The 2018 CC MVP -- WNY's POY: Williamsville South's Greg Dolan

(The 2018 CC MVP - Greg Dolan / Photo:Harry Scull,Buffalo News)

** 28.6 PPG / 8.8 RPG / 7.1 SPG / 6.9 APG **

 

I heard about Greg Dolan long before I met him.  I believe he was just a fifth grader when people were speaking of this up-and-comer from the Williamsville school district.  At that time, I was enamored with a different floor general for the Billies named Mark Coppola and couldn't fathom there being a young kid who would one day be the guy I considered South's GOAT.  But I understand it now.

 

When I was first introduced to Dolan prior to his freshman campaign, I saw a skinny kid who looked like he was in middle school (see the image below from his freshman season).  But from our first conversation, I had the sense that this was a humble and hungry young man with a maturity that extended well beyond his years.  My sense of him from that encounter would prove to be spot on.

 

I'll never forget the first time I watched him play.  His first varsity game, on the road, against Class AA district rival Williamsville North in front of a packed gymnasium.  The freshman point guard rallied his team from a sizable second half deficit by quietly controlling the game.  Before I could even tweet a final score, a fan heading for the exit yelled over to me - 'that freshman was the best player in the game.'  I couldn't disagree.

 

By season's end, Dolan had led South to the Class A Far West Regional and landed on Third Team All-Centercourt.  He was just warming up.

 

A growth spurt over the summer, along with some added muscle and a haircut had Dolan looking and playing at another level.  He was the sophomore point guard on a veteran team with a core group of seniors and played the perfect role for them.  The result was Williamsville South's only trip in school history to the state final four and a place on First Team All-Centercourt.

 

As the only starter back with South, his junior season would be the year he had to embrace a larger role, and once again, he thrived.  Dolan's Billies were among the very best teams in the area, even reaching the number one ranking in the large school poll for a period late in the season - the only time South has ever been ranked #1.  He was a repeat First Team selection.

 

But as good as he was in his first three seasons, he was downright nasty as senior.  The CC MVP is not a career achievement award, but rather the honor bestowed upon the area's best season turned in by one player.  Dolan was just that.

 

"The big thing for Greg this year was the way he carried the team," Williamsville South head coach Gabe Michael said.  "I've never been around someone who dominated every stat like Greg did - he scored, led us in steals, assists, rebounds, and blocks.  Add the way he carried himself throughout the process and it was four great years coming together for him."

 

His MVP campaign began at Canisius, where South got pounded by the Crusaders.  Dolan scored 25 of the Billies' 51 points in the loss.  The team rebounded with a nice win over Aquinas the following day to improve to .500 heading into their home opener against St. Francis.  It would turn out to be a game Dolan and South wanted to forget, as the Red Raiders jumped on them early, shot the lights out, and handed them a double figure loss.

 

"For them to take it to us the way they did at home, that Frannies game was kind of a low point for us this year and Greg was still figuring out what his role would need to be for us to succeed," Michael said.

 

The next game for the Billies would be a showcase matchup in the ADPRO Challenge against Timon.  From the moment the ball tipped, it was clear Dolan had figured out what he needed to do - be the best player on the floor in every game his team played.  And so it began.  South raced out to a 39-20 lead by halftime and won the game behind Dolan's 31 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and six steals.

 

"Our next game against Timon was him coming off a loss and just dominating, especially in the early going.  They struggled getting it up the court and making passes around him early on and there was nothing they could do about it.  Timon was a very good team and he motivated himself to dominate that game early." 

 

After finding the motivation to dominate early, Dolan went into the next game at Cardinal O'Hara ready to dominate...period.  In the first game of his four-year career he ever played against a small school, he absolutely torched the Hawks to the tune of a career-high 47 points, eight assists, seven steals, and seven rebounds.

 

Two games later, South arrived at a jam-packed Amherst for the big 'Battle of Main Street'.  Having lost on their floor the season prior, Dolan wanted to make absolutely sure he didn't have to feel that sting again.  He finished with a game-high 29 points in a 28-point victory.

 

"I left the locker room knowing we weren't losing that game," Michael said.  "His determination was so obvious and I watched him just dominate that game."

 

Dolan sat the entire fourth quarter of nine games this season when his team had built a sizable lead.  One of those was against Hamburg.  On that night, Dolan checked out with 39 points through three quarters - the Bulldogs as a team scored 45 points in the game.

 

"His attitude never changes on the court as the circumstances do, whether up by 20 or down by 20, last play of the game or first quarter - he has that same look on his face which is really important for a point guard," said Michael.

 

Two weeks later at Sweet Home came another game in which Dolan sat the fourth quarter.  But not before a 24-point first half and 35 points through three frames.  In the team's rematch against Amherst, Dolan scored another 28 points to go with 10 boards and five steals.  In total, Dolan had eight games on the season with more than 30 points, while leading all of WNY in steals.

 

"He brought it everyday, whether practice or games," Michael said.  "Greg only has one speed and that's 100%." 

 

In early February came the Centercourt Classic and the inaugural event's headliner featured Dolan's Billies against Health Sciences, led by Tennessee commit Davonte Gaines.  The game received much hype in the week leading up and was played before a standing-room only crowd.  In one of the most exciting games of the season, Dolan was a stand out.

 

"He's not looking for attention, but he likes the build up - it gets him going.  That game was like a college game with the amount of hype that went into it.  You knew going in that for us to win, Greg would have to be special.  Then to guard Davonte Gaines the whole game, dominate the boards the way he did, handle their pressure, absorb a 15-0 run to start the second half, and score 36 points...it's all a credit to his competitiveness, ability, and understanding of the game." 

 

As the end of the season approached, Dolan had already broken the school record for career points, steals, and rebounds.  He entered Buff State Week well within reach of 2,000 points for his career. After the Billies punched their ticket to a fifth straight Class A1 Final, he needed just 17 points for the milestone and knew he'd be attaining it before a massive crowd when South faced undefeated West Seneca West.  

 

"One of the coolest things that happened in my coaching time was the way Greg handled scoring 2,000 points.  In an age of inflated stats and self promotion, where so many kids want attention, he demanded that we did not stop the game and just move on.  That to me shows his head is in the right place," said Michael.

 

When the moment came early in the third quarter, it was announced over the muffled PA system in the Buff State Sports Arena.  Dolan gave a quick wave to the few who knew what had just happened and went back to work.  There was no picture taken with a 2,000 point ball.

 

It would turn out to be Dolan's last outing that night, as the epic game of the decade unfolded between South and West Seneca West that needed four overtimes to crown a champion.  That night, like the entire season, was a masterful performance by Dolan.  He finished with 36 points, along with some amazing highlights at the defensive end and passing in transition.  In the fourth overtime, he was hit with his fifth and disqualifying foul, ending the ride.  I asked coach Michael if he thought there was anything Dolan left on the court that night.

 

"No, but I wish he left with a foul," Michael joked.  "Really, he was unbelievable.  He broke the pressure all game and did a great job facilitating our offense.  In the overtimes, he was getting double teamed and still able to get guys shots and make plays.  As much as you want to win that game, it was really a great showcase for him and his career.  If he doesn't foul out, obviously we think things could have been different, which is a credit to him being that much of a key factor." 

 

On Friday, Dolan announced his future plans.  Despite multiple Division I offers, he has opted to take one more year to refine his game and further prepare for the next level.  He will attend Northfield Mount Hermon next for a year of prep.

 

"Greg's going to go as hard as he can to get better.  When you watch him in prep school and he has access to the shooting gun all the time and he can just get shots up, you're going to see a totally different kid.  He's going to work as much as you let him."

 

As we wrapped up the interview, I asked if there was anything else he wanted to add.  Michael changed his voice to be funny and sound like he was crying and said "yeah, I'm going to miss him so much."

 

"Me too," I replied, without any sarcasm in my tone.  I spent a lot of time over the last four years covering Greg Dolan's brilliant career and tried my hardest to appreciate it throughout the process, as a parent does with their child during those precious early years.  It was special.  And the farewell tour that was his senior season was one of the best I've seen from a high school player.  

 

The day after his final game, Dolan tweeted a thank you message to everyone who had been a part of his career and success - a typical show of class from the South GOAT.  After reading it I thought to myself, no - thank you Greg.  Thank you for the ride that just kept getting better.  Thank you for the way you always carried yourself.  Thank you for a career that was outstanding and for a final season that was more than worthy of Player of the Year honors.  

 

I've heard him called Mr. Main Street.  I dubbed him Dolan 2K during the season.  Now he has another title to go by, the 2018 CC MVP!

 

 

-centercourt

 

Comments

[hoopster]

Well done CC!! And even more well done Greg!! Congrats to both of you! And best wishes going forward Greg!

[PJB]

Phenomenal career Greg and best of luck in the future!

[Nelson Adams]

Congrats to Greg Dolan. Outstanding choice for Player of the Year.

[Dave Davis]

I cannoy argue with the choice of Greg Dolan. Well deserved!

[Dave]

It's been a pleasure watching Greg play for four years. Was a great player already as a freshman and improved every year. Looking forward to watching his career in college.

[Madison (CJ)]

Wow so well-written this made me emotional, Greg is a legend with an unforgettable career! Sad I can't see him on the High School courts anymore but he really deserved this. Congrats to Greg and huge shoutout to Centercourt for a great & detailed walk-through of the GOAT's career ans showing us what an awesome senior year the MVP had! 🏀