The 2022 CC MVP
Declan Ryan
Canisius, Senior
20.6 PPG / 9.3 RPG / 3.1 APG / 0.7 BPG
- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- CHSAA State Champion
- Manhattan Cup Champion
- Monsignor Martin Champion
- Player of the Year for All-Catholic
- MVP of Tom Keenan Memorial Tournament
- Game MVP of CHSAA State Championship
- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic
- BK Classic All-Tournament
- Career-high 36 pts vs Albany Academy
- Grabbed 18 rebounds vs Albany Academy
- 33 pts, 20 boards, & 7 assists in a win at Timon
- Scored over 30 pts in 4 games
- Recorded 13 double-doubles
First Team All-Centercourt
Max Schneider
Williamsville East, Senior
27.1 PPG / 7.2 APG / 4.4 SPG / 2.3 RPG
- Three-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- ECIC II Champion
- Player of the Year for All-ECIC
- Player of the Year in ECIC II
- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic
Section VI Class A1 All-Tournament
- Centercourt Sniper Squad
- Centercourt Dime Dropper
- Led WNY in assists
- Season-high 44 pts in a win vs Lancaster
- Scored over 30 pts in 7 games
- Dished 14 dimes in a win at Iroquois
- Had 7 or more assists in 15 games
- Recorded 5 double-doubles
- Career 1,000 point scorer
Shane Cercone
Canisius, Junior
19.9 PPG / 8.9 RPG / 2.3 APG / 0.8 SPG
- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- CHSAA State Champion
- Manhattan Cup Champion
- Monsignor Martin Champion
- First Team All-Catholic
- BK Classic All-Tournament
- St. Pius All-Tournament
- All-Centercourt Defender
- Scored 31 in a win over Cathedral Prep
- Scored 31 in a win over Nichols
- Had 22 pts & 19 boards in a win at Nichols
- Recorded 11 double-doubles
- Double-doubles in 8 of last 10 games
- Career 1,000 point scorer
Seth Joba
Orchard Park, Senior
17.2 PPG / 9.9 RPG / 4.0 BPG / 1.0 SPG
- Player of the Year in ECIC I
- First Team All-ECIC
- Section VI Class AA All-Tournament
- All-Centercourt Defender
- Centercourt #BOOM Squad
- Led WNY in shot blocks
- Career-high 33 pts in a win at Sweet Home
- Blocked 8 shots in a win over Will North
- Had 16 rebounds vs Falls & Hamburg
- Grabbed 13 or more boards in 6 games
- Recorded 12 double-doubles
Massimo Moretti
St. Mary's, Senior
21.1 PPG / 14.2 RPG / 2.3 BPG / 1.3 APG
- CHSAA Class B State Champion
- First Team All-Catholic
- All-Cencourt Defender
- Centercourt #BOOM Squad
- Career-high 34 pts & 28 boards vs Nichols
- Scored 30 pts with 15 boards vs. St. Joe's
- Scored 26 or more pts in 8 games
- Blocked 4 or more shots in 8 games
- Had 15 or more rebounds in 13 games
- Recorded 18 double-doubles
- Shot 44% on 37 made 3-pointers
Kevin Thompson
Timon, Senior
20.5 PPG / 7.2 RPG / 2.5 BPG / 2.1 SPG
- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- Manhattan Cup Finalist
- First Team All-Catholic
- All-Centercourt Defender
- Centercourt #BOOM Squad
- Career-high 35 pts & 13 boards at St. Joe's
- Scored 24 or more pts in 9 games
- 32 pts, 16 boards, & 8 blks in a win vs Nichols
- Shot 6/9 from downtown in a win at Frannies
- Grabbed 11 or more rebounds in 6 games
- Career 1,000 point scorer
Second Team All-Centercourt
Teddy McDuffie
Amherst, Senior
13.6 PPG / 14.2 RPG / 3.2 SPG / 1.7 APG
- Far West Region Class A Champion
- Section VI Class A Champion
- ECIC II Champion
- NYSPHAA Class A All-Tournament
- First Team All-ECIC
- First Team ECIC II
- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic
- Centercourt #BOOM Squad
- Led WNY in rebounding
- Career-high 28 pts in a win at Iroquois
- Career-high 26 boards in a win vs Iroquois
- Had 5 games with 20 or more rebounds
- Recorded 18 double-doubles
Nick Moore
Amherst, Junior
16.6 / 5.7 RPG / 5.2 APG / 2.9 SPG
- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- Far West Region Class A Champion
- Section VI Class A Champion
- ECIC II Champion
- First Team All-ECIC
- Player of the Year in ECIC II
- Section VI Class A2 Tournament MVP
- Game MVP at the Cataract Classic
- Game MVP at the 290 Classic
- Game MVP at the Jolly Boys Showcase
- Centercourt Sniper Squad
- Centercourt Dime Dropper
- Season-high 26 pts in a win over Iroquois
- Grabbed 7 or more rebounds in 11 games
- Recorded 5 double-doubles
Justin Glover
St. Joe's, Senior
18.8 PPG / 5.8 APG / 4.7 RPG / 3.0 SPG
- Three-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- First Team All-Catholic
- All-Centercourt Defender
- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic
- Centercourt Sniper Squad
- Centercourt Dime Dropper
- Career-high 31 pts in a win at Nichols
- Had 30 pts, 8 reb, & 7 asts in a win vs Tapestry
- Scored 29 pts & 11 asts in a win vs Holy Trinity
- Had 16 pts, 15 boards, & 9 dimes vs O'Hara
- Dished 7 or more assists in 8 games
- Career 1,000 point scorer
Trey Kleitz
Iroquois, Senior
24.9 PPG / 6.9 RPG / 6.6 APG / 5.9 SPG
- Four-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- First Team All-ECIC
- First Team ECIC II
- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic
- All-Centercourt Defender
- Centercourt Dime Dropper
- Led WNY in steals
- Season-high 39 pts in a win vs Will South
- Grabbed 14 rebounds in a win at Maryvale
- Dished 13 assists in a win vs East Aurora
- Registered 13 steals in a win vs Pioneer
- Triple-double in a win vs Sweet Home
- Recorded 9 double-doubles
- Career 1,000 point scorer
Jalen Duff
Nichols, Junior
24.3 PPG / 7.5 RPG / 6.0 APG / 1.7 SPG
- Four-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- First Team All-Catholic
- Centercourt Sniper Squad
- Centercourt Dime Dropper
- Led the MMA in scoring & assists
- Season-high 32 pts in a win vs St. Francis
- Scored over 30 pts in 6 games
- Had 7 or more assists in 7 games
- Grabbed 14 boards at Tapestry
- Triple-double in a win vs Timon
- Registered 4 double-doubles
- Career 1,000 point scorer
Third Team All-Centercourt
Xander Fletcher
Niagara Wheatfield, Junior
16.7 PPG / 5.1 APG / 4.1 RPG / 2.0 SPG
- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- Section VI Class A1 Champion
- NFL Champion
- Player of the Year in NFL
- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic
- Section VI Class A1 All-Tournament
- - Centercourt Dime Dropper
- Career-high 31 pts in a win at Lockport
- Scored 28 pts in a win at Ken East
- Scored 24 or more pts in 5 games
- Had 6 or more assists in 9 games
- Grabbed 6 or more boards in 8 games
- Career 1,000 point scorer
Lucus Brown
Salamanca, Sophomore
21.2 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 3.9 SPG / 2.8 APG
- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- Far West Region Class C Champion
- Section VI Class C Champion
- NYSPHAA Class C All-Tournament
- Section VI Class C Tournament MVP
- All-Centercourt Defender
- Centercourt Sniper Squad
- Season-high 37 pts in a win vs Portville
- Scored 32 pts & 15 boards in win vs Holland
- Had 5 or more steals in 6 games
- Averaged 29.3 pts over last 3 postseason games
LaMar Matthews
Tapestry, Senior
25.9 PPG / 5.8 RPG / 3.0 SPG / 1.5 APG
- Player of the Year for Charter Schools
- Section VI Class B2 All-Tournament
- Season-high 35 pts in a win over Bennett
- Scored over 30 pts in 7 games
- Scored 34 pts in a win at Sweet Home
- Scored 20 or more pts in 19 games
- Centercourt #BOOM Squad
- Career 1,000 point scorer
Jaiden Harrison
Timon, Sophomore
20.8 PPG / 4.9 RPG / 2.1 APG / 1.8 SPG
- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- Manhattan Cup Finalist
- Second Team All-Catholic
- Game MVP at the Cataract Classic
- Centercourt Sniper Squad
- Season-high 37 pts vs Orchard Park
- Scored over 30 pts in 6 games
- Career 1,000 point scorer
Jakye Rainey
Nichols, Sophomore
24.1 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 2.3 SPG / 1.9 APG
- Second Team All-Catholic
- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic
- Centercourt Sniper Squad
- Led WNY in 3-pointers made (86)
- Career-high 44 pts vs St. Mary's
- Scored 36 pts in a win vs Cathedral Prep
- Scored over 30 pts in 8 games
- Drilled 8 treys vs Cathedral Prep
- Banged 6 or more treys in 6 games
- Shot 64% on 7 made 3's vs Niagara Falls
Fourth Team All-Centercourt
Solomon Jackson
St. Joe's, Senior
19.2 PPG / 7.9 RPG / 2.1 SPG / 1.5 APG
- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- Second Team All-Catholic
- Game MVP at the Cataract Classic
- Centercourt #BOOM Squad
- Career-high 30 pts in a win vs Nichols
- Scored 29 pts with 10 boards vs Timon
- Had three games with 15 rebounds
- Recorded 7 double-doubles
TJ Robinson
Niagara Wheatfield, Senior
18.9 PPG / 4.0 RPG / 1.6 APG / 1.6 SPG
- Three-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- Section VI Class A1 Champion
- NFL Champion
- First Team NFL
- Section VI Class A1 Tournament MVP
- Game MVP at the Cataract Classic
- Centercourt Sniper Squad
- Career-high 31 pts in a win at CSAT
- Scored over 30 pts in 2 games
- Had 29 pts & 10 boards at Lew-Port
- Sank 5 or more treys in 6 games
- Banged 74 treys on the season
- Career 1,000 point scorer
Tyler Curran
Allegany-Limestone, Senior
18.2 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 4.1 APG / 1.9 SPG
- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- Far West Region Class B Champion
- Section VI Class B Champion
- First Team CCAA I West
- NYSPHAA Class B All-Tournament
- Section VI Class B2 Tournament MVP
- Season-high 34 pts & 13 boards vs Roy-Hart
- Triple-double in a win over Bennett
Trevin Boling
Tonawanda, Senior
33.0 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 2.9 APG / 2.6 SPG
- Player of the Year in ECIC IV
- Centercourt Sniper Squad
- Led WNY in scoring
- Team leader in pts, rebounds, & stls
- Season-high 44 pts in a win vs Eden
- Scored over 40 pts in 4 games
- Scored over 30 pts in 15 games
- Third in WNY with made 82 treys
- Had 7 or more boards in 8 games
- Recorded two double-doubles
- Career 2,000 point scorer
Bryant Rosa
Riverside, Senior
28.5 PPG / 4.3 APG / 4.1 RPG / 2.5 SPG
- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- Player of the Year in Yale Cup II
- Section VI Class B1 All-Tournament
- Season-high 41 pts in Class B1 Semifinal
- Scored over 30 pts in 12 games
- Scored 24 or more pts in 16 games
- Career 1,000 point scorer
Fifth Team All-Centercourt
Nate Parker
CSAT, Senior
25.2 PPG / 6.0 RPG / 3.0 APG / 2.9 SPG
- First Team NFL
- Section VI Class A2 All-Tournament
- Career-high 37 pts in a win vs Ken East
- Had 30 pts & 10 boards vs Grand Island
- Scored over 30 pts in 6 games
- Grabbed 7 or more rebounds in 9 games
- Recorded 2 double-doubles
Trey Drake
Jamestown, Junior
13.8 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 2.8 APG / 2.0 SPG
- Far West Region Class AA Champion
- Section VI Class AA Champion
- ECIC I Champion
- First Team ECIC I
- Second Team All-ECIC
- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic
- Section VI Class AA All-Tournament
- Centercourt Sniper Squad
Dominic McKenzie
Niagara Falls, Senior
16.3 PPG / 10.7 RPG / 2.2 SPG / 1.2 BPG
- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
- First Team NFL
- Game MVP at the Cataract Classic
- Centercourt #BOOM Squad
- Season-high 28 pts in a win at Ken East
- Had 26 pts & 22 boards vs Rochester East
- Scored 26 pts or more in 4 games
- Grabbed 12 or more boards in 9 games
- Recorded 13 double-doubles
TJ Jacobs
Hutch-Tech, Senior
22.3 PPG / 12.2 RPG / 4.6 APG / 3.2 SPG
- Section VI Class A1 All-Tournament
- First Team Yale Cup I
- Centercourt #BOOM Squad
- Career-high 40 pts in 3Q vs I-Prep
- Scored 37 pts in a win vs Bennett
- Had 36 pts & 19 boards vs Nichols
- Recorded 12 double-doubles
Nick Whitfield
Fredonia, Senior
23.1 PPG / 9.3 RPG / 3.7 APG / 2.8 BPG / 1.5 SPG
- Player of the Year in CCAA I West
- Centercourt #BOOM Squad
- Career-high 48 pts in a win at Dunkirk
- Scored over 30 pts in 5 games
- Grabbed 15 boards vs Southwestern
- Blocked 6 shots vs Global Concepts
- Had 5 or more assists in 6 games
- Recorded 11 double-doubles
- Career 1,000 point scorer
Honorable Mention
Tapestry's Romeo Bell evolved over his four-year varsity career from a shoot first guard into a team-first baller capable from every position at both ends of the court. He defended the post, pounded the boards, scored from anywhere, and delivered the slickest assists. Off to play prep in Texas, Bell's well-rounded skill set has a future in college basketball.
Blake Frank - Franklinville, Senior
* First Team CCAA East
27.8 PPG / 5.3 RPG / 3.9 SPG / 2.3 APG
Caleb Chapman - City Honors, Senior
* First Team Yale Cup II
24.2 PPG / No other statistics were provided
Jasiah Jarocinski - Pioneer, Senior
* Player of the Year in ECIC III
23.1 PPG / 14.8 RPG / 4.9 APG
Jake Galley - Holland, Senior
* First Team ECIC IV
21.5 PPG / 4.4 RPG / 2.9 SPG / 1.7 APG
Aidan Kennedy - Southwestern, Senior
* First Team CCAA I West
20.9 PPG / 4.0 RPG / 3.7 APG / 2.7 SPG
Wayne Libby - Pine Valley, Senior
* Player of the Year in CCAA East
20.6 PPG / 5.7 RPG / 3.2 SPG / 2.1 APG
Darien Swanson - Westfield, Senior
* Player of the Year in CCAA II West
19.1 PPG / 7.0 APG / 6.3 RPG / 4.0 SPG / 1.6 BPG
Josh Schumaker - I-Prep, Senior
* First Team Yale Cup I
18.7 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 3.6 APG / 2.9 SPG
Aiden Petrie - Roy-Hart, Senior
* Player of the Year in Niagara-Orleans
18.6 PPG / 8.1 RPG / 1.7 SPG / 1.5 APG / 1.1 BPG
Sean Hargrave - Ken West, Senior
* First Team Niagara Frontier League
17.2 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 2.2 APG / 1.5 SPG / 1.4 BPG
Romeo Bell - Tapestry, Senior
* First Team All-Charter
16.5 PPG / 7.9 RPG / 5.4 APG / 5.4 SPG
Anthony Borden - East, Senior
* First Team Yale Cup I
15.3 PPG / 7.0 RPG / 1.8 SPG / 1.3 APG
Chris Wright - Cardinal O'Hara, Senior
* Second Team All-Catholic
15.0 PPG / 12.1 RPG / 4.8 APG / 1.8 BPG / 1.7 SPG
Daniel Maku - Riverside, Senior
* First Team Yale Cup II
14.5 / 12.9 RPG / 3.7 APG / 1.7 SPG / 1.4 BPG
Joe Harrington - Lancaster, Senior
* First Team ECIC I
14.5 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 2.1 APG / 1.6 BPG
Gabe McCoy - Randolph, Senior
* Player of the Year in CCAA Central
14.1 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 2.3 BPG / 1.0 SPG
Zion James - Olean, Senior
* First Team CCAA I West
13.9 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 3.6 APG / 2.5 SPG
Alex Crescente - Orchard Park, Senior
* First Team ECIC I
13.6 PPG / 3.2 APG / 2.5 RPG / 2.5 SPG
Jahodd Martin - McKinley, Senior
* Player of the Year in Yale Cup I
13.4 PPG / 1.9 RPG / 1.7 APG / 0.7 SPG
Jaylen Butera - Jamestown, Senior
* First Team ECIC I
13.3 PPG / 4.8 RPG / 2.4 SPG / 1.6 APG
Kamdyn McClain - Olean, Senior
* MVP of Section VI Class B1 Tournament
12.8 PPG / 5.6 APG / 4.3 RPG / 3.1 SPG
Brendan Reid - St. Francis, Senior
* First Team All-Catholic
12.7 PPG / 8.7 RPG / 1.7 APG / 0.7 SPG
Jaral Farmer - Jamestown, Senior
* First Team ECIC I
11.3 PPG / 9.8 RPG / 2.1 APG / 1.8 SPG / 1.7 BPG
Eddie Cosgrove - Canisius, Senior
* MVP of the Manhattan Cup
8.6 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 2.4 APG / 0.6 SPG
Bobby Beilein - Lew-Port, Junior
* First Team Niagara Frontier League
19.2 PPG / 4.5 RPG / 2.8 APG / 1.6 SPG / 1.0 BPG
Juilenn Celments - Lackawanna, Junior
* First Team ECIC IV
17.9 PPG / No other statistics were provided
Dorian Facen - Williamsville East, Junior
* First Team ECIC II
15.1 PPG / 6.0 RPG / 3.7 SPG / 2.3 APG
Andy Herrick - Salamanca, Junior
* First Team CCAA I West
12.9 PPG / 3.2 RPG / 2.2 APG / 1.4 SPG
Xavier Benton - Health Sciences, Junior
* First Team All-Charter
12.1 PPG / 6.0 APG / 2.6 SPG / 1.9 RPG
Luke Granto - Canisius, Junior
* First Team All-Catholic
6.6 PPG / 4.1 RPG / 3.4 APG / 1.2 SPG
Ray Cortes - Silver Creek, Sophomore
* First Team CCAA Central
25.1 PPG / 12.1 RPG / 3.4 SPG / 2.2 APG / 1.3 BPG
Jordan Alexander - Maryvale, Sophomore
* First Team ECIC III
21.8 PPG / 7.8 RPG / 2.8 SPG / 2.5 APG
Adam Chiacchia - Hamburg, Sophomore
* First Team ECIC I
16.9 PPG / 7.7 RPG / 3.6 APG / 2.7 SPG / 1.5 BPG
Drew Hind - Randolph, Freshman
* Player of the Year in CCAA Central
16.4 PPG / 4.4 RPG / 4.3 APG / 2.6 SPG
Nakhyi Harris - Sweet Home, Freshman
* First Team ECIC II
13.2 PPG / 5.6 RPG / 2.6 APG / 1.9 SPG / 1.1 BPG
Centercourt 6th Man of the Year
Gary Johnson
Amherst, Senior
Just before Christmas at the Jolly Boys Showcase hosted by Amherst, Gary Johnson delivered one of the top highlights of the 2022 Season. As he received a pass with three quarters of the court and three defenders already ahead of him, Johnson used a decisive burst of speed to blow past the three transitioning players and without breaking stride, soared above the rim, ripping a nasty two-handed tomahawk #BOOM. It was an incredibly high-level play that I’ve seen very few times before over the years in a high school game. The talent and chemistry of the Tigers gave them the luxury of bringing Johnson (9.3 PPG) off the bench and instantly creating mismatches at both ends of the floor. Besides his ability to play above the rim and alter shots near the basket, Johnson also used his length and quickness to defend the perimeter, where opponents struggled to get a shot off against him. He also displayed significant range and a soft touch when launching from downtown. This award began following the 2012 season, which makes Gary Johnson the 11th recipient of of this honor. Of the 10 players that came before him, none possessed the raw talent that he has. Amherst basketball enjoyed its finest season in program history. The role Johnson played helped accomplish that and earned him the 2022 Centercourt 6th Man of the Year.
All-Centercourt Defenders
First Team
Shane Cercone - Canisius, Junior
Trey Kleitz - Iroquois, Senior
Beau Haubeil - Amherst, Senior
Kevin Thompson - Timon, Senior
Justin Glover - St. Joe's, Senior
Second Team
Hudson Kwiatkowski - Allegany-Limestone, Senior
Andrew Giardini - Allegany-Limestone, Junior
Luke Granto - Canisius, Junior
Seth Joba - Orchard Park, Senior
Massimo Moretti - St. Mary's
Third Team
Connor Schuster - Canisius, Senior
Taron Benton - Health Sciences, Senior
Ahmir Dunn - Amherst, Sophomore
Jaylen Butera - Jamestown, Senior
Jaral Farmer - Jamestown, Senior
Fourth Team
Lucus Brown - Salamanca, Sophomore
Carter Krawyczk - Lew-Port, Senior
Rod Brown - Niagara Falls, Senior
Kegan Mancabelli - Orchard Park, Senior
Isaiah Odom - St. Joe's, Junior
Centercourt #BOOM Squad
Seth Joba - Orchard Park, Senior
Solomon Jackson - St. Joe's, Senior
TJ Jacobs - Hutch Tech, Senior
Nick Whitfield - Fredonia, Senior
Gary Johnson - Amherst, Senior
Teddy McDuffie - Amherst, Senior
Jordon Rivers - Lackawanna, Senior
Kevin Thompson - Timon, Senior
Garrett White - Clarence, Senior
Elijah Whitehead - McKinley, Senior
Sean Hargrave - Ken West, Senior
Massimo Moretti - St. Mary's, Senior
Dom McKenzie - Niagara Falls, Senior
Andre Stinson - Sweet Home, Senior
LaMar Matthews - Tapestry, Senior
Greg Sanders - CSAT, Senior
Jorden Bynes - CSAT, Senior
Dorian Facen - Williamsville East, Junior
Logan Reaska - St. Francis, Junior
Dylan Evans - Orchard Park, Junior
Centercourt Sniper Squad '3'
Jakye Rainey - Nichols, Junior
Jack DeRose - Olean, Junior
Trevin Boling - Tonawanda, Senior
Drew Hind - Randolph, Freshman
Nick Mogavero - Iroquois, Senior
TJ Robinson - Niagara Wheatfield, Senior
Bobby Beilein - Lew-Port, Junior
Carson Swanson - Westfield, Freshman
Blake Kopta - Clymer, Junior
Nick Moore - Amherst, Junior
Lucus Brown - Salamanca, Sophomore
Max Schneider - Williamsville East, Senior
Jalen Duff - Nichols, Junior
Alex Crescente - Orchard Park, Senior
Jake Notaro - Williamsville East, Senior
Trey Drake - Jamestown, Junior
Justin Glover - St. Joe's, Senior
Jaiden Harrison - Timon, Sophomore
Evan Myers - Newfane, Junior
Brendan Reid - St. Francis, Senior
Centercourt Dime Droppers
Romeo Bell - Tapestry, Senior
Max Schneider - Williamsville East, Senior
Hayden Hoag - Salamanca, Senior
Jalen Duff - Nichols, Junior
Justin Glover - St. Joe's, Senior
Darien Swanson - Westfield, Senior
Trey Kelitz - Iroquois, Senior
Nick Moore - Amherst, Junior
Xander Fletcher - Niagara Wheatfield, Junior
Brady Gleason - Frontier, Senior
Centercourt Coach of the Year
Niagara Wheatfield
After the Falcons finished the pandemic-shortened 2021 regular season with a .500 record, they were forced to take to the road as the #5 seed in the Class A1 playoffs. They began by claiming a win at Sweet Home and then went into undefeated McKinley, where they toppled the classification's top seed to reach the championship game played at host Hamburg. Despite falling in the final, the sense of accomplishment and optimism both ran high. The team had a pair of standouts back in Xander Fletcher and TJ Robinson, while the rest of the starting lineup was also comprised of underclassmen.
Right from the start, the 2022 season was different. O’Bryan only had four nonleague games to work with and believing his group was special, he decided it was time to schedule a Monsignor Martin opponent to challenge his group. He agreed to play Timon in the Cataract Classic, the team's season opener. Fletcher began the campaign with a nagging injury that caused him to miss the game. The Falcons lost handily in that first game. When I spoke to O’Bryan following the loss, his perspective was right where it needed to be. It began by acknowledging how good Timon was, without belaboring Fletcher's absence. He believed facing a quality opponent on a big stage without their point guard forced everyone to step up to play an even bigger role, which would only make them better down the road. That road ahead would turn out to be fantastic.
Niagara Wheatfield went on to complete its best season in program history. This included a pair of double digit win streaks and a pair of double-digit victories over defending league champion Niagara Falls. They earned their first Niagara Frontier League championship in basketball, going undefeated in the process, while recording over 20 wins for the first time. The school record 21st win in a season gave the Falcons their first Section VI basketball championship in 49 years.
What made this group special was the culture within the program, cultivated by O’Bryan and his staff. Passionate, animated, emotional, and approachable, O’Bryan is the perfect mix of professional and fun. Anytime he spoke of this team, he used the word love to describe his feelings for them. An undeniable team chemistry shined when the team was at its best and a close bond within was evident in tight games as the players looked to pull each other closer, rather than turning against each other in times of adversity. The family-like atmosphere surrounding Niagara Wheatfield Basketball was never more apparent than the night when the JV team won a thriller at the buzzer, only to be greeted by the entire varsity team who rushed the court in excitement to celebrate with them.
The historic regular season placed the Falcons right back in the Class A1 sectionals, this time as the hunted #1 seed. The next three games would be the perfect culmination of team basketball. It began by surviving a low-scoring quarterfinal thriller against a Ken West squad they had to beat for a third time. In the semifinal at Buff State, the Falcons came out soaring and built a 19-point lead by halftime against Hutch-Tech. However, by the start of the final frame, Tech had completely flipped the script, storming back to tie the game. I remember watching Coach O’Bryan to see how he handled the situation. For as excitable as he gets in so many situations, he’s a steadying, calming force when his team is up against it. Despite Hutch-Tech owning the game's momentum, O’Bryan‘s team came back into focus and out executed the rest of the way.
Niagara Wheatfield was back in the Class A1 Final, this time against Williamsville East, who ironically was coming off convincing victories over Hamburg & McKinley. East had been ranked ahead of the Falcons for most of the season. In the main event of Championship Saturday, the Falcons found themselves playing from behind for most of the first three and a half quarters of the game. It was that same sideline presence from O’Bryan in crunch time as the Falcons methodically stayed within their game plan, turning control of the game to their advantage one possession at a time. As the championship came down to the final possession, Williamsville East had the ball with Niagara Wheatfield leading by three. O’Bryan held his composure under a deep breath one last time as a final three-point attempt was too well defended to tie the game. With his family watching from the stands and the entire Niagara Wheatfield community helping to fill the arena, O’Bryan erupted in exultation. The moment came exactly 22 years and one day after Erik felt a similar joy watching his legendary father, the late Archie O'Bryan, win a Section VI championship on the same floor with a group that he loved.
Fletcher and Robinson remained standouts all season for the Falcons. But to even the casual fan, players like Wyatt Cooper, Thomas Jesse, Shawn Watson, & Ty Kwitchoff were known commodities by the end of Buff State Week. That's the mark a great leader and the reason Erik O'Bryan is the 2022 Centercourt Coach of the Year!
-centercourt
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