10. It's Senior Night in Hamburg
It’s a great night to be a Bulldog, especially on the Friday night of the classic! With a varsity boys and girls doubleheader against rival Frontier, all the graduating seniors in the Hamburg basketball program will be honored on the same evening.
9. It's the best event of the Regular Season
It’s not biased, it’s just facts. I have attended multiple regular season events every year for well over a decade, and while I certainly drew the inspiration for the Centercourt Classic from many stops along the way, the one held this weekend at Hamburg High School has truly become the marquee event of the regular season. Featuring 6 of the Top 10 Large Schools, the Top 2 Small Schools, 7 state ranked teams, & 10 players from the Top 60 in 2022.
8. The ONLY way to watch is Live
The Centercourt Classic will not be streamed or available on pay-per-view. Updates on Twitter will be less informative and less frequent on the days of the event. And this weekend is specifically chosen to not compete with other basketball events, or the NFL. Just a great day to take in some live high school basketball.
7. As always, FREE Parking
There's not too many things left in this world they are handing out for free, but the parking spaces at Hamburg High School are there for you at no charge. The price of admission on either day is $5. If you come for the day on Saturday, it’s literally a dollar a game… You can’t make two scrambled eggs at home for that kind of money anymore, literally! The Classic did not succumb to inflation.
6. The Experience
You won’t find a better one at a high school basketball game this season. Music is played during all game stoppages. Hot pizza and other refreshments are always available during the Classic. There are 50-50 and basket raffles. Game MVPs are awarded to one player from each team, following the game. Shirts and pizza are provided to all players courtesy of Empire Electric. CC on the mic. Cauley large & in charge.
5. The Rematch
The ending to Championship Saturday in the 2022 season was so epic, we wanted to start the Classic off with it on Saturday. In a rematch of last season’s Class A1 Final, #9 ranked large school, Niagara Wheatfield will take on Williamsville East.
4. Health Sciences vs St. Joe's
The Inaugural Centercourt Classic featured the head coaches of these two teams squaring off in the headline game, when Williamsville South led by Gabe Michael, defeated Health Sciences, led by Ty Parker in 2018. These are the only two coaches that have appeared in all five Classics, and this year both are leading outstanding squads once again. Health vs Joe’s is a battle between the #4 and #6 ranked large school in WNY.
3. Nichols vs Randolph
It’s the #11 ranked team in NYS Class B taking on the #15 ranked team NYS Class C. It’s rare for many of the Buffalo fans to get a live look at one of the small Southern Tier schools they always read about. Randolph coach Kevin Hind has over 300 wins in his career and Nichols Coach Matt Bradshaw has one victory over a Southern Tier small school on his resume.
2. Jamestown vs Timon
The #3 Large, School in WNY takes on the #1 Small School in WNY. The teams share two common opponents, Canisius and Park. The Crusaders defeated both teams, Jamestown by 3 and Timon by 4. Jamestown beat Park by 29 points, Timon beat them by 24 points. Jamestown is currently 11-2. while Timon’s record is 13-2.
1. The Big Game -- Amherst vs Canisius
It doesn’t really set up much better than this, #1 vs #2 in WNY… #10 in NYS vs #12 in NYS. We’ve never seen the Tigers and the Crusaders on the hardwood together before.
Canisius has wins over 3 of the top 4 public schools, defeating Jamestown, Health Sciences, & Niagara Falls already this season. They've also beaten the #1 & #2 Small Schools in WNY, Timon & Nichols. That leaves Amherst.
Amherst just played Lockport on Saturday, the first time they've faced a locally ranked team all season, and won by 24 points. The Tigers have won their 12 local games by an average margin of 33 points and all by double figures.
Public vs Private
#1 vs #2
Amherst vs Canisius
Don't miss it!!
Hamburg High School, 4111 Legion Drive in Hamburg, NY
Friday, February 3rd
Hamburg (Girls) vs. Frontier (Girls) - 6 pm
Hamburg (Boys) vs. Frontier (Boys) - 7:45 pm
Saturday, February 4th
Williamsville East vs. Niagara Wheatfield - 12 pm
St. Joe's vs. Health Sciences - 1:45 pm
Nichols vs. Randolph - 3:30 pm
Timon vs. Jamestown - 5:15 pm
Canisius vs. Amherst - 7 pm
-centercourt
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