The View From Centercourt

Farewell to the GOAT, Olean's Jeff Anastasia

(Photo: Harry Scull,BuffNews)

 

Jeff Anastasia has announced his retirement from coaching after 32 seasons.  A legend in the City of Olean, revered by the WNY High School Hoops community, and a member of the NYS Basketball Hall of Fame, his accomplishments during his time behind the bench with the Huskies are astonishing:

 

- Career Record:  602-139  (81%)

- Two-time Centercourt Coach of the Year, an award that began in 2011

- 21 League Championships

- 14 Sectional Titles

- 12 Regional Appearances

- 7 NYSPHAA Final Four Appearances in Class B

- 2 State Championships (2008 & 2016)

- Retires with an active 78-game home win streak

 

The following was written and sent to me by Olean assistant coach Brian Martin:

 

As the last few seconds of the NYSPHAA Class B state semifinal game ticked away, Coach Anastasia turned to his team for one final message - one last teachable moment.  Sadly, the Huskies’ season was coming to an end and the Hall of Fame coach’s career was a few moments from ending as well.  He looked at his players and saw the tears in their eyes, as they knew their high school basketball careers were moments away from being over.  In a hard fought game, that was chippy and physical, Coach Anastasia realized that emotions could easily take over.  With that in mind, he looked at his players and demanded, “I want nothing negative said to the other team. No matter what is said by them.  We take the high road, we show class, we show character.  That is who we are!”

 Moments later the final buzzer sounded and Olean’s season ended.  With heavy hearts and tear filled eyes, the boys congratulated the other team on their victory. Coach Anastasia’s players took the high road. They showed character. They showed class.

 On this day, the Hall of Fame Coach would not draw up a game winning play. Instead, he used his last moments as a coach to teach his players a lesson that is more important than any championship title, and that is to always carry yourself with class and character.

 

 Thank you Coach for all the amazing memories, always leading by example, and one last lesson!

 

-Assistant Coach Brian Martin

 

To the greatest high school coach I've had the privilege of covering during my time as a fan & promoter of local high school basketball in WNY, I wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors and am proud to call you a friend.  The legacy you leave behind is unmatched!

 

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Who has earned a spot on the 2019 All-Centercourt Team

 

The time has come where I ask area high school hoops fans for their opinion before giving mine.  Who has earned a spot on the 2019 All-Centercourt Team?  Give it shot. One CC MVP, five teams with five players on each team, and another 35 players for honorable mention.

 

In a few weeks, the 11th 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, Sixth Man of the Year, All-Centercourt Defenders, and the Centercourt #BOOM Squad.

 

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 2019 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 seasons.  

 

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.

 

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Section VI 2019 All-Tournament Teams

(Falls' Willie Lightfoot gave an MVP performance for the ages in the Class AA Final/Photo:Harry Scull,BuffNews)

 

Class AA

 

MVP - Willie Lightfoot - NiagaraFalls

 

Jaemon Turner - Niagara Falls

Jacob Belote - Williamsville North

Jonathon Abaya - Williamsville North

Malik Brooks - Lockport

Bradley Fowler - Orchard Park

 

Class A1

 

MVP - Adrian Baugh - West Seneca West

 

Nate Ryniec - West Seneca West

Maurice Robertson - West Seneca West

Cal Shifflet - Williamsville East

Max Schneider - Williamsville East

Evan John - Sweet Home

 

Class A2

 

MVP - Roddy Gayle - Lew-Port

 

Trent Scott - Lew-Port

Jake Mullen - Amherst

Jaylen Stewart - Amherst

Matt Matla - Iroquois

Jaylen Williams - Cheektowaga

 

Class B1

 

MVP - Mike Schmidt - Olean

 

Matt Droney - Olean

Jaden Slaughter - City Honors

Kevion Taylor - City Honors

Will Covington - East Aurora

Nick Whitfield - Fredonia

 

Class B2

 

MVP - Sam Flanders - Allegany-Limestone

 

Conner Golley - Allegany-Limestone

Casey Curran - Allegany-Limestone

Marciano Lamar - Olmsted

Dejauhn Williams - Burgard

Alex Card - Southwestern

 

Class C1

 

MVP - Jamond Jones - Middle College

 

Traemelle Stevens-Richardson - Middle College

Tariq Eubanks - Tapestry

Dorian Plummer - Tapestry

Nate Adams - Chautauqua Lake

Danny Carter - East

 

Class C2

 

MVP - Tyler Hind - Randolph

 

Gabe McCoy - Randolph

Kaleb Steward - Randolph

Lamont Pulliam - Bennett

Steven Rowland - Ellicottville

Tyler Scheffler - Holland

 

Class D

 

MVP - Cam Barmore - Panama

 

Jack Sperry - Panama

Gavin Christian - Forestville

Javier West - Forestville

Logan Frank - Franklinville

Lucas Willink - Clymer

 

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