The 2021 Preview contains:
- Commentary
- What's New
- Returning 2020 All-Centercourt Players
- Player Watch List for 2021
- A League-by-League look at returning All-League selections
(MMA, Yale Cup, ECIC, NFL, N-O, CCAA, & Charters)
- Coaching Changes
- Classification Changes
- Preseason Top 10 Large & Small Schools
- Predictions
Commentary
For the first time in the 12 seasons I've been doing this, WNY has no reigning state champions entering this season. So I'd like to start this preview off by taking some liberties and crowning a few squads from the 2020 season. Relying on years of watching these teams throughout the year and then following them to the state & fed tournaments in late March, I think I have a decent gauge of what a state championship team looks like - and I've even predicted a few months in advance. So when I look back on the 2020 season, we had four state champions, and you can't convince me otherwise. I have clairvoyance and this is how it would have all gone down:
- After winning the game of the year in the Far West Regional at Buff State, a thriller between Health Sciences and Rochester's East High, the state tournament seemed like a mere formality to the Falcons -- especially after routing their opponent in the state semifinal in Glens Falls. However, the state championship game was too close for comfort...that is until late in the fourth quarter when Jonezy went Jonezy, again, and took the game over. Ty Parker lost his voice. Daciare, Tyler, Jabari, & Deshaun were each given a key to the City of Buffalo upon their return home for being outstanding seniors. And Major announced his retirement at the victory parade, but Ty overruled that decision.
- Middle College had some unfinished business to tend to from the 2019 season and headed to Glens Falls hell bent on winning one for Jakari Nettles, who had helped them get so close in 2019. The weekend was reminiscent of the 2010 and 2016 seasons for the Kats. They destroyed a pair of opponents, who never saw it coming, in the state tournament. Parents of the losing teams in Class C wept and cried foul. But it had been all too legit. Jamond was too good. Speedy was too quick. Keith Brown & Keyunte Jones were too tough. And Anthony Smith became the first player to shatter a backboard at Glens Falls.
- Following an exhausting road trip to Long Island in the state semifinals, Canisius earned the right to come home and play for a state championship in Buffalo. The combination of playing in their hometown, unbiased officiating (as opposed to Long Island), Coach Husband shaving his beard, and having Dewayne Vass - clearly the best player on the court that day -was more than the Crusaders even needed. Though the scoreboard showed Canisius won by six points, they held a double figure lead most of the second half after a pair of backcourt steals by Shane Cercone ignited a late first half run that basically put the game away. Joe Ciocca connected four straight times from long range at one point and Max Dowling had a double-double by halftime.
- Finally, Timon caused the CHSAA to launch an investigation, after winning a state title while starting four underclassmen. Who is this General Jamyier Patton, they demanded to know, and how in the hell does he score like that in the paint amidst so many trees?? You're telling me Kamar Goudelock is only a sophomore, they asked? With that handle, range, and moxy? Hold up...Kevin Thompson is only a sophomore as well AND this Leo Camilloni (a junior) can shoot the '3'? Well, needless to say, Coach Rowe remained his usual quiet self and was unavailable for comment during the investigation, which turned up no wrong doing. Timon was indeed a state champion (they beat Canisius in the regular season for crying out loud!). And you better believe they will repeat this year...
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What's New ??
- Two-time All-Centercourt First Team selection Roddy Gayle made the decision to transfer out of state, a few weeks after announcing his commitment to play for Ohio State in a couple years. Greg Brooks has left the area after earning All-Centercourt Honorable Mention as a 7th grader at Maritime, and All-Centercourt Honorable Mention selection Gabe McCoy from Randolph also left the area.
- No fans at games (at least initially), no state playoffs, and no Federation Tournament
- All the major regular season events have been canceled, including tip-off & holiday tournaments, the Cataract Classic, the BSN Sports NFLvs. ECIC Challenge, the Pastor-Cooper Showcase, MLK Classic, and my baby, the Centercourt Classic (the 4th Annual would've been the best one yet)
- There will be no state rankings released during the 2021 regular season
- All postseason games in WNY will be hosted by the higher seed, including the Section VI Championship games. Championship Saturday is set for March 27th
- The Manhattan Cup this season will include all seven Monsignor Martin Association teams. With no CHSAA state playoffs, there is no need to determine a Class B representative. Only one teams will be crowned champion. The Manhattan Cup Championship is set for Saturday, March 20th
- Despite its Class B BEDS' numbers, Health Sciences is once again moving up. After being moved to Class A2 for the past two seasons, Section VI has bumped the Falcons up as high as they can go - Class AA. Tapestry will continue to compete in Class C and Maritime stays in Class B
- Joining Health in Class AA will be Four-time All-Centercourt standout Jalen Bradberry, who returns to his hometown Niagara Falls for his senior season. Bradberry will play for his father, Carlos, the new coach of the Wolverines. Talk about bolstering a lineup...Class AA is going to be a blast this year
- Instead of every team receiving an automatic bid to the Sectionals, only the top eight teams from each classification will move on to the postseason this year
- Class B will break into three sections this season (adding B3), instead of the traditional Class B1 & B2. As Class B is currently the largest classification in Section VI by 10 teams, this move will allow for an additional eight teams to qualify for the postseason
- Bennett moves up to Yale Cup I from Yale Cup II, while City Honors moves from Yale Cup I down to Yale Cup II
- Tonawanda joins ECIC III after competing in ECIC IV last season
- Springville moves from ECIC III to ECIC IV
- Salamanca and Chautauqua Lake are flipping divisions. Salamanca joins CCAA I West, while Chautauqua Lake joins CCAA I East
- Global Concepts & BASCS both opted out of competition for the 2021 season
- I will provide the play-by-play for all St. Joe's home games this season, which can be heard on the game's live stream
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The Players
*** 8 of the top 25 players from the 2020 All-Centercourt Team return to the WNY high school hoops scene, along with 15 players that received Honorable Mentions following last season.
Reigning CC MVP
JaVaughn Jones - Health Sciences, Senior
Junior Season Stats:
20.6 PPG
7.4 RPG
7.3 APG
4.9 SPG
The epitome of a four-year floor general who takes over at both ends
** All-Centercourt Defender **
Returning First Teamer
Jalen Bradberry - Niagara Falls, Senior
Junior Season Stats:
19.7 PPG
3.2 APG
3.1 RPG
1.4 SPG
Enters the 2021 campaign needing 599 points to become WNY's all-time leading scorer
** Centercourt #BOOM Squad **
Returning Second Teamers
Jamyier Patton - Timon, Senior
Junior Season Stats
22.1 PPG
3.2 RPG
2.7 APG
2.7 SPG
Slithers through defenders at the rim and finishes consistently, when he's not killing you from downtown
Jaden Slaughter - St. Joe's, Senior
Junior Season Stats:
18.1 PPG
5.3 RPG
2.7 APG
1.2 SPG
A highly efficient and unselfish talent that is now 6-5. He's smooth!
Returning Fourth Teamers
Demarri Jones - Jamestown, Senior
Junior Season Stats:
17.2 PPG
10.3 RPG
1.3 APG
1.3 SPG
High intensity baller who routinely outworks opponents
Trey Kleitz - Iroquois, Junior
Sophomore Season Stats:
20.7 PPG
7.5 APG
5.7 SPG
2.8 RPG
Two-sport standout with excellent court vision
Returning Fifth Teamers
Joe Harrington - Lancaster, Junior
Sophomore Season Stats
15.8 PPG
8.4 RPG
2.0 BPG
1.7 SPG
1.3 APG
Led the defending Class AA champs in scoring, rebounding, & blocks as a sophomore
Tariq Eubanks - Tapestry, Senior
Junior Season Stats
13.3 PPG
7.3 APG
5.0 SPG
3.6 RPG
The combination of talent, quickness, and effort has made Mr. Excitement the straw that stirs the drink at Tapestry for three seasons
** All-Centercourt Defender **
Returning 2020 Honorable Mentions
Zach Ianello - Clarence, Senior
16.8 PPG / 4.0 APG / 2.0 SPG / 72 Made 3-pointers - as a junior
Tyler Putney, Fredonia, Senior
15.9 PPG / 8.0 RPG / 2.0 BPG / 1.8 APG / 1.1 SPG - as a junior
Peyton Consigli - St. Francis, Senior
14.6 PPG / 7.2 RPG / 1.7 APG / 1.4 SPG / 0.8 BPG - as a junior
Keonjay Carter - Park, Senior
14.3 PPG / 4.5 APG / 4.3 RPG / 1.0 SPG - as a junior
Joe Ciocca - Canisius, Senior
11.8 PPG / 1.9 RPG / 1.8 APG / 1.0 SPG - as a junior
Max Dowling - Canisius, Senior
11.0 PPG / 5.0 RPG / 0.9 SPG / 0.7 BPG - as a junior
TJ Robinson - Niagara Wheatfield, Junior
21.0 PPG / 4.3 RPG / 2.4 APG / 2.0 SPG - as a sophomore
Trevin Boling - Tonawanda, Junior
20.6 PPG / 2.3 RPG / 1.8 SPG / 1.6 APG - as a sophomore
Max Schneider - Williamsville East, Junior
16.5 PPG / 7.0 APG / 3.1 SPG / 2.3 RPG - as a sophomore
Kamar Goudelock - Timon, Junior
16.3 PPG / 4.3 RPG / 2.8 APG / 2.8 SPG - as a sophomore
Massai Graham - Tapestry, Junior
14.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 2.9 BPG / 1.6 APG / 1.4 SPG - as a sophomore
Josh Haskell - St. Joe's, Junior
12.9 PPG / 3.8 RPG / 1.8 APG / 0.7 SPG - as a sophomore
Justin Glover - St. Joe's, Junior
10.7 PPG / 4.0 APG / 2.9 RPG / 1.4 SPG - as a sophomore
Jalen Duff - Lew-Port, Sophomore
17.5 PPG / 3.9 APG / 3.4 RPG / 1.5 SPG - as a freshman
Shane Cercone - Canisius, Sophomore
9.0 PPG / 5.7 RPG / 1.1 APG / 1.0 SPG - as a freshman
Player Watch List
SENIORS
Malik Jemison (Canisius), Hugh Purks (Nichols), Jesse Adamu (Nichols), Amiel Collins (St. Francis), Jaden washington (Cardinal O'Hara), Jaiden Green (East), Anthony Smith (Middle College), Bush Rieang (McKinley), Koran Askia (McKinley), Chris Coleman (South Park), Mykell Hepburn (South Park), Damario James (Bennett), Jarold Skillon (Bennett), Jamai Jackson (Ken West), Martin Espinal (Hutch-Tech), Jaylen Hearon (Maritime), Davon Scott (Bennett), Elijah Rojas (Jamestown), Simeon Leeper (Jamestown), Faybion Prather (Niagara Falls), Arien Robinson (Niagara Falls), Caleb Tillman (Niagara Falls), Conor Foley (Frontier), Jackson Jerebko (Lancaster), Dexter Brooks (Starpoint), Sam Walters (Starpoint), Christian Pagano (Depew), Nevada Eldridge (Cheektowaga), Austin Boies (Springville), Jeff Koch (Amherst), Andrew Dockery (Maryvale), Ian Moog (East Aurora), Colin Herzog (Lake Shore), Keith White (Lake Shore), Jason Brooks (Olean), Deuce Capen (Newfane), Sam Capen (Newfane), Adam Mietz (Akron), Javier West (Forestville), Caleb Hutchins (Park), Desmond Davis (Park), Logan Sionko (Grand Island), Jarod White (Salamanca), Lief Jimerson (Ellicottville), Clayton Rowland (Ellicottville), Logan Frank (Franklinville), John Swabik (Sherman), Wally Wisniewski (North Tonawanda), Seth Joba (Orchard Park)
JUNIORS
Declan Ryan (Canisius), Jimmie Green (Cardinal O'Hara), Chris Wright (Cardinal O'Hara), Lamar Matthews (Tapestry), Romeo Bell (Tapestry), Jahodd Martin (McKinley), Bryant Rosa (Riverside), Dom Phillips (East Aurora), Aidan Kennedy (Southwestern), Tyler Curran (Allegany-Limestone), Zion James (Olean), Logan Sionko (Grand Island), Sean Hargrave (Ken West), Dominic McKenzie (Niagara Falls), Jorden Bynes (CSAT), Teddy McDuffie (Amherst), Isaiah Jean-Pierre (Health Sciences), Jaylen Butera (Jamestown), Roderick Brown (Sweet Home),
SOPHOMORES
Trey Drake (Jamestown), Nick Moore (Amherst), Xander Fletcher (Niagara Wheatfield), Luke Granto (North Tonawanda), Bobby Beilein (Lew-Port)
FRESHMEN
Jaiden Lewis (West Seneca East), Lucas Brown (Salamanca), Shawn Watson (Niagara Wheatfield), Jaiden Huntington (Randolph), Channing Francis (Lancaster)
8th GRADE
Drew Hind (Randolph)
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League-By-League: Returning All-League Talent
Monsignor Martin Association
Large Schools - CLASS A
Canisius - Max Dowling, Joe Ciocca
St. Joe's - Jaden Slaughter
St. Francis - Peyton Consigli
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Small Schools - CLASS B
Timon - Jamyier Patton, Kamar Goudelock
Nichols - Hugh Purks
Cardinal O'Hara
St. Mary's
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Section VI
Charter Schools
Health Sciences - JaVaughn Jones
Tapestry - Tariq Eubanks, Massai Graham, Romeo Bell
Maritime - Jaylon Hearon, John Washington
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YALE CUP I
McKinley - Bush Rieang, Koran Askia, & Jahood Martin
South Park - Chris Coleman
Middle College - Anthony Smith
Bennett - Damario James, Jerrold Skillon, Damone McClain, Jacob Pullins
East - Jaiden Green, Anthony Oberlander
Hutch-Tech - Martin Espinal, Oliver Ngarikiyintwari, Kenneth Jacobs
Emerson - Lawrence Russell
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YALE CUP II
MST Seneca - Terrell Craig
Buffalo Arts - Jordan Rodgers
Riverside - Bryant Rosa, Dan Maku
City Honors - Caleb Chapman
Burgard - Lafario Ross
I-Prep - Naesiah Woods
Lafayette - Kevin Calderon
Olmsted
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ECIC I
Jamestown - Demarri Jones, Elijah Rojas
Lancaster - Joe Harrington, Jackson Jerebko
Frontier - Brandon Okie, Conor Foley
Clarence - Zach Ianello
Orchard Park
Williamsville North
West Seneca West
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ECIC II
Amherst - Nick Moore
Williamsville East - Max Schneider
West Seneca East - Jaiden Lewis
Starpoint - Dexter Brooks
Sweet Home
Williamsville South
Hamburg
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ECIC III
Iroquois - Trey Kleitz
Cheektowaga - Nevada Eldridge, Keonte Brown
Depew - Christian Pagano
East Aurora - Ian Moog, Dom Phillips
Lake Shore - Noah Herzog, Keith White
Maryvale - Andrew Dockery
Tonawanda - Trevin Boling, JJ Velazquez
Pioneer
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ECIC IV
Springville -Austin Boies
Lackawanna - Jeremi'yhi Presley, AJ Turner
Cleveland Hill - Charlie Meredith
JFK - Josh Knox
Eden - Hunter Stetz
Alden - Matt Hay
Holland
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Niagara Frontier League
Niagara Wheatfield - TJ Robinson, Xander Fletcher
Lew-Port - Jalen Duff
Grand Island - Logan Sionko
Niagara Falls
North Tonawanda
Kenmore West
Lockport
CSAT
Kenmore East
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Niagara-Orleans
Newfane - Sam Capen, Michael Carmer
Akron - Adam Mietz, Mitchell Holtz, Jake Mazza
Roy-Hart - Gavyn Boyle, Tommy Ragonese, Rhett Goodwin
Medina - Brian Fry, Tyler Chinn, Jarin Rhim
Albion - Bailey Blanchard
Wilson - Mike Miller
Barker - Joey Brandt
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CCAA I West
Olean - Jason Brooks, Zion James
Fredonia - Tyler Putney, Nick Whitfield
Salamanca - Jarod White, Lucas Brown
Allegany-Limestone - Tyler Curran
Southwestern - Aidan Kennedy, Nate Johnson, Calvin Ricker
Dunkirk - Christian Ortiz 11, A'Marion Tell
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CCAA I East
Randolph - Ashton Bushey
Chautauqua Lake - Luke Waters
Portville
Silver Creek
Falconer
Gowanda
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CCAA II West
Sherman - John Swabik, Keith Gormley, Gerald Carris
Cassadaga Valley - Wyatt Harrington, Braden Lebaron
Panama - Connor Cooper
Westfield - Darien Swanson
Clymer - Hunter Wassink
Brocton
Maple Grove
Falconer
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CCAA II East
Ellicottville - Clayton Rowland, Leif Jimerson, Wyatt Chudy, Logan Grinols
Franklinville - Logan Frank , Blake Frank Matt Peters
North Collins - Chris Smith, Mitchell Warsaw, Matthew Sweet
Cattaraugus-Little Valley - Kordell Oakes, Josh Halterman, Gage Furl
Pine Valley - Wayne Libby, Bryce Sercu, Cameron Hayes
Forestville - Javier West
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Teams with New Coaches (14)
Niagara Falls - Carlos Bradberry
Ken West - Ryan Hogan
Grand Island - Chris Simpson
South Park - Kyle Perla
Middle College - Randy Rich
City Honors - Michael Mills
Medina - Eric Hellwig
Wilson - Rob Linhart
Barker - Jake Haight
Albion - Travis Downs
Tonawanda - Scott Foster
Rob Culver - Frewsburg
Robert Slisz - Pine Valley
Lucas Brawdy - Gowanda
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Classification Changes (31)
Health Sciences moves up from Class A2 to Class AA
South Park moves up from Class A2 to Class A1
Williamsville East moves down from Class A1 to Class A2
Ken East moves down from Class A1 to Class A2
Iroquois moves up from Class B1 to Class A2
Lake Shore moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
Emerson moves down from Class A1 to Class B1
East moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
Depew moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Medina moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Burgard moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Lackawanna moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Tonawanda moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Springville moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Alden moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Lafayette moves down from Class A2 to Class B3
Eden moves down from Class B2 to Class B3
Olmsted moves down from Class B2 to Class B3
Fredonia moves down from Class B2 to Class B3
Roy-Hart moves down from Class B2 to Class B3
Maritime moves down from Class B2 to Class B3
JFK moves down from Class B2 to Class B3
Southwestern moves down from Class B2 to Class B3
Wilson moves down from Class B2 to Class B3
Cleveland Hill moves down from Class B2 to Class B3
Allegany-Limestone moves down from Class B2 to Class B3
Salamanca moves up from Class C2 to Class C1
Riverside moves up from Class D to Class C1
Silver Creek moves down from Class C1 to Class C2
Cassadaga Valley moves down from Class C1 to Class C2
Franklinville moves down from Class C2 to Class D
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Preseason Polls
** Seven of the 10 teams that appeared in the 2020 Preseason Large School Poll were Top 10 teams when the season ended, and I was 8 of 10 predicting the Top 10 small schools in 2020
Large Schools
1. Canisius
2. Park
3. St. Joe's
4. Jamestown
5. Health Sciences
6. Niagara Falls
7. Lancaster
8. Amherst
9. South Park
10. McKinley
Small Schools
1. Timon
2. Tapestry
3. O'Hara
4. Middle College
5. Bennett
6. Newfane
7. Akron
8. East Aurora
9. Nichols
10. Randolph
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Predictions
MMA - Canisius
Yale Cup I - McKinley
Yale Cup II - Olmsted
ECIC I - Jamestown
ECIC II - Amherst
ECIC III - Cheektowaga
ECIC IV - Springville
NFL - Niagara Falls
N-O - Newfane
CCAA I West - Fredonia
CCAA I East - Randolph
CCAA II West - Maple Grove
CCAA II East - Ellicottville
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Manhattan Cup
Only twice in the last seven seasons, have I accurately predicted the winner and both times I got it right, I picked Canisius. Well duh.
** Canisius **
Class AA
Final Four:
Niagara Falls, Health Sciences, Jamestown, & Lancaster
** Jamestown **
Class A1
Final Four:
McKinley, Ken West, South Park, & North Tonawanda
** South Park **
Class A2
Final Four:
Amherst, Cheektowaga, Williamsville East, & Lew-Port
** Amherst **
Class B1
Final Four:
Olean, Bennett, East Aurora, & East
** Bennett **
Class B2
Final Four:
Newfane, Akron, Depew, & Medina
** Newfane **
Class B3
Final Four:
Fredonia, Allegany-Limestone, Southwestern, & Maritime
** Fredonia **
Class C1
Final Four:
Tapestry, Middle College, Salamanca, & Riverside
** Tapestry **
Class C2
Final Four:
Randolph, Maple Grove, Holland, & Ellicottville
** Randolph **
Class D
Final Four to reach JCC:
Sherman, Franklinville, Pine Valley, & Clymer
** Sherman **
-centercourt
Great job........again. You keep WNY hoops going , thanks Chaf
Posted by: Sal | Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 03:57 PM
Awesome CC great to have hoops back. Hope for fans soon.
Posted by: Mad Mike | Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 04:07 PM
Rich Jacob is still the head coach at the Park School. Marcus Hutchins is acting head coach. Coach Jacob is avoiding the high risk exposure of COVID as he and family members are at higher risk.
Posted by: Park Fan | Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 08:42 PM
Does anyone know why Bradshaw was allowed to cancel the Will East game on Monday? Is he the athletic director there also? I thought he just headed the recruiting department. Someone please explain. If you lived in Lewiston like me you would know it was 28 and sunny when the game was cancelled due to ‘weather’ - interesting that the other 17 scheduled games to played that day. It couldn’t have had anything to do with his second best player being ineligible until Tuesday 🤔
Posted by: Tom Jolls | Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 04:39 AM
Great to see Monday that 18 of the 19 games scheduled despite getting some snow after 9pm. How can Lew Port cancel the game 2 hours before at NOON tip? I've lived in Lewiston off Center street most of my life it was about 26 and the sun was peaking out at Noon Monday. Where was the 'blizzard' that caused the coach to cancel it? Sickening that you would try to re-schedule it when your key player is back eligible. If you truly cared about the kids, you would never do that. Glad to hear the media is looking into this, I know the Gazette is running a story.
Posted by: J Walker | Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 12:46 PM
18 of the 19 games scheduled Monday got played I meant to say. Back in my day we didn't use computers, they didn't exist - we talked to people. Sorry for my mistake
Posted by: J Walker | Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 12:49 PM
Hello. Is the NT game at Lew Port still on for tonight? I encounter some blinding sun on my way home from work so I wasn't sure if the LP coach cancelled it. Please advise.
Posted by: NT Mom | Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 03:10 PM
Awesome preview. Does anybody know when fans might be able to see games in person? These live streams are just not the same
Posted by: Steve | Friday, February 19, 2021 at 12:12 PM
Will east has covid!!!!!!!Amherst was there last game and they should not be playing!!!!!!
Good thing lp canceled!!!!!!
Posted by: Truth | Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 03:20 PM
Wow what classy response from LP. Maybe next time use some extra punctuation to really make your point
Posted by: Allen | Monday, February 22, 2021 at 04:21 PM