Who's earned a spot on All-Centercourt?

 

 

You think it's easy to come up a top 60?  How about about separating it into a top 25 first? Give it shot. Five teams, with five players on each team, and another 35 players for honorable mention.

 

In about three weeks, the 9th Annual All-Centercourt Team will be announced, honoring the top 60 seasons turned in by WNY high school players this year.  The selections are broken down into a first, second, third, fourth, & fifth team, with five players on each, along with 35 honorable mention selections.  There is also an award for the CC MVP (the WNY Player of the Year), Coach of the Year, and Sixth Man of the Year.

 

The top 60 may sound like a lot, but when you start putting names down on paper, the list fills quickly and inevitably some very good players get left off the list.  The main criteria I focus on is the 2015-2016 season, not what you did in the past, and not where you're going in the future...it's all about honoring the top 60 from this season.

 

Use the comments section below to tell us what your 5 teams would look like and maybe even why.  If you're really ambitious, try coming up with the entire team including the HM selections.  

 

Please keep all commentary appropriate when discussing high school athletes, and remember, it is lame to say someone does not belong on a team, without offering up who should be on one.  It might be even more lame to give only one or two teams.  Show us you've paid attention this season and provide all five teams.

 

-centercourt

Comments

[wnybball]

If Dom Welch doesn't make first team that is a joke. He's the most individually talented kid around and averaged 30 a game with high efficiency. Not putting up some crazy number of shots.

Also Noah Thompson deserves the honors he got. He had a great season overall and he didn't show in big games? You must not have watched the sectional semifinal where he almost single handedly got his team to the sectional final by knocking down shot after shot and getting on the offensive boards for rebound buckets even though he's not the biggest or most athletic kid. He's smart and very skilled.

[Music]

1st Team All WNY....Stafford Truehart, Dominick Welch, T.C. Brown, Maceo Jack, Jenard Jackson
2nd Team...Greg Dolan (Could be 1st team), Jordan Nwora, Amadi Ikpeze, Fred Foster, James Rojas(Could be 1st Team)
All Deeefense..Justin Jones, Breon Harris, Syquan Ralands, Zacc Kinsey, Madut Aiyiy
Didn't alot of players far north and south of city.

[Music]

All Booom Team....Truehart, Welch, Foster, Jack and Rojas
Best 8 teams in WNY...
1)Canisius
2)Park
3)Will South
4)Amherst
5)Middle College
6)Olean
7)Niagara falls
8)Mckinley
Varsity Freshman of year....Hutchins (Park) Cunningham (St.Francis)

[B. Stevens]

My 1st, 2nd, and 3rd team (just a HS basketball fan, follow mostly MMA, ECIC Yale Cup, NFL, and NOL) Other thank Olean & Fredonia I don't know much about CCAA & Charter schools. Did see health science play at Buff State so I am including those games in my opinion....

First Team
Stafford Trueheart - Canisius POY
Dom Welch- Cheektowaga
Jernard Jackson- Lewiston-Porter
Fred Foster - Middle College
Ben Eckstrom- Olean

Second Team
Jordan Nwora- Park
Greg Dolan- Williamsville South
Jojo Stanton- Middle College
Maceo Jack - Williamsville North
Shaquan Jones - McKinley

Third Team
TC Brown - Amherst
Tavien Kemp - Walsh
Graham Dolan- Williamsville South
Derek Schmidt- Olean
Christian Nodine - Starpoint/ Andy Xaspos - Roy-Hart

[Mike]

If Fred foster isn't first team he was a man amongst boys in there state championship game and he played a great game of defense against Dom Welch and Takal Molaon is the best player in wny my eyes
So my first team has to be Greg Dolan Takal Molson Stanford truehart Fred foster dom welch

[M. Jon]

1st Team: Stafford Trueheart(POY)(Canisus)
Jordan Nwora(Park)
Elijah Ramadhan(Olean)
T.C Brown(Amherst)
Dominick Welch(Cheektowaga)
2nd Team: Shaquan Jones(McKinley)
Greg Dolan(Will South)
Maceo Jack( Will North)
Fred Foster(Middle Early)
Jernard Jackson(Lew Port)
3rd Team: Ben Eckstrom(Olean)
Jojo Staton(Middle Early)
Tavien Kemp(Walsh)
Justin Jones(Canisius)
Amadi Ikpeze(Amherst)

[nick w]

1st team- Stafford Truheart, Dom Welch, Greg Dolan, Jernard Jackson, Fred Foster
2nd Team- Jordan Nwora, James Rojas, Elijah Ramadhan, Maceo Jack, Jojo Stanton
3rd Team- TC Brown, Ben Eckstrom,Quinton Lamar, Tavien Kemp, Shaquan Jones
4th Team- Brandon Roach, Amadi Ikpeze, Christine Nodine, JaQuoine Fogan, Marcellus Cooper
5th Team- Patrick Moore, Jake Cavana, Qeyion Williams, Sean Hill, Andy Xaspos

[Luke Kindberg]

First Team:
Truehart
TC Brown
Greg Dolan
Nwora
Dom Welch
Second Team:
James Rojas
Jenard Jackson
Ramadan
Eckstrom
Ikpeze
Third Team:
Kemp
Foster
Jack
Molson
Jones

Truehart is easily POY.

[amari]

1st Team:
Stafford Trueheart(Canisus)(POY) Fred Foster(MEC) Jernard Jackson(Lew Port) Elijah Ramadhan(Olean) Dominick Welch(Cheektowaga)

2nd Team:
Jordan Nwora (Park) Shaquan Jones(McKinley) Greg Dolan(Will South) Maceo Jack( Will North) Jojo Stanton (MEC)

3rd Team:
Ben Eckstrom(Olean) Tavien Kemp(Walsh) Justin Jones(Canisius) Amadi Ikpeze(Amherst) TC Brown (Amherst)

[StateChamps2003]

CC - I think you mean the 2015-2016 season in your third paragraph, no? Stop copying and pasting.

[Dave B]

1st Team:
Jernard Jackson
Dominick Welch
Stafford Trueheart
Fred Foster
GregDolan

2nd team
Elijah Ramadhan
James Rojas
Maceo Jack
Jordan Nwora
Jojo Stanton

3rd team
Ben Eckstrom
Tavien Kemp
Christine Nodine
Marcellus Cooper
TC Brown

[S]

POY- Stafford Trueheart
1st Team
Fred Foster
Greg Dolan
Elijah Ramadan
Jernard Jackson
Dom Welch

2nd Team
Amadi Ikpeze
James Rojas
Jordan Nwora
Maceo Jack
Ben Eckstrom

3rd Team
Shaquan Jones
Patrick Moore
Shakur Harris
Jojo Staton
Takal Molson

4th Team
Noah Hutchins
TC Brown
Kyle Harris
Justin Jones
Graham Dolan

5th Team
Ray Blackwell
Christian Nodine
Breon Harris
Will Johnson
Tavien Kemp

[WNY Bball Fan]

First Team:
Stafford Trueheart - Canisius (CO POY)
Jernard Jackson- Lewiston-Porter (CO POY)
Dom Welch- Cheektowaga
Gary Foster - Middle College
Elijah Ramadhan- Olean

Second Team:
Jordan Nwora- Park
Greg Dolan- Williamsville South
Jojo Stanton- Middle College
Maceo Jack - Williamsville North
James Rojas- Jamestown

Third Team:
TC Brown - Amherst
Tavien Kemp - Walsh
Ben Eckstrom- Olean
Shaquan Jones - McKinley
Quinton Lamar- Timon

[S]

this is an edit from above... didn't realize POY was on 1st Team also.

1st Team
Stafford Trueheart (POY)
Fred Foster
Greg Dolan
Elijah Ramadan
Jernard Jackson

2nd Team
Amadi Ikpeze
James Rojas
Jordan Nwora
Maceo Jack
Dom Welch

3rd Team
Shaquan Jones
Patrick Moore
Shakur Harris
Jojo Staton
Takal Molson

4th Team
Noah Hutchins
TC Brown
Kyle Harris
Justin Jones
Graham Dolan

5th Team
Ray Blackwell
Christian Nodine
Breon Harris
Will Johnson
Tavien Kemp

[Dean Adams]

1st Team
Stafford Trueheart (POY)
Fred Foster
Greg Dolan
Elijah Ramadan
Jordan Nwora

2nd Team
Amadi Ikpeze
James Rojas
Jernard Jackson
Maceo Jack
Dominick Welch

3rd Team
Shaquan Jones
Patrick Moore
Graham Dolan
Jojo Staton
Will Atkinson

4th Team
Derek Schmidt
Madut Ayiy
Kyle Harris
Tavien Kemp
Shakur Harris

5th Team
Quinton Lamar
Christian Nodine
Breon Harris
JaQuoine Fogan
TC Brown

[Labatt]

Is Molson eligible for these teams? Can't see why he would be included anywhere in the top 60. Yeah he's a major talent, but I'm told he goes to Health Sci now and didn't even finish the reg season at SML. Msgr Mazrtin revoked his league award and team lost out on chance to win states because of all the fallout.

[Gary T]

Based on 2015-2016 season here is my CC team. Just because a player made in in 14-15 season shouldn't be automatic to make it this season......

1st Team:
Stafford Trueheart (POY)
Fred Foster
Greg Dolan
Dom Welch
Jernard Jackson

2nd Team:
Jordan Nwora
Amadi Ikpeze
James Rojas
Maceo Jack
Elijah Ramadan

3rd Team:
Shaquan Jones
Tavien Kemp
Jojo Staton
Will Atkinson
Shakur Harris

[StateChamps2003]

1ST TEAM:
Stafford Trueheart- Canisius (POY)
Jordan Nwora - Park
Fred Foster - MEC
Dominik Welch - Cheektowaga
Greg Dolan - Williamsville South

2ND TEAM:
Elijah Ramadhan - Olean
Jojo Staton - MEC
Jenard Jackson - Lew-Port
TC Brown - Amherst
Ben Eckstrom - Olean

3RD TEAM:
Amadi Ikpeze - Amherst
Patrick Moore - Fredonia
Shaquan Jones - McKinley
Justin Jones - Canisius
Maceo Jack - Williamsville North

4TH TEAM:
Breon Harris - NFHS
Will Atkinson - Canisius
Brandon Roach - Olmsted
James Rojas - Jamestown
Kyle Harris - Park

5TH TEAM:
JaQuoine Fogan - Tapestry
Davon Gant - I-Prep
Graham Dolan - Williamsville North
Christian Nodine - Starpoint
Tavien Kemp - Walsh

HM (No particular order):
Quinton Lamar - Timon
William Lamar - Timon
Naseer Jackson - St. Joe's
Marcellus Cooper - Nichols
Madut Ayiy - Canisius

Julian Cunningham - St. Francis
Keyon Johnson - McKinley
Avius Outlaw - McKinley
Willard Anderson - East
Shakur Harris - South Park

Brian Johnson - MEC
Sean Hill - Williamsville North
Noah Thompson - East Aurora
Ramah Lassiter - Cleveland Hill
Alex Konst - Lancaster

Zacc Kinsey - Jamestown
Brock Kroening - Starpoint
Ray Blackwell - Maryvale
Nathan Waldu - Amherst
Terrell Ford - Ken West

Qeyion Williams - NFHS
Nathan Nelson - Niagara-Wheatfield
Andy Xaspos - Roy-Hart
Jake Cavana - Olean
Derek Schmidt - Olean

Monty Shoemaker - Olean
Jarod Burmaster - Fredonia
Chris Robson - Sherman
Josh Eddy - Panama
Jose Odell - Panama

Nate Brawdy - Gowanda
Mason Bosley - Randolph
Trevon Thompson- Silver Creek
Elliot Bowen - Ellicottville
Davonte Gaines - Health Sciences

[StateChamps2003]

Note: I do believe Takal Molson, formerly of St. Mary's is a top 15 talent in WNY basketball. But not only did he get kicked off the basketball team mid-season, but he got kicked out of the school. So I did not include him in my teams.

[Luke Kindberg]

TC Brown is a first teamer without question. Stats and team success prove it.

[Anthony]

What did TC and Amherst ever win? A-2 and ecic III? A-2 has been the weakest class for years and I guess beating up on small schools in your league is impressive? Winners take their teams beyond the 716 especally with a big man like they had.

[StateChamps2003]

Luke Kindberg - You may be right but I felt that Amherst played a pretty cupcake schedule outside of Park and Bishop Kearney so his stats just don't mean as much to me.

They lost to Park where TC played good, not great. I thought he got vastly outplayed by Jenard Jackson in the A-2 Final (Jackson was named the MVP). He laid a goose egg in the Class A crossover game against Williamsville South (outplayed by Greg Dolan) shooting something along the lines of 6/19. I like him where I have him.

[Luke Kindberg]

25, 7, 5 are phenomenal no matter what competition you play. And I played and gaurded Tc, truehart, nwora, jack, and molson this year, and TC might've been the hardest to guard out of all of them.

[amari]

Amherst has a very weak league schedule. I was not impressed when I saw TC play Lewiston-Porter or Williamsville South. Not to mention he should have been thrown out of the A2 final game for throwing a punch and then was out played by Jackson & Dolan in A2 final and A crossover game.

[StateChamps2003]

That's your opinion Luke and I respect it. But based on what I saw this year I wouldn't bump any of the players I have on the 1st team for him.

[Luke Kindberg]

StateChamps- how you do you have Jack ahead of Rojas? Beat them at Buff State and posted better numbers...

[Southern Tier Plays BBall Too!]

Coach of The Year: Olean

1st Team
JaQuoine Fogan – Tapestry, Charter
Stafford Truehart – Canisius, MMA
Elijah Ramadhan – Olean, CCAA 1 West
Shaquan Jones – McKinley, Yale Cup 1
Nate Brawdy – Gowanda, CCAA 1 East

2nd Team
Bradon Roach – Olmsted, Yale Cup 2
Davon Gant – I-Prep, Yale Cup 2
Greg Dolan – Williamsville South, ECIC
Maceo Jack – Williamsville North, ECIC 1
James Rojas – Jamestown, ECIC 1

3rd Team
Dominick Welch – Cheektowaga, ECIC 3
TC Brown – Amherst, ECIC 3
Ramah Lassiter – Cleveland Hill, ECIC 4
Chris Robson – Sherman, CCAA 2 West
Elliot Bowen – Ellicottville, CCAA 2 East

4th Team
Christian Churakos – Walsh, MMA Class B
Fred Foster – Middle College, Yale Cup I
JoJo Staton – Middle College, Yale Cup I
Will Turner – I-Prep, Yale Cup II
Zacc Kinsey – Jamestown, ECIC I

5th Team
Patrick Moore – Fredonia, CCAA 1 West
Ben Eckstrom – Olean, CCAA 1 West
Josh Eddy – Panama, CCAA 2 West
Mason Bosley – Randolph, CCAA 1 East
Fabien Pierce – Global, Charter

Honorable Mention (At Least!)
Fabien Pierce – Global, Charter
Dawson Bielecki – Franklinville, CCAA 2 East
Trevon Thompson – Silver Creek, CCAA 1 East
Nick Stein – Portville, CCAA 1 East
Jarrett Lecceadone – Randolph, CCAA 1 East
Matt Hair – Frewsburg, CCAA 2 West
Cordell O’Brien – Frewsburg, CCAA 2 West
Derek Schmidt – Olean, CCAA 1 West
Nathan Luckman – Barker, Niagara – Orleans
Jalin Cooper – Medina, Niagara – Orleans
Breon Harris – Niagara Falls, Niagara – Orleans
Daytwon Burney – Cleveland Hill, ECIC IV
Cody Diaz – Tonawanda, ECIC IV
Amadi Ikpeze – Amherst, ECIC III
Christian Nodine – Starpoint, ECIC II
Ed Radka – West Seneca East, ECIC II
Dominick Welch – Cheektowaga, All – ECIC
Amadi Ikpeze – Amherst, All-ECIC
Kyle Harris – Park, MMA Class A
Quintine Lamar – Timon, MMA Class A
Tavien Kemp – Walsh, MMA Class B

[nick w]

Luke, these teams are based on peoples individual opinion. I don't like calling out HS kids by name but I also ranked Jack higher then Rojas when ranking players for my All-WNY team (based on my opinion).

Looking at your team I don't agree w all of it, but its your opinion...

For example, Jackson and Foster are first team players in my opinion with out question. I don't know if I saw a player who plays harder then Jackson did on both sides on the floor and could score like he did.

Foster was an animal all season. When he guarded Welch, (who I think had the potential to be the best player in WNY if he played as hard as Truehart/Jackson/Nodine did) he shut him down. Foster is a top 5 player in WNY (along w Truehart Jackson Dolan & Welch)

[nick w]

Southern Tier Plays Bball too-
Feel bad that its hard to see you guys play and some of the players may deserve to be on the All-WNY teams but your missing some key players in WNY HS basketball

[Southern Tier Plays BBall Too!]

Opps, I missed Nate Brawdy - Gowanda, CCAA East I, Making him the "6th Man" on Team 3.

[Luke Kindberg]

Nick W- you're right it's all based on opinion, but it's not logical to disregard facts in your own opinions. I only got to see Foster play twice (both at JCC) and he physically was a beast, but despite his huge size advantage failed to play at a different level than his competition. Clearly a great player, but I don't think he has reached close to his full potential yet. And I am obviously biased but I don't see how Jack ranks higher than Rojas. Game film doesn't lie

[StateChamps2003]

I also have Fred Foster and Jojo Staton ahead of Shaquan Jones. McKinley beat MEC twice this year. Doesn't mean Shaquen Jones was better than Foster and Staton, his team was though.

I put very little stock in high school basketball stats outside of points being scored as most of the time they aren't compiled independently from the respective school. So I am a little skeptical of rebounds, assists, steals, etc. With that said, Maceo Jack did outscore James Rojas in the 'AA' semi, 18 to 15 (I'm sure someone on here will tell me their point totals in the two previous meetings). I thought Jamestown was the better TEAM than Will North all year and went 2-1 against them in 3 very close games.

They're different types of players and overall I liked Jack over Rojas.

[R.B. Phillips]

Southern Tier Guy,

You had Nate Brawdy on your FIRST team. Now he's the 6th man on THIRD team also? Does your cabin have running water and electricity? Thanks for the laugh. Both comments were equally amusing!

PS I'm hiding in the shed

[Southern Tier Plays BBall Too!]

Nick, I realize that I am missing some, but at the same time your missing some valued players down here. My frustration is, most "WNY all-stars" are based on scoring. We have several strong players that may not score alot, but have many assists, rebounds and really play awesome defense. That is a stat that can only be observed. Mr Centercourt, I hope you have access to the Post Journal, Olean Times Herald, Salamanca Press and Dunkirk Observer when making your top 60 picks.

[Luke Kindberg]

I played on Jamestown and probably played 85 minutes in the three games, granted they were completely different players. Both were great scorers, and I'd even give Jack the scoring edge. But Rojas is better in every other aspect of the game. gotta give a little bit of love to players from Chautaqua county

[Southern Tier Plays BBall Too!]

R.B. Thanks for pointing that out! Glad to amuse you and feel free to join me for some "real" basketball next season. I'll be glad to offer you the outhouse.

[StateChamps2003]

I named 15 players outside of Erie and Niagara county. That's a quarter of the players I named. I think I gave those counties a little bit of love.

[CmonMan]

Note To All - "Southern Tier Plays Ball Too" is not an accurate portrayal of basketball intelligence in the Southern Tier. Our apologies.

[John Doe]

Nwora, Welch, and Trueheart are all locks for 1st team. Jernard Jackson and Greg Dolan deserve to be on the 1st team as well. Jernard Jackson is virtually unguardable. I think TC deserves 2nd team if he does not earn 1st and I will tell you why- Dolan had the ability to score and facilitate with, once again in MY opinion, a lesser supporting cast than that of Amherst. Jernard Jackson, similar to Dolan, is an irreplaceable player. He took (and made) shots in the A2 semi and A2 final that were reminiscent of Kobe Bryant. He's probably only 5'9" and made a fadeaway 2 over Amadi Ikpeze's outstretched hand at the end of the first half of the A2 final that left me speechless. I would leave Fred Foster off of the first team, however. I played against MEC in the Fall and JoJo was more of a threat to our team. Yes, the ECIC III competition is not what you would call impressive, but outside of McKinley, who does MEC really play? Amherst played Park close and beat Kearney on a neutral site, and beat Jamestown at home. All three of those teams would beat MEC and McKinley. My POY goes to Trueheart. They beat Park 3 times. He was unbelievable at park, dropping 30 in a heroic effort. Canisius had weak guard play and he was able to carry them. If it's not Trueheart, give it to Welch- that kid is a freak.

[nick w]

Saw Nwora play numerous times this year, if it wasn't for size he didn't impress me much. I think people say he is a shoe in for first team because of last year.....

[StateChamps2003]

John Doe - MEC played a pretty competitive schedule. Outside of McKinley twice, they beat Cheektowaga on a neutral site, lost to Park on a neutral site, lost to East Transit Tech of the PSAL (lost in the semi's of the Class A PSAL playoffs), and lost at University Prep of Rochester. Those schools are all in a higher class than MEC. Not to mention every school they play in their league is in a higher class than them.

To say that Kearney and Jamestown would beat MEC and McKinley is a little dismissive. McKinley beat Williamsville North and Jamestown did lose to Williamsville North. Pretty sure the News and Centercourt had McKinley ranked ahead of Jamestown all year. They would definitely be good games.

[Jtown]

POY Trueheart

1st team
Trueheart
TC Brown
Jordan Nwora
Eli Ramadhan
Greg Dolan

2nd
Jernard Jackson
Dom Welch
Fred Foster
James Rojas
Jake Cavana

3rd
Maceo Jack
Breon Harris
Jojo Stanton
Justin Jones
Noah Hutchins

4th
Ben Eckstrom
Syquan Ralands
Moore (Fredonia)
Molson
Ikpeze

5th
Nodine
Kyle Harris
Schmidt
Chrurakos
Davon Gant

[Music]

For the folks in here that said Foster shut down Welch?? He scored almost 30 points and that was with no where near the supporting cast Foster did, no where near the supporting cast Truehart had, no where near the supporting cast TC Brown Had, no where near the supporting cast Nwora had. no where near the supporting cast Dolan had. SO STOP ALREADY !!

[WNY Top 25]

1st
Trueheart POY
Nwora
JJackson
Dolan
Welch

2nd
Foster
Staton
Ramadhan
Jack
Rojas

3rd
Graham Dolan
Nodine
S Jones
B Harris
Q Lamar

4th
J Jones
TC Brown
P Moore
Cavana
Eckstrom

5th
Q Lamar
Roach
Blose
Ayiy
Ikpeze

[X]

I didn't get a chance to see every team in wny play so I had to exclude who I did not see
1
Truehart
Welch
Molson
Dolan
Jackson
2
Foster
Nwora
Brown
Ikpeze
Staton
3
Jack
Rojas
Eckstrom
Ramadhan
Moore
4
Roach
Gant
Harris
Jones
Fogan
5
Nodine
Dolan
Jones
Bosley
Cavana

[Richie K]

I'm a Depew Native and The Sophmore kid from Maryvale can go...along with his senior back court mate Floyd Remley. He's Derserve 5th Team or HM because of his school but he's gonna be something special the next two years. His name needs to be tossed around a bit in discussion.

[David]

The Tucker kid from Kenmore west deserves a spot he improved a lot from last year and I saw him against Lancaster he kept his team in the game ... He should def be on the all centercourt boom team 4 dunks at daemen and 2 against Joes 2 against the top player in wny in cheektowaga I watched west all year he had a dunk or 2 a game... Ford could make it but he didn't show up as much as Tucker did in big games..Tucker also had a triple double this year from the center spot which he plays out of position he deserves a spot

[Music]

No Player should be mentioned above if they were kicked off the team and or out of school. There are a few names mentioned above. THEY DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THEIR TEAM OR TEAM MATES SO STOP MUDDYING UP THE WATERS!!!

[B. Stevens]

I said it a few weeks ago and I will say it again, the 2 most impressive players in WNY this year were D. Welch of Cheektowaga and J. Jackson of Lew-Port. They were 2 of the top scorers in all of WNY and didn't have the supporting cast of Truehart, Dolan, Nwora, Brown, and Foster.

Jackson was the most impressive because of how hard he played the entire game. The games I saw when they would go m2m he would always guard the point guard on the other team (usually full court). He played all 32 minutes and played hard all 32 minutes.

Welch is the most talented player in WNY in my opinion but my only critique of him is he didn't always play hard. He would jog back on D or play lazy D. Granted he was the main focus of every opponent he played against and didn't have very much help his effort did lack during some games.

So in my opinion the best player in WNY is D. Welch followed by J. Jackson of Lew-Port and S. Truehart of Canisius.

[AJM]

1st Team
J. Jackson Lew-Port
S. Truehart Canisius
Greg Dolan Will South
E. Ramadhan Olean
D. Welch Cheektowaga

2nd Team
J. Nwora Park
F. Foster MEC
J. Rojas Jamestown
M. Jack Will North
J. Stanton MEC

3rd Team
B. Eckstrom Olean
A. Ikpeze - Amherst
S. Jones McKinley
T. Kemp Walsh
B. Roach Olmstead

[Music]

To all coaches who are one trick ponies? Although your efforts and time are commendable? You have to change year to year adapting to your personnel. Too many games this year I saw no pressing even though the opponent had weak ball handlers, Too many times I saw no screens, picks or plays thaat would help free up scorers who were boxed and shaded with help, Too many times I seen teams fail to recognize the defenses they were facing and know where to attack them, Watching a big man dominate in the post without any shading of the post or double teams. For me SOME of the coaches has to improve.

[BBall Fan]

It appears that Takal Molson made some mistakes this season, and is being held accountable for those mistakes. He will continue to pay a price for his decisions, but that's how life rolls, and how people learn. He'll have time to think about those mistakes, learn from them, and hopefully take the next year to rebuild. While Takal will not be recognized, or receive any Top Basketball honors for his accomplishments this season; it's important to note as he moves forward, that he is, without a doubt, one of the best 15 players in WNY.

[Tiger Pride]

T.C. Brown

2015-2016 stats on only 16.9 shots per game:

22.9 ppg
6.8 rbpg
5.4 apg
4.3 stlpg
3.2 deflpg
85 three point shots made this season
55.6 % 2-pt
40.9 % 3-pt

This season awards:

ECIC Division 3 POY (Third straight year)
1st Team All-ECIC (Second straight year)
Three time All Bee Newspaper 1st team All Star
2014-2015 2nd Team All Centercourt Team
2014-2015 3rd Team All WNY pick
Centercourt A-2 All Tourny Team
Bob Hettler Tip Off Classic MVP
Cataract Classic MVP - Win vs Bishop Kearney
Anthony Parlato Long Island Tournament MVP
190 Hardwood Classic Game MVP

Career Team Accolades:

- 4 straight Class A-2 Sectional Championship Appearances
- 2 Sectional Championships
- 4 straight ECIC Division 3 Championships
- 48 - 2 Divisional Regular Season Record

Career stats:

1,482 points Amherst 1st all-time
382 assists Amherst 1st all-time
286 steals Amherst 1st all-time
174 3-point shots made Amherst 1st all-time

[StateChamps2003]

Tiger Pride - TC Brown was NOT a 2ND Team All Centercourt selection in 2014-2015. He was a 3RD Team selection.

[Jayhawks]

I think Stafford Trueheart and Dom Welch are locks for the first team, leaving both of those guys out is like leaving Buddy Hield and Denzel Valentine out your NCAA basketball first team.... With Dom Welch and Stafford Trueheart locks on the first team, I think you can't go wrong filling out the other three spots, in my opinion the top guys in WNY played on about the same level all season with no one outside of Stafford and Welch making themselves a lock for the first team, its a toss up...

First Team
Stafford Trueheart
Dom Welch
Jenard Jackson
Jordan Nwora
Maceo Jack

Second Team
T.C Brown
Greg Dolan
Tevien Kemp
Patrick Moore
Eli Ramadhan

Third Team
Fred Foster
James Rojas
JoJo Staton
Ben Eckstorm
Nate Brawdy

Fourth Team
Shakur Harris
Shaquan Jones
Anadi Ikepeze
Trevon Thompson
JaQuoine Fogan

Fifth Team
Christine Nodine
Ray Blackwell
Davon Gant
Brandon Roach
Kyle Harris

[Hoops fan]

I have seen almost the above mention players play. Here is my breakdown... Truehart is the best athlete, but he is limited as far as his game!! How many of his points came outside 10 feet?? Can't take away his great athleticism but doesn't have a complete game where he can score from anywhere. Welch may be the best skilled player there and yes may average 30 but really could score more and could be a lock down defender but to me lacks the drive to be great!! Now a player that lacks no skill, no drive is Jernard jackson!! He has crazy averages and is only 5'10. He defends all over and play 32 minutes a game. There is not a shot he can't make from 5 feet to 30 ft ( as you saw against amherst). Watching him at buff st during championship week he was easily the best player there!!

1st team
Jackson lew-port
Truehart canisius
Welch cheektowaga
Harris Niagara Falls (best defender by far in wny)
Ben Eckstorm olean

[M. Jon]

I am really confused into why people are putting Jordan Nwora in their second team. I understand that he didn't have a championship run with his team like they did last season, but you have to think about that he is one the leading scorer in WNY and his team lost to the 2nd best Class A team in WNY, so I'm just saying this kid definitely is a guaranteed 1st team not only cuz he was one last year but he also made a big impact to his team this year also.

[James Wright]

Most people don't even know what really happened with Molson kid stories are just being passed around. Molson is easily top 5 in WNY and has proved it on multiple occasions. His accomplishments shouldn't be taken away because of something people don't know the entire story too. People should learn more before throwing shade his way. He's a great kid and I'm sure will still play at the division 1 level.

[Jayhawks]

Hoopsfan, it isn't all about scoring, Stafford Trueheart is as great of a rebounder that there is in wny, he might not be able to hit 3s at the pase of a guard which is why he is a forward and not a guard, he plays hard, Stafford is a complete player for a forward position, which is why he is getting recruited to a couple mid majors, how many players in wny are even complete players? Every player has a couple weakness, even big time recruits in the country.

[Jayhawks]

@jameswright, I don't know the Molson Kid character or what happened with his situation at the school but If the kid was kicked out of school that is a red flag for almost 99.9 percent of D1 coaches in basketball, and almost every coach on the D1 level, and coaches try to avoid those type of players, so with your opinion of saying "I'm sure he will still play at the division 1 level" I'll have to disagree with you on that if the kid was kicked out the school....

[Luke Kindberg]

One thing that may go unmentioned is the lack of talent in the WNY area. Out of all these guys being mentioned how many D1 guys are there? Around 10.. And out of those how many will go high major? Maybe 2-3? Even compared to the ROC area we have significantly less talent. When is the last time we've had a player like Thomas Bryant(Indiana) top 20 in his class in the country. I don't know if there is a problem or what it is, but there should be more D1 talent coming out of WNY, a lot more.

[Richie K]

Amadi Ikpeze doesn't get anything? The man averaged a double-double every game. The man deserves something! Also TC Brown might be the most unguarded player in WNY. I don't understand why he isn't first team. His stats prove it. Numbers don't lie

[Hoops fan]

Jayhawk.... You are right Stafford is a tremendous rebounder that's why I said most of his points come with 10 feet (offensive rebounds, why they beat park the first time!) he is a great athlete but at the next level he needs to hit a 15 foot jumper for his his postion in college!! In high school you can get away with being a great athlete but if you think he is D1 he will be exposed!!

[Jayhawks]

@Luke there is just way to many D1 prospects in the Tri State area, and most of the players in rest of the Tri state area are better than our players, most of the recruiting in New York State comes from mainly New York City. Rochester doesn't even gets the looks that it deserves. Also New York State as a whole hasn't been a hot recruiting bed for high majors since the old Big East broke up. A lot of the old big east schools that used to hit the Tri State area hard changed geographically, and don't recruite the Tri State Area as much. Only high major school that recruit the Tri State hard these days are mainly Seton Hall, but Seton Hall mainly looks at there own New York City guys. Rutgers abandoned the Tri State area once it moved to the Big Ten and hired Eddie Jordan, Pitt also abandoned the Tri State Area once it bolted for the ACC also. It became hard for them to pitch kids, thats why most of the New York State kids are leaving the Tri State area and going off to the prep schools like findlay, Mountverde, ect because there just aren't to many high major coaches around the Tri state area these days..

[Jayhawks]

@hoopsfan, I don't think he will be headed off to a high major, so he will be fine. He will get better over time its not like he will be thrown into the fire, he probably will redshirt his first year. He will go through a 2-3 year development process, he's not a 5 star or a 4 star prospect he has not pressure to go into a school and contribute right away, every level outside the power 5 conference is a process called development.

[Hoops fan]

Jayhawks... All I said in my original post is he limited and you have helped me prove my point!! He is a good kid and will work hard!! I wish him luck!!

[Victor Cruz]

1st team
Stafford Truehart
Dom Welch
Takal Molson
Fred Fisher
Jaquoine Foagn

[Luke Kindberg]

@Jayhawks- I completely agree that kids in this area do not get the looks they deserve, but a lot of it comes from AAU exposure and it is clear that buffalo kids just aren't as good. Unfortunately, buffalo doesn't have there own top notch AAU program so kids go to city rocks and are no where near the stars of those teams.. But, City Rocks does produce big time player (just not the buffalo kids) Lydon-Cuse Holt-Indiana Huerter-Maryland Rose-Temple.., maybe Buff needs an AAU program to step up and get a shoe company sponsorhip, but maybe there is just a lack of talent in the area for it to work

[Q]

1st team
Stafford Truehart (POY)
Dom Welch
Greg Dolan
Tak Molson
Jordan Nwora
2nd team
Tc Brown
Jernard Jackson
Fred Foster
Ben Eckstrom
Maceo Jack
3rd team
James Rojas
Tavien Kemp
Christian Nodine
Graham Dolan
Quinton Lamar
4th team
Amadi Ikpeze
Shaquan Jones
Andy Xapos
JoJo Stanton
Elijah Ramadhan
5th team
Noah Thompson
Nick Montgomery
Justin Jones
Noah Hutchins
Patrick Moore

[Victor Cruz]

Even though kicked out of school still a d1 talent. His numbers do not lie even though it was a mistake it doesn't question his character. Shouldn't even be a question if he's a top player in wny for all he did this year putting the team on his back. You'll see the impact next year when he is no longer there

[Jayhawks]

@Luke the talent pool in WNY might be weak for a AAU program to try to get a shoe company sponsorship in WNY..

[Jayhawks]

@Luke thats why I feel like without the old big east a lot of the small area basketball players in the Tri State area are getting left out, there's only so much room for everybody to fit on a AAU team... Next best thing after AAU is relationships, there just aren't many relationships in the Tri State area between the college and high school coaches like when the old big east was around. Alot of colleges abandoned the Tri State Area. There's talent around all of New York State just most colleges rather go to the big time power house High School and get players from there, rather than finding a needle in the haystack.

[Jayhawks]

@victorCruz He may very well be a D1 talent but first and foremost all D1 coaches recruit character first, and talent second, All I'm saying is getting kickout of a school isn't a good look for him. It scares coaches off, PERIOD....

[centercourt]

As far as the whole Division I conversation goes...

Thomas Bryant from Rochester (Bishop Kearney) is a very special case, and didn't finish his career there. Chinonso Oboko also made it to Syracuse. After them, it's not like Rochester is pumping out high level DI players on a regular basis. Phil Valenti & Javon McCrea were outstanding HS that picked the right place to keep playing in college.

If the NBA rule didn't change, Paul Harris would have been a lottery pick. Harris & Jonny Flynn ended up at Cuse, that's pretty major. Robert Garrison had a stint with UConn and Tyrell Lynch at UMass.

Greg Gamble & Will Regan had careers at UB, and Regan started at Virginia.

Jamal Webb started for North Dakota, Dallas Gary to Coppin state.

Adam Weir & Jermaine Crumpton played for Canisius.

Davon Marshall ended up at Liberty.

Matt MacDonald worked his way into Fairleigh Dikckinson.

This season:

Jaysean Paige at WVU, Matt Hart at George Washington, and Sterling Taplin at Tulsa made WNY proud and I'm sure there are multiple players I'm forgetting.

Then, there's the guys still in HS with DI offers:

Jordan Nwora (including Pitt), Dom Welch, Stafford Trueheart, Greg Dolan, & Amadi Ikpeze.

Everything goes in cycles. Generally speaking, I think we're doing just fine. And after making trips to Glens Falls and Albany for the Federation, I can say that the level of basketball in WNY this season was up to par.

[Jayhawks]

@centercourt might have to cross the Pitt offer off for Nwora, Coach Dixon left for TCU and who knows if the next coaching staff will countine to recruit him. Maybe, he gets a offer from TCU soon....

[CloseOut]

Joe Jones from Park has offers from Canisius and UB.

[CloseOut]

1st Team
Stafford Trueheart POY
Jordan Nwora
Fred Foster
Greg Dolan
Dom Welch

2nd Team
Jenard Jackson
Shaquan Jones
Ben Eckstrom
Elijah Ramadhan
James Rojas

3rd Team
Patrick Moore
Joseph Staton
Tavien Kemp
TC Brown
Marcellus Cooper

4th Team
Justin Jones
Amadi Ikpeze
Maceo Jack
Graham Dolan
Qeyion Williams

5th Team
Breon Harris
Brandon Roach
Christian Nodine
Kyle Harris
Nate Brawdy

HM (only players I have seen, sure there are many deserving players)
Will Atkinson
Naseer Jackson
Will Johnson
Quinton Lamar
Brock Kroening
Ed Radka
Noah Thompson
Nick Montgomery
Ray Blackwell
Noah Hutchins
Quinton Lamar
Alex Knost
Madut Ayiy
Willard Anderson
Sean Hill
Zac Kinsey
Jake Cavana
Hunter Anderson
Derek Schmidt
Dan Freilicher

[Jayhawks]

@centercourt Also, forgot about Howard Washington... Butler committe.

[Nick montgomery]

Nobody giving Noah Thompson from East aurora any love...smh

[Just Sayin]

Imagine a team consisting of Howard Washington, Graham Dolan, Brandon Roach, Maceo Jack, Mat Foster, Fred Foster, Kyle Harris, Sean Hill & Hunter Anderson. I don't have to because I witnessed it. Buffalo City Rocks! Contributed to 1 National High School Chip, 2 Manhatten Cup Chips, 2 State Chips, 1 Federation Chip, 5 Section VI Chips. 2 Yale Cup Chips. I submit that the WNY Class of 2016 plus Juwan Tolliver (2015) was very fruitful!

[Just Sayin]

Now imagine a team consisting of Kyle Harris, Ben Ecksrtrom, Jernard Jackson, Brandon Roach, Madut Ayiy, Christian Nodine, Mariano Baldon, Brock Kroenig, Denzell Fuller, & Takal Molson. I was fortunate to witness this one as well. WNY Stampede! Another outstanding group of WNY talent from the Class of 2016

[WNYBball]

1st Team
POY: S. Truehart
J. Nwora
T.C. Brown
F. Foster
Greg Dolan

2nd Team
D. Welch
M. Jack
B. Eckstrom
A. Ikpeze
K. Harris

3rd Team
J. Jones Canisius
E. Ramadhan
J. Jackson
J. Rojas
S. Jones McKinley

4th Team
T. Kemp
J. Staton
C. Nodine
P. Moore fredonia
G. Dolan

[Hoops fan]

Any team that has tc brown ahead of Jernard jackson is fraudulent!!

[The Italian Baller]

Even more fraudulent is wnybball putting Jackson 3rd team. I been coaching over 30 yrs and rarely have seen a young man work as hard as Jenard at both ends of the court for 32 minutes. If you witnessed his 2 game performance at Buff State, then imagine him playing like that all yr long, offensively, defensively, rebounding, steals, assists, the kid doesn't cheat the game and still makes everyone better around him. He goes all out all of the time which you rarely see from an athlete in any sport. As for T.C., he tried to defend Jenard head to head. Not so good,he was lit up in less than a quarter. Yes, I have had the pleasure to be 1 of his coaches through his career, but don't call me bias, just hope you had the opportunity to watch him play at Buff St and if you no bball, then you no what I'm sayn. Here's hoping you no the game this yr center court. Thanks for the vine, you truely do a great job coving this sport of ours

[sal]

No reason to bash any kids performance a lot of good not great players out there, Centercourt as well as All WNY teams will do a great job acknowledging kids and there will always be criticism . I now one thing Centercourt has seen more games and players multiple times than anyone on this board let him do his thing. Also know what are the criteria's for Centercout and Buff News-Scoring? winning team? college recruitment? Have fun with it but post the positive opinion and leave other stuff out

[Music]

WNYBball...Welch 2nd team??? You see 50 opinions in here and 49 have Welch, Truehart consistently on 1st team. Either you know something the other 49 people don't know or you know nothing!! I'm going with those 49 in the know. Obviously the list of interested D1's are with the 49.

[Victor Cruz]

1st team should be looked at as how much they did for there team even looking at the numbers will prove half wrong. 1600 pts at the end of there JUNIOR year averaging 30 should be 1st team lol as well as the numbers takal molson. All these players are great talents but you cannot put down what these kids did this season for there teams.

[Victor Cruz]

Daveonte Gaines a watch this upcoming season from health scInce. After a season high 45 as a 10th grader. Buffalo public schools has special talents but get no recognition. As well as Shakur Harris for south park after the shooe he put on at buff state everyone should of taken notice.

[StateChamps2003]

Victor Cruz - Get your "They're/There/Their's" down.

[SammieBrown]

Rochester have several D1 prospects and about 7 of them are going to a major school . Not to mention the athletes that's going D1 for football who would of been going D1 for basketball. And it's several players who played amazingly but if they didn't get the recognition their not going to be mention. Christian Nodine should be 2nd team if not 3rd. It's disrespectful to put him on the 5th team. Tak Molson is easily the best guard in this 716 area and he is most likely D1 bound. Another player I loved this year is Andrew Austin from Lockport, I seen him average around 3 points last year and this year exploded to having 15 or more 20 point games. But to add on to the first team Jernard Jackson POY, followed by TC, Dom, Canisus kid and the young Dolan kid has to be there also.

[Music]

Victor Cruz...Your point is lost somewhere. 1600? Molson? And a whole lot of what tha?? in between. You might want to make it clearer?

[Basketball fan]

@ Victor Cruz, Brandon Roach had 50 as a 10th grader, which was also the season high. Not trying to downplay anybody but it has to be said if that's the case being made for Gaines

[Basketball fan]

The reason I say that is because even though Roach had 50. He hasn't been getting any love from anybody in regards to the All WNY list.

[ECIC basketball]

First
S. Truehart Player of the Year
T.C. Brown
Nwora
Foster
Welch

Second
Greg Dolan
Eckstrom
Ikpeze
Harris
Jack

Third
Jones Can
Jackson
Rojas
Ramadan
Kemp

Fourth
Jones McK
Nodine
Moore
Dolan
Staton

[jj43]

Nothing better than when someone says a player is the best guard in WNY hands down and then refers to others players as Canisius kid and young dolan. Shows you really know your stuff. And would love to hear who the 7 major D1 kids from Rochester are? Were they playing in regionals when Sec6 went 4-1?

1st team
Jackson
Trueheart
Welch
Dolan
Nwora

2nd
Foster
Staton
Ramadan
Eckstorm
Rojas

3rd team
Jones from Canisius
Dolan
Harris from NF
Jack
Cavana

4th team
Nodine
Moore
Ikpese
Harris from SP
Lamar

5th team
Hill
Konst
Blose
Kemp
Outlaw

[Cmonman]

Funny how Tavien Kemp is quietly overlooked. Walsh was #2 small school all year long, and won the MMA Class B regular season title. Beat Jernard Jackson led Lew-Port by 20, and outplayed him. Walsh destroyed Takal Molson led St Mary's by 20+ (at Walsh) and the two battled all game long. Kemp scored 43 while being Box and 1'd against a PA team that finished something like 24-3. Numerous games he could have scored 40, but he is team first and used the 2nd half of those games to play within his team's offense. MMA teams box and 1'd him all season, and his final stats 22ppg 4.5 apg 4rpg 4spg. 48% from the field and 40% from 3. Not too shabby. Oh, and he's only a junior. Where's the love?

[Gang Green]

Nichols showed Kemp all sorts of love at Villa.

[ajm]

Cmonman-- I was at the Lew-Port Walsh game. Kemp did have a great game, believe he had 22 points. Moore had 28 or so. I wouldn't say he outplayed Jackson. Jackson had 29 of his team 54 points that game and was all over the place on defense. Both players did great that game but I wouldn't say any single player outplayed Jackson that game

[AllWNYalum]

1st Team
POY: S. Truehart
J. Nwora- shoots the lights out
T.C. Brown- unguardable 1 on 1
F. Foster- able to control a game
Greg Dolan- smooth and controls the game

2nd Team
D. Welch- could see him on first team, but didn't even reach Buff State. Heck of a talent
M. Jack- can do it all
B. Eckstrom- inside out threat
A. Ikpeze- most formidable center in wny
K. Harris- solid

3rd Team
J. Jones Canisius
E. Ramadhan
J. Jackson- awesome sectional push but too inconsistent during league play
J. Rojas- awesome talent
S. Jones McKinley

4th Team
T. Kemp
J. Stanton
C. Nodine
P. Moore fredonia- scored all year
G. Dolan- key leader for Billies state push

[B. Stevens]

Allwnyalum,
Did you watch any of these kids during the season? If so you would see that Welch is the best player in WNY reguardless if his team made buff state or not. Also, what are you basing the statement about Jackson on? Averaging almost 30 points a game during the regular season and did everything for a Lewiston-Porter team who is the smallest in their league and competed with every team in their league including AA sectional winner Niagara Falls (the first time they played).

I'm all for people having their own opinions but lets make sure we know what we are talking about if we are going to state a negative comment about a player. Anyone who doesn't have Welch on first team is hard to take serious on here.....