Middle College is a pleasure for a hoop fan to watch, with a non-stop motor, a nice touch from outside, and the ability to get to the hoop, seemingly at will.  Brown is a freak athlete, who now as a senior, looks like a grown man out there.  When he imposes his will, he's very difficult to contain.  Joseph Staton provides the Kats a calm floor general who can bang 'em from downtown if you give him an inch of space.

 

McKinley 68, Kenmore West 50

The Blue Devils have a solid starting five in Alex Price, Alex Fron, Tyler Grandits, Noah Whalen, and Terrell Ford.  The came out of the opening tip with even more energy than McKinley, fueled by a rowdy student section and jumped in front 5-2 in the game's first minute.  The problem Ken West ran into was the other 31 minutes in which the Macks were clearly the more aggressive squad.  I think the Blue Devils can compete for the NFL title and a spot at Buffalo State again this season, and beginning the year against the defending state champions should only make them better down the road.

Speaking of the champs, I asked the questions in my final score tweet - Did I pick the Macks to win Class A this year? Too late to switch?  I actually picked North Tonawanda to win Class A this season - a team I'll see play tonight.  While I won't recant that prediction without seeing the Lumberjacks play, they have a lot to live up to if they want to be seen as above McKinley in my eyes.  Despite graduating all five starters from the state championship game, the Macks new cast shows that same tenacity we have all come to appreciate about McKinley's teams...the ones who have what is I believe a 13-year streak of reaching the sectional semifinals.  

So, maybe I shouldn't have picked against the Macks given the program they've built.  But in the preseason, before any games are played, people say some crazy things. Heck, I know a guy who told me "You heard it hear first, Park could win the Monsignor Martin this year".  I'm sure Canisius would scoff at that, just as I'm sure Macks coach Zaire Dorsey rolled his eyes and gave away my McKinley shirt when he read my NT prediction.

One of the best things about McKinley year after year, is it takes me multiple games to get familiar with the players on the team, because they all bring that same intensity and the action is so fast & furious, it can be tough to keep up with.  As I sat there watching them last night, I just kept thinking, "these guys are good and a lot of fun to watch...the Macks are back".  I guess it shouldn't be that much of a surprise, they do it every year and do have the reigning Coach of the Year on their bench.  

Mark your calendars now for January 15th and February 13th.  Those are the two games between McKinley and East, which will more than likely determine the winner of the Yale Cup.  The Macks are two-time defending champs, with a 26-game winning streak in the city.  I'll stick with my preseason prediction of East winning it for now.  

 

Wait, I just picked against McKinley again.  Will I ever learn?

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Cheektowaga, Nichols & Will East open with victories

 

Nichols 83, Cleveland Hill 71

Cam Lewis scored a game-high 24 points, while Tanner Schmit netted 22 points in his return debut to Nichols, as the Vikings opened their season the same way they did a year ago, with a win over Cleveland Hill at the Lancaster Tournament.  The Vikings had five players finish with double figures in scoring, including Chris Miner (13), Tom Nuttle (13), and Jack Vance (11).  

Nichols held a slight lead throughout the first half, before the Golden Eagles banged a pair of 3's right before the intermission to take a two-point lead at the break.  A 12-2 run to open the second half gave the Vikings the lead back and some separation, at 51-43.  From that point, Cleveland Hill could never get any closer than five points, as the size advantage of the Vikings began to prevail during key possessions.  

The Golden Eagles were led by 18 points from Jermaine Hairston.  Jared Watkins scored 17 points and Aaron Phillips added 12 points in the loss.  They will once again be a major factor in both ECIC IV and Class B2, with another highly athletic and competitive team.  Their rotation went at least eight players deep, with a scrappy group of players that relentlessly attacked Nichols for 32 minutes.

 

Cheektowaga 55, Depew 50

Preston Summers scored 13 points, had six steals, and dished five assists to earn game MVP honors as the Warriors opened their season with an ECIC III league win.  Freshman Dominick Welch scored 11 points are hauled in 14 boards, while junior Zak Ciezki was did a little of everything as he finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists, four steals, and four blocks.

The Warriors boast an impressive starting lineup that included the above mentioned players, along with Drequon Trotter (nine points) and Patrick Plummer (six points), with the only senior being Summers.  They led the game from wire-to-wire, with the lead reaching double-digits on three separate occasions.  However, Depew was able to close to within a point in the fourth quarter at 51-50, before Cheektowaga finished the game off.  As this team matures and learns how to play with a lead, they will be a dangerous and entertaining one.

Derrick Sekuterski scored 19 points for the Wildcats in the loss.

 

Williamsville East 65, Oracle Charter 37

Cort Williams scored 23 points, had five rebounds, and four assists, to lead the Flames past the Phoenix at the Pastor-Cooper Showcase.  Nicholas Clough added 18 points with five boards, while Jaleel Battle chipped in 10 points and four steals, as Williamsville East blew a close game open with a huge third quarter to win its season opener over last season's Class C1 finalist.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Brooks dominates in Silver Creek win

 

Last season, Silver Creek enjoyed its finest campaign in program history, winning its first 23 games and advancing to the state final four at Glens Falls.  Two of the main calling cards for that team were no timeouts and nearly no substitutions.  The Black Knights relied heavily on the chemistry and endurance of its five starters, nearly resulting in a state championship.  This year, gone are the heart & soul of that team, Zed Williams (Second Team All-Centercourt), and the team's main ball handler and scorer, Stephen Marcey (All-Centercourt HM).  Still, with three of their starters back, the Black Knights have plenty to move forward with.  However, two more starters from last year's crew, Kaine Kettle and Brennan White, didn't have enough practices in to play in the team's first game.  So heading into the season opener against Salamanca, that left only Bill Brooks with any experience from last season and a whole new cast around him.  That turned out to be more than enough.

 

Brooks took over the game in the second half, scoring 18 of his game-high 30 points, to lead Silver Creek to an 81-59 nonleague victory over the visiting Warriors.  The 6-8 junior added 14 rebounds and a recorded six blocked shots, though there seemed to be a lot more than six Salamanca shots sent the other way by the big guy.

 

Silver Creek trailed by four early in the second quarter, before taking command of the game with a 17-4 run.  Brooks scored  eight points during the push and Silver Creek led 33-27 at the break.  Midway through the third quarter, the Black Knights connected three times from downtown as part of a 17-6 run that extended its lead to 50-35.   Salamanca climbed back into the game early in the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to seven after six straight points from Jared Fish, but would get no closer.  Silver Creek closed out the contest on a 20-5 run.

 

While filling the void left by the departures of Williams and Marcey is nearly impossible, the Black Knights are replacing the tandem with a highly skilled pair.  Senior Andrew John was ineligible last season, but showed flashes of brilliance last night before leaving the game during the second quarter with an ankle injury.  John, who is a natural scorer,  had nine points when he left the game.  Also, sophomore Connor Gates showed a great feel for the game, reminiscent of the style of play Marcey displayed.  Gates finished the game with 15 points.  Frank Wolf, Ayden Jimerson, Jake Lewis, and Chance Gates all saw extended minutes for the Black Knights in the absence of Kettle and White, and made a case for head coach Rob Genco to consider more substitutions this season.

 

It had to be a major confidence builder to win handily under the circumstances (playing without three starters the entire second half), as the team heads to Olean this weekend for a tournament.  Silver Creek is matched up with Bradford (PA) in the opening round, and a win would almost guarantee a date the following day with Olean (the Huskies face Maple Grove in round one).  While the matchup would have had more luster last season (Olean & Silver Creek finished 1 & 2 in the Buffalo News small school poll), it's still a matchup the Black Knights are hoping for.

 

Salamanca was led by junior Andrew Crandall's 20-point performance.  Crandall suffered a fractured ankle during football season and wasn't even expected to ready, but moved about just fine as he stroked it from outside and finished near the basket.  Fish, a 6-7 senior guard, had 17 points in the game for the Warriors.  The team was without junior standout Damien Taylor who is out of the state this week, and also had just two reserves at their disposal.

 

Salamanca will face Holland in round one of the Pioneer Motorsport Tournament on Friday.  The other side of the bracket has Pioneer hosting West Seneca West.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Preseason Random Smatterings

 

- Canisius lost its big three (Weir, White, MacDonald) and only returns Ryan Richards to its starting lineup.  So after winning three straight Manhattan Cups and getting hit hard by graduation, shouldn't it be someone else's time?  I think not.  There's enough talent left on Delaware Avenue (remember, their JV squads are always top notch) that I'm calling for a fourth straight cup, and another spot on top of the Buffalo News large school poll at season's end.

 

- Speaking of Canisius, how about the Howard Washington buzz?  I only watch high school games and am out of the loop during the summer AAU circuit, so I was as pleasantly surprised as anyone when the offers started rolling in.  The role Washington played for Canisius as a freshman certainly didn't advertise his D1 prowess.  Being the most highly touted sophomore WNY has seen since Jonny Flynn and being expected to carry the torch for the three-peating Crusaders is a pressure-packed scenario.  Based on my limited interaction with him and all the reports of how hard-working and humble his off-season was, he'll take everything in stride and keep on grinding.  I'm very happy for him and really looking forward to the remainder of his prep career.

 

- While on the topic of highly touted ballers, there's a pretty good one that plays for Williamsville North.  Local fans get one more season to enjoy the Sterling Taplin show.  Too bad he didn't get to practice much with his team in preparation of the big finale season (North's state finalist football team had multiple basketball players on it).  Notable games for the Spartans include this weekend in the Cataract City Classic against Timon, a home game against defending Class A state champion McKinley, and pairs against league foes Jamestown and Clarence.  Between Taplin's talent and the players he'll have around him this season, this will be North's best chance at winning Class AA since 2009.

 

- I'll still take Jamestown to win a fourth Class AA title in five years, but the departure of Brandon Kellam for the Red Raiders (transferred to Bishop Kearney), seriously levels the playing field in Class AA.  It sure helps that Niagara Falls is in a major transition/rebuilding mode...whatever you want to call it...Falls is down this year.  Lockport, Clarence, and Kenmore West are also lying in wait with very talented teams.  Class AA could and should be the most fun it's been in a long while.  The best story line might be Falls bouncing back to win the section when no one gives them a shot.  As one hoop head put it, "It might be time for Falls to rely on its athleticism, roll out a 10-man rotation, and take Romeo McKinney's 32-minutes of hell approach."

 

- Another classification that is wide open for the taking is Class A.  Defending state champion, McKinley, graduated all of its starters.  The team who I think could shock the world and take Class A1 this year, wasn't even there last season.  North Tonawanda was slated to be in Class A1 a year ago, but was bumped up to AA after the season began.  Now, the Lumberjacks are in Class A1 and they return most of their squad that forces teams to play their brand of basketball.  Along with the Macks and NT, Williamsville East, Williamsville South, Hutch-Tech, Amherst, and even Maryvale, who returns home to Class A2, should have a shot at the crown in Class A.

 

- I'm officially considering Aquinas and Bishop Kearney as pseudo members of the MMA that play a public postseason.  I end up seeing both of those teams so often, they might as well be WNY teams.  Another school I'm adopting for one year is Greece Athena of Section V.  They are a Class AA school that brings the farm back from a year ago and will be a ton of fun to watch.

 

- Olean has finally reached its age of maturity.  Remember those freshmen that gave eventual overall Class A winner, East, fits in 2011 at Buffalo State?  They're finally seniors, and hungry to achieve the success they've been billed for and chasing so hard the past two seasons.  The Huskies even went independent and play a wicked schedule to prepare them for a postseason run.  It's finally Olean's year...except...

 

- East will have a lot to say about which Class B team represents Section VI at Buffalo State during regionals.  The Panthers and Huskies have dueled on the big court in each of the past three seasons.  This season, East brings back four starters from last year.  The fifth starter, Jonathan Kinley, moved out of state, but did not suit up against the Huskies last year anyway.  However, the Panthers did replace Kinley in the lineup and actually upgraded in the process.  Rasheed Paul, a 6-5 forward, played for East as a sophomore and returns for his senior year.  To put it simply, Paul is an animal on the boards, can score, and when he's at the top of his game, could be East's most impactful player.  Add to the mix Aurelio Ayala, the leading scorer at Bennett last season who transferred in, and Olean is far from a shoe-in to represent Section VI in the Class B regionals this year.

 

- In Class C, Middle College brings back some major talent, along with another deep bench.

 

- The team that ended Middle College's season last March was Silver Creek, now competing in Class C1.  After their best season in school history, the Black Knights lost senior leaders, Zed Williams and Steve Marcey.  However, three starters return to Silver Creek, a sophomore sensation has emerged (Connor Gates), and possibly its best basketball talent (Andrew John) was ineligible last season, but is now ready to go for his senior year.  Remember, they only need five guys to play 32 minutes each - don't count the Black Knights out just yet.

 

- Randolph moves down to Class C2, and is likely the heaviest favorite in any class to hoist a sectional plaque.  

 

- Barker returns four starters, including senior Jake Haight, who you all should have heard of by now.  The Raiders are poised to capture the N-O title for the first time since...well maybe ever.  Has Barker ever won the league?

 

- Sherman won it all in Class D last season with a team of underclassmen.  They lost in the regionals to University Prep - a Rochester team that is now up in Class B.  The last time Section VI had a Class D team get past Rochester was 2010, when Maple Grove won the whole thing.

 

- One of the quieter transactions of the summer was Tanner Schmit transferring back to Nichols from Clarence.  The 6-7 junior has already received an offer to play for Binghampton University.  His presence, along with twin towers Chris Miner and Cam Lewis, has to make Nichols the favorites to represent the MMA in the Class B postseason in the CHSAA, and possibly even favored to reach a Manhattan Cup final....

 

- Except for those St. Mary's Lancers, who took two of three from the Vikings last year, and also return plenty.  The Lancers found a formula for success and executed it well against Nichols - run, run, run.  

 

- I get to watch my first game of the year tonight.  I heard Silver Creek is playing. Hmmmm.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Season Preview: 2013-2014

 

                                               HAPPY HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS SEASON!!!!!

 

Below in this year's version of the Pre-View From Centercourt, you will find:

 - What's New

- Returning 2013 All-Centercourt Players

- Player Watch List for 2013-2014

- A League-by-League look at returning players & newcomers

- Coaching Changes

- Classification Changes

- Top Nonleague Games

- Predictions 

 

What's New

- During the season last year, I started tweeting. If you don't already, follow @centercourt42 

 - Park School is now a competing member in the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association

- Major divisional realignments in the CCAA, based on geography (See League-By-League below)

- Buffalo Science no longer fields a team

- Frewsburg and Ripley no longer field teams.  Frewsburg has combined with Falconer, while Ripley's talent pool plays at Chautauqua Lake

- Olean will play an independent schedule with, get this, a senior laden squad

- The Class AA semifinals will be played on the Monday of Buffalo State week, with B1 moving to Tuesday, A2 moving to Wednesday, and A1 moving to Thurday.  The B2 games will be split between Tuesday & Wednesday nights.

- The Class C1 and Class D semifinals flipped days at JCC, with Class C1 now playing Monday and Class D playing Wednesday

- Far West Regionals are back in Buffalo this year

- Sterling Taplin is finally a senior. Seriously.

- I-Prep returns to its school on 114th street for home games

 

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

 

  The Players

Five of the top 25 players from the 2013 All-Centercourt teams return to the WNY high school hoops scene, along with another 17 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 2013 1st Teamer

Sterling Taplin - Sr., Williamsville North:   21.84 PPG  /  5.73  RPG  /  4.21 APG  /  2.94 SPG as a junior

- Already a two-time First Team All-Centercourt selection and two-time ECIC POY as he enters his senior campaign.  The school's all-time points leader has 1,425 to his credit prior to beginning his fifth season as the Spartans' starting floor general.  After he manipulates defenses to free up his teammates for easy baskets to the tune of another 41 assists, he'll own the school record for dimes as well.  Taplin will look to add Section VI champion to his resume this season.

 

 Returning 2013 Second Teamers

 Wil Bathurst - Sr., Olean:  18.4 PPG /  8.0 RPG  /  3.3 APG  / 1.9 BPG  /  1.8 SPG as a junior

- Already verbally committed to play D1 basketball at Cornell next season.  Moved up from Third Team All-Centercourt as a sophomore.  A thoroughly entertaining player to watch because he does every thing so well and with such flare.  This season, Bathurst looks to help Olean attain its goal from the past two seasons, a Class B state title.

Sam Eckstrom - Sr., Olean:  18.2 PPG /  8.0 RPG  /  1.9 BPG as a junior

 - Commited to continue his career at the College of St. Rose in Albany (D2) following his prep days.  Moved up from Third Team All-Centercourt as a sophomore.   Spent much of junior season battling injury, facing constant double-teams, and sitting most of the second half of games as his team built such commanding leads.  The Huskies beefed up their schedule and Eckstrom is healthy, so look for big things from Olean's big man, who should really get his chance to shine this year.

 

Returning 2013 Fifth Teamers

 Ryan Funk - Sr., Clarence:  18 PPG  /  6 RPG  /  2 APG  /  1 SPG as a junior

- Was the MVP of a very good Red Devils team that reached the Class AA semifinals last seson.  Has the size to hurt you down low, but thrives from mid-range and long distance.  Showed the ability to create his own shot, which when it's on, forget about it.  One of the very best shooters in WNY.  

Jake Haight - Sr., Barker: 20.2 PPG  / 13.2 RPG  /  3.1 SPG  /  2.3 APG as a junior

- Needs just 22 points to eclipse 1,000 for his career, something he'll likely get out of the way in game one.  Has been First Team all N-O after his sophomore and junior season efforts.  Combines size and athleticism, producing a well-rounded game that is, at times, dominant.  Such a big fish in a small pond, he is reminiscent of Chris Secky from his days torching the ranks at Maple Grove.

 

Returning 2013 Honorable Mentions

 Donte Williams - 12 (Timon), Dylan Meyer - 12 (Fredonia), Nick Schmidt - 12 (Olean), Luke Hennessey - 12 (Olean), Kevin Briggs - 12 (Middle College), Tyree Tyson - 12 (East), Johnathan Lewis - 12 (East), Brendan Cox - 12 (East Aurora), Kaine Kettle - 12 (Silver Creek), Derrick Sekuterski - 12 (Depew), Bryan Jost - 12 (Clarence), Zack Panebianco - 11 (Jamestown), Chris Miner - 11 (Nichols), Cam Lewis - 11 (Nichols), Bill Brooks - 11 (Silver Creek), Zak Ciezlik - 11 (Cheektowaga), Bryce Morrison - 11 (Randolph)

 

Other names to watch for this season 

 Howard Washington - 10 (Canisius), LaTerrence Reed - 11 (Canisius),  Stafford Trueheart - 10 (Canisius), Justin Hollins - 12 (St. Joe's), Justin Jones - 10 (St. Joe's), Tanner Schmit - 11 (Nichols), Derick Simpson - 11 (Timon), Jonathan Jackson - 12 (Niagara Catholic), Tyler English - 12 (St. Mary's), Rasheed Paul - 12 (East), Percy Bryant - 11 (East), Bri'an Brown - 12 (Middle College), Lester Diaz - 12 (Lafayette), Jared Watkins - 12 (Cleveland Hill), Derek Sekuterski - 12 (Depew), Matt Cieslik - 11 (City Honors), Colin Dougherty - 12 (Lockport), Charlie Sobieraski - 12 (Lockport), Moziah Townsend - 12 (Lockport), Dorian Billups - 11 (Amherst), TC Brown - 10 (Amherst), Randy Dalaba - 12 (Cassadaga Valley), Clay Lewis - 11 (Holland), Quinn Lee Yaw - 12 (Jamestown), Sam Castronova - 11 (Williamsville South), Griffin Ryan - 12 (Hamburg), Matt Kumro - 11 (West Seneca East), Julian Mott - 12 (Starpoint), John Piper - 11 (Fredonia), Jared Fish - 12 (Salamanca), Damien Taylor - 11 (Salamanca), Andrew John - 12 (Silver Creek), Andrew Graham - 12 (Sherman), JaQuoine Fogan - 10 (Tapestry Charter)

 

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

 

League-By-League

 

Independent

 Olean

 Returning: Sam Eckstrom - 12, Wil Bathurst - 12, Nick Schmidt  - 12, Luke Hennessey - 12, Dante Tarr - 11, Chris Gayton - 11, Zach Pfeiffer - 12

 New: Christian Churakos - 10, Connor Prizel - 11, Chucky Martin - 11

 

 MONSIGNOR MARTIN

Canisius

Returning:  Howard Washington - 10, Ryan Richards - 12, Josh Huffman - 11, Patrick MacDonald - 12, Stafford Trueheart - 10, Mike McCall - 12, Matt Klee - 12

New:  LaTerrence Reed - 11, Zachary Koch - 11, Andrew Heitzhaus - 11, Patrick Viola - 11, David Keil - 11, Patrick Crangle - 11

 

St. Joe's 

Returning:  Justin Hollins - 12, Tyler Hill - 12, Justin Jones - 10, Fritz - 11, Adam Killeen - 12, Philip Wells - 12, Alexander Kovacs - 12

New:  Naseer Jackson - 9, Antonio Morreale - 11, Jack Hawkins - 11, John Scaglione - 11, David Maher - 11, Marcell Davis - 11, Edward Tabone Jr - 11

 

Bishop Timon/St. Jude

Returning: Donte Williams - 12, Derick Simpson - 11, Kyler Hairston - 11

New:  William Lamar - 9, Quinton Lamar - 10, Tyree Coble - 11

 

St. Francis

Returning:  Treyvon Holness - 12, Maurice Burse - 12,  Dave Kennedy - 12, Austin Taylor - 12, Chris Shriver - 12

 New:  Kordell Holness - 11, Kiernan Barnes - 10, Joe Carbone - 10, Taurean Davis - 10, John Steven Zhu - 10

 

Nichols

Returning: Christopher Miner - 11, Cam Lewis - 11, Tom Nuttle - 12, Jack Vance - 12, Seth Meyer -12, Greg White - 12, Jordan Tyson - 12

New:  Tanner Schmit - 11 (Transfer from Clarence), Zach Serotte - 11

 

St. Mary's

Returning:  Tyler English - 12, Corey Kiebzak - 12, Matt Wrobel - 12, Latrell Tyson - 12, Dione Strong - 11, Jake Concannon - 11

New:  Takal Molson - 10 (Transfer), Sean Wilson - 11, Austin Oakes - 11, Mark O'Neil - 11

 

 Cardinal O'Hara

Returning:  Zack Glowacki - 12, Donel Cathcart - 11, Kevin Kobza - 12, 

New:  Jovell Littlejohn - 11, Darnell Hamilton - 11, Erich Wheeler - 11, Amir Jemes - 10, David Gariano - 10, Shakur Harris - 9, Clifford Ziegler - 9, Maurice Brown - 12

 

Archbishop Walsh

Returning:  Adam Moore - 10, Gregor Greer - 12, Ethan Clarke - 12, Kieze Hund - 12, Christian Daugherty - 12, Zach Everett - 12, John "Buzz" Watkins - 11

New:  Dom Ambroselli - 10, Noah Watkins - 9

 

Niagara Catholic

Returning:  Jonathan Jackson - 12

 

 Park

 

YALE CUP I

 East

Returning:  Tyree Tyson - 12,  Johnathan Lewis - 12, Damone Brown - 11, Percy Byrant - 11, Shaun Young - 12, Rasheed Paul - 12

New:  Aurielo Ayala - 12 (Transfer from Bennett)

 

McKinley

 Returning:  Dante Thompson - 12, Varin Lenard - 12, D'Andre Steward - 12, Kenny Walters - 12, Devin Morris - 11, Jorge Melendez - 12

Riverside

Returning:  Willie Smith - 12, Jarmel Caldwell - 12, Jevon Rosier - 12, Jovell Littlejohn - 11

 

Middle College

Returning:  Bri'an Brown - 12, Kevin Briggs - 12, TJ Scott - 12, Brandon Jefferson - 12, Isaiah Jenkins - 11, Joseph Staton - 10, Khoron Ferguson - 10, Devon Singleton - 12, X-Ray  Drayton - 12, Elijah Mingo - 12, Xavier Mathews - 12

New:  Billy Rivera - 10

 

Hutch-Tech

Returning:  Roman West - 12, Amanuel Radford - 12

New :  Jailyn Rose - 10

 

South Park 

Returning:  Keion Godson - 12, Austin Peach - 12, Tyler Mascio - 12, James Baker - 10

 

Bennett

 

YALE CUP II

I-Prep

Returning:  Damon Boykin - 12, Ezana Kahsay - 12, Xavier Maye - 11, Terrence James - 11

New:  Jeffrey Townsel - 10, Davon Gant - 10

 

City Honors

Returning: Matt Cieslik - 11, Jordahn Summers - 11, Pasquale Scaife - 12, Tomothy Banks - 12, Jeriff Sanchez - 12, Keith Fulcher - 12, Courtney Carr-Johnson - 12

New:  Nolan Megna - 12

 

MST Seneca

 Returning:  Rayshawn Jones - 12, Jamaal Felton - 12

New:  Roqawn Gossum - 11, Ray (Meko) smith - 12, Jalen Felton - 12

 

Olmsted

Returning:  Brandon Roach - 10, Ballah Burch - 12, Delenci Shannon-Brown - 12

 

Buffalo Arts

New:  Tremaine Shelton - 12 (Transfer from St. Joe's)

 

Lafayette

Returning:  Lester Diaz - 12

 

Burgard

Emerson

DaVinci

 

 ECIC I

 Jamestown

Returning: Quinn Lee Yaw - 12, Zack Panebianco - 11, Josh Colwell - 12, Stephen Carlson - 12, Brian Park - 12, Matt Hoaglund - 11

New:  Zacc Kinsey - 10, Ben Larson - 11

 

Williamsville North

Returning:  Sterling Taplin - 12, George Attea - 11, Maceo Jack - 10, Casey Davis - 12, Ryan Majewski - 12, Kolbe Hughes - 12, Sam Cimato - 12

New:  Sean Hill - 10, Dylan Lambert - 11, Tim Kreuze - 11

 

 Clarence

Returning: Ryan Funk - 12, Bryan Jost - 12, Elliott Case - 12, Shane Weedon - 12, Matt Sadowy - 11, Emaure Williams - 12, Evan Hoarof - 12, Marc Cange - 12

New: Kyle Stevens - 11, Dave Cummisky - 11, Bryan Pulli - 11

 

 Lancaster

Returning:  Joe Jankowski - 12, Tyler Lis - 11, Griffin O'Brien - 11, Eric Zimpfer - 12, Tony Marrano - 12, Mike Spengler - 12

New:  Alex Damiani - 10, Collin Murray - 10, Alex Konst - 10

 

West Seneca West

Returning:  Nick Clancy - 12, Chris Walker – 12,  Evan Koelher – 12, Frank Borzillieri   - 11, DJ Ulmer – 11, Ben Hutton  - 10, Lou DiChristopher  - 11

 

Orchard Park

Returning:  Danny Freilicher - 10, Cameron Murray - 12, Jack Atkinson - 12, Kevin Goltz - 11, Tyler Heath - 12, Brad Roman - 12

New:  Chris Murphy - 12, Matt Perla - 11

 

Frontier

 

ECIC II

Williamsville East

Returning: Cort Williams - 11, Nicholas Clough - 11, Kyle Williams - 11, Joe Adcock - 11, Colin Greenway - 12, Quinn Keenan - 12

New:  Greg Cook - 11, Alex Pieri - 11, Jaleel Battle - 11, Mike Garafalo - 11 (Transfer from Cheektowaga)

 

Williamsville South

Returning:  Matt Macomber - 12, Sam Castronova - 11, Kam Varner - 11

 

Iroquois

Returning:  Phil Bowen - 12, Zach Emer - 11, Coyote Sokolski - 11, Joshua Piesczynski - 12, Lucas Tait - 11, Kyle Seifert - 11

 

Sweet Home

Returning:  James Nix - 12, Jordan Heine - 11, Mark Walker - 12, Mark Fuller - 12, Justin Chatelle - 12

New:  Ron Woods - 12, Rob Siegler - 11, Asa'd Myles - 11, Milton Zielger - 11, Brandon Smiley - 11, Jordan Evert - 11, Adrian Drake - 11, Wayne McDonald - 11, Josh Hammer - 11

 

Hamburg

Returning: Griffin Ryan - 12, Jeremiah Bill - 12, Tim Kane - 12, Joe DeGrood - 11, Brandon Pierce - 12

New:  Brendan Ryan - 10, Kyle Munro - 11, Caleb Wood - 11, Mark Myles - 11, Doug Horbachewski - 11

 

West Seneca East

Returning: Matt Kumro - 11, Nick Parucki - 11, Ed Radka - 10, Dan Picciano - 10

New:  DJ Schiersing - 11, Jake Klubek - 10, Dan Nicosia - 11, Evin Ksiezarczyk - 11,

JakeWojciechowski - 11

 

Starpoint

Returning:  Julian Mott - 12, Ian Emerick - 11, Sam Terrazzino - 12, Logan Seiferth - 12, Alex Leubner - 11

New:  Mike Chase - 11, Dennis Held - 11, Josh Roselund - 11, Eric Yaeger - 11, Bryan Cheskiewicz - 12

 

ECIC III

Amherst

Returning: Dorian Billups - 11, TC Brown - 10, Jordan Nwora - 10, Kevin Waller - 12, Myron Harvey - 12

New:  Darien Lowe - 11, Amadi Ikpeze - 10

 

East Aurora

Returning:  Brendan Cox - 12, Grant Haffenden - 12, Mike Coatsworth - 11, Noah Thompson - 10

 

Cheektowaga

Returning:  Zak Ciezki - 11, Dominik Welch - 9, Patrick Plummer - 11, Preston Summers - 12, Raekwon Williams - 12

New:  Khaya Dlodlo - 11, Keith Weekly - 10, Drequon Trotter - 11, Devon Camel - 11, Adam Reichert - 11, Ricky Stoudmire - 11, Hakiem Black - 11, Alvis Colon - 11, Antonio Southern - 10

 

Depew

Returning:  Derek Sekuterski - 12, Jake Lamb - 12, Steve Kaspraczk - 12, Denis Vanini - 12, Tyler Anna - 11, Bobby Burns - 11

New:  Dylan Sekuterski - 11, Collin Gemerek - 11, Mike Thornton - 11, Kyle Ratajczak - 11, Jakob Grant - 10, Sean Stablewski - 12

 

Maryvale

Returning:  Logan Jung - 12, Ed Smith - 12, Jayln Putnam - 12

 

Pioneer

Returning:  Bryce Little - 11, Adam Benzel - 12, Matt Haggerty - 11, Andrew Hyman - 11, Cole Connolly - 12 

New:  Vince Nourse - 11, Ravo Root - 10, Caleb Sayvone - 10, Dominic Sayvone - 10

 

Lake Shore

Returning:  Wade Bergum - 12

New:  Matt Vona - 11, Colin Hart - 11

 

Springville

 

ECIC IV

Cleveland Hill

Returning:  Jared Watkins - 12, Aaron Phillips - 12, Jermaine Hairston - 11, Wayne Jones - 12, Andrew Huff - 12

New:  Anthony Sullivan - 11, Omari Inman - 11, Aaron Wesley - 11, Zach Lewandowski - 11

 

Lackawanna

Returning: Cam Smith - 12, Larry Fields - 11, Darius Cleveland - 11

New: Quinton Robinson - 11, Roosevelt Jones - 10

 

Tonawanda

Returning:  Ben Stitch - 12, Connor Pumm - 12, Tristan Bolling - 11

New:  Brandon Frye - 11, Larenz Jefferson - 11

 

Holland

Returning:  Clay Lewis - 11, JR Kline - 11

New:  Matt Farant - 11, Cooper Rahn - 11, EJ Staniszewski - 10, Laine Husman - 10, Pierce Gardon - 9

 

JFK

Returning:  Joe Braniecki - 11, Josh McMahon - 11, Cale Byczkowski - 11, Alex Bouttarath - 12

New:  Shawn McPhail - 11, Hunter Kowal - 11, Brendan Fox - 11, Aaron Urbanczyk - 11, Nathan Pazderski - 11, Lexus Pollard - 9, Aaron Poniwas - 11, Collin Snyder - 11

 

Alden

Returning:  Dylan Dussalt - 12, Nick Kibler - 12, Tyler Glaser - 12, Brian Stoldt - 12

New:  Phil Zobrest - 12, Austin Zelasko - 11, Dylan Riddoch - 10, Jordan Stockweather - 10

 

Eden 

Returning:  Brad Palmerton - 12

 

Niagara Frontier League

Niagara Falls

New: Devin Scarbourough - 11, Mikey Bermudez - 11, Deon Harris - 10, Elijah Griggs - 10, Devin Sanders - 9, Tyler Sanders - 9, Zach Walker - 12, Charles Lamar - 9

 

Kenmore West

Returning:  Alex Price - 12, Adam Fron - 12, Tyler Grandits - 12, Noah Whalen - 12, Terrell Ford - 10, Laquan Salter - 12, Nick Wojnar - 12

New:  Trent White - 11, Tim Stoerr - 11, 

 

Grand Island

Returning:  Ryan Ross - 12

 

North Tonawanda

Returning:  Nehemiah Stone - 11, Joe Piotroski - 12, Chris Woodard - 11, Alex Billie - 12, Michael Awad - 12, Donovin Book - 11, Adam McNeil - 11, Jake Ferry - 12, Christian Lemke - 12, Kiel Davignon - 12

New:  Ryan Gilbert - 11, Ryan McDonough - 11, James Garavagli - 11, Drew Krantz - 11

 

Niagara Wheatfield

Returning:  Tyler Gornicki - 12, Nathan Nielson - 10, Joe Ayers - 12, Nick Forcucci - 12, Nathan Williams - 11

New:  Denzel Fuller - 10, Justin Eaton - 11, Brandon Funderburk - 11, Ty Parmentier - 11, Kasey Hasley - 10, Ken Camidge - 11, Preston Miller - 11

 

Lockport

Returning:  Colin Dougherty - 12, Charlie Sobieraski - 12, Moziah Townsend - 12, Ryan Lawrence - 12, Phil Crenshaw - 12, Javon Jenkins - 12, Gerald Baker - 12

 

Kenmore East

Lew-Port

 

Niagara-Orleans

Akron

Returning:  Noah Diebel - 12, Austen Lauricella - 11, CJ Longwell - 12

New:  Chris Mayrose - 12, Nick Doria - 12, Dam Sansanese - 12, Wyn Blueye - 12, Larson Sundown - 11, Caleb Martin - 11, Jake McKenna - 11, Chaunce Hill - 11

 

Newfane

Returning:  Sean Costello - 11, Josh Kneeland - 11, Nathan Aurenhamer - 12

New:  Sam Watkins - 11, Kyle Guerriera - 11, Chad Gilson - 10, Kyle Burdick - 11

 

CSAT

Returning: Dylanta Carson - 11, Alex Santos - 12, Bryan Locke - 11, Jorge Brown - 12, Darrell Wesley - 12

New:  Darius Carson - 9

 

Medina

Returning:  Jason Hellwig - 11, Dan "Mungie" Brown - 12, Drake Grabowski - 12, Larry Bruning - 12, Kevin Arnold - 12, Cedric Griffith - 12, Adam Hoot - 12, Ben McPherson - 12, Josh Cuadro - 12

New: Dylan Lewis - 10, Aaron Feltz - 11, Brennan Zinkievich - 11, David Garrow - 11, Devonte Howard - 11

 

Barker

Returning:  Jake Haight - 12, Mitchell Luckman - 12, Bryce Moeller - 12, Chris Sweeney - 11, Hayden Gooding - 12, Jared Worthington - 12, Tyler Dent - 12

New:  Sean Benoit - 11, Thomas Callaghan - 11, Tanner Gregorie - 11, Joshua Mead - 11, Tristan Payne - 11

 

Roy-Hart

Returning:  Marc Roman - 12, Alex Stoddard - 12, Andy Xapsos - 10, Austin Heschke - 12, DeRon Woods - 12, Sam White - 11, Cory Breedlove - 12, Nelson Andrade - 11

New:  Bailey Hudson - 11, Aaron Metz - 11

 

Wilson

Returning:   Emmett Dinse - 11, Evan Shank - 11, Kevin Daunce - 12, Kyle Bradley - 11

 

Albion

Returning:  Connor Barleben - 12, Chris Rivers - 12, Christian Trevino - 12, Ryan Fannin - 12, Andrew Burroughs - 12

New:  Dez Blackmon - 11, Austin Loyd - 11, Emanuel Thompson - 11, Alex Bison - 11, Clayton Stanton - 11, Gary Moore - 11

 

CCAA I West

Fredonia

Returning: Dylan Meyer - 12, Nick Johnston - 12, John Piper - 11, Cam Voss - 11, Jake Lilly - 12, Cody Cunningham - 12, Eric Jabot - 12, Cody Smith - 12

New:  Anhel Epps - 11, Mike Johnson - 11, Patrick Moore - 10

 

Silver Creek 

Returning:  Kaine Kettle - 12, Bill Brooks - 11, Brennan White - 11

New:  Andrew John - 12, Connor Gates - 10, Ayden Jimerson - 11, Frank  Wolf - 11, Chance Gates - 11

 

Maple Grove

Returning:  Graham Soffel - 11, Corey Wefing - 12, Nick Swanson - 12, Graham Nelson - 12, Collin Stack - 12, Kyle Richardson - 12

 

Southwestern

Returning:  Kyle Moran - 12, Nathan Schrope - 12, Riley Ribicki - 12,  Nick Gustafson - 12, Derek Johnson - 12, Jake Hammond - 12, Pat Mogenhan - 11, Jack Carlson - 11

New:  Mike Sandbloom - 11, Billy Johnston - 11, Andy Bell - 12,  Ben Burk - 10

 

Falconer

Returning:  Brandon DePietro - 12, Nick Conti - 12

 

Dunkirk

Returning:  Emanuel (Manny) Masonet - 12

 

CCAA I EAST 

Randolph

Returning:  Bryce Morrison - 11, Mitchell Maycock - 12, Cody Oldro - 12, Lucas Brown - 12, Taylor Miller - 12

 

Allegany-Limestone

Returning:  Dom Saglimben - 12, Ryan Vossler - 12, Dom Conroy - 11

New:  Cole Davis - 10, Mackenzie Zemak - 12

 

Gowanda

Returning:  Chase Williams - 12, Brennan Geiger - 12, Zach Stevens - 12, Jordan Young - 11

 

 Portville

Returning:  Curtis Caya - 12, Brett Marcellin - 12, Ben Reynolds - 12, Ben Waugh - 12, Zack Ewings - 11, Isaac Hilyer - 11

 

Salamanca

Returning:  Jared Fish - 11, Damien Taylor - 12, Matt Crandall - 12, Joe Hinman - 12, Tyler Siperek - 11

New:  Andrew Crandall - 11

 

 Cattaraugus Little Valley

 Returning:  Justin Forster - 12, Colt Agnew - 12, DJ Steven - 11, Nate Reynolds - 12, Darren Hadley - 12

New:  Gavin Young - 11, Kodie Skeels - 11, Kyle O'Donnell - 11, Jayden Chop - 11

 

CCAA II West 

Cassadaga Valley

Returning:  Randy Dabala - 12, Cody Johnson - 11, Mike Lancaster - 12, Kyle Ruge - 12, Chase Jones - 11

New:  Shane Parsons - 10, Tony Mangine - 11, Jaquan Watts - 11, Will Borkowski - 11, Jerimiah Jones - 11

 

 Westfield

Returning:  Tanner Dahl - 11, Jacob Gray - 12, Liam Tennies - 11, Jesse Rodriguez - 12

New: Ty Benthham - 10, Trevor North - 10, Nolan Hunt - 11,   Brandon Johnston - 12, Chris Brooker - 12, Chris Rodriguez - 12

 

Panama

Returning:  Dan Odell - 12, Mike Rensel - 11, Nick Kirby - 12, Ricky Eddy - 12

New:  David O'Dell - 11, Greg Delahoy - 11, Bryce Payne - 12, Noah Coffaro - 11, Jack Payne - 10, Chris Blose - 11, Josh O'Dell - 11, Dillon Mescall - 11

 

Chautauqua Lake

Returning:  Ian Clute - 12, Carter Davidson - 10,  AJ Hulton - 11, Kyle Mayer - 12, 

New:  Eric Smyanowski - 12 (Transfer from Ripley), Michael Lysek - 10 

 

Sherman

Returning:  Ryan Robson - 12, Andrew Graham - 12, Devin Moorhead - 12, Ryan Myers - 12, Jake Card - 11, Nathan Ottaway - 11, Jordan Boland - 12, Trevor Gleason - 12, Chris Greiner - 12, John Luden - 12

New:  Jeremy Cole - 11, Stephen Walczak - 11, Jake Ames - 11, Collin Finch - 11, Ben Reed - 11, Ethan Lyon - 11, Dylan Scoutan - 12, Cory Alger - 12

 

Clymer

Returning:  Mitch Einink - 12, Jacob Wiggers - 12, Garrett McAfoose - 12, Denton Holthouse - 12, David Holmstrom - 12, Mathew DeStevens - 12

 

Brocton

Returning:  Anthony Riforgiato - 12, Aaron Riforgiato - 10, Bryen Graves - 12, Macalum Buchanon - 12, Conner Dolce - 12, Nash Delcamp - 12, Kyle Witmer - 12, Matt Siragusa - 12

New:  Derek Walter - 11, Daultan Remington - 11

 

CCAA II East

Pine Valley

Returning:  Bryce Jay - 12, Jacob Wilcox - 12, Michael Isula - 12, Andrew Miller - 12, Wil Nelson - 12, Thomas Raiport - 12, Dan Weaver - 12, Dylan Granger - 11, Russell Hayes - 11, Kilian Abers - 10

 

Ellicottville

Returning:  Cameron Wilson - 12, Phalla Musall - 11, Tom Easton - 10, Calum Watt - 11, Fletcher Macomb - 12, Alex Delity - 11

New:  Cole Lapi - 10, Dylan Paprocki - 12, Tanner Gregory - 12, John Alzate - 12, Cory Tomblin - 12, Kevin Bower - 11

 

Forestville

Returning:  Jacob Nosbisch - 12

 

North Collins

West Valley

 Franklinville

 

 Charter Schools

Oracle 

Returning:  Nelson Modi - 12, Jayson Jones-Johnson - 12, Antone Gullege - 12, Barry Bray - 12, Levon Dickson - 12

New:  Shaundez Davis - 11, Kenny White - 10, Brian Bradberry - 12

 

Tapestry

Returning:  Jon Spears - 12, JaQuoine Fogan - 10, DeJuan Owens - 11, DaQuan Lias - 12

New:  Jordan Maxey - 11, DaVonte Cunningham - 10, Marques Perkins - 11, Jesus McClain - 11, Poshine Jenifer - 11, Andre Bragg  - 11, Keith Littlejohn - 11, Joe Henderson - 11, Kaleb King - 11,Chemar Pilot - 11, Dallas Williams - 12

 

Health Sciences

Returning:  Allen Wright Jr - 12, Carl "Boonie" Goodwin - 12, Aaron Day - 12, Marquist Lumpkin - 12, Cory Wiseman - 12, Davion Washington - 12, Ja'Quan Sullivan - 12, Nasir Flood - 11, Jason Giles - 12, Shiloh Gibbs - 12, Ivory Prince - 12

 

WNY Maritime

 Returning:  Isaiah Padin - 12, Rodney Lee - 12, Charles Davis - 12, Marques DeBose - 12, Joseph Adeleke - 12, 

New:  Damon Glenn - 10, Brian Johnson - 10

 

Global Concepts

 Returning:  Fred Searles - 11

New:  Fabian Pierce - 10 (Transfer from Lackawanna)

 

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New Coaches

Ron Killinger, South Park

Roland Davis, Riverside

David Nieves, Hutch-Tech

Brandon Woods, Global Concepts

Scott Gill, Eden

Justin Abel, Orchard Park

Brett Lyford, Lake Shore

Steve O'Brien, Dunkirk

Michael Putney, Chautauqua Lake

 Brennan Meakin, Albion

 

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Classification Changes

North Tonawanda moves down from Class AA to Class A1

West Seneca East moves up from Class A2 to Class A1

Starpoint moves up from Class A2 to Class A1

Iroquois moves up from Class A2 to Class A1

East Aurora moves up from Class B1 to Class A2

Springville moves up from Class B1 to Class A2

Albion moves up from Class B1 to Class A2

Maryvale moves up from Class B1 to Class A2

Buffalo Arts moves up from Class B2 to Class B1

Medina moves up from Class B2 to Class B1

City Honors moves up from Class B2 to Class B1

Fredonia moves up from Class B2 to Class B1

Falconer moves up from Class B2 to Class B1

 Salamanca moves up from Class C1 to Class B2

 DaVinci moves up from Class C1 to Class B2

 Oracle Charter moves up from Class C1 to Class B2

 Lackawanna moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Health Sciences moves up from Class C2 to Class B2

Portville moves up from Class C2 to Class C1

Silver Creek moves up from Class C2 to Class C1

Randolph moves down from Class C1 to Class C2

 

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Top Nonleague Games 

 12/3 Salamanca @ Silver Creek

12/4 - Cleveland Hill vs. Nichols @ Lancaster

12/4 - Williamsville East vs. Oracle Charter @ Daemen College

12/5 - East vs. Timon/St. Jude @ Daemen College

12/5 - St. Mary's vs. Middle College @ Daemen College

12/5 - McKinley vs. Kenmore West @ Daemen College

12/5 - Randolph @ Maple Grove

12/6 - Clarence vs. North Tonawanda @ Amherst

12/6 - Oracle Charter @ Amherst

12/6 - Sir Edmund McNabb @ Niagara Falls

12/6 - Sherman @ Randolph

12/6 - Williamsville East @ Lockport

12/7 - St. Joe's vs. Will East/Lockport 

12/7 - Williamsville North vs. Timon @ NFHS

12/7 - Bishop Kearney @ Niagara Falls

12/7 - Consolation & Championship of Amherst Tourny

12/7 - Championship of Olean Tourny (potentially Silver Creek @ Olean)

12/9 - Oracle Charter @ Newfane

12/10 - Aquinas @ St. Joe's

12/10 - Timon @ Olean

12/11 - Maple Grove @ Randolph

12/13 - Fordham @ Canisius

12/13 - Aquinas @ Timon

12/13 - Olean @ Bishop Kearney

12/13 - Greece Athena vs. Fredonia @ Jamestown

12/13 - Oracle Charter @ City Honors

12/13 - Olmsted @ Sherman

12/14 - Greece Athena/Fredonia @ Jamestown

12/14 - Consolation & Championship of Tom Keenan Tourny @ Canisius

12/17 - St. Joe's @ Bishop Kearney

12/17 - Fredonia @ Lackawanna

12/19 - Nichols vs. Depew @ Canisius

12/20 - Clarence vs. St. Mary's @Canisius

12/21 - Randolph @ Sherman

12/21 - St. Joe's vs. McKinley @ Canisius

12/21 - Olean @ Canisius

12/21 - City Honors vs. St. Mary's @ Depew

12/21 - Lancaster @ Depew

12/23 - Consolation & Chanpionship Rounds of Depew Tournament (Beware of Transit Rd. holiday traffic!  I once missed the entire consolation game on 12/23 because of it.)

12/27 - Middle College vs. Tapestry @ St. Joe's

12/28 - Championship of Clarence Tourny (potentially Fredonia @ Clarence)

12/28 - University Prep @ Timon

1/3 - Greece Athena @ Olean

1/3 - Randolph @ Silver Creek

1/6 - McKinley @ Clarence

1/6 - Nichols @ Lackawanna

1/6 - Bishop Kearney @ Timon

1/8 - Canisius @ Aquinas

1/10 - Williamsville North @ McKinley

1/11 - Olean @ Aquinas

1/14 - Canisius @ Bishop Kearney

1/18 - Canisius vs. McKinley @ City Honors

1/18 - East vs. Sweet Home @ City Honors

1/18 - Cheektowaga vs. Middle College @ City Honors

1/18 - Sherman @ Olmsted

1/21 - Olean @ St. Mary's

1/22 - Silver Creek @ Salamanca

 1/24 - Williamsville South @ Olean

1/24 - Batavia @ Lackawanna

1/28 - Lockport @ Batavia

1/29 - Olean @ Timon

1/31 - MST Seneca @ Lackawanna

2/1 - Timon & Jamestown playing Sec V teams in RAP Classic @ Rochester's East High

2/1 - Olean @ Greece Athena

2/1 - Silver Creek @ Randolph

2/7 - Bishop Kearney @ Olean

2/8 - Cathedral Prep @ Canisius

2/9 - Willliamsville South @ St. Joe's

2/12 - St. Mary's @ Fredonia

2/13 - St. Joe's @ Kenmore West

2/14 - North Tonawanda @ Cleveland Hill 

 

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Predictions

 

MMA - Canisius

Yale Cup I - East

Yale Cup II - City Honors

ECIC I - Jamestown

ECIC II - Williamsville East

ECIC III - Amherst

ECIC IV - Cleveland Hill

NFL - Lockport

N-O - Barker

CCAA I West - Fredonia

CCAA I East - Randolph

CCAA II West - Sherman

CCAA II East - Pine Valley

Charters:  Oracle

 

Manhattan Cup: Canisius

Class AA: Jamestown

Class A1: North Tonawanda

Class A2: Amherst

Class B1: Olean

Class B2: East

Class C1: Middle College

Class C2: Randolph

Class D: Sherman

 

  -centercourt

@centercourt42

Where we left off: A look back at 2013

 

- After going undefeated in the Yale Cup, McKinley went on to win the NYSPHAA Class A state championship.

 

- Canisius, who defeated McKinley by 18 in January, went unbeaten in the MMA, won a third straight Manhattan Cup, lost in the CHSAA state championship game to Nazereth, and finished at the top of the Buffalo News large school poll.   The Crusaders saw two of its players, Adam Weir (POY) & Matt MacDonald (Third Team All-Centercourt), move on to the D1 ranks.

 

- Silver Creek won 23 straight games, before falling in the Class C state semifinal after letting a late lead slip away.

 

- Olean lost the Far West Regional to Batavia in stunning fashion at the buzzer, suspending its state title hopes.

 

- Amherst won 19 straight games, including of of its ECIC III contests, before falling to eventual state champion McKinley in an instant classic at Buffalo State

 

- Oracle Charter won 19 straight games, including the most epic victory by any Section VI team in the regular season over eventual Class A state champion McKinley, before bowing out in the Class C1 title game to Middle College.

 

- St. Mary's defeated Nichols to end the regular season, and again in the Manhattan Cup playoffs to earn a trip to the CHSAA Class B state title game, where they would fall short.

 

- Jamestown won its third Section VI Class AA crown in four years.

 

- Portville ended Maple Grove's 17-game winning streak in the Class C2 semifinals in a 28-point rout.

 

- CSAT became the first team to finish unbeaten in the N-O in over a decade.

 

- Cleveland Hill ran the table in ECIC IV, before running into Class B2 champ, East.

 

-Lew-Port made it to Buffalo State. You can check the programs.

 

- Sherman held top seeded Brocton to just 27 points in the Class D final, as they advanced to the Far West Regionals.

 

- Bishop Kearney of Section V, who Niagara Falls and Canisius beat during the regular season, put it all together in the end and won the NYSPHAA Class AA state title.

 

- First Team All-Centercourt in 2013: Adam Weir (Canisius), Jermaine Crumpton (Niagara Falls), Lovell Smith (McKinley), Marcus Morris (McKinley), Sterling Taplin (Williamsville North)

 

- Sixth Man of the Year:  Max Portlow (Olean)

 

- Coach of the Year:  Zaire Dorsey (McKinley)

 

- Centercourt All-Defensive Team:  JJ Wilkes (Niagara Falls), Aaron White (Canisius), Reyzjon Jordan (McKinley), Tyree Tyson (East), Zed Williams (Silver Creek)

 

- See you all soon!

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42