(Olean's Wil Bathurst throws down an alley-oop dunk after a lob from Nick Schmidt during the 2014 Class B crossover game, where the Huskies defeated East, 62-59. Photo by Dave DeLuca )
- Jamestown finished the regular season in a three-way tie for first place in ECIC I, before embarking on an improbable run through the Class AA state playoffs. The Red Raiders made it all the way to the NYSPHAA Class AA state championship game and nearly won the whole thing, as they trailed eventual winner Green Tech by just two points with 13 seconds remaining.
- Nichols didn't bother to listen to anyone who had already handed Canisius the Manhattan Cup. Instead, the Vikings sent shock waves through the WNY high school hoops community when they toppled the Crusaders on their home floor in the semifanals of the Manhattan Cup playoffs. Nichols went on to win its third Cup in program history, defeating Timon in the final.
- Olean's team of the ages looked all-world in the Class B1 playoffs, winning its first three games by an average margin of 38 points. Then, after surviving in the Game of the Year against East in the Class B crossover, the Huskies surged ahead, straight to the Class B state title game. Once there, they fell victim to a red-hot Westhill team, in one of the most surreal games I've ever witnessed (Westhill led 49-18 at the half and won 93-55, led by a pair of juniors who combined for 79 points).
- Until Canisius was upset in the Manhattan Cup semifinal, they dominated the local competiton like we haven't seen in some time. Its closest game of the season against a WNY team had been a 12-point win over Nichols in the regular season. Following the season, the area's most highly touted player, sophomore point guard Howard Washington, transferred out of Canisius and now attends Montverde Academy in Florida.
- McKinley came off of its state championship season with a brand new starting lineup, and proceeded to win the overall Section VI Class A title, again.
- Cheektowaga & Amherst made both ECIC III and Class A2 exciting races to follow. Amherst took the league championship, despite falling in both regualr season contests to the Warriors. Then, in the Class A2 final at Buffalo State, they went at it in an overtime thriller that saw the Warriors take the third meeting as well and claim their first ever sectional crown.
- Middle College finished ahead of both East & McKinley to win the Yale Cup and then rolled all the way to the Class C state championship game for the third time in school history, before falling to Hoosic Valley.
- St. Mary's once again represented the MMA as the Class B school in the CHSAA state final. The Lancers had a senior laden team that swept both Nichols & Park, beat Class C state finalist Middle College, Class B2 champ Fredonia, beat Class AA finalist Clarence, and swept St. Joe's.
- Sherman won its second straight Section VI Class D title. Then, despite Batavia Notre Dame's best efforts to steal another Class D regional by playing in Class D with a private school, Sherman advanced to Glens Falls after knocking Batavia ND off. The Wildcats bombed in 10 first half 3-pointers, to build a 20-point halftime lead.
- Canisius, Fredonia, I-Prep, Barker, and Sherman were all undefeated league champions.
- The 2014 All-Centercourt First Team: Zack Panebianco, Jr. (Jamestown), Wil Bathurst, Sr. (Olean), Sterling Taplin, Sr. (Williamsville North), Johnathon Lewis, Sr. (East), Donte Williams, Sr. (Timon)
- 2014 CC MVP awarded to Player of the Year: Zack Panebianco (Jamestown)
- Sixth Man of the Year: Josh Huffman (Canisius)
- Coach of the Year: Jeff Anastasia (Olean)
- 2014 Centercourt All-Defensive Team: Johnathan Lewis (East), Ryan Richards (Canisius), D'Andre Steward (McKinley), TJ Scott (Middle College), Brian Stoldt (Alden)
-centercourt
Comments