Random Smatterings: A Platter of Holiday Hoops Smatter

- The Frontier Falcons got off to a fast start with four solid wins to begin the season. Then they went to the Live Like Luca Tournament at St. Francis and after knocking off the host Red Raiders, took control of the game throughout, putting their signature on a win over Health Sciences! The Falcons are now 6-0 with an undisputable signature victory. In the words of the great Nate Errington, respect is due!

- Staying on Frontier for a moment, who is over a quarter of the way through its regular season and remains undefeated The defense has been absolutely stifling. The Falcons are allowing the fewest points among all Section VI teams, allowing just 37.5 per contest There are only two other teams in Section VI allowing under 40 per game and they happen to be the top two ranked small schools from Randolph and Salamanca. Coincidence? I think not!

- Last thing about defense. The best defensive in program in WNY is at Canisius. I got my first look at this season's version of the Crusaders on Friday, and was thoroughly impressed with the way they defended the entire game. Consistently, season after season, defense is the number one calling card of Canisius basketball, and the “secret” to their success.

- On the flipside, who doesn’t like to watch a team that can light up the scoreboard? Count me among the many fans who is never more delighted than when shots are falling in the action is fast and furious. Orchard Park, Clarence, and Jamestown are three of the four teams in the section scoring over 70 per game. The other may surprise you, but if you've paid attention to the early portion of the season, perhaps not. The Grand Island Vikings are almost halfway through the regular season, sitting at 8–0 and averaging 71.1 points each game.

- If you glance outside of the section into the MMA scene, it’s no surprise that both Timon and Nichols are scoring a lot as well. Nichols has been good for nearly 76 an outing after six games, but the Tigers are straight lighting up scoreboards! The top ranked squad in WNY is over 20% of the way into the regular season and dropping 88.4 points a game. 🔥🔥🔥

- The following teams made it to Christmas without a loss:

Timon, Canisius, Orchard Park, Frontier, Randolph, Lancaster, Grand Island, Burgard, and Eden.

- There are eight teams in WNY that have yet to win a game this season.

- As I just stated above, Lancaster, Frontier, and OP are all unbeaten. They all play in ECIC I. Along with Williamsville North, Jamestown (who I picked to win the league) and Clarence (who I picked to win Class AA1). Outside of the MMA, this is hands-down, the best league in the area area this season.

- Niagara Wheatfield's Luke Walck has earned some high praise this season. The Falcon big man is a classic lunch-bucket, blue collar performer in the paint. And nobody gets after rebounds like him. He led the area in that statistic last season, pulling down 12.1 rebounds per game. As I was writing this, I checked his stats through eight games this season. Dude already has 114 boards… That’s 14.3 every game!! For this, Luke Walck has earned a nickname and for the remainder of his basketball career he shall be known as Chairman of the Boards!

- After a season-opening loss to Cheektowaga, Salamanca has its mojo back. Four consecutive wins over large schools by an average margin of 22 points. That includes a two-hour bus ride to Niagara Wheatfield, a place where Lancaster won by 8 and a team (NW) who owns wins over Williamsville North, Lockport, Ken West, & Newfane, this year.

- Since it’s Christmas, I’d like to take just a moment to highlight a blessing in my life that has been benefited so many programs and players. My guy, Shawn Turri captures so many great moments and memories shooting photos for us at games. His son Joseph has also begun contributing. It’s both a skill and equipment that I don’t have, but their contributions to The View From Centercourt and to Western New York high school sports are incredibly valuable and so greatly appreciated. Both of them are kind and humble professionals, and for what it’s worth, Shawn used to be a legend on the pitcher’s mound.

- There’s a Hoops schedule up for this week already on my site and if you weren’t paying attention, there’s a couple great games in Niagara Falls on Wednesday night. The Maryland state champions take on Nichols at 5 pm, followed by Niagara Falls vs Health Sciences. Falls will play the team from Maryland to the following night. In another week I will drop a master schedule for the rest of the season.

- I checked with Santa, Matt Bradshaw did make the nice list this year. Somehow. He still looks grouchy in that picture though.

- Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 🎅🏻

-centercourt