Albion
Saturday, March 20, 2021
Class B1 Bracket - 2021 Sectionals
Quarterfinals - Tuesday, March 23rd
(1) East 67, (8) Albion 63
(4) Olean 66, (5) East Aurora 45
(2) Bennett 83, (7) Maryvale 54
(3) Emerson 50, (6) City Honors 45
Semifinals - Thursday, March 25th
(4) Olean 91, (1) East 69
(2) Bennett 76, (3) Emerson 30
Final - Saturday, March 27th
(1) Bennett 87, (4) Olean 71
2021 Section VI Class B1 Champions - Bennett Tigers
-centercourt
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
All-League Teams - 2020
MONSIGNOR MARTIN ASSOCIATION
Class A
Player of the Year:
Dewayne Vass - Canisius
All-Catholic
Max Dowling - Canisius
Joe Ciocca - Canisius
Jaden Slaughter - St. Joe's
Daesean Ashley - St. Joe's
Peyton Consigli - St. Francis
Class B
Player of the Year:
Avion Harris - Cardinal o'Hara
All-Catholic
Jamyier Patton - Timon
Kamar Goudelock - Timon
Aidan Horan - Nichols
Hugh Purks - Nichols
Luke Szablewski - St. Mary's
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Charter Cup
Player of the Year:
JaVaughn Jones - Health Sciences
First Team
JaVaughn Jones - Health Sciences
Tariq Eubanks - Tapestry
Greg Brooks - Maritime
Daciare Riley - Health Sciences
Massai Graham - Tapestry
Second Team
Jaylen Hearon - Maritime
Lavardi Mance - Global Concepts
Jabari Spencer - Health Sciences
Romeo Bell - Tapestry
Tyler Smith - Health Sciences
Third Team
Yeshua Lee - Health Sciences
Jesus Alvarez - Global Concepts
Carl Johnson - Tapestry
John Washington - Maritime
Deshaun Brown - Health Sciences
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YALE CUP I
Player of the Year:
Jamond Jones - Middle College, 12
First Team
Anthony Mack - South Park, 12
Devonte Prince - Middle College, 12
Danny Carter - East - 12
David Hughes - East - 12
Bush Rieang - McKinley, 11
Second Team
Jeremy McKitchen - East - 12
Kevion Taylor - City Honors, 12
Jayson Armstead - South Park, 12
Martin Espinal - Hutch-Tech, 11
Jaiden Cottman - Middle College, 12
Third Team
Kenneth Jacobs - Hutch-Tech, 11
Jaiden Green - East, 11
Koran Askia - McKinley, 11
Anthony Smith - Middle College, 11
Trevaughn Jackson - Emerson, 12
Honorable Mention
Middle College: Keith Brown 12, Keyunte Jones 12, Malik Meadows 12
South Park: Davon White 12, Chris Coleman 11
East: Dontaye Miller 12, Anthony Oberlander 11
McKinley: Jahmal Lewis 12, Jesse Snow 12, Jahodd Martin 10
City Honors: Jeremiah Chapman 12, Caleb Chapman 10
Hutch-Tech: Aric Mott 12, Oliver Ngarikiyintwari 11
Emerson: Daron Loder 12, Lawrence Russell 11
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YALE CUP II
Player of the Year:
Marciano Lamar - Olmsted, 12
First Team
Damario James - Bennett, 11
Nolan Shephard - IPrep, 12
Jerrold Skillon - Bennett, 11
Jok Jok - IPrep, 12
DeVante Simmons - MST Seneca, 12
Second Team
Charles Slobert Buffalo Arts, 12
Bryant Rosa, Riverside, 10
Davon Scott - Bennett, 12
Renard Siders - Olmsted, 12
Dan Maku - Riverside, 10
Third Team
Lafario Ross - Burgard, 11
Kevin Maysonet - Lafayette, 12
Kane Gilliam - IPrep, 12
Damone McClain - Bennett, 11
DeVotie Pompey - MST Seneca, 12
Honorable Mention
Bennett: Jacob Pullins 11
Olmsted: Lawrence Jackson 12
IPrep: Naesiah Woods 11
MST Seneca: Terrell Craig 11
Buffalo Arts: Jordan Rodgers 9
Lafayette: Kevin Calderon, 11
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All-ECIC
Player of the Year:
Jaylen Stewart - Amherst, 12
First Team
Jaylen Stewart - Amherst, 12
Demarri Jones - Jamestown, Junior
Cal Shifflet - Williamsville East, Senior
Trey Kleitz - Iroquois, Sophomore
Michael DiGiulio - Williamsville South, Senior
Second Team
Breht Swiech - Williamsville North, Senior
Tino Mancabelli - Orchard Park, Senior
Caron Marshall - Cleveland Hill, Senior
Joe Harrington - Lancaster, Sophomore
Nick O'Neil - Amhrest, Senior
Honorable Mention
Nate Ryniec - West Seneca West, Senior
Christian Pagano - Depew, Junior
Xaier Mitchell - Maryvale, Senior
Zach Ianello - Clarence, Junior
Max Schneider - Williamsville East, Sophomore
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ECIC I
Player of the Year:
Demarri Jones - Jamestown, 11
First Team
Tino Mancabelli - Orchard Park, 12
Breht Swiech - Williamsville North, 12
Zach Ianello - Clarence, 11
Joe Harrington - Lancaster, 10
Nate Ryniec - West Seneca West, 12
Second Team
Scott Hopkins - Williamsville North, 12
Elijah Rojas - Jamestown, 11
Brad Fowler - Orchard Park, 12
Conor Foley - Frontier, 11
David Bass - Williamsville North, 12
Nate Hoellig - Frontier, 12
Honorable Mention
Lancaster: GianLuca Fulciniti 12, Jackson Jerebko 11, Trevor Reformat 12
Orchard Park: Ethan Swiatek 12, Chase Klein 12
West Seneca West: Connor Schermerhorn 12, Zach Fahey 12
Frontier: Brandon Okie 11
****************************************
ECIC II
Player of the Year:
Jaylen Stewart - Amherst, 12
First Team
Cal Shifflet - Williamsville East, 12
Mike Digiulio - Williamsville South, 12
Nick O'Neil - Amherst, 12
Max Schneifer - Williamsville East, 10
Trent Cordone - West Seneca East, 12
Second Team
DaeQuan Hill - Sweet Home, 12
Jaiden Lewis - West Seneca East, 8
CJ Bradley - Starpoint, 12
Nate Severson - Hamburg, 12
Jamel Lucas - Sweet Home, 12
Honorable Mention
Amherst - Myles Cooper 12, Nick Moore 9
Williamsville East - Kevin Early 12
Williamsville South - Nicco DiGiulio 9
Hamburg - Max Haney 12
Starpoint - Dexter Brooks 11, Sam Walters 11, Joe Dell'Oso 12
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ECIC III
Player of the Year:
Trey Kleitz - Iroquois, 10
First Team
Christian Pagano - Depew, 11
Xaier Mitchell - Maryvale, 12
Nevada Eldridge - Cheektowaga, 11
Will Covington - East Aurora, 12
Zach Evans - Lake Shore,12
Matt Matla - Iroquois, 12
Second Team
Austin Boies - Springville, 11
Matteo Duennebacke - East Aurora, 12
Nathan Kulesz - Depew, 12
Noah Herzog - Lake Shore, 11
Gavyn Mason - Pioneer, 12
Andrew Dockery - Maryvale, 11
Nick Bowen - Iroquois, 12
Honorable Mention
Depew: PJ Burns 12, Davion March 12
Lake Shore: Keith White 13
East Aurora: Ian Moog 11, Dom Phillips 10
Cheektowaga: Keonte Brown 11
Maryvale: Deondre Rice 12
Pioneer: Kaleb Phillips 12
*********************************************
ECIC IV
Player of the Year:
Caron Marshall - Cleveland Hill, 12
First Team
Trevin Boling - Tonawanda, 10
De'Marion Johnson - Lackawanna, 12
Jon Nellis - Holland, 12
Alan Suarez - JFK, 12
Kenny Avery - JFK, 12
Second Team
Hunter Stetz - Eden, 11
Matt Hay - Alden, 11
Noah Kirsch - Holland, 12
Charlie Meredith - Cleveland Hill, 11
JJ Velazquez - Tonawanda, 11
Honorable Mention
Holland: Nolan Perry 12, Tyler Scheffler 12, Josh Ostrowski 12
JFK: Josh Knox 11
Tonawanda: David Perry 12
Eden: Brandon Hallick 12
Lackawanna: Jeremi'yhi Presley 11, AJ Turner 10
Cleveland Hill: Jayden Krueger 12
******************************************
Niagara Frontier League
Player of the Year:
Roddy Gayle - Lew-Port, 10
First Team
Jaemon Turner - Niagara Falls, 12
TJ Robinson - Niagara Wheatfield, 10
Dante Moultrie - North Tonawanda, 12
Jalen Duff - Lew-Port, 9
Ceion McDowell - Lockport, 12
Second Team
Zac Boyes - Ken West, 12
Jordan Cutter - North Tonawanda, 12
Amari Gordon - Ken East, 12
Faybion Prather - Niagara Falls, 12
Xavier Alvarez - CSAT, 12
Third Team
Amir Morris - CSAT, 12
Noah Fox-Stoddard - North Tonawanda, 12
Logan Sionko - Grand Island, 11
Xander Fletcher - Niagara Wheatfield, 9
Pierre Gabart - CSAT, 12
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Niagara-Orleans League
Player of the Year:
Garrett Srock - Newfane, 12
First Team
Luke Bradley - Wilson, 12
Adam Mietz - Akron, 11
Nate Sherman - Medina, 12
Deyonci Farley - Albion, 12
Second Team
Kevin Hillman - Albion, 12
Josh Everett - Newfane, 12
Tom Ragonese - Roy-Hart, 11
Tyler Chinn - Medina, 11
Sam Capen - Newfane, 11
Honorable Mention
Newfane: Connor MacEvoy 12, Michael Carmer 11
Albion: Liam Ward 12, Bailey Blanchard 11
Wilson: Alex Martinez 12, Mike Miller 11, Brayden Thompson 12
Medina: Brian Fry 11, Jarin Rhim 10
Akron: Mitchell Holtz 11, Gage Willis 12, Jake Mazza 11
Roy-Hart: Rhett Goodwin 11, Gavyn Boyle 10, Reed Albee 12
Barker: Joseph Brandt 11
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CCAA I West
Player of the Year:
Casey Curran - Allegany-Limestone, 12
First Team
Covi James - Olean, 12
Jason Brooks - Olean, 11
Gus Napoleon - Allegany-Limestone, 12
Tyler Putney - Fredonia, 11
Nick Whitfield - Fredonia, 10
Second Team
Nate Adams - Chautauqua Lake, 12
Ben Giardini - Allegany-Limestone, 12
Aidan Kennedy - Southwestern 10
Kaleb Rybij - Fredonia, 12
Michael Wolfgang - Allegany-Limestone, 12
Honorable Mention
Allegany-Limestone: Tyler Curran 10
Fredonia: Alec Schrader 12, Dominic Gullo 11
Olean: Jah'Karee McClain 12, Dan Klein 12, Zion James 10
Southwestern: Nate Johnson 11, Calvin Ricker 11
Dunkirk: Christian Ortiz 11, A'Marion Tell 10
Chautauqua Lake: Luke Waters 11
******************************************
CCAA I East
Player of the Year:
Tyler Hind - Randolph, 12
First Team
Gabe McCoy - Randolph, 10
Jarod White - Salamanca 11
Kaleb Steward - Randolph, 12
Aaron George - Salamanca, 12
Dom Jamison - Silver Creek, 12
Second Team
Daslton Tabola -Portville, 12
Lucas Brown - Salamanca, 8
Jeremy Wilcox - Silver Creek, 12
Jeremy Harford - Silver Creek, 12
Ashton Bushey - Randolph, 11
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CCAA II West
Player of the Year:
Cam Barmore - Panama, 12
First Team
Ryan Jafarjian - Westfield, 12
Michael Johnson - Westfield, 12
Brad Nelson - Frewsburg, 12
Peter Auer - Maple Grove, 12
John Swabik - Sherman, 11
Second Team
Aaron Hair - Frewsburg, 12
Nathan Culbreth - Westfield, 12
Darius Jones - Maple Grove, 12
Justiss Hannold - Sherman, 12
Hunter Wassink - Clymer, 11
Honorable Mention
Westfield: Dylan Scriven 12, Darien Swanson 10
Panama: Gerritt Hinsdale 12, Braden Cook 12, Connor Cooper 11
Maple Grove: Tyler McPherson 12, Ayden Reagle 12
Sherman: Keith Gormley 11, Gerald Carris 10
Frewsburg: Peyton Hayes 12, Jameson Sposato 12
Cassadaga Valley: Wyatt Harrington 10, Braden Lebaron 9
Brocton: Michael Steward 12
******************************************
CCAA II East
Player of the Year:
Tyler Robinson - North Collins, 12
First Team
Gavin Christian - Forestville, 12
Lief Jimerson - Ellicottville, 11
Clayton Rowland - Ellicottville, 11
Javier West - Forestville, 11
Logan Frank - Franklinville, 11
Second Team
Wyatt Chudy - Ellicottville, 11
Wayne Libby - Pine Valley, 10
Blake Frank - Franklinville, 10
Zach Wolfer - Franklinville, 12
Kordell Oakes - Cattaraugua-Little Valley, 10
Honorable Mention
Ellicottville: Jordan Grinols 12, Logan Grinols 10, Niklas Logel 12
Forestville: Jake Smith 12, Dalton Hastings 12
Franklinville: Tyler Clear 12, Matt Peters 11
North Collins: Chris Smith 10, Mitchell Warsaw 11, Matthew Sweet 9, Christian Loretto 12
Pine Valley: Bryce Sercu 10, Cameron Hayes 11
Cattaraugua-Little Valley: Josh Halterman 10, Gage Furl 10
-centercourt
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
League Champions - 2020
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Class B1 & B2 Bracket - 2020 Sectionals
Class B1
First Round - Tuesday, February 25th at 7 pm
(12) City Honors 67, (13) Alden 44
(15) Springville 57, (10) Burgard 41
(11) Maryvale 63, (14) Dunkirk 53
Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 26th at 7 pm
(8) Medina 68, (9) Tonawanda 60
(5) Lackawanna 62, (12) City Honors 59
(7) Olean 72, (15) Springville 43
(6) Albion 57, (11) Maryvale 49
Quarterfinals - Saturday, February 29th at 1 pm
(1) Bennett 68, (8) Medina 55
(4) East Aurora 67, (5) Lackawanna 52
(7) Olean 78, (2) Iroquois 56
(3) Depew 52, (6) Albion 48
Semifinals - Wednesday, March 4th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 5:15 pm & 6:45 pm
(4) East Aurora 65, (1) Bennett 54
(7) Olean 62, (3) Depew 36
Final - Saturday, March 7th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 1:45 pm
(7) Olean 67, (4) East Aurora 32
2020 Section VI Class B1 Champions - Olean Huskies
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Class B2
First Round - Tuesday, February 25th at 7 pm
(12) Southwestern 51, (13) Eden 37
(11) Roy-Hart 66, (14) Buffalo Arts 54
Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 26th at 7 pm
(8) Wilson 52, (9) MST Seneca 31
(5) Maritime 64, (12) Southwestern 37
(7) JFK 52, (10) Akron 48
(11) Roy-Hart 67, (6) Cleveland Hill 57
Quarterfinals - Saturday, February 29th at 1 pm
(1) Olmsted 45, (8) Wilson 41
(4) Newfane 67, (5) Maritime 61
(2) Allegany-Limestone 74, JFK 40
(3) Fredonia 85, (11) Roy-Hart 43
Semifinals - Tuesday, March 3rd
AT BUFFALO STATE - 5:15 pm & 6:45 pm
(4) Newfane 72, (1) Olmsted 48
(2) Allegany-Limestone 42, (3) Fredonia 40
Final - Saturday, March 7th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 12 pm
(2) Allegany-Limestone 54, (4) Newfane 45
2020 Class B2 Champions - Allegany-Limestone Gators
-centercourt
Monday, January 20, 2020
Poll Ballots 2020 - Week 6
(Aidan Horan defends for Nichols)
Large Schools
1. Canisius (A) - The Crusaders pulled out a win over visiting Niagara Falls on Saturday afternoon in a 32-minute battle! Now they'll get visits from Timon on Monday and St. Mary's on Wednesday, ahead of this coming Saturday against rival St. Joe's. Presale tickets only for that one. Details in the 'Game of the Week' write up.
2. Park (A) - Completed a marathon stretch of games with a convincing win at Aquinas on Monday night, before falling in overtime at East High in Rochester on Saturday night.
3. Health Sciences (A2) - One of two remaining undefeated teams in WNY will get their chance to prove they should be ranked higher soon enough with game against the teams above them still to come. But the week ahead will be tough enough with South Park and Tapestry on the slate.
4. St. Joe's (A) - Picked up three league wins last week, all on the road, that including a survival victory at St. Francis that was pulled out in the final minute. It's rivalry week for the Marauders, looking to snap a 17-game skid against Canisius on Saturday.
5. Niagara Falls (AA) - The Wolverines were so close to knocking off the Crusaders on Saturday and held a lead for the majority of the game. Falls is the lone unbeaten team in the Niagara Frontier League at 7-0 and have the week off to prepare for Lew-Port on Tuesday the 28th.
6. Lew-Port (A2) - Five straight double figure victories for the Lancers after knocking off North Tonawanda & Lockport last week. There's a tough one coming up for them on Wednesday, when the #1 small school from Middle College pays a visit.
7. Orchard Park (AA) - The Quakers are tied in first place in ECIC I, coming off a 12-point win over Clarence. They look to stay on top with a Saturday afternoon trip to Lancaster.
8. Amherst (A2) - The Tigers picked up wins on consecutive days over the weekend, winning a Friday night tilt against Sweet Home and then knocking off McKinley with a strong finish at the MLK Classic. Their next opponent is the two-time defending Yale Cup champs from Middle College on Friday night in the feature game of Bob Hettler Showcase.
9. McKinley (A1) - Battled with Amherst all game on Saturday, before slipping late. Two more big nonleague games await at the end of the coming week, with the Macks' annual meetings against Jamestown (Thursday on the road) and Williamsville North (Friday at the Bob Hettler Showcase).
10. CSAT (A2) - It's time to give the Eagles a little love. They have just one league loss in the Niagara Frontier League and that came at Niagara Falls. They also own wins over a pair of teams that defeated North Tonawanda - Batavia & Ken East. Keep it going Senor Hoyos!
Small Schools
1. Middle College (C1) - Picked up a pair of double-digit wins last week against East High and fellow Top 10 small school Nichols. Now the Kats hit the road for a pair of games this week against Top 10 large schools, visiting Lew-Port on Wednesday and Amherst on Friday.
2. Tapestry (C1) - The Thunderhawks got a visit from one of the Section's better teams in Class C when Ellicottville came up on Wednesday and they beat them by 32 points! They've got three fun ones coming this week with games at Bennett & Maritime and then a big one against Health Sciences, which will be played at Villa Maria on Saturday at 5:30 pm.
3. Randolph (C2) - The seven-game win streak by the Cardinals includes wins last week by 51 & 60 points. The crazy part - 60 points isn't even their biggest win this year.
4. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - Speaking of dominating performances...I got my first look at the Gators on Saturday and they are legit. Coming off 21 & 37 point victories last week, the Gators took Hutch-Tech down in the MLK Classic after winning the second quarter 30-0. Thursday night, they travel to Fredonia for the rematch after scoring an important and decisive win in the first round.
5. Timon (B) - The Tigers stayed unbeaten against the Class B competition in the MMA with a strong second half at Nichols on Friday that led to a 16-point win. After a MLK Day visit to Canisius, Timon hosts the rematch with St. Francis on Wednesday and welcomes in St. Mary's to finish the week on Friday.
6. Fredonia (B2) - Four straight wins for the Hillbillies, all by double figures, including a 41-point walloping of Southwestern that saw Tyler Putney connect on nine 3-pointers in a 40-point outburst. A win on Thursday night against visiting Allegany-Limestone would pull them even with the Gators for first place in CCAA I West.
7. Nichols (B) - Fell to Timon & Middle College over the weekend, both teams that have held rank above the Vikings throughout the season. They'll look to get back on track against Hutch-Tech on Tuesday, ahead of an important league game against Cardinal O'Hara on Saturday afternoon.
8. Westfield (C2) - Head coach Bob North earned his 400th career win last week in a win over Brocton and followed that up with #401 as the Wolverines survived a late-game rally attempt by Sherman to improve to 11-0 on the year.
9. Maritime (B2) - The Commodores have no bad losses this season, but they did earn two more quality wins over the weekend, defeating both Williamsville South and Olmsted. They play a measuring stick type of game against Tapestry on Wednesday, before an interesting matchup at Bennett on Friday night - a team they beat by five earlier in the season.
10. Albion (B1) - The Purple Eagles are alone in first place of the N-O League after knocking off Newfane & Roy-Hart last week to improve to 9-2 on the season. They are one of seven teams left without a loss to another WNY team heading into their rematch at Medina on Friday night.
-centercourt
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Class B1 & B2 Brackets - 2018 Sectionals
Class B1
First Round - Tuesday, February 20th
(9) CSAT 57, (16) Tonawanda 31
(13) Fredonia 67, (12) Alden 45
(10) Albion 67, (15) I-Prep 58
(11) Burgard 80, (14) Springville 54
Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 21st
(9) CSAT 42, (8) Depew 38
(13) Fredonia 57, (5) MST Seneca 54
(7) City Honors 66, (10) Albion 50
(6) Dunkirk 59, (11) Burgard 45
Quarterfinals - Friday, February 23rd
(1) Lackawanna 69, (9) CSAT 52
(4) Newfane 66, (13) Fredonia 41
(2) Olean 62, (7) City Honors 54
(3) Medina 67, (6) Dunkirk 60
Semifinals - Tuesday, February 27th & Wednesday, February 28th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 8:15 pm
(4) Newfane 54, (1) Lackawanna 53
(2) Olean 59, (3) Medina 45
Final - Saturday, March 3rd
AT BUFFALO STATE - 1:45 pm
(1) Olean 48, (4) Newfane 35
2018 Section VI Class B1 Champions - Olean Huskies
****** ****** ****** ******
Class B2
First Round - Tuesday, February 20th
(9) Roy-Hart 59, (16) DaVinci 36
(12) Riverside 71, (13) Eden 38
(10) Southwestern 54, (15) Akron 30
(14) Oracle 49, (11) Buffalo Arts 46
Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 21st
(8) Gowanda 62, (9) Roy-Hart 43
(5) Wilson 60, (12) Riverside 54
(10) Southwestern 53, (7) Cleveland Hill 45
(6) Maritime 62, (14) Oracle 58
Quarterfinals - Friday, February 23rd
(1) Middle College 72, (8) Gowanda 67
(4) Health Sciences 64, (5) Wlson 36
(10) Southwestern 54, (2) Olmsted 51
(3) JFK 74, (6) Maritime 65
Semifinals - Monday, February 26th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 6 pm & 7:45 pm
(4) Health Sciences 62, (1) Middle College 42
(3) JFK 66, (10) Southwestern 60
Final - Saturday, March 3rd
AT BUFFALO STATE - 12 pm
(4) Health Sciences 67, (3) JFK 35
2018 Section VI Class B2 Champions - Health Sciences Falcons
-centercourt
Friday, November 24, 2017
Season Preview: 2017-2018
(The 2017 Manhattan Cup Final/Photo: Harry Scull,Buffalo News)
The 2017-2018 Pre-View From Centercourt contains:
- Commentary on returning talent & offseason news
- What's New
- Returning 2017 All-Centercourt Players
- Player Watch List for 2018
- A League-by-League look at the teams
(MMA, Yale Cup, ECIC, NFL, N-O, CCAA, & Charters)
- Coaching Changes
- Classification Changes
- Preseason Top 10 Large & Small Schools
- Predictions
*************************************************************
Last year on a Sunday night late in March I was driving home from Glens Falls. I'd just finished watching the Federation Tournament, which signals the official end to the high school basketball season, and I was going through the 2017 All-Centercourt Team in my mind. I quickly began to realize something that got me thinking ahead to the 2018 season and just how cool the season would be.
What was it? Talent. All sorts of returning talent. An unprecedented amount of underclassmen had turned in seasons worthy of recognition in not just the Top 60, but the coveted Top 25. In early April when the All-Centercourt Team was published, underclassmen accounted for over half of the Top 60. But it was in the Top 25 that the numbers really popped. Just nine seniors took up those slots, meaning an astonishing 16 underclassmen had represented the best 25 seasons in WNY.
What's New ??
- After a decade of immersing myself in the local high school hoops scene, I finally organized an event. The first ever Centercourt Classic will take place on Saturday, February 3rd at Williamsville South High School, featuring four games between top 10 teams from the 2017 season that brought back plenty of talent!
- The Niagara Frontier League (NFL) will be split into two divisions this season. (Niagara Falls, Ken West, Lockport, Niagara Wheatfield, & North Tonawanda) AND (Grand Island, Lew-Port, CSAT, & Ken East). Teams will play everyone in the league once and teams within their newly structured divisions twice. The regular season will conclude with 'crossover' games between the two divisions (1 vs 1, 2 vs 2, etc.) with the team finishing 5th in the larger division playing at West Seneca East for its 20th game.
- Lafayette will no longer host home games in its one-of-a-kind gymnasium that was far from a regulation court, but was an experience in-and-of itself. The Violets will instead play their home games at Grabiarz School of Excellence on Lawn Ave.
- This season there are only 16 teams in Class C, meaning there will be no breakdown into Class C1 & Class C2. Just one Section VI Final for Class C.
- Yale Cup varsity games will now have a 6:30 pm tip time.
- The Pastor-Cooper Showcase at Daemen College will only be two days this season - Thursday, December 7th & Saturday, December 9th.
- The ADPRO Public/Private Challenge returns to St. Mary's with another three-day, 11-game lineup. This season's headliner is Canisius vs. Health Sciences.
- The Manhattan Cup semifinals for Class B will be played on the same night as the 32 Section VI quarterfinals, in addition to the Manhattan Cup Finals for Class A & B conflicting with the Wednesday night of Buff State Week.
- Six teams have changed leagues from last season:
Starpoint returns to ECIC II, Iroquois & Springville move to ECIC III, Depew to ECIC IV, I-Prep to Yale Cup I, and Riverside to Yale Cup II.
- It's Section VI's turn to host the Far West Regionals. A full slate of five games are scheduled for Saturday, March 10th at Buffalo State.
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The Players
*** 15 of the top 25 players from the 2017 All-Centercourt Team return to the WNY high school hoops scene, along with another 16 players that received Honorable Mentions following last season. That's over half of the Top 60!
Returning First Teamer
Greg Dolan - Williamsville South, Senior
Junior Season stats:
23.0 PPG
8.9 RPG
4.3 APG
3.8 SPG
Dolan is WNY's only current three-time All-Centercourt selection heading into his senior season. The Billies' all-time steals leader and 1,000 point scorer will carry the load for his team more than ever this season in a quest for a fourth straight Class A1 Final appearance.
*All-Centercourt Defender*
Devin Pope - Chautauqua Lake, Senior
Junior Season stats:
28.2 PPG
7.8 RPG
4.7 SPG
3.8 APG
Pope is coming off a season that saw him attempt a staggering 221 free throw attempts and score over 700 points. He led his Thunderbirds to their first ever Section VI title and helped advance the team to regionals.
- *All-Centercourt Defender *
Davonte Gaines - Health Sciences, Senior
Junior Season stats:
17.7 PPG
12.1 RPG
3.8 BPG
2.9 SPG
The team's MVP scored a career-high 50 points in a victory last season and committed to play for Tennessee following his prep days. Gaines led his school to its first ever Section VI title and beyond.
*Centercourt #BOOM Squad*
Willard Anderson - East, Senior
Junior Season stats:
25.7 PPG
5.9 APG
3.9 RPG
3.4 SPG
Anderson has an all-around game that led East in points, assists, steals, & blocks, but his specialty is filling up the rim. During his junior campaign, he scored a career-high 42 points, while scoring at least 29 points in 11 of the Panthers' 23 games.
Returning Third Teamers
Bo Sireika - St. Francis, Senior
Junior Season stats:
14.0 PPG
3.9 RPG
1.9 APG
1.3 SPG
Already the school's all-time leader in 3-pointers made, Sireika took the Red Raiders to the Manhattan Cup Final in 2017.
*All-Centercourt Defender*
Julian Cunningham - Timon, Junior
Sophomore Season stats:
12.2 PPG
4.7 RPG
2.8 APG
1.6 SPG
Following a Manhattan Cup Final appearance with the Red Raiders, one of WNY's most crafty and competitive floor generals will suit up in Timon green this season.
* All-Centercourt Defender *
Trevor Book - North Tonawanda, Senior
Junior Season stats:
18.3 PPG
4.4 RPG
3.2 SPG
1.9 APG
After leading the Jacks to an overall Class A crown as a junior on a senior laden squad, Book is set to put the team on his back and erupt after a break-out junior year.
Jayce Johnson - Canisius, Senior
Junior Season stats:
11.3 PPG
8.3 RPG
5.3 APG
1.5 SPG
The 2016 Centercourt 6th Man of the Year became the Crusaders' go-to player in crunch time as a junior and delivered, leading Canisius to another Manhattan Cup after arriving to the postseason as the #4 seed.
*All-Centercourt Defender*
*Centercourt #BOOM Squad*
Returning Fourth Teamers
Noah Hutchins - Junior, Park
Sophomore Season stats:
11.5 PPG
5.0 APG
4.0 RPG
3.6 SPG
Perhaps the most talented player in all of WNY, Hutchins has never lost to a public school in his two seasons as the maestro for the Pioneers.
*All-Centercourt Defender*
*Centercourt #BOOM Squad*
Dan Scott - Park, Junior
Sophomore Season stats:
16.0 PPG
4.7 RPG
3.0 APG
2.6 SPG
The intense two-way star is a returning First Team All-Catholic selection looking to help Park take the next step in the large school ranks.
*All-Centercourt Defender*
*Centercourt #BOOM Squad*
Elliot Bowen - Ellicottville, Senior
Junior Season stats:
21.0 PPG
14.7 RPG
3.3 BPG
1.6 SPG
WNY's top returning big man enters his senior season as a two-time First Team All-State selection in Class D after earning the honor in both his sophomore & junior campaigns.
Sam Erickson - Franklinville, Senior
Junior Season stats:
20.4 PPG
10.2 RPG
2.7 APG
2.3 SPG
After leading the Panthers to the state final four in Class D last season, the do-it-all standout returns on a mission to take his team to the top of the state.
Returning Fifth Teamers
Tyron Lott - Senior
Junior Season stats:
18.4 PPG
6.0 APG
4.1 RPG
3.8 SPG
The 1,000 point scorer helped Health Sciences win the Class B Regional and advance to the state final four. He will be a major addition to whichever team he ends up with for his senior season.
Jalin Cooper - Medina, Senior
Junior Season stats:
20.8 PPG
9.4 RPG
3.0 SPG
2.6 APG
The high-flyer will play football for Toledo in the fall after a run at a third straight N-O title for the Mustangs, who ran the table in league play last season.
*Centercourt #BOOM Squad*
Ryan Bradley - Canisius, Senior
Junior Season stats:
13.3 PPG
7.7 RPG
2.6 APG
1.2 SPG
Became a vital piece in the Crusaders starting lineup thanks to his size & all-around talent and was instrumental in leading them to a third straight Manhattan Cup title.
Returning 2017 Honorable Mentions
Nate Brawdy - Gowanda, Sr: 20.2 PPG / 14.0 RPG / 4.8 APG as a junior
Kyle DeVoogel - Newfane, Sr: 18.6 PPG / 5.9 SPG / 4.1 RPG / 2.8 APG / 0.9 BPG as a junior
Chad Biersbach - Depew, Sr: 17.5 PPG / 8.3 RPG / 2.8 SPG / 2.1 APG / 0.9 BPG as a junior
Ray Blackwell - Maryvale, Sr: 17.0 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 3.8 APG / 3.1 SPG as a junior
Hakeem Dobbins - Middle College, Sr: 16.5 PPG / 2.8 RPG / 2.0 APG / 1.8 SPG as a junior
Latrell Butler-Kemp - Walsh, Sr: 16.4 PPG / 7.5 RPG / 3.9 APG / 2.2 SPG as a junior
Ray Mushat - South Park, Sr: 15.3 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 2.6 SPG / 1.2 APG / 0.6 BPG as a junior
Max Weber - Newfane, Sr: 14.8 PPG / 8.3 RPG / 7.0 APG / 3.0 SPG / 1.7 BPG as a junior
Christian Szablewski - St. Mary's, Sr: 13.4 PPG / 8.5 RPG / 2.3 APG / 2.0 SPG as a junior
Darnell Butts - Dunkirk, Sr: 13.1 PPG / 4.5 RPG / 2.1 APG / 1.6 STL / 0.4 BPG as a junior
Tazaun Rose - Niagara Falls, Sr: 11.0 PPG / 5.0 APG / 4.0 SPG / 3.0 RPG as a junior
Mason Goodridge - Springville, Jr: 18.9 PPG / 2.5 APG / 2.1 RPG / 1.2 SPG as a sophomore
Cam Sionko - Grand Island, Jr: 17.2 PPG / 4.0 RPG / 3.0 APG / 1.8 SPG as a sophomore
Justin Hemphill - O'Hara, Jr: 16.4 PPG / 11.0 RPG / 5.1 APG / 2.4 SPG / 2.2 BPG as a sophomore
Tyler Hind - Randolph, So: 17.6 PPG / 4.3 APG / 3.1 SPG / 2.8 RPG as a freshman
Jalen Bradberry - Niagara Catholic, Fr: 14.7 PPG / 3.3 APG / 3.0 RPG / 1.5 APG as an 8th grader
Player Watch List
Nick MacDonald - 12 (Canisius), Austin James - 12 (Canisius), Master Radford - 12 (Timon), Jack Capen - 12 (St. Joe's), Syquan Ralands - 12 (Niagara Falls), Jacob Genzel - 12 (Hamburg), Justin Allen - 12 (East), Liam Carey - 12 (Grand Island), Nick Baker - 12 (JFK), Ture Hassler - 12 (Gowanda), Griffin Chudy - 12 (Ellicottville), Austin Grinols - 12 (Ellicottville), Isaac Kopp - 12 (Franklinville), Jon Parks - 12 (Lake Shore), Noble Smith - 12 (Lackawanna), Anthony Whitfield - 12 (Hutch-Tech), Deon Spencer - 12 (McKinley), Kyle Ebert - 12 (Frontier), Alex Wayland - 12 (West Seneca West), Jared Gleason - 12 (Sherman), Jarmani Benton - 12 (Silver Creek), Jermaine Haynes - 11 (Cardinal O'Hara), Chris Stineman - 11 (Nichols), Noah Grabar - 11 (Lackawanna), Josiah Harris - 11 (Niagara Falls), Brady Woelben - 11 (Silver Creek), Lucas Theisen - 11 (St. Francis), River Reinhart - 11 (Clarence), Malik Brooks - 11 (Lockport), Mike Schmidt - 11 (Olean), Quentin Nnagbo - 11 (Park), Julian Eziukwu - 11 (Park), Earl Howard - 11 (MST Seneca), Zamari Mitchell - 11 (West Seneca West), Devin Degree - 11 (Williamsville South), Kameron Briggs - 11 (Health Sciences), Trent Scott - 11 (Lew-Port), Juston Johnson - 11 (West Seneca West), Adrian Baugh - 11 (West Seneca West), Mason Goodridge - 11 (Springville), Nate Shuart - 11 (Fredonia), Carson Christ - 11 (Maple Grove), Amir Radford - 11 (City Honors), Dwayne Vass - 10 (Canisius), Ishmael Fairclough - 10 (Canisius), Jaylen Stewart - 10 (Park), Eric Kegler - 10 (St. Mary's), Anthony Mack - 10 (South Park), Jahmal Lewis - 10 (McKinley), Terrell Mullen - 10 (Maryvale), Justin Hemphill - 10 (Cardinal O'Hara), Daesean Ashley - 10 (Amherst), Cameron Barmore - 10 (Panama), Cal Shifflet - 10 (Williamsville East), Aidan Horan - 10 (Nichols), Dom Jamison - 10 (Silver Creek), Jon Orugun - 10 (Park), Tariq Eubanks - 9 (Tapestry), Kyjuan Inabinett - 9 (Health Sciences, Javaughn Jones - 9 (Health Sciences), Tyler Putney - 9 (Fredonia)
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League-By-League
Monsignor Martin Association
Large Schools - CLASS A
Canisius has won seven of the last nine Manhattan Cup championships, including the last three. After pulling it off last season as the #4 seed in the playoffs, the Crusaders are back once again in full force, returning a deep and talented lineup. Canisius started five underclassmen for most of the season, so they will be a seasoned, veteran squad. With vital pieces in all the right places, this team could be a complete buzz. Jayce Johnson & Ryan Bradley both earned postseason honors last year, but the list of standouts at Canisius is lengthy. Park has a new coach in Rich Jacob and all that underclassmen talent coming back, with the exception of Joe Jones who left for prep school. The Pioneers played last season without any seniors - this season they'll have just two. Expect them to be as formidable as ever with Noah Hutchins and Dan Scott leading the way and three players that are at least 6-8. They'll look to finish strong and earn their first Class A Manhattan Cup. St. Francis is coming off an outstanding season with some eye-popping wins and a finals appearance in the Manhattan Cup. The team returns one starter in senior Bo Sireika, who was Third Team All-Centercourt. Despite replacing four starters Coach Ferris' squad might surprise - they are loaded with underclassmen that saw meaningful minutes last year and will be expected to step up as they look to repeat as regular season champions and get back to the Manhattan Cup Final. St. Joe's returns eight players, led by senior Jack Capen. Kevin Durkin will run the point for the Marauders, while 6-7 Alex D'Anniballe gives the team a presence in the middle. Pat McCann will see plenty of court time as a junior, along with Will Ostrowski. Tre Boling will miss some time at the start of the season following a football injury.
***
Canisius: Jayce Johnson 12, Ryan Bradley 12, Austin James 12, Nick MacDolnald 12, Conner McCaffrey 12, Brendan Trapper 12, John Evans 12, Joe Jamison 11
Park: Brandon Smith 12, Marques Lowe 12, Noah Hutchins 11, Daniel Scott 11, Quentin Nnagbo 11, Julian Eziukwu 11, Jordan Gompah 11, Jack Gompah 11, Q Johnson 11, Jai'den Dunn 11, Eman Wajed 11, John Orugun 10, Jaylen Stewart 10, Caleb Hutchins 9, Keyounjay Carter 9
St. Francis: Bo Sireika 12, Owen Woyshner 12, Josh Palmer 12, Dan Busha 11, Dorion Ivey 11, Elijah Williams 11, Traevone Scott 10, Justin Poumpey 11, Lucas Theisen 11, Nicholas Reeb 11, Noah Unger 11, Reily Miller 11, Ryan Lacki 11, David Bartholomew 10, Jack Bickerstaff 10, Amiel Collins 9
St. Joe's: Jack Capen 12, Jeremy Johnson 12, Trey Boling 12, Kevin Durkin 12, Keith Norward 12, John Galvin 12, Alexander D'Anniballe 12, Noah Hausbeck 12, Pat McCann 11, Will Ostrowski 11, Tino Martone 11, Kemychal Clark 11, Jack Wojtazsek 11, Hamzah Abdur-Rahman 11, Amari Gordon 10
Timon: no information provided by coach
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Small Schools - CLASS B
St. Mary's is the defending champion in Class B and returns plenty of talent, led by seniors Christian Szablewski, Eric Brown, & Matt Ciezski. Despite a veteran bunch, the Lancers will need to play hungry, as the other teams in the league made some key additions to already talented rosters. There has yet to be a repeat champion in Class B. Cardinal O'Hara is coming off its most successful season since 2002 and returns eight players, including the team’s top 3 scorers in Justin Hemphill (16.4 ppg), Jermaine Haynes (14.9 ppg), and Nasir Benton (10.3 ppg). Hemphill enters his junior season with over 500 rebounds and 734 points. Pat Clarke takes over as head coach at Nichols, where the Vikings finished second last season after narrowly losing a battle in the final to St. Mary's. The team will benefit greatly from junior transfer Chris Stineman, a forward who averaged 13.6 ppg & 9.4 rpg as a sophomore. He teams with returning starting point guard Trent Banaszak and Aidan Horan, who enjoyed a solid freshman season. Niagara Catholic is looking to improve on their five-win season last year. With five returning players and several new players added to the roster including notable transfer Jalen Bradberry, who earned All-Centercourt Honorable Mention honors as an 8th grader, the Patriots will look to find the cohesiveness to make them very competitive in a tough league. Latrell Butler-Kemp, who was an All-Centercourt Honorable Mention and First Team All-Catholic last season, returns to Walsh as the team's lone senior. The very young Eagles also have just two juniors - one that saw limited action a season ago and the other being a foreign exchange student from Germany who has never played. In a league that is always challenging for this exceptionally small school that travels at least an hour for every road game, head coach Andy Moore may be tasked with his biggest challenge yet.
***
St. Mary's: Christian Szablewski 12, Eric Brown 12, Matt Ciezski 12, Ahmad Powell 12, Frank Propis 12, Jaelin Russell 12, Ben Mazurowski 12, Kofi Osei 12, Ja'Shawn Collins 12, Jake Lukasik 12, Brady O'Brien 11, Sean Melson 11, Alif Dunbar 11, Eric Kegler 10
Cardinal O'Hara: Nasir Benton 12, Michon Dudley 12, Justin Hemphill 11, Jermaine Haynes 11, Stephen Boyd 11, Brandon Broadnax 11, Matthew Buckley 11, Ibrahim Lewis 11, CJ Masters 11, Joe Turri 11, Remir Velazquez 11, Jaedin Cottman 10, Yehshua Lee 10, Quantrail Moss 10
Nichols: TJ Banaszak 12, Antonio Jones 12, Ryan Peterson 12, Matthew Glinski 12, Michael Fredericks 12, Chris Stineman 11, Jonathan Goodloe 11, Clark Thrasher 11, Matt Raiff 11, Julian Freeman 11, Jake Bair 11, Aidan Horan 10, Hugh Purks 9
Niagara Catholic: Nick Krupp 12, Mike Sanders 12, Harrison Abramaitys 11, Quinelle Burch 11, Raysean Smith 11, Haakim Siner 11, Jaden Turner 11, Roman Wright 11, Avion Harris 10, Jaemon Turner 10, Jalen Bradberry 9, Mehki Starks 9
Walsh: Latrell Butler Kemp 12, George Lowry 11, Justus Lingott 11, Colin Yorke 10, Marcus Esposito 10, Kameron Ramadhan 10, Zayne Blacksnake 10, Max Garvin 9, Xavier Laverty 9, Ajhani Parks 9
CCA: no information provided by coach
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Section VI
YALE CUP I
South Park enters the season as the defending Yale Cup champions for the first time in 31 years. With all that's back, along with a couple key transfers, it looks like they could have the horses to do it again. Ray Mushat, Anthony Mack, David Stroud, and Elijah Lewis are all back to make the Sparks formidable. East led South Park in the final minute of the game that decided where the Yale Cup would reside, and returns three key pieces of its squad from last year. The team has the city league's best player in Willard Anderson, back after earning Second Team All-Centercourt honors as a junior, along with Justin Allen who gives the team a strong presence in the paint, and three-year player Waunya Shaw. The Panthers have also moved to Class D in Section VI after reaching the Class C2 Final last year. McKinley is coming off a year in league play that ended a 28-game Yale Cup winning streak and saw the Cup leave Elmwood Avenue. However, the Macks still reached Buffalo State in Class A1. With plenty back and Zaire Dorsey behind the bench, they would be a tough team to bet against returning the city's trophy to the home its had for years. Deon Spencer is back to play the point, Kavon Rogers will man the middle once again, and Emir Evans is a tough & physical defender. Middle College has a new head coach in James Kane, who has been with the program at the JV level. His Kats will once again be a contender in both league & sectional play, led by Nate Jackson, Aziyon Clemons, and Hakeem Dobbins. Hutch-Tech has a group that has played together for the past couple seasons. After playing together all offseason, the group has grown together to raise their basketball IQ's and are ready for the challenge presented in the rigorous Yale Cup. Burgard head coach Willie Jones was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame during the offseason, so the Bulldogs are officially coached by a legend! The team brings back six players and will carry ten underclassmen this season, led by junior Dejuan Williams. Emerson will have to play smart and get its youth up to speed quickly as the team has just four seniors on this season's 15-man roster.
***
South Park : Raymond Mushat 12, Donte Ridgeway 12, Daquan Anderson 12, Justice Allen 12, Elijah Lewis 11, David Stroud 11, Devon White 11, Jalil Marris 11, Donald Stewart 11, Dabeyon Humphrey 11, Jayon Renfro 11, Anthony Mack 10, Jayson Armstead 10, Michael Crockett 10
East: Willard Anderson 12, Justin Allen 12, Waunya Shaw 12, Xavier Turner 12, Emmanuel Wilson 12, Ibrahim Mberwa 12, Danny Carter 10, Juron Hill 10, Dontaye Miller 10, Eugene Robinson 9, Tynell Ruffins 9, Anthony Oberlander 9, Jaiden Green 9, Antonio Rivera 9
McKinley: Deon Spencer 12, Jaylin Windsor 12, Kavon Rogers 12, Emir Evans 12, Marquese Thomas 12, Frank Bostic 12, Troy Coble 12, Ngendabanyikwa Elias 11, Jahmal Lewis 10
Middle College: Nate Jackson 12, Azyion Clemons 12, Jules Stover 12, Zach Jones 12, Hakeem Dobbins 12, Donovan Queeno 12, Tereamell Stevens 11, Ja'Kari Nettles 11, James Barnes 11, Devonte Prince 10, Keyunte Jones 10, Malik Meadows 10, Jamond Jones 10, Keith Brown 10, Anthony Smith 9
Hutch-Tech: Jayden Mitchell 12, Caleb Kash 12, Mohamad Nor 12, Frenchy Cook 12, Anthony Whitfield 11, Ke'Shawn Bennett 11, EJ Shahied 11, Khyree Jeader 11, David Bradshaw 11, Cyer Cyer 11, Emanuel Geegba 11, Elijah Smith 11, Kenneth Jacobs 10
Emerson: John Tarver 12, Zakai Young 12, Jaquan Davis 12, Kam'ron Mootry 12, Lumumba Hough 11, Daquan Seltzer 11, Darshaun Sullivan 11, Quinton McClain 11, Mark Gist 11, Antonio McGee 11, Otis Houston 11, Nazir Moore 11, Calvin Smith 11, Luis Rodriguez 11, Christian McDowell 11
I-Prep: no information provided by coach
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YALE CUP II
MST Seneca returns two starters from last year in Earl Howard and Jason Chapman. Howard is a strong and physical point guard that can handle, shoot, and defend for the Wolves. The team will look to play solid defense and keep games close until they are able to have some new players step up and fill the roles of the departed seniors and try to use team speed and athleticism make up for a scoring lost to graduation. Olmsted returns Gabe Carr-Johnson and Joel Richards after reaching Buff State in Class B2 one season removed from a sectional crown in Class C1 in 2016. The Owls assembled some challenging nonleague opponents to prepare for the postseason. City Honors has a young team with three sophomores and a freshman, and its top player also an underclassmen in junior Amir Radford. Riverside moves into Yale Cup II this season. The Frontiers have three seniors back from last season, led by the talented Dialo Rivera Stevens, who is the team's captain. At DaVinci, Nick Todaro is the new head coach and has hard-working group that will defend teams aggressively. They carry some freshmen with potential and could surprise a few teams along the way. Lafayette is looking to build on last season following its come-from-behind sectional win over Roy-Hart, which marked the Violets' first playoff victory since 2010. Returning starters Austin Grimes and Dayshawn Elliott will factor big in the Violets' backcourt, transition speed, and offensive output. Senior LaMorris Elliott will give the team experience and strong perimeter shooting.
***
MST Seneca: Daylin Anderson 12, Daryl Costner 12, Diallo Gray 12, Marquel Hampshire 12, Saeviyon Livingston 12, James Myree 12, Warren Carter 11, Jason Chapman 11, JohnnyLee Cunningham 11, Earl Howard 11, Derrick Patterson 11, Nick Price 11, Xavier Werts 11, DeMario James 9
Olmsted: Gabriel Carr-Johnson 12, Aaron Brown 12, Joel Richards 12, Chris Pettiway 12, Caleb Matthews 12, Marcus Roberson 11, Delmar Green 11, Deshaun Nikonowics 11, Chris Mosley 11, Trevor Young 11, Renard Siders 10, Marciano Lamar 10
Riverside: Dialo Rivera Stevens 12, Robert Kyle 12, Carlos Adorno Nunez 12, Dontae Hill 12, Michael Villegas 11, Asante Silva 11, Julius Laureano 11, Jazed Maldonado Rivera 11, D'Yontai Williams 9, Ezequiel Rodriguez 9
City Honors: Brendan Bulluck 12, Sebastian Flewellyn 12, Neftali Vazquez 12, Michael Ruggeiero 12, Amir Radford 11, Eliot Solomon 11, Xavion Baines 11, Jerimiah Chapman 10, Nate Kahn 10, Kevion Taylor 10, Jayden Slaughter 9
Lafayette: Austin Grimes 12, LaMorris Elliott 12, Dayshawn Elliott 11, Jiheed Robinson 11, Kevin Maysonet 10, Kenneth Merced Ayala 10, Yabnel Calderon 10, Luis Betancourt 10, Zion Pannell 9, Yan Carlos Rodriguez 9
DaVinci: Trevor Knight 12, Gregory Kulian 12, Cori Henning 12, Antres Garcia 12, Jordan Fonn 11, Eric Barton 11, Elijah Graham 10, Miyear White 10, Agatino Maccarrone 10, Kitara Joseph 9, Ademola Montrose 9, Hiram Abril 9, Angel Burgos 9
Buffalo Arts: no information provided by coach
***********************************************
ECIC I
West Seneca West will benefit greatly from the return of Juston Johnson, who played with the team as an eighth grader and the transfer of Adrian Baugh, both coming over from Timon. The Indians also hired former Timon coach Des Randall, who starred for the school over a decade ago. With Alex Wayland back, who led the team in scoring last year, this could be the surprise team of the season in both league play and Class A1. Williamsville North returns its starting backcourt from last season in Ryan Johnston, Jacob Belote, & Joe Nusall. The Spartans also have a pair of bigs with talent and size with 6-5 Jonathon Abaya and 6-6 Greg Poland, and should contend for a league title and return to Buff State in Class AA. Frontier has six players back from last season, including Kyle Ebert, who led the team with 14.5 ppg and Brandon Dunz who averaged nine ppg last year. Jamestown has been a league champion in ECIC I for the last seven seasons. With a young team that lacks experience, it will be a challenge to continue that streak. The Red Raiders do have two starters back in Matt Hill and Marcus Rojas who combined for over 20 ppg last year, along with some young talent eager to continue the tradition. Lancaster reached the Class AA Final last season, and returns a pair of talents from that team in senior Alec Tamburri and junior Jakob Jerebko. Tamburri was a First Team selection in ECIC I, while Jerebko will help carry the load this season after battling through injuries last year. Point guard duties will be handled by Ryan Mansell, a tough defender for the Legends. Clarence returns its top three scorers (Joe Olivieri, River Reinhardt, & Jack Putney) from a team that won five of their last six games, with the loss occurring in overtime of the quarterfinals at Jamestown. Orchard Park has three starters back (David Morris, Eric Liberatore, and Tino Mancabelli) however Mancabelli will begin the season on the shelf with injuries. The Quakers will use that time to develop depth and find out who can step up into a greater role.
***
West Seneca West: Alex Wayland 12, Jesse Broad 12, Mike Borton 12, Jack Koller 12, Willie Morrison 12, Juston Johnson 11, Adrian Baugh 11, Bryan Ball 11, Kevin Link 11, Jack Breen 11, Anthony Espe 11, Nate Ryniec 10, Mike Glinski 10
Williamsville North: Ryan Johnston 12, Justin Konotopskyj 12, Lucas Terry 12, Alex Steinwachs 12, Jonathon Abaya 11, Joe Nusall 11, Jacob Belote 11, Dylan Mann 11, Scott Becht 11, Jake Federio 11, Dylan Mann 11, Nick Maniscalco 11, Jacob Orlando 11, Greg Poland 10, Scott Hopkins 10
Clarence: Joe Olivieri 12, Steve Kabayiza 12, Mike O'Brien 12, Matt Zuffranieri 12, Mike Scherrer 12, Jake Reger 12, Phil Simkin 12, Jack Putney 11, River Reinhardt 11, Jackson Wurtz 11, Brandon Ferris 11, Jon Stevens 11, Akilesh Ramakrishna 11, Peyton Metzger 10
Frontier: Jacob Weiss 12, Tom Notto 12, Kyle Ebert 12, Alex Hiam 11, Brandon Dunz 11, Ben Taylor 11, Elliott Robinson 11, Tyler Bailey 11, Chris Jones 11, Tyler Jenkins 11
Jamestown: Matt Hill 12, Noah Larson 12, Marcus Rojas 12, Henry Malarkey 12, Grant Moore 11, Kylen Faulkner 11, Grayson Holt 11, Daunte Garland 11, Kameron Grant 11, Nolan Butts 11, Shaheem Freeney 11, Jordan Crofoot 10, Elijah Rojas 9
Lancaster: Alec Tamburri 12, Ryan Mansell 12, Jakob Jerebko 11, Matt Garry 11, John Kisker 11, GianLuca Fulciniti 10
Orchard Park: Eric Liberatore 12, Alex Freilicher 12, Ben Shoop 12, Dave Morris 12, Nate Wereski 11, Matt Burney 11, Cayden Collins 11, Archie Bartolotti 11, Josh McTigue 11, Jordan Prince 11, Brad Fowler 10, Tino Mancabelli 10, Ethan Swiatek 10
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ECIC II
Williamsville South will be the group that every other team in ECIC II gets up for. The Billies saw their name added to the league championship banner for a third straight season and enter as the favorites to do so once again. Greg Dolan enters his senior season with just two league losses since starting as a freshman and hopes to keep it that way. Cody Sanford and Devin Degree also return to the starting lineup at South this year. Amherst is a defending league and Class A2 champion that will look to be a hardworking & unselfish team. The Tigers will be young and return no starters, but will be led by the 2017 Centercourt Sixth Man of the Year in Daesean Ashley, along with Jake Mullen, Ja’Kye Womack, and Jackson Tan who are ready to keep the Amherst tradition going. Williamsville East will be a contender in league play thanks to a veteran squad that boasts 11 seniors, led by Patrick Ranallo, Sean Keenan, & Nicholas Kieffer, along with talented sophomore Cal Shifflet, who averaged 8.4 ppg as a freshman. After a year away from coaching to enjoy the birth of his son, John Reinholz takes over as the head man at Hamburg. The Bulldogs have a very young team with nine underclassmen that includes five sophomores, but do return a pair of seniors that started last season in Jacob Genzel and Mark Henry. At Starpoint , Justin Mott is the lone starter that returns. The Spartans welcome back four other players who saw time in last season's rotation and their experience will be needed, as the Spartans bounce back up to ECIC II after competing last season in ECIC III. West Seneca East will be young this season with just two returning players that played important minutes last season. Zamari Mitchell was Second Team All-ECIC II last season and led the Trojans in scoring, assists, steals, & 3-pointers, while Christian Rodriguez was one of the team's better rebounders & defensive players from last season who always guarded the other team's best player. Sweet Home expects to take steps forward this season with their fast paced style and team defense. They finally have older players in the program that offer experience at the varsity level, led by point guard and captain Evan John, along with Stephon Trueheart, Maurice Robertson, Matthew Nix, and returning sophomore Jamel Lucas.
***
Williamsville South: Greg Dolan 12, Cody Sanford 12, Josh Foster 12, Robert Richards 12, John Goetzmann 12, Paul Goetzmann 12, Dan Proch 12, Nick Geska 12, Ethan Fuhr 12, Anthony Lombardo 12, Devin Degree 11, Ryan Schouten 11, Caran Peterson 11, Ethan Heil 11, Mike DiGiulio 10
Amherst: Chris Patterson 12, Charles Kilgo 12, Xavier Lewis 11, Jake Mullen 11, Ja’Kye Womack 11, James Moore 11, Deadrea Tyson, 11, Jackson Tan 11, Tyler Ross 11, Daesean Ashley 10, Noah Woldu 10, Aden Clemente 10, Marcus Hall 10
Williamsville East: Sean Keenan 12, Cameron Williams 12, Connor Williams 12, Nicholas Kieffer 12, Daniel Doyle 12, Seth Blum 12, Brian Comerford 12, Justin O'Neal 12, Patrick Ranallo 12, Brian Suk 11, Joe Shifflet 12, Colin Fors 12, Dylan Moorhouse 11, Zach Rudewicz 11, Cal Shifflet 10
Hamburg: Jacob Genzel 12, Mark Henry 12, Jack Rettig 12, Kevin McDermott 11, Connor McDonnell 11, Matthew Reagan 11, Nathan Severson 10, David Benningfield 10, Andrew Genzel 10, David Lambert 10
Starpoint: Kyle Schreader 12, Jake Walters 12, Brandon Wunderlich 12, Aaron Chase 11, Azston Ford 11, Brendan Gawel 11, Nate Lang 11, Justin Mott 11, Adam Rankie 11, Rob Roetzer 11, Braden Zdrojewski 11, Dustin Wick 10, Dexter Brooks 9
West Seneca East: Christian Rodriguez 12, Andrew Weiner 12, Greg Radka 12, Dylan Deneka 12, Zamari Mitchell 11, Marcus Barney 11, Matt Ibrahim 11, Alex Sarick 11, Trent Winfree 10, Michael Marcezin 10, Tommie Ferrell 10
Sweet Home: Stephon Trueheart 12, Jewlian White 12, Dylan McDuffie 12, Ryan Harris 12, Brian Lovering 12, Tavionn Martin 11, KiAiir Brunner 11, Marjohn Manuel 11, Evan John 11, Maurice Robertson 11, Matthew Nix 11, Adrian Rice 11, Jamel Lucas 10, DaeQuan Hill 10
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ECIC III
Lake Shore will have a strong presence in the middle from Johnathan Park, who led the team in scoring & rebounding last season. Jay Brueckl and Josh Buchanan will lead a deep,experienced and talented back court. Maryvale will put the ball in the hands of electric senior guard Ray Blackwell, who was called up as a freshman, and should eclipse the career 1,000 point total this season as a senior. Terrell Mullen should be a strong and talented player for the Flyers, who also have third year varsity player Mark Bailey. Chris Juergens takes over as head coach at Pioneer, after working as an assistant under Joe Pawlak at Roy-Hart. Returning is the veteran backcourt trio of Kaleb Hurlburt, Nick Rinker and Kyle Burley, who all started last season, with Burley averaging 15 ppg last season. Iroquois moves into the division from ECIC II with new head coach Todd Kleitz and only three players lost from last season. Tyler Tait will be the team's top returning scorer, along with Josh Kowalski & Andrew Hetzendorfer and the talent that moved up from a JV team that went 16-4 last year. A mix of experience and athleticism should make Cheektowaga a tough opponent. Alex Bryant, Rudy Bragg, Davon Brown & Terrance Bass are four seniors who will be looked at to lead the team, while junior Jason Salomon will also play a large role. East Aurora has no returning starters and just four players back from last season's team that won a Section VI crown in Class B1. Still expectations remain high for this squad with just two seniors from coach Chris Koselny, whose Blue Devils will be led by junior Kam Kmicinski. Springville moves back into ECIC III this season and has a talented junior in Mason Goodridge, an All-Centercourt Honorable Mention selection as a sophomore.
***
Lake Shore: Johnathan Park 12, Jacob John 12, Dakota Luke 12, Jay Brueckl 12, Bryce Toth 12, Ryan Utley 12, Ajay Cybulski 11, Josh Buchanon 11, Marcus Evans 11, Parker Jimerson 11, Nate Lockwood 11, Dezmond Wilson 11, Efrain Barreto 10
Maryvale: Ray Blackwell 12, Dylan Casey 12, Zach Amato 12, Mark Bailey 12, Shamaar Braggs 12, Nathan Crombie 11, Ryan Smith 11, Sayvon Lash 11, Luke Mansa 11, Terrell Mullen 10, Xaier Mitchell 10, Devin Taylor 10, Christian Gueth 10, Andrew Dockery 9
Iroquois: Tyler Tait 12, Andrew Hetzendorfer 12, S. Zachary Popovski 12, Josh Zon 12, Josh Kowalski 12, Charlie Ottomano 11, Max Derrick 11, Calvin Gawlick 11, Martin Fredia 11, Cole Augustine 11, Sean Holleig 11, Bailey Ertie 11, Matt Matia 10
Pioneer: Kyle Burley 12, Joe Carlson 12, Kaleb Hurlburt 12, Jared Pemberton 12, Nick Rinker 12, Dylan Giboo 11, Gabe Higgins 11, Sam Hyman 11, Cole Pleace 11
Cheektowaga: Alex Bryant 12, Davon Brown 12, Rudy Bragg 12, Keon White 12, Jaquan Pugh 12, Terrance Bass 12, Jason Salomon 11, Armondez Cleague 11
East Aurora: Will Beavers 12, Kellan Wittman 12, Kam Kmicinski 11, Noah Denz 11, Connor Boss 10
Springville: no information provided by coach
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ECIC IV
Lackawanna enters the season as the defending league champion and sectional finalist in Class B1. The Steelers hope to repeat those successes from last season and take the next step in March. Noah Grabar is a slick passing and lights-out shooting junior, while Noble Smith is the team's leader who provides a strong presence at both ends of the floor. The team is hopeful that London Smith is able to fully recover from a football injury before season's end - he was fantastic for them all of last year. Depew slides back here after competing in ECIC III for the past several seasons. The Wildcats will once again challenge opponents with perimeter shooting with an undersized lineup of shooters enjoying the green light from head coach Larry Jones. Chad Biersbach is back to lead the way in his fifth varsity season and should become only the second player from Depew to break the 1,000 point barrier early in the year. JFK has four starters back in Jake Braniecki, Nick Baker, Jordan Snyder, and Zack Manzella, who will be asked to shoulder the load for the Bears. Cleveland Hill graduated several seniors from the team that lost in the Class C1 Final at JCC in March. If the Golden Eagles, who return Fredrick Johnson, Aaron Wahler, and Kellvonta Harris, can start the year with the same energy they finished with last season, they will have an opportunity to return to the same place. Alden will be led by a trio of seniors in Christian Snell, Joshua Jeziorski and Alexander Leigh. Snell and Jeziorski are two athletic wing players that have the ability to guard multiple positions, while Leigh is a knock down shooter who will be asked to provide a solid handle as well as timely scoring. Tonawanda will be a very young squad with many fresh faces and is described by head coach Hank Hughes as a very hard working group with high energy that is eager to learn. Holland will have a small roster this year in both numbers and size, and will need to rely on guard-oriented play at a fast pace. The team will be led by Jordan Kolbmann, but the entire roster is ready to contribute and play multiple minutes. At Eden, Paul O'Connor is the new head coach for both the varsity and JV teams. Eight of the players on his varsity roster will be underclassmen.
***
Lackawana: London Smith 12, Noble Smith 12, Robert Rice 12, Abdul Hamid Albaneh 12, Luis Aviles 12, Terrell Brower 12, Carlton Threeths 12, Juan Rodriguez 11, Noah Grabar 11, Jeremiah Caviness 11, Keyna Smith 11, Emmanual Land 11, Trenaje Giddens 11, Alfonso Rivera 11
Depew: Chad Biersbach 12, Jeremy Clark 12, Jordan Cieselski 12, Dylan Cwiklinski 12, Augustine Arricale 12, Sean Miller 11, Matt Martin 11, Vunal Blair 11, Joe Pagano 11, Alex Neu 11, Cullen Johnson 11, Jacob Wentland 11, Max Cotton 11, Collin Bruencz 11, PJ Burns 10
JFK: Jake Braniecki 12, Nick Baker 12, Jordan Snyder 12, Robert Burgstahler 12, Michael Nawojski 12, James Bailey 12, Leonard Fears 12, Zack Manzella 11, Nazier Childs 11, Kage Dauman 11, Mitchell Fischer 11, Mark Konczal 11, Alan Suarez 10
Cleveland Hill: Kellvonta Harris 12, Fredrick Johnson 11, Aaron Wahler 11, Peyton Barker 11, D'Mario Grant 11, Khalil Jackson 11, Carl Jackson 11, Alfred Walker 11
Alden: Christian Snell 12, Riley Pastuszynski 12, Joshua Jeziorski 12, Bradley Kibler 12, Alexander Leigh 12, Matthew Schuh 12, Jacob Fairbanks 12, Maxwell Gilbert 11, Peter Jalovick 11, Lucas Jurek 11, Quinn Keller 11, Trey Samsel 10, Lucas Bush 10
Holland: Josh Ratajczak 12, Paul Nellis 12, Jordan Kolbmann 12, Zach Pawlak 12, Brennan Lewandowski 11, Josey Rivera 11, Nolan Perry 10
Tonawanda: Henry Palermo 12, Joshua Mouton 12, Pat Carney 11, Noah Gross 11, Khristian Velazquez 11, Billy Zeughardt 11, Owen Baker 11, Austin Kislowski 11, Messiah Illas 10, JJ Velazquez 9, Trevin Boling 8
Eden: John Emel 12, Griffin Gill 12, Collin Rigley 12, Hayden Bromley 12, Jackson Carney 12, Charlie Bennett 12, Jared Sobsyk 11, Colton Stetz 11, Connor Blake 11, Zach Decarlis 11, Louis Decarlis 11, Tom Mcauly 11, Bryce Narbe 11, Tyreese Jackson 11
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Niagara Frontier League
Niagara Falls is the two-time defending champion of Class AA, and the talent back at NFHS should make it a three-peat. Tazaun Rose & Syquan Ralands are the inside/outside combination that will lead a Wolverines team that is small with some very young players, but should be a lot of fun to watch. Lockport graduated four starters, but still has some talent in the mix. The Lions benefit from the return of guards Torree Cheatham and Devon Darrell, who each played in the Monsignor Martin Association last season. They will combine with Malik Brooks, Luke Lawrence, and Devin Letherman for plenty of team speed. North Tonawanda returns Third Team All-Centercourt standout Trevor Book, who had all his talents on full display at Buffalo State last March as the Jacks rolled through the competition en route to the team's first regional appearance. Ryan Mountain is the reigning Coach of the Year, & along with returning seniors Sean Ferry, Kyle McNeill, and Cody Cronk, will groom newcomers from a successful JV team to continue the winning ways with defense as the backbone. Grand Island has three straight seasons with sectional wins and reached Buffalo State in Class A1 last year. Junior Cam Sionko is back after an All-Centercourt Honorable Mention season, along with a healthy Liam Carrey, a big and athletic player who dealt with injury last season. Lew-Port played together a lot over the summer and gains some key talent from a JV squad that finished 18-2 last season. They will combine with key returning players, led by Trent Scott, and look to get the Lancers back to Buff State in Class A2. Kenmore West has some very good seniors to replace and will rely on playing defense and getting out in transition. The Blue Devils have Andrew Fron, Dylan James, and Erick Rainey back who all saw time last year. Kenmore East has the talent back to compete in the NFL and take a run at reaching Buff State in Class A1. The Bulldogs are led by the backcourt of D'Anzo Young and Kahlil O'Neil, along with Nate Murdie and Nic Calhoun inside. CSAT played its first season in the NFL in a year when they had a young team and the league was the strongest in Section VI. For their second round of competition in the NFL, the Eagles have nine players back, eight of which are seniors, and plan to be a defensive-minded veteran group. Niagara Wheatfield will be led by third year player Anthony Ruffino, who along with Davon Ware, Ben Davanteir and Zach Stanley, had very productive offseasons.
***
Niagara Falls: Tazaun Rose 12, Syquan Ralands 12, Jamel Burton 12, Marques Miller 12, Quaran Dubois 12, Roderick Arrington 12, Naim Bradley 12, Josiah Harris 11, Moran Montgomery 11, Joe Palka 10, Taylor Sanders 10, Roddy Gayle 8, Willie Lightfoot 8
Lockport: Isiah Johnson 12, Rashaun Johnson 12, Luke Lawrence 12, Devin Leatherman 12, Tivon White 12, Emmanual Hunt 12, Devon Darrell 12, Malik Brooks 11, Torree Cheatham 11, Duane Barrow 11, Jayln Jones 11, Marcus Shavers 11, Josh Cooper 10
Grand Island: Liam Carey 12, Derek Callen 12, Cam Sionko 11, JJ Wilkes 11, Logan Sionko 9
North Tonawanda: Trevor Book 12, Codie Cronk 12, Sean Ferry 12, Kyle McNeill 12,Colin Beach 11, Nick Casterline 11, James Holler 11, Donny LaVerdi 11, Dante Moultrie 10, Noah Fox 10, Sebastian Reid 10, Walter Wisniewski 9
Lew-Port: Dylan Morrissette 12, William Duff 12, Brendan Perreault 12, Owen Licht 12, Tyler Maggard 12, Zach Raber 12, Joe Powers 11, Trent Scott 11, Jake Kasbaum 11, Zach Claybourne 11, Jason Boslet 11, Noah Coppins 11, Andrew Perrault 11, Aidan Salick 11
Kenmore West: Erick Rainey 12, Jake Poummit 12, Ronnie Martinez 12, Andrew Fron 12, Jaylan Young 12, Jack Stoerr 12, Jake Robb 12, Noah Fisk 12, Dylan James 11, Christian Montes 11, Zach LaPlante 11, Anthony Dolce 11, Dom Schmidt 11, Kyle Schmidt 11, Zac Boyes 10
Kenmore East: Tyler Everett 12, Zach Price 12, Brandon Baker 12, Kahlil O'Neil 12, Jamichael Henderson 12, Billy Sautter 12, Nic Calhoun 12, D'Anzo Young 11, Bill Carvalho 11, Nate Murdie 11, Franc Schmoyer 11, Justin Harper 11, Brandon Beltran 11, Joey Brooks 11
CSAT: James Stephens 12, Jayden Gulledge 12, Deshawn Williams 12, Mark Greamen 12, Devin Ashley 12, James Tyes 12, Jalen Walker 12, Nazir Austin 12, Makhi Love 12, Daighlyon Willoughby 11, Lenard Harris 11, Kavon Wright 11, Frank Williams 11, Mel'vhon Thomas 11, Jeffrey Bellamy 11
Niagara Wheatfield: Anthony Ruffino 12, William Scullion 12, Ben Devantier 12, Nick Cloudin 12, Jared Domaradzki 12, Tom sommers 12, Davon Ware 11, Zach stanley 11, James McVay 11Jordan Parks 11, Cam Miller 11, Evan Rohring 11, Jordy Smith 11,
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Niagara-Orleans
Newfane has gone from a young team to a seasoned bunch with six seniors who have played three varsity seasons. Max Weber & Kyle DeVoogel were each All-Centercourt Honorable Mention selections and First Team All-League following the 2017 season, and each enters the year near the 1,000 point mark. Weber is also closing in on 500 assists, while DeVoogel broke the school's steals record in a season last year. Medina is the league's two-time defending champ and ran the table against the competition last season. The Mustangs lost a pair of returning starters to out-of-town transfers, but still have some experience and talent back in the fold, led by Toledo football commit Jalin Cooper, who was a Top 25 All-Centercourt standout as a junior. Izaiah Rhim is also back after earning Second Team All-League as a sophomore, along with experienced guards Mason Lewis, Alex Allis, and Brendan Luthart. Wilson graduated four starters and will rely heavily on returning point guard Steve Frerichs' experience in his third varsity season. Mac Musall and Nate Fox are two players expected to make big contributions for the Lakemen. Roy-Hart's leading scorer, Jake Bruning (15.2 ppg) is back, along with backcourt mate Noah Kindron - a top defender and the team's floor general. Akron is coming off of a down year, but has several returning varsity players, along with the addition of underclassmen that were part of a successful JV team last year. The goal will be to continue to improve, play solid team basketball, and get some talented athletes to make basketball their priority. Albion is carrying three sophomores and will rely on its athletes stepping into bigger roles from last season to compete.
***
Newfane: Max Weber 12, Kyle DeVoogel 12, Chad Dunbar 12, Connor Hill 12, Brandon Gross 12, Drew Boudeman 12, Samuel Auernhamer 12, Thorne Geise 12, Cam Stanton 12, Trevor Moreland 12, Matt DiTullio 11, James Leibring 11, Jarrett Gilson 11, Jonah Wisniewski 11, Umaru Ibrihim 10
Medina: Jalin Cooper 12, Mason Lewis 12, Alex Allis 12, Brendan Luthart 12, Trenton Jones 12, Jorge Phillips 12, Izaiah Rhim 11, Daemon Shatara 11, Tavian Rhim 11, Tim Roy 11, Tanner Waldriff 11, Nate Sherman 10, Brian Fry 9, Tyler Chinn 9
Wilson: Jared Carney 12, Mac Musall 12, Matt Daul 12, Nate Fox 12, Steve Frerichs 11, Jake Miller 11, Ian Evans 11, Jon Littere 11, Brayden Thompson 10, Julian Andreola 10, Mitch Mahar 10, Alex Martinez 10
Roy-Hart: Jake Bruning 12, Jon Huntington 12, Noah Kindron 12, Brandon LaForme 12, Charlie Brigham 11, Charlie Bruning 11, Lance Krieger 11, Quinten Koch 11, Hunter Pratt 11, Ben White 11, Blake Halstead 11
Akron: Weylon Abrams 12, Owen Hill 12, Derek Holtz 12, Nelson Logan 12, Mason Schultz 12, Wyatt Martin 11, Stephen Wagner 11, Matt Delre 11, Nick Genovese 11, Carter Jensen 11, Tim Longwell 11, Donovan Nephew 11, Brandon Orr 11, Jake Siska 11, Adam Mietz 9
Albion: Hunter Webster 12, Bradley Sanford 12, Shyheim Jakes 12, Demetrius Gardner 12, Austin Dugan 12, Bryce Pritchard 11, Dylan Fox 11, Vincent Zona 11, Deyonci Farley 10, Kevin Hillman 10
Barker: no information provided by coach
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CCAA I West
Olean returns to Class B with a young team that features 10 juniors and returns a pair of starters in Mike Schmidt and Matt Droney. Look for the Huskies to resemble a veteran group sooner than later behind a HOF coach in Jeff Anastasia who now sits at the top of WNY's all-time win list, and continue to value defense as their constant. Andrew Krenzer is now the head coach of Dunkirk, who played a thriller with East Aurora in the Class B1 semifinal last season and brings most of its key contributors back. The Marauders have speed, size, shooters, and depth, and will be led by Darnell Butts and Devaun Farnham DeJesus. Chautauqua Lake is coming off a break through season that saw the program earn a pair of firsts: a victory over league champion Olean and an overall Class C title to advance to regionals in Class C. The Thunderbirds return First Team All-State player Devin Pope, who enters the season with nearly 1,400 career points, along with Kyler Majka and Alex Gleason who also saw extended playing time last year. Fredonia will be led by Nate Shuart, who averaged 14 ppg & eight rebounds as a sophomore, along with dime-dropping point guard Reid Tarnowski. The Hillbillies gain 10 players from last season's successful JV team that will provide depth to play an uptempo style. Look for freshman guard Tyler Putney to contribute immediately. Southwestern will look for points in transition, led by junior scoring leader Alex Card, who already has two years of varsity experience under his belt entering this season. Maple Grove returns Carson Christ, along with the usual hard working athletes that are a staple of this team. Other coaches in CCAA I West have all mentioned the Red Dragons as a team to beware of this season.
***
Olean: Zach Parr 12, Luke Chapman 12, Jaeden Harris 12, Thomas Klein 12, Mike Schmidt 11, Josh Bihler 11, Matt Droney 11, Brian Ramarge 11, Jack Dwaileebe 11, Alex Weakfall 11, Jarrett Prizel 11, Cameron Kitchen-Perez 11, Rheyquon Davis 11, DeySeann Garey 11
Dunkirk: Darnell Butts 12, Devaun Farnham DeJesus 12, Issiah Velez 12, Andre Lockett 12, Noah Sobilo 12, Tyreese Kristan-Johnson 12, Felix Garcia 12, Jaziah Rivera 12, Sabien Smith 12, Kayin Odebralski 11, Jonathan Pedrogo 11, Ethan Yannie 11
Chautauqua Lake: Devin Pope 12, Collin Wood 12, JC McCroskey 12, Kyler Majka 11, Alex Gleason 11, Jack Adams 11, Bryan Anderson 11, Dean McKane 11, Trey Sauerland 11, Blane Thomas 11, Sebastian Wescott 11, Nate Adams 10, Michael Anderson 9
Fredonia: Matt Tintsman 12, Jared Kowalski 12, Reid Tarnowski 12, Brendan Plaister 12, Andrew Field 12, Nate Shuart 11, Nico Pucci 11, Trey Swartz 11, Parker Rivera 11, Keith Piper 11, Raziel Pearl 11, Owen Nicosia 11, Brayden Myers 11, Tyler Putney 9
Southwestern: Luke Heil 12, Derek Miller 12, Anthony Vezina 12, Max Kane 12, Saad Meer 12, Alex Card 11, Faizan Munir 11, Mayson Mathews 11, Jake Hnatyszyn 11, Cooper Pannes 10, Mitchell Pascarella 10
Maple Grove: no information provided by coach
Falconer: no information provided by coach
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CCAA I East
Silver Creek failed to reach a championship game at JCC for the first time in seven seasons last year, and the team has made its goal to return there in March. Playing the up-tempo style the Black Knights are known for, along with the return of four starters and the addition of Gowanda transfer Jarmani Benton, should have them right back in the mix for both league and the section. Gowanda lost its second leading scorer to transfer, but returns its top gun in two-time All-Centercourt Honorable Mention selection Nate Brawdy, a long & smooth scorer with an all around skill set. They also gained a big man in Ture Hassler who is sure to give teams fits with his size & style of play. Randolph is the defending league and Class C2 champion after an inspired defensive performance in the sectional final against East last season. While the Cardinals only return one starter, they are fed by a JV squad that finished 18-2 last season. Tyler Hind, the team's playoff MVP, is back after averaging 17.6 ppg as a freshman, along with Isaac Wakefield and Andrew Bernard. Allegany-Limestone returns most of its team that played plenty of minutes last year. The Gators will be led by Sam Flanders and Sean McAfee, along with rising sophomores Casey Curran and Michael Wolfgang. For Salamanca, despite the graduation of nine seniors, the Warriors roster is hardly void of talent. With defense and rebounding remaining a constant, they will look to play a faster tempo and remain competitive in an always difficult league. Portville has just one starter back and only four seniors on the roster this season. Still, this Panthers squad brings length and athleticism to the table and looks to gain some quick seasoning.
***
Silver Creek: Chad Yochum 12, Tom Galfo 12, Jarmani Benton 12, Tucker Gates 11, Braeden Woleben 11, Ammon Jones 11, Jack Brennan 11, Dylan Snow 11, Dom Jamison 10
Gowanda: Nate Brawdy 12, Ryan John 12, Uriah John 12, Ture Hassler 12, Nolan Rosier 11, Max Lindgren 12, Matias Rikka 12, Nolan Rosier 12, Tristan Jensen 11, Matt Smuda 11, Damen MacLeod 11, Aaron Colantino 11, Jonas Lindgren 9
Randolph: Isaac Wakefield 12, Dakota Donaldson 12, Tres Sherman 12, Devin Foster 12, Calvin George 12, Andrew Bernard 11, Tyler Hind 10, Branson Morrison 10, Kaleb Steward 10, Gabe McCoy 8
Allegany-Limestone: Sean McAfee 12, Grant Davis 12, Roman Napoleon 12, Michael Nye 12, Tommy Moran 12, Sam Flanders 11, Conner Golley 11, Gabe Kellogg 11, Casey Curran 10, Michael Wolfgang 10, Gus Napoleon 10
Salamanca: Hercules Rasha 12, Braden Siebert 12, Mitchell Richardson 12, Nick Johnson 12, Tyler Hedlund 11, Ira John 11, Zariah Armstrong 11, Ryan Chiemara 11, Zach Helms 11, Hunter McAuley 11, Jarrett McKenna 10, Isaac Brown 9
Portville: Jonah Watson 12, Brendan Tobola 12, Kyle Murray 12, Noah Swartwout 12, Nathan Kloc 11, Dalton Nuffer 11, Noah Pullins 11, Dawson Havers 11, Caden Keim 11, Brandon Murray 11, Cameron Lott 11, Jarrett Mathes 11, Dalton Tobola 10
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CCAA II West
Sherman returns Jared Gleason, who was a First Team selection in CCAA II West last season, along with Honorable Mention selection Tanner Ramsey. The Wildcats have been a force in the Class D ranks for years, reaching JCC for at least the past seven seasons. Westfield has two of the league's top performers in Shawn Horr & Julio Torres, along with three more players who saw significant minutes last season, and a player that will pose problems with his size - 6-5, 260 lb sophomore Andrew Baribeau. Brocton would like to play a quick tempo style and bring a little showtime to the scene, with Bubba Brown leading the cast of contributors. Clymer has six players returning from last years squad, four of which played significant time, and will start the season with a new point guard taking the reigns. Panama has just two players back this season with varsity experience. The team will have seven juniors who all played together on JV last season, along with sophomore Cameron Barmore, who is poised for a strong season. Frewsburg will be a young team with just two seniors and four returning players. The Bears are led by Tyler Marchincin at both ends of the floor, along with Quinn Conlan and Brad Nelson.
***
Sherman: Jared Gleason 12, Caleb Burick 12, Gavin Kahle 12, Tanner Ramsey 12, Darren Kopta 12, Collin Ramsey 11, Jordan Caron 11, Kameron Ayers 11, Austin Tallman 11, Mike Beatman 11, Reece Bates 11, Chance Meeder 11, Hunter Cooper 11, John Swabik 9
Westfield: Shawn Horr 12, Julio Torres 12, Brady Nusom 12, Cody Patterson 12, Christian Hammond 12, Brock Shuster 11, Coby Bills 11, Ryan Jafarjian 11, Evan Hauser 11, David Kircher 11, Matt See 11, Anthony Spann 11, Nathan Culbreth 10, Andrew Baribeau 10, Michael Johnosn 10
Brocton: Hunter Rizzo 12, Charles Rexford 12, Gabe Rosas 12, Daniel Siragusa 12, Bubba Brown 11, Riley Rivera 11, Jordan Kyrstofiak 11, Derrick Burns 11, Darien Booker 11, Gabe Morello 10, Caleb Chelton 10
Clymer: Corey Neckers 12, Dustin Neckers 12, Sam Wiggers 12, Jordan Wade 12, Spencer TeWinkle 12, Robert Overton 11
Panama: Tom Delahoy 12, Carter Morse 12, Isaac Lawson 11, Dominic Spontaneo 11, Jack Sperry 11, Jake Harper 11, AJ Troyer 11, Mitch Hovey 11, Ryan Joslyn 11, Cameron Barmore 10
Frewsburg: Tyler Marchincin 12, Bill Piazza 12, Jvyn Matve 11, Quinn Conlan 11, Dan Reinagel 11, Nolan Brink 11, Dylan Pearson 11, Conour Rodgers 11, Brad Nelson 10, Aaron Hair 10
Cassadaga Valley: no information provided by coach
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CCAA II East
Franklinville earned a share of the league crown with rival Ellicottville, but won the rubber match at JCC which led to a state run in Class D that saw the Panthers reach the final four in Binghamton. The goal this season is clear - get back there, hope to finish what they started last season, and earn a state championship. Fourth Team All-Centercourt forward Sam Erickson is the team's leader, while Isaac Kopp and Darren Clark are major contributors. With the entire rotation back, it's possible the Panthers open the season ranked #1 in NYS Class D. Ellicottville also comes back this season in force after splitting the league with Franklinville. The Eagles also return all five starters and their top six players, led by 2017 Fourth Team All-Centercourt and two-time First Team All-State center Elliot Bowen. Griffin Chudy and point guard Austin Grinols, along with Bowen, will all be four-year varsity starters and are hoping to go out with a sectional title and beyond. Chris Buczek returns as head coach at Pine Valley, where he takes over for a team that has six seniors who all returned and will try to take advantage of the athleticism his roster offers. Forestville has just four players returning this season and plans to focus its efforts on the defensive end as the newcomers get up to speed at the varsity level.
***
Franklinville: Sam Erickson 12, Isaac Kopp 12, Darren Clark 12, Brock Blecha 12, Dylan Burton 12, Kaleb Watts 12, Conner Burrell 12, Ben Mooney 11,Malakhai Holiday 11, John Yan 11, Vinny Marchese 10, Josh Haskell 8
Ellicottville: Elliot Bowen 12, Griffin Chudy 12, Austin Grinols 12, Noah Stuve 12, Deric Leiper 12, Mitchell Sexton 12, Evan Palmatier 12, Robert Neumann 12, Parker Rieman 12, Cody Luder 12, Matt Grigsby 12, Vaugh Bomberry 12, Steven Rowland 11, Brenden Chudy 11, Brennan Finn 11
Pine Valley: Trent Mihalko 12, Zachary Mansfield 12, Stephen Crisanti 12, Bobby Clutter 12, Dakota Loop 12, Ben Distasio 12, Bayley Finch 11, Brady Andrews 11, Makiah Snyder 11, Ryan Snyder 11, Anthony Yaskow 11
Forestville: Lewis Markham 12, Hector West 12, Phillip Narraway 12, Travis Drozdziel 11, Nikolas Lelonek 11, Orlando Soto 11, Skyler Christian 11, Jordan Fores 11, Gavin Christian 10, Dalton Hastings 10, Javier West 9
North Collins: no information provided by coach
Cattaraugus/Little Valley: no information provided by coach
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Charter Schools
Health Sciences broke through in 2017 and gave the school its first Section VI champion in Class B2. The Falcons followed it up with a run to states in Class B. Davonte Gaines, Kameron Briggs, Tayvion Nelson, and Josiah Haygood will lead a deep lineup that looks to run teams into the ground with pace and pressure. Antwan Anderson takes the reigns at Global Concepts after serving as an assistant at Manhattan Cup finalist St. Francis. Junior Luis Mercado will lead the Gators, along with talented freshman Andre Goldsmith. At Oracle, Chris Castleberry takes the reigns as head coach and has an athletic team with the ability to get in your face defensively and push the ball up the floor offensively. The Phoenix will look to make a strong playoff push at the end of the season. BASCS, which stands for Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School, returns seniors Mian Tasnum and Trevor Mosley, and will be led by team captain Ibrahim Osmani.
***
Health Sciences: Davonte Gaines 12, Tayvion Nelson 12, Aquell Crosby 12, Shakir Cook 12, Tyseen Lott 11, Kameron Briggs 11, Josiah Haygood 11, Timothy Benton 11, Daciaire Riley 10, Kyjuan Inabinett 9, Javaughn Jones 9, Donovan Miller 9
Oracle: Joe Perez 12, Gary Marshall 12, Delmareion White 12, Bonifasi Luundo 12, Khalil Kabia 12, Anthony Halton 12, Deontay Johnson 12, Shareef Murray 12, Jacquan Steele 12, Raekwon Graves 11, Shontez Asturias 11, Atem Bol 11, Kyle Tyler 11
Global Concepts: Donovn Wallance 12, Bahadeen Aljari 12, Branden Coleman 12, Branden Gibson 12, Nick Kalimu 11, Luis Mercado 11, Mysome Johnson 11, Lee Kalimu 11, Jakiel Vamer 11, Anthony Miller 10, Andre Goldsmith 9
BASCS: Mian Tasnum 12, Trevor Mosley 12, Javier Melendez 12, Muhammad Maksudov 12, Ja’Quan Wingard 12, Amar Woodwiley 12, Josh Workman 12, Branton Morgan 12, Jayron Lewis 12, Ibrahim Osmani 11, Justin Hunt 11, Abdi Cali 11, Vote Wavote 11, Carlos Rodriquez 11, Adriel Powell 11, Sean Johnson 11
Maritime: Ray Rich 12, KeSean Weston 12, Malachi Grimes 12, Amed Morales 12, Angel Canules 12, Jaerek Sopinski 12, Ian Henderson 12, Isaiah Donmore 12, Jalill Carpenter 12, Tyler Wilson 11, Tyress Hall 10, John Blevins 10
Tapestry: no information provided by coach
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Teams with New Coaches
Rich Jacob - Park
Jason Rowe - Timon
Pat Clarke - Nichols
Tom Ford - CCA
Des Randall - West Seneca West
John Reinholz - Hamburg
Todd Kleitz - Iroquois
Chris Juergens - Pioneer
Paul O'Connor - Eden
James Kane - Middle College
Nick Todaro - DaVinci
Andrew Krenzer - Dunkirk
Michael Brooks - Barker
David Kozar - Albion
Antwan Anderson - Global Concepts
Chris Castleberry - Oracle
Mike Ester - Tapestry
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Classification Changes
Kenmore West moves down from Class AA to Class A1
Kenmore East moves up from Class A2 to Class A1
East Aurora moves up from Class B1 to Class A2
Emerson moves up from Class B1 to Class A2
Olean moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
Lackawanna moves up from Class B2 to Class B1
Medina moves up from Class B2 to Class B1
Maritime moves up from Class C1 to Class B2
Riverside moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Cleveland Hill moves up from Class C1 to Class B2
DaVinci moves up from Class C1 to Class B2
East moves down from Class C2 to Class D
Westfield moves down from Class C2 to Class D
Frewsburg moves down from Class C2 to Class D
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Preseason Polls
** I checked back on last season's preseason poll and compared it to my final poll of 2017. I correctly placed seven of the top ten large schools in the preseason Top 10, and had six of the 10 small schools. My favorite part about doing this is being right and wrong all at the same time! While I nailed it by having Canisius at the top to start last year, I blew it by not having North Tonawanda in the large school top 10, and the Jacks finished as the highest ranked public school. Among the small schools, I started Health Sciences at #2 and the Falcons finished #1, but Class B Manhattan Cup champion St. Mary's was nowhere to be found in the preseason Top 10. The Lancers were #2 when the dust settled.
Large Schools
1. Canisius
2. Park
3. Niagara Falls
4. Williamsville South
5. St. Francis
6. South Park
7. McKinley
8. Timon
9. West Seneca West
10. Williamsville North
Small Schools
1. Health Sciences
2. Olean
3. Franklinville
3. St. Mary's
4. East
6. Cardinal O'Hara
7. Dunkirk
8. Nichols
9. Middle College
10. Niagara Catholic
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Predictions
MMA Class A - Canisius
MMA Class B - Cardinal O'Hara
Yale Cup I - South Park
Yale Cup II - MST Seneca
ECIC I - West Seneca West
ECIC II - Williamsville South
ECIC III - Lake Shore
ECIC IV - Lackawanna
NFL - Niagara Falls
N-O - Newfane
CCAA I West - Olean
CCAA I East - Silver Creek
CCAA II West - Sherman
CCAA II East - Franklinville
Charters - Health Sciences
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Manhattan Cup (A)
Last season, I predicted the Crusaders to win the Cup and it was the first time I got right since the 2013 season. They basically bring the farm back and there were a couple stud sophomores that jumped off the page at me when watching their JV team last year. If they enter Canisius' already loaded rotation, along with Austin James being back in the fold, I like my chances. That said, I expect Park to be the Crusaders' equal this year - and it should make for three epic battles...like the ones we watched two seasons ago.
** Canisius **
Manhattan Cup (B)
I went with Nichols in this spot last season and was oh so close to being right - but it was St. Mary's that prevailed in a thrilling final. With the talent the Lancers have back, they have to be the favorite to repeat in my opinion. But the Class B race should be as fun as its been in years with four teams sitting on some real talent and hungry to knock the snot out of each other. I'll go with the Lancers, but won't be shocked to see them bounced in the semifinals by O'Hara, Nichols, or Niagara Catholic.
** St. Mary's **
Class AA
Final Four to reach Buffalo State:
Niagara Falls, Williamsville North, Clarence, & Lockport
** Niagara Falls **
Class A1
Final Four to reach Buffalo State:
Williamsville South, McKinley, West Seneca West, & Grand Island
** Williamsville South **
Class A2
Final Four to reach Buffalo State:
South Park, Amherst, Lake Shore, & Maryvale
** South Park **
Class B1
Final Four to reach Buffalo State:
Olean, Dunkirk, Newfane, & Lackawanna
** Olean **
Class B2
Final Four to reach Buffalo State:
Health Sciences, Middle College, Gowanda, & Cleveland Hill
** Health Sciences **
Class C
Final Four to reach JCC:
Chautauqua Lake, Randolph, Silver Creek, & Maple Grove
** Silver Creek **
Class D
Final Four to reach JCC:
Ellicottville, Franklinville, East, & Sherman
** Franklinville **
-centercourt
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Class B1 & B2 Brackets - 2017 Sectionals
Class B1
First Round - Tuesday, February 21st
(16) Emerson 71, (9) Alden 53
(12) Albion 63, (13) City Honors 52
(10) Fredonia 57, (15) Tonawanda 39
(14) CSAT 86, (11) Riverside 72
Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 22nd
(8) Burgard 69, (16) Emerson 44
(5) Dunkirk 78, (12) Albion 39
(10) Fredonia 61, (7) I-Prep 49
(6) Depew 61, (14) CSAT 55
Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th
(1) East Aurora 47, (8) Burgard 34
(5) Dunkirk 69, (4) Springville 49
(2) MST Seneca 52, (10) Fredonia 39
(3) Newfane 78, (6) Depew 53
Semifinals - Monday, February 27th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 6 pm & 7:45 pm
(1) East Aurora 59, (5) Dunkirk 55
(3) Newfane 65, (2) MST Seneca 63
Final - Saturday, March 4th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 1:45 pm
(1) East Aurora 75, (3) Newfane 30
2017 Section VI Class B1 Champions - East Aurora Blue Devils
*************************************************
Class B2
First Round - Tuesday, February 21st
(13) Southwestern 51 (12) Buffalo Arts 38
(10) Roy-Hart 51, (15) Eden 45
(11) Oracle 60, (14) Akron 54
Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 22nd
(8) Gowanda 61, (9) JFK 52
(5) Middle College 57, (13) Southwestern 47
(7) Lafayette 58, (10) Roy-Hart 55 OT
(6) Wilson 57, (11) Oracle 43
Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th
(1) Medina 69, (8) Gowanda 48
(4) Health Sciences 70, (5) Middle College 54
(2) Olmsted 67, (7) Lafayette 52
(3) Lackawanna 69, (6) Wilson 45
Semifinals - Thursday, March 2nd
AT BUFFALO STATE - 6 pm & 7:45 pm
(4) Health Sciences 55, (1) Medina 37
(3) Lackawanna 62, (2) Olmsted v49
Final - Saturday, March 4th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 12 pm
(4) Health Sciences 60, (3) Lackawanna 48
2017 Section VI Class B2 Champions - Health Sciences Falcons
- centercourt
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Top Games of the Week: 1/23/17--1/29/17
(Juilian Cunningham & the Red Raiders host Timon on Friday night)
Monday, January 23rd
Canisius @ Walsh - 6:30 pm
Tuesday, January 24th
Health Sciences @ Timon - 6:30 pm
Depew @ Niagara Wheatfield - 6:30 pm
Albion @ Medina - 6:30 pm
Williamsville South @ St. Francis - 7 pm
Amherst @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm
Wednesday, January 25th
Hutch-Tech @ Olmsted - 6 pm
Burgard @ Lackawanna - 6:30 pm
St. Mary's @ Canisius - 7 pm
Friday, January 27th
Franklinville @ Burgard - 6:30 pm
Bishop Kearney @ Canisius - 6:30 pm
CCA @ Nichols - 6:30 pm
Timon @ St. Francis - 7 pm
Cardinal O'Hara @ St. Mary's - 7:30 pm
Amherst @ St. Michael's - 7:30 pm
East Aurora @ Depew - 7:30 pm
Saturday, January 28th
Orchard Park @ Medina - 6 pm
Barker @ Oakfield - 7:15 pm
RAP Classic at Aquinas
Williamsville South vs. UPrep - 2 pm
Jamestown vs. Irondequoit - 4 pm
Aquinas vs. Fairport - 7:30 pm
* Game of the Week - Timon @ St. Francis on Friday, January 27th
In the 'No Nights Off' Monsignor Martin Association, Friday nights game between these two top five large schools should be a war. Hailing from the same league, these guys have long been rivals!
The teams have much about their makeup in common. Both have young coaches who have put their stamp on the program with a passionate approach. Each team has some senior leadership, along with a crop of talented underclassmen to ensure they will both remain competitive in coming years and keep these battles ultra entertaining.
Last season, they faced off twice. Both meetings went to the Tigers, but the first round required double overtime before Timon came out on top. Each school reached the Manhattan Cup semifinals in Class A, before the two were eliminated by Canisius & Park.
It's been a long time since the Red Raiders knocked off their rivals from McKinley Parkway. You have to go back to the 2010 season, before the current coaches had taken over the programs. That's good for a 14-game winning streak for Timon against St. Francis.
What makes this year's rivalry so enticing? For starters, the talent they both roll out on the court, but more so, it's the quality wins each has already earned this season. Timon has the distinction of being the squad that finally clipped Canisius, after a lengthy win streak for the Crusaders over all the other WNY foes. For St. Francis, there was a pretty major win earlier in the week at Park, who was not only #1 in WNY, but #1 in the state. They won't be anymore and have the Red Raiders to thank for that. A Friday night 'Game of the Week', South Buffalo style. As always, get there early!
- centercourt
Monday, November 28, 2016
Classifications for the 2017 Season
Class AA (10 Teams)
Niagara Falls - NFL
Jamestown - ECIC I
Kenmore West - NFL
Lancaster - ECIC I
Frontier - ECIC I
Willaimsville North - ECIC I
Niagara Wheatfield - NFL
Orchard Park - ECIC I
Lockport - NFL
Clarence - ECIC I
Class A1 (10 Teams)
Williamsville South - ECIC II
McKinley - Yale Cup I
North Tonawanda - NFL
Hamburg - ECIC II
Grand Island - NFL
West Seneca East - ECIC II
Sweet Home - ECIC II
Williamsville East - ECIC II
West Seneca West - ECIC I
Hutch-Tech - Yale Cup I
Class A2 (11 Teams)
Amherst - ECIC II
South Park - Yale Cup
Cheektowaga - ECIC III
Olean - CCAA I West
Maryvale - ECIC III
Lew-Port – NFL
Starpoint - ECIC III
Lake Shore - ECIC III
Pioneer - ECIC III
Iroquois - ECIC II
Kenmore East - NFL
Class B1 (16 Teams)
East Aurora - ECIC III
Newfane - N-O
MST Seneca - Yale Cup II
Depew - ECIC III
Dunkirk - CCAA I West
Burgard - Yale Cup I
Riverside - Yale Cup I
CSAT - NFL
Emerson - Yale Cup I
Alden - ECIC IV
I-Prep - Yale Cup II
Fredonia - CCAA I West
City Honors - Yale Cup II
Albion - N-O
Tonawanda - ECIC IV
Springville - ECIC IV
Class B2 (15 Teams)
Health Sciences - Charter
Middle College - Yale Cup I
Medina - N-O
Gowanda - CCAA I East
Lackawanna - ECIC IV
Olmsted - Yale Cup II
JFK - ECIC IV
Wilson - N-O
Roy-Hart - N-O
Akron - N-O
Oracle - Charter
Southwestern - CCAA I West
Eden - ECIC IV
Buffalo Arts - Yale Cup II
Lafayette - Yale Cup II
Class C1 (10 Teams)
Chautauqua Lake - CCAA I West
Cleveland Hill - ECIC IV
Portville - CCAA I East
Salamanca - CCAA I East
Allegany-Limestone - CCAA I East
Maritime - Charter
DaVinci - Yale Cup II
Tapestry - Charter
Falconer - CCAA I West
Cassadaga Valley - CCAA II West
Class C2 (11 Teams)
East - Yale Cup I
Randolph - CCAA I East
Barker - N-O
Silver Creek - CCAA I East
Maple Grove - CCAA I West
BASCS - Charter
Cattaraugus/Little Valley - CCAA II East
Frewsburg - CCAA II West
Holland - ECIC IV
Global Concepts - Charter
Westfield - CCAA II West
Class D (9 Teams)
Ellicottville - CCAA II East
Sherman - CCAA II West
Franklinville - CCAA II East
Clymer - CCAA II West
Pine Valley - CCAA II East
Panama - CCAA II West
Forestville - CCAA II East
Brocton - CCAA II West
North Collins - CCAA II East
Monsignor Martin Class A
Canisius
Park
Timon
St. Francis
St. Joe's
Monsignor Martin Class B
Nichols
Cardinal O'Hara
St. Mary's
Walsh
CCA
Niagara Catholic
-centercourt
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Class B1 & B2 Brackets - 2016 Sectionals
Class B1
First Round - Tuesday, February 16th
(12) City Honors 47, (13) Lafayette 41
(10) CSAT 54, (15) Eden 42
(11) Tonawanda 40, (14) Springville 38
Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 17th
(8) Depew 72, (9) Buffalo Arts 38
(5) Alden 78, (12) City Honors 46
(10) CSAT 71, (7) Albion 59
(6) Newfane 54, (11) Tonawanda 42
Quarterfinals - Friday, February 19th
(1) Olean 83, (8) Depew 38
(4) Dunkirk 68, (5) Alden 46
(2) Medina 54, (10) CSAT 46
(3) East Aurora 62, (6) Newfane 47
Semifinals - Thursday, February 25th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 6 pm & 7:45 pm
(1) Olean 59, (4) Dunkirk 41
(3) East Aurora 55, (2) Medina 46
Final - Saturday, February 27th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 1:45 pm
(1) Olean 67, (3) East Aurora 46
2016 Section VI Class B1 Champions - Olean Huskies
***************************************************
Class B2
First Round - Tuesday, February 16th
(12) Oracle 60, (13) Akron 32
Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 17th
(8) JFK 65, (9) Wilson 48
(5) Emerson 66, (12) Oracle 61
(7) MST Seneca 51, (10) Lackawanna 48
(6) Fredonia 69, (11) Southwestern 42
Quarterfinals - Friday, February 19th
(1) I-Prep 79, (8) JFK 47
(4) Health Sciences 61, (5) Emerson 56
(2) Roy-Hart 57, (7) MST Seneca 45
(6) Fredonia 68, (3) Gowanda 51
Semifinals - Wednesday, February 24th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 5:15 & 6:45 pm
(4) Health Sciences 70, (1) I-Prep 57
(6) Fredonia 73, (2) Roy-Hart 30
Final - Saturday, February 27th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 12 pm
(6) Fredonia 53, (4) Health Sciences 48
2016 Section VI Class B2 Champions - Fredonia Hillbillies
-centercourt
Sunday, January 03, 2016
Top Games of the Week: 1/3/16 -- 1/9/16
(Andrew Austin leads Lockport into Niagara Falls on Tuesday for the 'Game of the Week' / Photo by Lockport Star)
Here's a list of what I think are the top games to follow this week:
Monday, January 4th
Dunkirk @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm
Tuesday, January 5th
McKinley @ South Park - 6 pm
Walsh @ Nichols - 6:30 pm
St. Joe's @ Park - 6:30 pm
North Tonawanda @ Kenmore West - 6:30 pm
Lockport @ Niagara Falls - 6:30 pm
Canisius @ Timon - 6:30 pm
Niagara Catholic @ St. Francis - 7 pm
Wednesday, January 6th
Olmsted @ MST Seneca - 6 pm
I-Prep @ Emerson - 6 pm
East Aurora @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm
Willaimsville North @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm
Orchard Park @ Lancaster - 7:30 pm
Health Sciences @ St. Mary's - 7:30 pm
Thursday, January 7th
Fredonia @ Olean - 7:30 pm
Salamanca @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm
Friday, January 8th
Emerson @ Olmsted - 6 pm
Roy-Hart @ Newfane - 6:30 pm
Kenmore West @ Lockport - 6:30 pm
Alden @ Tonawanda - 6:30 pm
St. Joe's @ Canisius - 7 pm
Medina @ Albion - 7 pm
Park @ St. Mary's - 7:30 pm
Maryvale @ East Aurora - 7:30 pm
United Way Showcase at Jamestown HS
Tapestry vs. Randolph - 6 pm
Jamestown vs. Cardinal O'Hara - 7:45 pm
Saturday, January 9th
Willaimsville South @ Aquinas - 2:30 pm
United Way Showcase at Jamestown HS
Dunkirk vs. Bennett - 12:30 pm
Fredonia vs. Silver Creek - 2:15 pm
Maple Grove vs. Panama - 4 pm
Sherman vs. Randolph - 5:45 pm
Olean vs. Jamestown - 7:30 pm
Game of the Week - Lockport @ Niagara Falls on Tuesday, January 5th
- In 2014 after getting hit hard by graduation, Niagara Falls rolled out a lineup of fresh-faced underclassmen that would carry them over the next three seasons. That same year, Lockport boasted a senior-laden unit that would share league title honors in the NFL with Kenmore West. That Lions team was the first to ever sweep the Wolverines in a season and wound up advancing to Buffalo State for the Class AA semifinals.
Last season, it was Lockport that turned to a new group in its rotation, while a year of seasoning had helped the young Wolverines to get back on top of the NFL, sharing league crown honors with North Tonawanda. Niagara Falls returned to Buffalo State in Class AA last season and advanced to the sectional championship.
Entering this season, Niagara Falls came in with its best group since 2013 and were the preseason favorites to win both the NFL and Class AA. The Wolverines second game of the season was against Park, the top-ranked Class A team in NYS, a game they only lost by two points. That same night, Lockport caught the attention of area hoop followers with a 13-point win over St. Joe's.
Since that night, both Falls & Lockport have won all their league games. But it was some nonleague results that really set the stage for the Game of the Week. Starpoint played a game at Park and only lost by three points. They followed that up with a win over Timon. Then just three days later, the highly-regarded Spartans traveled to Lockport, and got thumped by 30 points. That same week, Niagara Falls coughed up a late lead at the ADPRO Challenge and lost to the same St. Joe's team that the Lions beat.
Suddenly, Lockport was the only team from WNY ranked by NYS in Class AA and also moved ahead of Niagara Falls in the local large school poll. The question that then arose - is Lockport now the favorite to win the NFL and Class AA this year? Maybe so, but I'm not making any proclamations just yet. The Lions suffered their first loss of the season to Aquinas over the break in a complete rout, and followed it up with a loss the next night to small school East of the Yale Cup.
Is Lockport back sliding or was it just a holiday slump? Is Niagara Falls still the team to beat after allowing the St. Joe's comeback? Thankfully we have the 'Game of the Week' to sort it all out, where I will be front & center(court) for - and yes, the winner will be the favorites in both the league and the section.
-centercourt
Friday, November 27, 2015
Season Preview: 2015-2016
(Park & Canisius will once again be elite WNY programs, following a season where both won State & Federation titles /Photo by Dave DeLuca)
The 2015-2016 Pre-View From Centercourt contains:
- What's New
- Returning 2015 All-Centercourt Players
- Player Watch List for 2015-2016
- A League-by-League look at the teams
(MMA, Yale Cup, ECIC, NFL, N-O, CCAA, & Charters)
- Coaching Changes
- Classification Changes
- Preseason Top 10 Large & Small Schools
- Predictions
What's New
- Coaches. All sorts of new coaches. The largest coaching turnover I've ever witnessed. In all, of the 103 teams between Section VI & the MMA, 22 of them have a new head coach this season.
- Section VI teams are finally back to playing a 20-game regular season.
- With the way Easter falls this year, the season will end a week earlier than normal.
- The Canisius/St. Joe's rivalry returns to a home-court advantage format, after playing the big games at the Canisius College Koessler Center the past couple seasons to accommodate the masses. Get there early.
- Middle College will play its home games at Bennett this season. The Kats had been hosting home games at ECC since 2010.
- After winning the Class B Federation Championship last season, Park will move up and compete with the big dogs in the CHSAA's Class A, while Nichols will return to Class B after playing up a year ago.
- It wouldn't be a season preview without some divisional realignments in the CCAA : Maple Grove & Cassadaga Valley flip leagues, with the Red Dragons joining CCAA I West, while the Cougars move to CCAA II West. In the East, Cattaraugus/Little Valley leaves Division I to compete in II.
- West Valley will not field a team this season. Students from the school have the option to play for Ellicottville.
- This season, the Class A1 semifinals will be split up between the Tuesday & Wednesday nights of Buffalo State week, with the Class AA semis and then the Class B2 semis played prior to each A1 semifinal. That means the Class A2 semifinals are Monday night, leaving the Class B1 semifinals for Thursday night.
- Far West Regionals are back at Buff State this year.
- Niagara Falls HS will host a "Battle at the Border" in February, featuring three of Canada's top teams playing Timon, Aquinas, and the host Wolverines.
- Depew will host this season's ADPRO Public/Private Challenge from December 17th-19th.
******************************************************
The Players
*** Seven of the top 15 players from the 2015 All-Centercourt Team return to the WNY high school hoops scene, along with another 10 players that received Honorable Mentions following last season.
Returning 2015 1st Teamers
Stafford Trueheart - Canisius, Senior
* 16.5 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 2.8 BPG / 1.0 APG *
* as a junior
- After leading the Crusaders to a story book season that included Manhattan Cup, State, and Federation Championships in Class A, the best Canisius big man in the last 20 years is back for his fourth and final varsity season. Quick, agile, and very instinctual, he's a complete game changer against the areas top competition. Already offered by Sienna, Trueheart will look to close out his career by keeping the Crusaders on top. (Photo by Buffalo News)
Jordan Nwora - Park, Senior
* 21.5 PPG / 6.5 RPG / 2.4 SPG / 1.4 APG *
* as a junior
- After transferring from Amherst following his sophomore campaign, Nwora exceeded all expectations in a breakout junior season, leading the Pioneers to a Federation Championship in Class B. He became an elite scorer and is equally dangerous in half court sets and in transition. With multiple Division I offers already on the table (South Florida, Long Beach State, Fordham, & UB), the ceiling is high for a 6-7 wing that is still improving. He'll look to lead his team back to the successes they enjoyed last season, only this season, they'll attempt to win it all in Class A.
Returning 2015 Second Teamer
Dominick Welch - Cheektowaga, Junior
* 21.6 PPG/12.5 RPG/2.7 BPG /2.6 APG/1.7 SPG *
* as a sophomore
- The best bargain going in WNY is a two dollar game ticket to watch this guy play for 32 minutes. Entering his junior season, he has already scored 1,000 career points, and even more impressive, has over 800 rebounds already. The scary part is that he's just now starting to compete against kids his own age. Iona, Canisius, & UB have all made offers to the explosive forward who can do anything and everything on the court. (Photo by Nick LoVerde)
Returning 2015 Third Teamers
Greg Dolan - Williamsville South, Sophomore
* 13.0 PPG / 5.2 APG /4.0 RPG / 3.4 SPG *
* as a freshman
- One of the most impressive statistics from a season ago was his turnover total after 24 starts. As a freshman point guard that played every crucial minute for the Billies, including two sectional title games and a regional final, he only committed 38 turnovers. That kind of poise and decision making not only makes his team better - it's already landed him an offer from Canisius, which came during his freshman year. (Photo by Harry Scull)
Takal Molson - St. Mary's, Senior
* 19 .2 PPG /7.1 RPG /2.3 APG /2.2 SPG /1.1 BPG *
* as a junior
- In my time covering high school basketball, I've never seen a better player in a Lancers uniform. Shows raw talent and athletic ability, but it's his feel for the game, ease handling the ball, and smooth shot from all ranges that separates him. He'll be relied upon heavily to be a leader this season, which will be necessary for St. Mary's to win the Class B Manhattan Cup and beyond.
TC Brown - Amherst, Senior
* 20.1 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 4.3 APG / 3.0 SPG *
* as a junior
- One of the most competitive players in the area who wants the ball in his hands, is fearless in crunch time, and always believes his team will win. Led the Tigers to a third ECIC III title and sectional final in as many varsity seasons. Has his sights set on leading Amherst to its best season in school history - one that would include a trip to Glens Falls. (Photo by Buffalo News)
Gary Foster - Middle College, Senior
* 18.3 PPG /11.7 RPG /3.0 BPG /2.8 APG /2.4 SPG *
* as a junior
- The standout talent on a very deep Kats team. A strong and intense player who is feisty inside, but has a great touch to his mid range game. After leading Middle College to the Class C regionals last year, he's ready to take the Kats to Glens Falls in search of a state title after starting for the South Park football team that made a run all the way to the state championship game. (Photo by Expressed Images)
Returning 2015 Honorable Mentions
Maceo Jack - Sr., Williamsville North - 18.7 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 1.6 APG / 1.1 SPG as a junior
Jojo Staton - Sr., Middle College - 17.2 PPG / 1.9 APG / 1.7 SPG / 1.7 RPG as a junior
Terrell Ford - Sr., Kenmore West - 16.7 PPG / 7.8 RPG / 2.9 SPG / 2.0 APG as a junior
JaQuoine Fogan - Sr., Tapestry - 16.2 PPG / 2.9 SPG / 1.7 RPG / 1.7 APG as a junior
Christian Nodine - Sr., Starpoint - 15.4 PPG / 9.0 RPG / 2.9 APG / 1.5 SPG as a junior
Davon Gant - Sr., I-Prep - 15.0 PPG / 10.3 RPG / 3.2 BPG / 2.7 APG / 1.2 SPG as a junior
Brock Kroening - Sr., Starpoint - 14.4 PPG / 9.7 RPG / 1.3 APG / 1.0 SPG as a junior
Kyle Harris - Sr., Park - 10.6 PPG / 3.6 APG / 3.1 RPG / 1.4 SPG as a junior
Hunter Anderson - Sr., Park - 9.6 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 1.6 APG / 1.5 SPG as a junior
Justin Jones - Sr., Canisius - 8.0 PPG / 6.0 RPG / 2.0 APG / 2.0 SPG as a junior
Player Watch List:
Joe Jones - 10 (Park), Amadi Ikpeze - 12 (Amherst), Quinton Lamar - 12 (Timon), Madut Ayiy - 12 (Canisius), Nick Motley - 12 (St. Joe's), Grant Beyer - 12 (St. Joe's), Shaquan Jones - 12 (McKinley), Willard Anderson - 10 (East), Sean Hill - 12 (Williamsville North), Breon Harris - 12 (Niagara Falls), Isaiah Thomas - 12 (Dunkirk), Tavien Kemp - 11 (Walsh), Jake Cavana - 12 (Olean), Ben Eckstrom - 11 (Olean), Christian Snell - 10 (Alden), Jenard Jackson - 12 (Lew-Port), Kelly Brown - 12 (Lockport), Tyron Lott - 10 (Health Sciences), Graham Dolan - 12 (Williamsville South), Qeyion Williams - 11 (Niagara Falls), James Rojas - 11 (Jamestown), Charles Lamar - 11 (Niagara Falls), Brandon Roach - 12 (Olmsted), Michael Simpson - 12 (Emerson), Chad Biersbach - 10 (Depew), Shakur Harris - 12 (South Park), Andy Xaspos - 12 (Roy-Hart), Nathan Nielson - 12 (Niagara Wheatfield), Jaylin Cooper - 10 (Medina), Justin Morgan - 12 (Medina), Ryan Bradley - 10 (Wilson), Gates Abrams - 12 (Akron), Nate Luckman - 11 (Barker), Patrick Moore - 12 (Fredonia), Josh Eddy - 12 (Panama), Chris Robson - 11 (Sherman), Trevon Thompson - 12 (Silver Creek), Nate Brawdy - 10 (Gowanda)
**********************************************
League-By-League
Monsignor Martin Association
Large Schools - CLASS A
Canisius capped off years of local dominance by winning the state's highest honor in Class A, a Federation Championship. The Crusaders will continue to be elite and return 1st Team All-Centercourt standout Stafford Trueheart. After winning a Federation title in Class B one day after the Crusaders were crowned, Park moves up to Class A. The Pioneers return three starters, including 1st Team All-Centercourt pick Jordan Nwora, who is already stock piling D-I offers. Timon has plenty back from last year's dangerous top ten team, along with a pair of key additions and former Crusader assistant, Des Randall, taking over as head coach. St. Joe's should have one of the best backcourts in WNY with guards Nick Motley & Naseer Jackson, along with all-around threat Grant Beyer. St. Francis has a very young team, but many are returning and hoping to build on last season's finish. The Red Raiders will hand the reins over to freshman point guard Julian Cunningham, cousin of Howard Washington Jr.
***
Canisius: Stafford Trueheart - 12, Justin Jones - 12, Madut Ayiy - 12, Will Atkinson - 12, Andrew Schake - 12, Charles Hart - 12, Colby Multrie - 11, Jayce Johnson - 10
Park: Jordan Nwora - 12, Kyle Harris - 12,, Tony Ugboma - 12, Ethan Cotrell - 12, Mariano Baldon - 12, Hunter Anderson - 12, Joe Jones - 10, Brandon Smith - 10, Marques Lowe - 10, Chris Efretuei - 10, Noah Hutchins - 9, Jordan Gompah - 9
Timon: Quinton Lamar - 12, Paul Lancaster Jr - 12, Benny Yu - 12, Hunter Lancaster - 12, Tyler Ringwood - 12, Joe Harrison - 11, William Lamar - 11, Davion Warren - 11, Cameron Lamar - 11, Timothy Payne - 11, Jacob Mazurkiewicz - 11, Juston Johnson - 9, Hakeem Humphrey - 9, Adrian Baugh - 9
St. Joe's: Grant Beyer - 12, Anthony Brophy - 12, Nick Motley - 12, Jordan Jenneve - 12, Naseer Jackson - 11, Mike Motley - 11, Mike Telesco - 11, Hunter Dimitroff - 11, Brad Allan - 11, Razihque Sullivan - 11, Caleb Cockrell - 11, Jack Capen - 10, Chris Stineman - 9
St. Francis: John Steven Zhu - 12, Roburt Welch - 11, Sean Taggart - 11, Cody Smith - 11, Michael Casciano - 11, Bo Sireika - 10, Owen Woyshner - 10, Josh Palmer - 10, Julian Cunningham - 9
**********************************************
Small Schools - CLASS B
St. Mary's is young, lacks size, and is limited on varsity game experience. What the Lancers do have is returning 3rd Team All-Centercourt selection Takal Molson, and if he embraces the leadership role that will be asked of him, they'd be my pick to win the Class B Manhattan Cup. Niagara Catholic returns five of its top six players from last year's team, led by seniors Elijah Griggs, Jaceary Menes, & Zach Socha. Sophomores Imean Davis and Nick Krupp will be important contributors in their second varsity season, while freshman Jaden Turner is expected to be an excellent addition to the backcourt for the Patriots. Nichols has just three returning varsity players who were part of last year's team that beat Timon in the Class A semifinals before losing a two-point heart breaker to Canisius. Back in Class B this season, the Vikings will be led by underclassmen Will Johnson & Marcellus Cooper. Walsh has three starters back, including dynamic point guard, Tavien Kemp. Cardinal O'Hara looks to improve from its 2-11 league mark last season. The Hawks bring back a lot, returning eight players led by Nasir Benton and Charles Debose.
***
St. Mary's: Takal Molson - 12, Kayson Hill - 12, Cam Dunning - 12, Joseph Stoj - 12, Daquan Hunt - 11, Colin Tyka - 11, Kalial White - 11, Jaquari Woods - 11, Eric Brown - 10, Matt Ciezski - 10, Christian Schableski - 10
Niagara Catholic: Elijah Griggs - 12, Jaceary Menes - 12, Zach Socha - 12, Noah Freeburger - 12, Imean Davis - 10, Nick Krupp - 10, Jaden Turner - 9
Archbishop Walsh: Adam Moore - 12, Christian Churakos - 12, Dom Ambroselli - 12, Tavian Kemp - 11, Noah Watson - 11, Jose Ortiz - 11, Latrell Butler Kemp - 10, Steven Watson - 9, George Lowry - 9, Cameron Kitchen-Perez - 9
Nichols: Ted Roach - 12, Michael Hafner - 12, Brandon Rivers - 12, Luke Meyer - 12, Ed Halady - 12, Will Johnson - 11, Paul Brinson - 11, Maxwell Hall - 11, Myles Hervey - 11, Harrison Serotte - 11, Marcellus Cooper - 10, TJ Banaszak - 10
Cardinal O'Hara: Charles Debose - 12, Curtis Johnson - 12, Ryan Hughes - 11, PJ Parker - 11, Deamontae Riley - 11, Rene Velazquez - 11, Cliff Zeigler - 11, Michon Dudley - 10, Nasir Benton-10, Mike Clark - 10, Elysee Hirwa - 10, Stephen Boyd - 9, Justin Hemphill - 9
************************************************
Section VI
YALE CUP I
With six of its top seven players back at Middle College, including 3rd Team All-Centercourt forward Fred Foster & Honorable Mention pick Jojo Staton, it's quite simply a state championship or bust season for the Kats. Put me on record as predicting it happens, along with a third Yale Cup championship since 2010. McKinley has a solid core of tenacious seniors that played a large role in the Macks winning the Yale Cup last season, led by Shaquan Jones. East will be led by sophomore Willard Anderson, who started for the team's Class B championship team as a freshman. The Panthers look to reach a sectional title game for the seventh straight year. Fresh off a run to the state championship in football, the pride of the city, South Park, will look to carry that momentum onto the court, led by Shakur Harris. Burgard is coming off its best season since 2006 and returns team captain Isaiah Jamison.
***
Middle College: Joseph Staton - 12, Gary Foster - 12, Billy Rivera - 12, Amir Jemes - 12, Brian Johnson - 12, Loronzo Truitt - 12, Claudius Thomas - 12, Terrell Jackson - 12, Dion Watkins - 12, Tyshawn Silas - 11, William Huitt - 11, Keaontea Townsend - 11, Nader Ngoopas Kompany - 10, Nathyia Jackson - 10, Hakeem Dobbins - 10, Azyion Clemons - 10
McKinley: Shaquan Jones - 12, Keyon Johnson - 12, Bruce Booker-12, Kesean Fisher-12, Raquan Goree-12
East: Takeyo Burts - 11, Takeyo Burts-11, Romello Cox - 11, Jerimah Barney-11, Moses Hughes - 10, Willard Anderson - 10
South Park : David Thomas - 12, Tony Robinson - 12, Daryl Moore - 12, Tyree Brown - 12, Mike McDonald - 12, Austin Neal - 12, Jaelin Watson - 12, Ellijah Winston - 11, Shakur Harris- 11, Raymond Mushat - 10, Jeremiah Sanders - 10, Elijah Lewis - 9, David Stroud - 9
Riverside: Romero Gardner - 12, Jamal Wardlaw - 12, Alexander Johnson - 12, Asuquo "Junior" Efiong - 12
Burgard: Isaiah Jamison - 12, Cordell Cain - 12, Keeane McCulley - 12, Diamond Allen - 12, Sharahem Austin - 12, Zion Hall - 11
Hutch-Tech
Bennett
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YALE CUP II
After a run to the state semifinals in Class D, which ended in a devastating loss after leading by double figures, I-Prep remains the team to beat in Yale Cup II. The Presidents return three starters, including standout Davon Gant (6-5), along with their sixth man, as they move up in Class to B2. Olmsted has a talented trio in Brandon Roach, Daniel Reid, & Naseem Baynes and has its sights set on dethroning I-Prep. City Honors returns two starter from last years team, Ryan Langhorne & Amir Radford, and hope to rebuild its roster through valuable experience this season. MST Seneca wants to have balanced scoring & solid defense, and will need to work hard all game. The Indians are pleasantly surprised with some underclassmen additions and also return team leaders in rebounds, blocks, & steals. DaVinci has three players back from the team that turned the corner last year under head coach Karl Maggiore, including a win over the Class D champ, I-Prep.
***
I-Prep: Jeffrey Townsel - 12, Davon Gant - 12, Daniel Santiago - 12, Zack Bashir - 12, Will Turner - 12
Olmsted: Brandon Roach - 12, Anthony Mendrysa - 12, Christian Barnes - 12, Kaelan Clouser - 12, Daniel Reid - 11, Naseem Baynes - 11, Abbas Abajobir - 11, Drew Hough - 11, Austin Parham - 11, Master Radford - 10, Gabriel Johnson - 10
City Honors: Ryan Langhorne - 12, Andrew Hoenig - 12, Joe Alessi - 12, Jaylen Keith - 12, Sam Battaglia - 11, Talon Moody - 11, Brendan Bulluck - 10, Amir Radford - 9
Lafayette: Miyaga Miyaga - 12, Eugenio Viera - 12, Cesar Medina - 11, Jerrery Felix - 11, Giovanny Carrasquillo Vargas - 11, Antwaine Woodard - 11, Nick Houston - 11, Amari Guilford - 10, Noah Miranda - 10, Kenneth Grimes - 10, Andre Reynolds - 9, Deshawn Elliott - 9, Shawndale Sanders - 9
MST Seneca: Kehri Kirk -12, Keyonte Gayles -12, Alfonce Oyoyo -12, Jermaine Jemison -12, Dom Prince -11, David Anderson -11, Davon Jones -11, Solomom Jones -11, Steven Swaggard -11, Dayshone King -11, Diallo Gray -10, Earl Howard - 9
DaVinci: Andrew Mertz - 12, Warren Richardson - 12, Hassan Ellis - 12
Emerson: Jason Dowell - 12, Justin Acker - 12, Jeremy Sims - 12, Julian Love - 12, Donald Morrow - 12, Dimitrius Simmons - 11, Anthony Hunter - 11, Tyreek Edwards - 11, Semir Smith - 11, Dayon Rice - 11, Brandon Lamar - 11
Buffalo Arts
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ECIC I
Williamsville North has the league's best player in Maceo Jack and an excellent floor general in Sean Hill. Couple that with the talent that moves up from a strong JV squad, and the Spartans look like the team to beat in ECIC I. Jamestown enters as the defending league and Class AA champs and welcome back a pair of starters from last year, in Zacc Kinsey and James Rojas. Lancaster has a quality core of seniors in Collin Murray, Alex Damiani, & Alex Konst, who saw extended action last season, and should be ready to make a push for a league title. Clarence returns only one starter, Adam Southern, but adds three athletic seniors who did not play as juniors. Jake Randall and Jake Ireland, who both gained valuable varsity experience last year as sophomores will be counted on as juniors. Orchard Park has a new coach in Jim Gibson and eight returning seniors, led by Philip Marks & Kevin Looney.
***
Williamsville North: Maceo Jack - 12, Sean Hill - 12, Nick Maranto - 12, Nick Konotopskyj - 12, Matt Winkler - 11, Willie Sturgis III - 11, Jairus Huggins - 11, Connor Kelly - 11, Anthony Maniscalco - 11
Jamestown: Zacc Kinsey - 12, Jeremy Lockett - 12, Luke Kindberg - 12, Noah Johnson - 12, Aaron Watson - 12, Jesus Rodriguez - 12, James Rojas - 11
Lancaster: Alex Damiani - 12, Collin Murray - 12, Alex Konst - 12, Danny Speyer - 12, Joe Powers - 12, Sean Gill - 12, Collin Reformat - 11, Connor Duck - 11, Noah Speyer - 11, Tim Molik - 11
Clarence: Adam Southern - 12, Spencer Dimitroff - 12, Anthony Olivieri - 12, Jake Ireland - 11, Jake Randall - 11, , Jon Trapp - 11
Orchard Park: Dan Freilicher - 12, Philip Marks - 12, Wes Seigner - 12, Max Cerone - 12, Kevin Looney - 12, Bryan Somerville - 12, Hunter Harris - 12, Chris Liberatore - 12, Joe Losardo - 12, Ben Wereski - 12, Adam Frick - 12, Nate Burnard - 12, Dan Anderson - 11, Dylan Anderson - 11, Dan Olejniczak - 11, Dan Kubik - 11
West Seneca West: Ben Hutton - 12
Frontier
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ECIC II
After winning the league and advancing to the regionals in Class A last season, Williamsville South has six players back from its eight man rotation. Once again, the Billies lined up a difficult nonleague schedule to prepare for another postseason run, but will open their season without two of their key pieces as they recover from injury. Starpoint became a major player in the local hoops scene in 2015, splitting with South in league and reaching Buff State in Class A2. The Spartans expectations are high coming into this season, with three key starters back, including a pair of All-Centercourt Honorable Mentions - Christian Nodine & Brock Kroening. RJ Killinger takes over as head coach at Williamsville East, and inherits a balanced Flames team with five sophomores. West Seneca East had its first winning season in 20 years last season. The Trojans think they can make it two straight, and hope to add a trip to Buff State to this year's accomplishments. Hamburg will look to Ryan Dils and sophomore Jacob Genzel for offensive production and leadership, as the Bulldogs will be without three-year starter Brendan Ryan for much of the season as he recovers from off-season shoulder surgery. Iroquois has three starters back and will look for quickness and athleticism to key their 2015-16 campaign. Lake Shore returns nine seniors this year and they bring a lot of experience. Collin Fiutko, who was out with a torn ACL last year, he will be a big boost for a team that returns four out of five starters from last year. Sweet Home will be a very young and energetic group, focused on implementing climate and culture.
***
Williamsville South: Graham Dolan - 12, Matt Foster - 12, Myles Hall - 12, Jordan Buell - 12, Ryan Philips - 12, Luke Corona - 12, Owen Maley - 12, David Akanonu - 12, Christopher Nelson - 11, Adam Braniecki - 11, Greg Dolan - 10, Cody Sanford - 10, Josh Foster - 10, Anthony Lombardo - 10
Starpoint: Brock Kroening - 12, Christian Nodine - 12, Ben Walters - 12, Garrett Longwell - 12, Chad Lang - 12, Hudson Earl - 12, Victor Bugenhagen - 12, Adam Lasal - 11, David Clemons - 11, Derek Clemons - 11, Jeremy Arnold - 11, Hunter Lemieux
West Seneca East: Ed Radka - 12, Dan Picciano - 12, Jake Klubek - 12, Jared Kania - 12, Nick Streczywilk - 12, Anthony Roncone - 11, Justin Gospodarski - 11, Dominic Farszmil - 11, Ryan Jasinski - 11, Alec Schreckengost -11
Hamburg: Brendan Ryan - 12, Ryan Dils - 12, Sean DeLellis - 12, Ian Chavanne - 12, Jeffery Salerno - 12, Dan Henry - 12, Patrick Hart - 11, Devon Crowley - 11, Jack Lacina - 11, Kevin Mahoney - 11, Lucas Winslow - 11, Jacob Genzel - 10, Mark Henry - 10
Iroquois: Joe Bowen - 12, Dominic Allen - 12, James Carlin - 12, Jack Edwards - 11, Matt Whalen - 11, Daniel Quinn - 11, Will Williams - 11, Tyler Tait - 10, Andrew Hetzendorfer - 10, Chris Perillo - 10, S. Zachary Popovski - 10
Williamsville East: Alex Pieri - 12, Mike Poturalski - 12, Mike Shanahan - 12, Alex Grano - 12, Kyle Gruber - 12, Andrew Kleinmann - 11, Drew Butler - 11, Matt Gelder - 11, Jonathan Spina - 11, Sean Keenan - 10, Cameron Williams - 10, Connor Williams - 10, Nicholas Kieffer - 10, Daniel Doyle - 10
Sweet Home: Kyle Tirone - 12, Jacob Serrano - 12, Melvin Williams - 11, Cameron Gates - 11, Luke Poppogallo - 11, Darryl Barrons - 11, Kelsey Lash - 11, Titus Fairclough - 11, Stephon Trueheart - 10, Ryan Harris - 10, Tahron Goudelock - 9, Evan John - 9
Lake Shore: Mike Braeuner - 12, AJ Bergum - 12, Collin Fiutko - 12, Cory Fiutko - 12, Joe Friedhoff - 12, Ron John - 12, Nate Myers - 12, Kyle Wishman - 12, Ayden Jimmerson - 12, Andrew McDonaugh - 11, Brave Williams - 11, Eric Senior - 11
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ECIC III
If ever there was a preseason when Amherst was to believe 'this is our year', it would be this year. With three-year starter and 3rd Team All-Centercourt star TC Brown leading the charge, St. Bonaventure commit Amadi Ikpeze patrolling the paint, and an excellent supporting cast (including Hutch-Tech transfer Jaylin Rose), the Tigers should have expectations of playing basketball in March. If there's a team that'll play spoiler to Amherst, it'll be Cheektowaga. The Warriors have rich recent history with the Tigers, that includes six classic battles in the last two seasons. All-Centercourt 2nd Teamer, Dominick Welch, enters his junior season as a 1,000 point scorer and is already one of the best I've ever covered. He'll team with fellow juniors, Stephan Parker and Adrian Baugh in a quest for a second sectional crown in three years. Maryvale should have one of its best teams in recent seasons, coming off a sectional final apppearance in Class B1. The Flyers bring back one of last year's captains in Drew Crombie, along with talented underclassmen Ted York-Brown and Ray Blackwell. Four out of five starters return to East Aurora, with three still being underclassmen. Depew will focus on limiting turnovers and ball movement to find good shots. The Wildcats need a another big step forward from sophomore Chad Biersbach, who averaged 10 per game as a freshman. Pioneer has a new coach in Keith Junik but will rely on a very talented group of seniors to play traditional pioneer basketball. Solid defense, hustle, and timely baskets will be the keys to victories in a very deep ECIC III. Greg Miller takes over coaching duties at Springville and will look for a big season from senior Kyle Warner.
***
Amherst: TC Brown - 12, Amadi Ikpeze - 12, Nick Foster - 12, Rory Walsh - 12, Sean Andrews - 12, Nathan Woldu - 12, Da'Shawn Hines - 12, Sean Gibson - 12, Jake Maley - 12, Caleb Moore - 12, Jaylin Rose - 11, Jordan Barr - 11, Richard Kay - 11, Michael Walsh - 11, Will Alfieri - 11, Jake Funderburk - 11, Brian Fulford - 11
Cheektowaga: Keith Weekly - 12, Dominick Welch - 11, Adrian Baugh - 11, Stephan Parker - 11, Vaughn Burdette - 11, Alex Bryant - 10
Maryvale: Drew Crombie - 12, Marcus Ford - 12, Floyd Remley - 12, Mike Ferguson - 12, Kwaine Davis - 12, Travon Spencer - 12, Ted York-Brown - 11, Ray Blackwell - 10
East Aurora: Noah Thompson - 12, Cal Dis - 12, Josh Denz - 11, Nick Montgomery - 11, Joe Montgomery - 11, Cal McTigue - 11
Depew: Jakob Grant - 12, Ryan Guay - 12, Matt Pablocki - 12, Eric Jarrett - 11, Jacob Mlodozeniec - 11, John Mietus - 11, Tyler Biersbach - 11, Chad Biersbach - 10
Pioneer: Kyle Eigenbrod - 12, Jake Hyman - 12, Tyler Schick - 12, Zach Fronckowiak - 12, Caleb Sayvone - 12, Dominic Sayvone - 12, Austin Kossow - 12, Ravo Root - 12, Josh Foley - 12, Josh Taylor - 11, Hunter Witt - 11, Ben Kazmarek - 11, Kyle Burley - 10
Springville: Kyle Warner - 12, Parker Rice - 12, Colin DeWitt - 12, Justin Morley - 12, Jimmy Schearer - 12, Matt Hartman - 12, Patrick Hannon - 12, John Domes - 11, Greg Cooney - 11, Austin Coon - 11, Connor O'Brien - 11, Zach Heary - 11
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ECIC IV
Cleveland Hill won a third straight league title last season, going unbeaten in ECIC IV. They will attempt to pressure the opposition with solid defense, while balance between the perimeter shooting and post play is expected offensively. Alden returns four starters, which include its two leading scorers & its top rebounder. JFK hopes to gain some seasoning quickly, with just three returning players and a very young team. Holland has three starters back and will look to get the ball inside, as the Dutchmen's strength will be in the post. First-year head coach, Benjamin Kopp, looks to rejuvenate the hoops program at Eden, where its eight-man roster includes just two seniors. Lackawanna will carry five sophomores on its roster, including the talented Smith twins. Tonawanda has a balance of seniors and underclassmen, led by Justin Holevinski, Cody Diaz, & Tyler Stapf.
***
Alden: Dylan Riddoch - 12, Jordan Stockweather - 12, Conrad Boucher - 11, Jacob Fusco - 11, Gabe Kozak - 11, Christian Snell - 10, Riley Pastuszynski - 10
Cleveland Hill: Ramah Lassiter - 12, Nick Gamble - 12, Daytwon Burney - 12, Rodney White - 12, Paul Majorowski - 12, Tyshawn Johnson - 12, Khalil Springs - 12, J'Son James - 11, Chase Johnson - 11, Tyler Phillips - 11, Paul Woodward - 11, Cameron Oliver - 11
Holland: EJ Staniszewski - 12, Laine Husman - 12, Cody Slocum - 12, AJ Perlino - 12, Jacob Ratajczak - 12, Jedrek Rahn - 11, Logan Pfister - 11, Coan Relyea - 11, Pierce Gardon - 11
JFK: Kenai Jordan - 12, Stephon Parks - 12, Lexus Pollard - 11, Thomas Isbrandt - 11, Brandon Kohl - 11, Dalton Fischer - 11, Jordan Synder - 10, Kell-Vonta Harris - 10
Eden: Drew Palmerton - 12, Shane Martinez - 12, Jason Porter - 11, Mitch Olds - 11, Joe LoTempio - 11, Gordon Grieble - 11, Andrew Bialy - 11, Griffin Gill - 10
Lackawana: Nedjib Karagic - 12, Zaidin Mohsin - 12, Kejuan Harmon - 12, Malik Taylor - 12, Marquez Lofton - 11, Chris Hopkins - 11, Devon Feaster - 11, Jaevon Nelson - 11, Fred Hanyon - 11, Jordan Pacillo - 11, London Smith - 10, Noble Smith - 10, Khalil Horton - 10, Carlton Threeths - 10, Bekric Harris - 10
Tonawanda: Cody Diaz - 12, Tyler Stapf - 12, Jordan Ulett - 12, Marshall Marsh - 12, Justin Holevinski - 12, Bryce Pieszala - 12, Zack Stapf - 11, Trey Lilly - 11, Nick Bitter - 11, Adam Haentges - 11, Charles Moore - 11, Collin Smith - 11, Henry Palermo - 10
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Niagara Frontier League
Niagara Falls looks ready to strike fear into league opponents again, as used to be commonplace during the Wolverines NFL dominance in the years that followed the merger. NFHS has its best team since 2013, and most have been together for three seasons now. They feature an elite defender in Breon Harris and play a brutally difficult nonleague schedule. Kenmore West may have the league's most athletic player in Terrell Ford, while junior Tyler Aquilina has good game instincts and a great touch from the perimeter. North Tonawanda graduated some key pieces from last season's NFL champion & A1 finalist unit, but retools thanks impart from a JV team that finished 15-3 in 2015. Last season, Grand Island won its first sectional game since 2008. The Vikings look to keep the momentum going with a deep squad, led by returning starter Joe Kulikowski. Lockport returns six players from last season, led by Kelly Brown. Niagara Wheatfield will put the ball in the hands of senior leader and point guard, Nathan Nielson, and look for an even bigger contribution this year from 6-5 wing Denzel Fuller. At Kenmore East, the Bulldogs have the talent to compete in the NFL and hope to put it all together this season. Lew-Port will again be competitive in league play, led by senior Jenard Jackson.
***
Niagara Falls: Breon Harris - 12, Daquan Hubbard - 12, Devin Sanders - 11, Tyler Sanders - 11, Charles Lamar - 11, Qeyion Williams - 11, Jhamir Isom - 11, Marques Miller - 10, Syquan Ralands - 10
Kenmore West: Terrell Ford - 12, Aaron Tucker - 12, Jason Taylor - 12, Rob Kirsits - 12, Tyler Aquilina - 11, Tal James - 11, Kyle Laplante - 11
Lockport: Lavette Warren - 12, Andrew Austin - 12, Kelly Brown - 12, Dakota Wiley - 11, Cordell McDowell - 11
Grand Island: Kyle Burns - 12, Joe Kulikowski - 12, Garrett Robinson - 11, Jerry Wilkes - 11, JB Wilkes - 11, Cam Sionko - 9
North Tonawanda: Jacob Lemke - 12, Nick Krauss - 12, Alex Quinn - 11, Brandon Casterline - 11, Zack Woodard - 11, Trevor Book - 10
Niagara Wheatfield: Nathan Nielson - 12, Denzel Fuller - 12, Austin Wangler - 12, Tom Watroba - 12, Phillip Bassham - 11, Noah Klettke - 11, Emilio Tripp - 11, Jaeger Martino - 11, Matt Gibson - 11, Peter Mulcahy - 11, Cade Mangan - 11, Anthony Ruffino - 10
Lew-Port: Jenard Jackson - 12, Donald Allender - 12, Dominic Lindhurst - 12, Nathan Nashwinter - 12, Jeremy Saunders - 11, Dylan Milbrand - 11, Dawson Bailey - 11, Liam Brennan - 11, Gabe Colangelo - 11, Steve Mansour - 11, William Duff - 10, Joseph Power - 9
Kenmore East: Jon Donoghue - 12, Dylan Leith - 12, Anthony Luparello - 12, Nick Rice - 12, Konner Flynn - 11, Tyler Horn - 11, Ryan Moccio - 11, Ryan Williams - 11, Kahlil O'Neil - 10, Tyler Everett - 10, Nathan Murdie - 9, D'Anzo Young - 9
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Niagara-Orleans
Medina has its deepest unit in recent years, ranging from seniors to freshmen, with a sophomore (Jalin Cooper) poised for a breakout season. Wilson needs to replace five starters from the team that pushed Fredonia at Buff State last March, but has a bright future with sophomore Ryan Bradley. Newfane will be young, carrying six sophomores. The Panthers do have a pair of starters back, along with three seniors with court experience. Barker has just three players back, but one is the team's scoring leader - junior Nate Luckman. Under first year head coach Josh Kraft, the Raiders will look to work hard and earn a reputation for consistent toughness. CSAT should possess a nice combination of experience and talent, returning six players in its bid to win a second N-O title after taking the crown in 2013. Roy-Hart returns four starters, including Andy Xapsos, a 1st Team All-League selection who led the Rams with 17.9 ppg last season. Akron returns Gates Abrams, who opposing defenses will look to locate every trip down the court, following a junior season that saw him knock down 59 treys. Albion didn't win the league last season, but ended the year with the most storied season of all the N-O teams, winning section title in Class B1.
***
Medina: Dylan Lewis - 12, Jared Zinkievich - 12, Tyler Ames - 12, Brad McPherson - 12, Justin Morgan - 12, Tyrellis Atkins - Junior - 11, Michael Cardone - 11, Darryl Haynes 11, Tyler Howard - 11, Jalin Cooper - 10, Mason Lewis - 10, Ronnie Koonce - 9, Johnny Salone - 9, Izaiah Rhim - 9
CSAT: Juan Verdejo - 12, Savio Serrano - 12, Myron Banks - 12, Jahleel Burks - 12, Navi Rodriquez - 12, Damire Grant - 12, Marcus Mccloud - 12, Darius Carson - 11, Camron Scott Williams - 11, , James Stephens - 10
Newfane: Chad Gilson - 12, David Krull - 12, Nick Schultz - 12, Zach Lajoie - 12, Connor Duncan - 12, Albert Kramp - 11, Nick Perry - 11, Matt Vogt - 11, Calib Russell - 11, Max Weber - 10, Kyle Devogal - 10, Chad Dunbar - 10, Connor Hill - 10, Brandon Gross - 10, Drew Boudeman - 10
Wilson: Alex Fox - 12, Andrew Eames - 12, John Carney - 12, Jordan Stoelting - 12, Steve Lewis - 11, Steve Lyman - 11, Jonah Miller - 11, Connor Seeley - 11, Kevin Skavinsky - 11, Kyle Wiesinger - 11, Michael Pazik - 11, Ryan Bradley - 10
Roy-Hart: Andy Xapsos - 12, Ben Maynard - 12, Justin Heschke - 12, Chris Anderson - 12, Zack Srock - 12, Austin Dodge - 12, DJ Davis - 11, Eric Fitch - 11, Tim Moriarity - 11, Justin Czaja - 11, Paul Ragonese - 11, Cam Meadows - 11, Brandon Hess - 11, Austin Walker - 11, Matt Borel - 10
Barker: Michael Snell - 12, Kyle Secore - 12, Jared Ginther - 12, Nathan Luckman - 11, Jake Arnold - 11, Eddie Wasnock - 11, Kyle Moeller - 11, Shawn Callaghan - 11, Devon Mangan - 11
Akron: Gates Abrams - 12, Lee Abrams - 12, Jake Burns - 12, Kingsley Jonathan - 12, Ryan Akin - 11, Elias Johnson - 11, Austin Ladd - 11, Weylon Abrams - 10, Owen Hill - 10, Derek Holtz - 10, Nelson Logan - 10
Albion: Brady Meakin - 12, Tyler Rotoli - 12, Manwell Taylor - 12, Evan Pappalardo - 12, Scott Daniels - 12, Tommy Mattison - 11, Kory Reynolds - 11, Chase Hall - 11, Lamar Chambers - 11, Jacob Buzard - 11, Tanner Ferris - 11
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CCAA I West
Olean has four players back who saw extended court time last year, including three starters, from its Class A2 title team. The Huskies have moved down to Class B1 and are eyeing another season that extends into March. Fredonia returns Patrick Moore and Jarod Burmaster, both starters for the Hillbillies Class B2 finalist team of a year ago. Dunkirk will be long and athletic and returns nearly all of its scoring from last year. Look for the Marauders to compete with Olean for both league and sectional titles, while being one of the area's more exciting teams to watch. Chautauqua Lake is a young team in a tough league, but they do return four starters, looking to catch some attention this year. At Falconer, Jamie Glatz takes over behind the bench, while Southwestern looks to improve under new head coach Mark Sleggs.
***
Olean: Jake Cavana - 12, Derek Schmidt - 12, Elijah Ramadhan - 12, Malakye Wofford - 12, Zack Ryan - 12, Ben Eckstrom - 11, Monty Shoemaker - 11, , Luke Rogers - 11, Derek Dandrea - 11, Dell Butler - 11, Joe Jedrosko - 11, Dylan Spencer - 11, Mike Schmidt - 9
Dunkirk: Isaiah Thomas - 12, Rashad Brown - 12, Chad Butts - 12, Kobe DeJesus - 12, Davonte Grayson - 12, Tyreek Buchanon Ruiz - 11, Shamon Stewart - 11, Evon Hernandez - 11, Caleb Rasmus - 11, Seth Rasmus - 11, Jarrett Waclawski - 11, Juan Damas - 10, Devaun Farnham DeJesus - 10
Fredonia: Patrick Moore - 12, Jared Burmaster - 12, Eric Swoyer - 12, Jovany Ruiz - 12, Michael Pucci - 12
Chautauqua Lake: Carter Davidson - 12, Michael Lysek - 12, Aaron Swan - 11, Devin Pope - 10, Tyler Meredith - 11, Nate Hammond - 11, Joel Vinciguerra - 11, Bryce Bentley - 11, Collin Sargent - 11
Southwestern: Ben Burk - 12, Nick Cooper - 12, Brendan Kennedy - 12, Jake Brecht - 12, Niko Pannes - 11, Alex Card - 9, Faizan Munir - 9
Falconer: Tavon Fisher - 12, Ryan DePietro - 12, Brandon Curtis - 12, Sean Nord - 12, Trevor Dykstra - 12, Justin Boedecker - 12, Nick Bollman - 12, Chase Teboe - 11, Brandon Luke - 11, Hunter Blue - 11
Maple Grove: Matt Roach - 12, Pat Nelson - 12, Mitch Sandberg - 12, Jeff Clauson - 12
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CCAA I EAST
Silver Creek has played in four straight Section VI championship games, and is optimistic they can keep the streak alive. Look for "Chill Showtime" to keep the ball moving rapidly with a whole new cast from the team that ran all ther way to states in 2013. Allegany-Limestone will challenge for the league hardware with seven players from its rotation back on the court, four of which started for the Gators in 2015. Ike Morrison is the new head coach at Randolph, where the Cardinals are coming off back-to-back sectional final appearances. Portville returns a pair of starters and welcomes in a young crop of talent from a JV squad that finished 17-2. Gowanda will be led by Carter Benton & sophomore Nate Brawdy. Salamanca fields a deep 15-man roster with 10 juniors. The Warriors will try to win with all around solid team defense and look to run the floor to take control of games early.
***
Silver Creek: Trevon Thompson - 12, Heron Snow - 12, Jacob Lewis - 12, Chris Williams - 11, Chase Scanlan - 10, Bryce Shomper - 10, Tom Galfo - 10
Randolph: Mason Bosley - 12, Tyler Stahley - 12, Jarrett Lecceadone - 11, Jake Beaver - 11, Nick Martonis - 11, Ryan Shipperd - 11, John Ling - 11, Kaleb Frink - 11, Sam Jacoby - 11, Andrew Bernard - 9
Allegany-Limeston: Cole Davis - 12, Bailey Higby - 12, Brad McAfee - 12, Brad Reed - 12, Zach Hemphill - 11, Austin Dziennik - 12, Tyler Hines - 12, Jordan Moore - 11, Mike McMullen - 11, Marcus Grove - 11
Portville: Nick Gehm - 12, Sean Harris - 12, Noah Bartholomew - 12, Alek Gonzalez - 12, James Constanza - 12, Ron Lott - 11, Colin Kloc - 11, Nick Stein - 11, Donovan Gayton - 11, Jaeden Harris - 10, Jonah Watkins - 10
Gowanda: Carter Benton - 12, Shaun Irwin - 12, Adam John - 12, Leland John - 12, Joe Kruszka - 12, Kevin Stapleton - 12, Nate Brawdy - 10, Ryan John - 10, Dakota Perdue - 9
Salamanca: Tate Reynolds - 12, Marcus Cooper - 12, Luke Zurat - 12, Dylan Schwartz - 12, Zeus Enriquez - 11, Marc Canella - 11, Mike Collins - 11, Jake DeKay - 11, Derek McClure - 11, Zach Simsick - 11, Nelson Rivera - 11, Xander Edstrom - 11, Darcey Redeye - 11, Chandler Armstrong - 11, Hercules Rasha - 10
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CCAA II West
Panama is ready to make some noise and go after a Class D title, with four starters back from a team that finished 16-5 and only lost to Glens Falls qualifier, I-Prep, in the sectional semifinals by four points. Sherman lacks experience beyond Chris Robson & Kolby Parks, but the Wildcats run to three straight Class D Championship games suggests they'll be back in the mix again this season. Clymer returns three of its top players from a season ago, the only seniors on the team, to compete in a deep league.
***
Panama: Jack Payne - 12, Josh Odell - 12, Josh Eddy - 12, Chris Blose - 12, Jarrett Yuchnitz - 12, Tanner Newman - 12, Cody Hadley - 12, Nolan Eggleston - 11, Dylan Marsh - 11, Tristen Frye - 11, Lucas Golden - 11, Anthony Frangione - 11
Sherman: Sam Vanvelkenburg - 12, Kyle Rhebergen - 12, Alex Foti - 12, Hunter Wynn - 12, Chris Robson - 11, Kolby Parks - 11, Kyle Carpenter - 11, Mike Delcamp - 11, Ty Prarom - 11, Korey Ayers - 11, Johnny Mendoza - 11, Brandon Nickerson - 11, Jared Gleason - 10
Clymer: Adam Honey - 12, Dylan Neckers - 11, Josh Summers - 12, Dylan Davis - 11, Justin Svetz - 11, Josh Van Earden - 11, Henry Sullivan - 11, Dan Gustafson - 11, Colt Miller - 11, James Wade - 11, Mackenzie Bestine - 11, Dustin Neckers - 10
Westfield: Trevor North - 12, Joe Quagliana - 12, Jon Wilson - 12, Greg Schroeder - 12, Luke Haskin - 12, David Grayson - 11, Eric Fermier - 11, Mike Poletto - 11, Max Bates - 11
Cassadaga Valley: Shane Parsons - 12, Tyler Simpson - 12, James Cornelius - 12
Brocton: Aaron Riforgiato - 12
Frewsburg
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CCAA II East
Expectations are high in Ellicottville, where they bring back plenty of talent and have just one player new to the varsity level. After an eight-win season last year, Pine Valley's team this season will be balanced, bigger, and more athletic. Franklinville will start a pair of sophomores this season, along with three seniors - two of which were 2nd Team All-League last year.
***
Ellicottville: Cole Lapi - 12, Cameron Eddy - 12, Robert Sawicki - 12, Matt Proctor - 12, Cameron Miller - 12, Justin Summers - 12, Tom Easton - 12, Austin Whitmer - 11, Chad Boldt - 11, Austin Gronols - 10, Griffin Chuddy - 10, Elliot Bowen - 10
Pine Valley: Kilian Abers- 12, Elijah Hall- 12, Richard Tabak- 12, Dylan Chase-11, Gilberto Ortiz- 11, Austin Butcher -11, Trent Mihalko- 10
Cattaraugus/Little Valley: Hunter Baker - 12, Caleb Hibit - 12, Devon Parmenter - 12, Alex Perkins - 12, Anthony Bernardi - 12, Kellen Martin - 11
Franklinville: Dawson Bielecki - 12, Jordan Milks - 12, Wil Bays - 12, Drew Jackson - 11, Isaac Kopp - 10, Sam Erickson - 10
Forestville: Jackson Egan - 12, Tyler Spears - 12, Andrew Deszcz - 12, Derek Catalano - 12
North Collins
**********************************************
Charter Schools
Tapestry graduated nine players from its Class C1 championship squad, but the cupboard isn't bare. The Thunderhawks have athletes all over the court and love to play aggressively on both ends. Health Sciences added Jaylen Prophet from McKinley, a new head coach in former assistant Ty Parker, and brings back a depth of talent to make a run with in Class B2. At Oracle, Dave Hardy takes over and inherits a strong program with plenty returning. Maritime has four players back, including senior captain Mario Washington. The Commodores are exited about the talent they have found in newcomer James Baker, also a senior captain for the team. Buffalo Science is young and hungry, with just two starters back. Global Concepts has a new coach in Chuck Mancabelli and just three seniors, led by Fabian Pierce.
***
Health Sciences: Jaylen Prophet - 12, Amarri Funderburk - 12, Ja'Hod Robinson - 12, Carson Wiseman - 12, Bobby Oliver - 12, Wize Threats - 11, Amon Smith - 11, Travonte Smith - 11, Jaquan Renfro - 11, Antwon Stuart - 11, Tyron Lott - 10, Davonte Gaines - 10, Kameron Briggs - 9
Tapestry: JaQuoine Fogan - 12, DaVonte Cunningham - 12, Khoron Burton-Ferguson - 12, Amir Hennegan - 12, Dominic Moore - 12, Camren Hatten - 12, Tyler Henderson - 12, Anthony Wiley - 12, Paitwan Jenifer - 11, Allen McDuffie - 11, Christian Russell - 11, Jaylin Curry - 11, Marquise Jones - 11, Kyree Edwards - 11, Che Brown - 11, Rogerick Arrington - 10
Oracle: Kenny White - 12, Rakim Graves - 12, Darius Embry - 12, Jamal Woods - 12, Damani Washington - 12, Khalid Ross - 12, Amani Wallel - 12, Ziere Rodolph - 12, Shakur Bridges - 11, Cheron Wilson - 11, David Edwards - 11, Samuel Rosenthal - 11, Joseph Perez - 10, Gary Marshall - 10
Buffalo Science: Lauren Killian - 12, David Harris - 12, Roland Taylor - 12, Adrian Hester - 12, Jiuan Jones - 12, Julian Johnson - 11, Georges Cortes - 11, JaQuez McMullin - 11, Deonte Brown - 11, , Jamien Eutsey - 11, Lahai Suliman - 11, Jovante Davis - 11, JaQuan Wingard - 10, Josh Workman - 10, Amar Wood-Wiley - 10, Julian Allen - 10
WNY Maritime: James Baker - 12, Mario Washington - 12, Tyler King - 12, Malik Saunders - 12, Spencer Rhyans - 12Sean Burks - 11, Da-jon Sharp - 11, Ryan Davis - 11, Jeremy Jackson - 11, Jorge Mercado - 11, Josiah Hall - 10, Ray Rich - 10, Ke'Sean Weston - 10, Elijah Smith - 9
Global Concepts: Lincoln Billingslea - 12, Fabian Pierce - 12, Rashawn Anderson - 12, Jajuan Billingslea - 11, Lamiere Burrough - 11, Dwight Dilbert - 11, Brandon Parker - 11, Josh Kysocki - 11, Darell Elliott - 11, Anthony Florez - 11, Donovan Vuallance - 10, George Taylor - 10
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Teams with New Coaches
(Ron Killinger Sr (above) retired after 13 seasons coaching in the Yale Cup at Riverside & South Park, while his son, RJ Killinger, got his 1st varsity head coaching position at Williamsville East)
Des Randall - Timon
Ty Parker - Health Sciences
Brandon Woods - Sweet Home
RJ Killinger - Williamsville East
Kevin Shadle - Lackawanna
Peter Hudecki - South Park
Doug Ratka - Clarence
Jim Gibson - Orchard Park
Andy Bush - Olmsted
Dave Hardy - Oracle
Ike Morrison - Randolph
Andy Jacobs - Iroquois
Josh Schauman - Cassadaga Valley
Tim Buckenmeyer - Holland
Keith Junik - Pioneer
Josh Kraft - Barker
Mark Sleggs - Southwestern
Jamie Glatz - Falconer
Benjamin Kopp - Eden
Greg Miller - Springville
Jan Warren - North Collins
Chuck Mancabelli - Global Concepts
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Classification Changes
West Seneca East moves up from Class A2 to Class A1
Kenmore East moves down from Class A1 to Class A2
Maryvale moves up from Class B1 to Class A2
Olean moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
Dunkirk moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
CSAT moves up from Class B2 to Class B1
I-Prep moves up from Class D to Class B2
Gowanda moves up from Class C1 to Class B2
MST Seneca moves up from Class C2 to Class B2
Bennett moves down from Class B1 to Class C1
Buffalo Arts moves down from Class B1 to Class C1
East moves down from Class B2 to Class C1
Cleveland Hill moves down from Class B2 to Class C1
Olmsted moves up from Class C2 to Class C1
Silver Creek moves down from Class C1 to Class C2
Barker moves down from Class C1 to Class C2
Cattaraugus/Little Valley moves down from Class C1 to Class C2
Maple Grove moves up from Class D to Class C2
Franklinville moves down from Class C2 to Class D
************************************************
Preseason Polls
Large Schools
1. Park (MMA)
2. Canisius (MMA)
3. Amherst (A2)
4. Niagara Falls (AA)
5. Williamsville South (A1)
6. Timon (MMA)
7. St. Joe's (MMA)
8. McKinley (A1)
9. Williamsville North (AA)
10. Cheektowaga (A2)
Small Schools
1. Olean (B1)
2. Middle College (C2)
3. St. Mary's (MMA)
4. East (C1)
5. Health Sciences (B2)
6. I-Prep (B2)
7. Tapestry (C1)
8. Dunkirk (B1)
9. Silver Creek (C2)
10. East Aurora (B1)
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Predictions
MMA Class A - Park
MMA Class B - St. Mary's
Yale Cup I - Middle College
Yale Cup II - I-Prep
ECIC I - Williamsville North
ECIC II - Williamsville South
ECIC III - Amherst
ECIC IV - Alden
NFL - Niagara Falls
N-O - Medina
CCAA I West - Olean
CCAA I East - Silver Creek
CCAA II West - Panama
CCAA II East - Ellicottville
Charters: Health Sciences
Manhattan Cup (A) - Park
Manhattan Cup (B) - St. Mary's
Class AA - Niagara Falls
Class A1 - Williamsville South
Class A2 - Amherst
Class B1 - Olean
Class B2 - Health Sciences
Class C1 - East
Class C2 - Middle College
Class D - Panama
- Amherst & Olean both make it to Glens Falls.
- Middle College makes it to Glens Falls, where they win a Class C State Championship.
-centercourt
Monday, November 16, 2015
The Schedule: 2015-2016 Season
(Williamsville South & Olean both look to repeat as Section VI champs/ Photo by Harry Scull)
****** To see the new schedule for the 2017 season, click HERE ******
-centercourt
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
All-League Teams - 2015
MONSIGNOR MARTIN ASSOCIATION
Class A
Player of the Year:
LaTerrance Reed - Canisius, 12
All-Catholic
Stafford Trueheart - Canisius, 11
Chris Miner - Nichols, 12
Cam Lewis - Nichols, 12
Marcell Davis - St. Joe's, 12
Kordell Holness-Lightbody, St. Francis, 12
Derick Simpson - Timon, 12
Class B
Player of the Year:
Jordan Nwora - Park, 11
All-Catholic
Takal Molson - St. Mary's, 11
Derek Cheatom - Park, 12
Randy Golda - Park, 12
Buzz Watson - Walsh, 12
Tavien Kemp - Walsh, 10
Donel Cathcart - Cardinal O'Hara, 12
Sean Wilson - St. Mary's, 12
************************************************
YALE CUP I
Co-Players of the Year:
Percy Bryant - East, 12 / Devin Morris - McKinley, 12
First Team
Juwan Tolliver - McKinley, 12
Shaquan Jones - McKinley, 11
Fred Foster - Middle College, 11
JoJo Staton - Middle College, 11
Second Team
Damone Brown - East, 12
Amir Jemes - Middle College, 11
Brian Johnson - Middle College, 11
Isaiah Jamison - Burgard, 11
Jovell Littlejohn - East, 12
Third Team
Keyshawn Ridgeway - McKinley, 12
Dion Morrison - East, 12
Shakur Harris - South Park, 10
Jaylen Hall - Burgard, 12
Dante Campbell - Hutch-Tech, 12
Honorable Mention
McKinley: Bruce Booker - 11, Keyon Johnson - 11, Kesean Fisher - 11, Jaylen Prophet - 11
East: Willard Anderson - 9, Malik Doughty - 12, Jamil Reynolds - 12, Daquan Williams - 12
Middle College: Isaiah Jenkins - 12, Billy Rivera - 11, Lorenzo Truitt - 11
Burgard: Rodderick Morrow - 12, Emmanuel Moss - 12
South Park: James Baker - 11
Riverside: Alexander Johnson - 11, Damone McNamee - 12
Bennett: Jose Rivera - 11, Alex Lofton - 12
Hutch-Tech: Josh Bonilla - 12, Jaylen Rose - 11
************************************************
YALE CUP II
Player of the Year:
Xavier Maye - I-Prep, 12
First Team
Terrance James - I-Prep, 12
Michael Simpson - Emerson, 11
Aaron Woods - Buffalo Arts, 12
Matt Cieslik - City Honors, 12
Brandon Roach - Olmsted, 11
Kyle Davis - DaVinci, 12
Second Team
Davon Gant - I-Prep, 11
JeQuan Wilson - MST Seneca, 11
Dominic Prince - MST Seneca, 10
Demetrius Brown - Buffalo Arts, 11
Jason Dowell - Emerson, 11
Honorable Mention
Lafayatte: Julio Muriel - 12
MST Seneca: Alfonse Oyoyo - 11, David Anderson - 10
Emerson: Justin Acker - 11
Olmsted: Dan Reid - 10
City Honors: Jordahn Summers - 12, Ryan Langhorne - 11, Amir Radford - 8
DaVinci: Mike Horton - 10, Devonte Robinson - 12
*************************************************
ALL-ECIC
Player of the Year:
Zack Panebianco - Jamestown, 12
First Team
Zack Panebianco - Jamestown, 12
TC Brown - Amherst, 11
Dominick Welch - Cheektowaga, 10
Clay Lewis - Holland, 12
Sam Castronova - Williamsville South, 12
Nick Parucki - West Seneca East, 12
Second Team
Greg Dolan - Williamsville South, 9
Dylan Lambert - Williamsville North, 12
Zak Ciezki - Cheektowaga, 12
Cort Williams - Williamsville East, 12
Stephen Carlson - Jamestown, 12
Maceo Jack - Williamsville North, 11
*************************************************
ECIC I
Player of the Year:
Zack Panebianco - Jamestown, 12
First Team
Stephen Carlson - Jamestown, 12
Dylan Lambert - Williamsville North, 12
Maceo Jack - Williamsville North, 12
Jay Bergmann - Frontier, 12
Matt Sadowy - Clarence, 12
Second Team
Tyler Lis - Lancaster, 12
Alex Konst - Lancaster - 11
Frank Borzillieri - West Seneca West, 12
Sean Hill - Williamsville North, 11
Bryan Pulli - Clarence, 12
Honorable Mention
Frontier: David Estrada - 12, Jake Gleason - 12
Orchard Park: Dan Freilicher - 11
Jamestown: Zacc Kinsey - 11
****************************************************
ECIC II
Player of the Year:
Nick Parucki - West Seneca East 12
First Team
Greg Dolan - Williamsville South, 9
Sam Castronova - Williamsville South, 12
Christian Nodine - Starpoint, 11
Cort Williams - Williamsville East, 12
Second Team
Nicholas Clough - Williamsville East, 12
Brock Kroening - Starpoint, 11
Jordan Heine - Sweet Home, 12
Ben Walters - Starpoint, 11
Brendan Ryan - Hamburg, 11
Honorable Mention
Williamsville South: Graham Dolan - 11, Matt Foster - 11
Sweet Home: Brandon Smiley - 12
Hamburg: Caleb Wood - 12
West Seneca East: Ed Radka - 11, Matt Kumro - 12
Iroquois: Zach Emer - 12, Lucas Tait - 12
****************************************************
ECIC III
Player of the Year:
TC Brown - Amherst, 11
First Team
Zak Cieszki - Cheektowaga, 12
Dominik Welch - Cheektowaga, 10
Dorian Billups - Amherst, 12
Darien Lowe - Amherst, 12
Collin Gemerek - Depew, 12
Second Team
Noah Thompson - East Aurora, 11
Amadi Ikpeze - Amherst, 11
Mike Kelleher - Maryvale, 12
Vince Nourse - Pioneer, 12
Kyle Warner - Springville, 12
Honorable Mention
Depew: Tyler Anna - 12, Dylan Sekuterski - 12, Chad Biersbach - 9
Cheektowaga: Patrick Plummer - 12, Devon Camel - 12
East Aurora: Mike Coatsworth - 12
Maryvale: Ray Blackwell - 9
**************************************************
ECIC IV
Player of the Year:
Clay Lewis - Holland, 12
First Team
Jeremiah Jones - Lackawanna, 12
Joe Braniecki - JFK, 12
Anthony Sullivan - Cleveland Hill, 12
Larry Fields - Lackawanna, 12
Jermaine Hairston - Cleveland Hill, 12
Tristan Boling - Tonawanda, 12
Second Team
Rodney White - Cleveland Hill, 11
Jordan Stockweather - Alden, 11
Christian Snell - Alden, 9
Cale Byczkowski - JFK, 12
AJ Perlino - Holland, 11
Honorable Mention
Alden: Dylan Riddoch - 11
Holland: Matt Farrant - 12, EJ Staniszewski - 11
JFK: Brendan Fox - 12
Lackawanna: Jaelin Watson - 11, Darius Cleveland - 12
Tonawanda: Cody Diaz - 11, Larenz Jefferson - 12
***************************************************
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE
First Team
Chris Woodard - North Tonawanda, 12
Craig Paige - Lew-Port, 12
Jenard Jackson - Lew-Port, 11
Terrell Ford - Kenmore West, 11
Kelly Brown - Lockport, 11
Second Team
Breon Harris - Niagara Falls, 11
Nathan Nielson - Niagara Wheatfield, 11
Joe Kulikowski - Grand Island, 11
Qeyion Williams - Niagara Falls, 11
Ryan Gilbert - North Tonawanda, 11
Third Team
Mikey Bermudez - Niagara Falls, 12
Colin Carrey - Grand Island, 12
Trent White - Kenmore West, 12
Nathan Williams - Niagara Wheatfield, 12
Adam McNeill - North Tonawanda, 12
*******************************************************
NIAGARA-ORLEANS
First Team
Kyle Bradley - Wilson, 12
Jason Hellwig - Medina, 12
Dylanta Carson - CSAT, 12
Andy Xaspos - Roy-Hart, 11
Gates Abrams - Akron, 11
Second Team
Evan Shank - Wilson, 12
Chris Sweeney - Barker, 12
Clayton Stanton - Albion, 12
Kyle Burdick - Newfane, 12
Justin Morgan - Medina, 11
Honorable Mention
Albion: Desmond Blackmon - 12, Manny Thompson - 12, Austin Lloyd - 12, Alex Bison - 12, Tommy Mattison - 10
Barker: Nate Luckman - 10, Tom Callaghan - 12
Roy-Hart: Chris Anderson - 11, Nelson Andrade - 12
****************************************************
CCAA I WEST
Player of the Year:
John Piper - Fredonia, 12
First Team
Cam Voss - Fredonia, 12
Cody Johnson - Cassadaga Valley, 12
Patrick Moore - Fredonia, 11
Chucky Martin - Olean, 12
Isaiah Thomas - Dunkirk, 11
Second Team
Elijah Ramadhan - Olean, 11
Jake Cavana - Olean, 11
Ben Eckstrom - Olean, 10
Shamon Stewart - Dunkirk, 10
Ben Burk - Southwestern, 11
Honorable Mention
Chautauqua Lake: Carter Davidson - 11, Aaron Swan - 10
Fredonia: Jarod Burmaster - 11
Olean: Connor Prizel - 12
Falconer: Sean Nord - 11, Ryan DePietro - 11
Dunkirk: Rashad Brown - 11, Richard Pickens - 12
***************************************************
CCAA II WEST
Player of the Year:
Graham Soffel - Maple Grove, 12
First Team
Jake Card - Sherman, 12
Nathan Ottaway - Sherman, 12
Liam Tennies - Westfield, 12
Josh Eddy - Panama, 11
Chris Robson - Sherman, 10
Second Team
Tanner Dahl - Westfield, 12
Matt Hair - Frewsburg, 11
Jake Card - Sherman, 11
Chris Blose - Panama, 11
Cordell O'Brien - Frewsburg, 10
Josh Odell - Panama, 11
Honorable Mention
Panama: Jack Payne - 11
Sherman: Jeremy Cole - 12, Stephen Walczak - 12, Kolby Parks - 10
Clymer: Adam Honey - 11, Josh Summers - 11, Jared Dunnewold - 12, Dylan Neckers - 11, Evan Legters - 12
Brocton: Aaron Rifigiato - 10, Bryan Graves - 12
Frewsburg: Kole Brink - 11
Westfield: Trevor North - 11
Maple Grove: Pat Nelson - 11
**************************************************
CCAA I EAST
Player of the Year:
Bill Brooks - Silver Creek, 11
First Team
Bryce Morrison - Randolph, 12
Trevon Thompson - Silver Creek, 11
Isaac Hilyer - Portville, 12
Jared Fish - Salamanca, 12
Tyler Siperek - Salamanca, 12
Cole Davis - Allegany-Limestone, 11
Second Team
Mason Bosley - Randolph, 12
Connor Gates - Silver Creek, 11
Andy Crandall - Salamanca, 12
Nate Brawdy - Gowanda, 9
Randy Jimerson - Gowanda, 12
Dominic Conroy - Allegany-Limestone, 12
Honorable Mention
Portville: Zach Ewings - 12, Andrew Sarber - 12
Cattaraugus/Little Valley: Darnell Pritchard - 12
Silver Creek: Sherman Williams - 12
Gowanda: Les Young - 12
Randolph: Derek Young - 12
Salamanca: Austin Elliott - 12
Allegany-Limestone: Bailey Higby - 11
***************************************************
CCAA II EAST
Player of the Year:
Dylan Granger - Pine Valley, 12
First Team
Phalla Musall - Ellicottville, 12
Logan Youngberg - Forestville, 12
Caleb Makuch - Forestville, 12
Elliott Bowen - Ellicottville, 9
Ben Erickson - Franklinville, 12
Dylan Granger - Pine Valley, 12
Second Team
Dylan Szumigala - Forestville, 11
Dawson Bielecki - Franklinville, 11
Jordan Milks - Franklinville, 11
Kilian Abers - PineValley, 11
Austin Grinols - Ellicottville, 9
Emil Erlandson - West Valley, 12
Honorable Mention
Forestville: Ryan Forbes - 12, Jeff Van Vlack - 12
Franklinville: Isaac Kopp - 9, Drew Jackson - 10, Wil Bays - 11,
Ellicottville: Jonas Hurlburt - 11, Cole Lapi - 11, Griffin Chudy - 9
Pine Valley: Russell Hayes - 12
West Valley: Patrick Enser - 12. Jared Ras - 12, Justin Summers - 11, Chad Boldt - 10
*******************************************************
Charter Schools
Player of the Year:
Fred Searles - Global Concepts, 12
First Team
DeJuan Owens - Tapestry, 12
Tyrin Lott - Health Sciences, 9
Kenny White - Oracle, 11
Damon Glenn - Maritime, 12
Jordan Maxey - Tapestry, 12
Second Team
JaQuoine Fogan - Tapestry, 11
Kam Rashada - Health Sciences, 11
Naz Flood - Health Sciences, 12
Andre Bragg - Tapestry, 12
Fabian Pierce - Global Concepts, 11
Honorable Mention
Buffalo Science: David Harris - 12
Oracle: Shaundez Davis - 12, Shakur Bridges - 10
Global Concepts: Dwight Dilbert - 10
Health Sciences: Amarri Funderburk - 11
-centercourt
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Section VI All-Tournament Teams - 2015
Section VI All-Tournament Teams are selected based on games played during the semifinal and championship rounds of sectionals, and do not include crossover or quarterfinal rounds.
Click here to see All-Tournament Teams from other sections, or to view the playoff brackets fro every section in NYS. You will also find the teams listed below while you are there. This is a great site during the postseason for keeping track of things across the state. I highly recommend bookmarking it or saving it to your favorites.
Class AA
MVP - Zack Panebianco - Jamestown
Stephen Carlson - Jamestown
Charles Lamar - Niagara Falls
Mikey Bermudez - Niagara Falls
Sean Hill - Williamsville North
Maceo Jack - Williamsville North
Character Awards: Zack Panebianco (Jamestown) & Mikey Bermudez (Niagara Falls)
************************
Class A1
MVP - Sam Castronova - Williamsville South
Greg Dolan - Williamsville South
Kam Varner - Williamsville South
Chris Woodard - North Tonawanda
Colby Moultrie - North Tonawanda
Juwan Tolliver - McKinley
Character Awards: Sam Castronova (Williamsville South) & Adam McNeill - (North Tonwanda)
************************
Class A2
MVP - Chucky Martin - Olean
Ben Eckstrom - Olean
Jake Cavana - Olean
TC Brown - Amherst
Dominick Welch - Cheektowaga
Christian Nodine - Starpoint
Character Awards: Jake Cavana (Olean) & Darien Lowe (Amherst)
****************************
Class B1
MVP - Desmond Blackmon - Albion
Clayton Stanton - Albion
Mike Kelleher - Maryvale
Ted York-Brown - Maryvale
Zion Hall - Burgard
Jalin Cooper - Medina
Character Awards: Clayton Stanton (Albion) & Mike Kelleher (Maryvale)
**************************
Class B2
MVP - Percy Bryant - East
Daquan Williams - East
John Piper - Fredonia
Cam Voss - Fredonia
Jermaine Hairston - Cleveland Hill
Kyle Bradley - Wilson
Character Awards: Percy Bryant (East) & Cam Voss (Fredonia)
*******************************
Class C1
MVP - JaQuoine Fogan - Tapestry
DeJuan Owens - Tapestry
Bill Brooks - Silver Creek
Jake Lewis - Silver Creek
Andy Crandall - Salamanca
Carter Davidson - Chautauqua Lake
Character Awards: Jordan Maxey (Tapestry) & Sherman Williams (Silver Creek)
*****************************
Class C2
MVP - Fred Foster - Middle College
JoJo Staton - Middle College
Mason Bosley - Randolph
Bryce Morrison - Randolph
Clay Lewis - Holland
Ben Erickson - Franklinville
Character Awards: Brian Johnson (Middle College) & Jarrett Lecceadone (Randolph)
********************************
Class D
MVP - Xavier Maye - I-Prep
Terrance James - I-Prep
Chris Robson - Sherman
Jake Card - Sherman
Chris Blose - Panama
Tanner Dahl - Westfield
Character Awards: Xavier Maye (I-Prep) & Chris Robson (Sherman)
-centercourt
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Crossover Tuesday - 2015
(Fred Foster of Middle College with the #BOOM of the year / Photo by Harry Scull)
Tuesday night at the Buff State Sports Arena, three games determined regional qualifiers for Classes A, B, & C in the final boys high school basketball games played in WNY this season. Williamsville South, East, & Middle College were all winners in the classification crossover games, and each will play on Saturday in Rochester against champions from Section V, for the right to advance to Glens Falls and compete in the state final four.
Class A: Williamsville South 46, Olean 38
For just the second time in school history, Williamsville South has advanced to regionals. The Billies got a game-high 18 points from senior 1,000 point scorer Sam Castronova in a defensive struggle that ended the Huskies' streak of winning their last seven regional qualifiers, dating back to 2007. For South head coach Gabe Michael, he advances his squad out of the section in just his third season behind the bench. Also for the Billies, it will be their first time ever getting out of Buffalo, as the 2010 overall champion played its regional game at Buff State. South will travel to Rochester on Saturday night to face either Greece Athena or Rochester SOTA at 7 pm at Gates Chili HS.
The Billies struggled from the field early, finding points in the paint difficult to come by and the iron unkind on perimeter shots. Olean jumped out to a 12-3 lead in the opening quarter, limiting South to a single field goal in the first seven minutes. Myles Hall sparked his team with a 3-pointer in the final minute of the first quarter, but South still trailed, 13-6 heading into the second quarter.
Perimeter shooting and defense allowed the Billies to even things up and then take a one-point lead before halftime. Castronova connected on a pair from beyond the arc and Kam Varner added another for South, who took an 18-17 lead into the break. The trend continued in the third quarter, as the South seniors, Castronova & Varner once again combined to knock down three treys, while the Billies' defense continued to give Olean trouble. The Billies went a stretch of 11:28 between the second and third quarters without allowing a field goal and took a 37-24 advantage into the final stanza.
Olean made one last stand in the fourth, pulling to within six points, 41-35, after an 11-0 run. However, with just over a minute remaining, the Billies broke Olean's press and finished it with a dunk from Matt Foster to effectively seal the victory for South. The defense played by the Dolan brothers was key in the victory, as Graham limited Huskies' sharp-shooting sophomore Ben Eckstrom to two points, while Greg made Olean floor general Jake Cavana work on every trip up the court all game.
Varner and Greg Dolan each scored nine points in the win for South, while Ramadhan's team-high 13 points led Olean. Chucky Martin added 10 points in his final game as a Husky.
Class B: East 72, Albion 54
After winning Class B2 in the two seasons prior, the Panthers can once again take their act to Rochester for the first time since 2011, when they went as the Class A representative for Section VI. Percy Bryant led five different Panthers in double figures with a game-high 16 point evening. East will face the winner of Leadership Academy/Wellsville on Saturday at 4 pm at Rush-Henrietta HS.
Despite his game-high scoring outing, Bryant didn't even get his name on the score sheet in the opening quarter. He did collect several steals and get his team flying in transition early on though, as the Panthers led 10-0 less than three minutes into the game and made it difficult for Albion to get into any form of rhythm. Even once the Purple Eagles seemed to adjust to the pressure and game speed of East, they allowed seven unanswered points to close the first quarter and trailed 25-10 after eight minutes.
Albion was not able to make up any ground in the second quarter, never getting any closer than 15 points and trailing 39-24 at the break. The Panthers' lead reached 21 points before the fourth quarter and they were never really threatened in the final frame.
Daquan Williams finished with 14 points for East, while Damone Brown scored 11 points, and Jovell Littlejohn and Dion Morrison each added 10 points.
Albion was led by Desmond Blackmon's 16 points.
Class C: Middle College 76, Tapestry 70
In just their seventh year of competition, the Kats have won five Section VI titles and are now headed back to the regional round for a fourth time, where they have never lost. Middle College has made it to the Class C state championship game in each of the three prior years its team made it to this point. The Kats will play at Rush-Henrietta this Saturday at 2 pm against either Lyons or Caledonia-Mumford.
Less than a minute into the game, the Kats trailed 8-1, as the Thunderhawks pressure got them started quickly. Middle College got right back into the game, capitalizing on several misses by Tapestry near the basket and converting to points at the other end. Middle College took a 17-16 lead after one. With a 24-22 lead midway through the second quarter, the Kats began a run and stole the game's momentum. Fred Foster ignited his team when he threw down vicious poster dunk over a defender that spurred a 14-4 spurt to take the game's first double-digit lead, as they headed off to halftime with a 38-26 lead.
After increasing to a 15-point lead after three quarters, Tapestry junior JaQuoine Fogan tried putting his team on his back and nearly carried them where they wanted to go. Fogan scored 13 consecutive points for the Thunderhawks, a 13-4 run in the game, to get the deficit down to 69-63 with 3:13 to go. But the Kats never let Tapestry any closer and played them evenly for the duration to take the overall Class C title.
JoJo Staton led the Kats with 22 points, while Foster finished with 20 points. Amir Jemes added 12 points and Brian Johnson chipped in 10 points for Middle College.
Fogan had a game-high 23 points, while DeJuan Owens ended with 14 points.
-centercourt
Monday, March 09, 2015
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Brackets Central - 2015
Below are links to each bracket, along with some other postseason-related content:
Brackets Central 2014 Brackets Central 2013 Brackets Central 2012 Brackets Central 2011
Section VI All-Tournament Teams
All-League from every league - 2015
Schedule of remaining postseason games
Crossover Tuesday at Buff State
Championship Saturday - 2015 (with video)
Crusaders advance to the CHSAA state championship
Canisius wins the Manhattan Cup
Park wins Class B Manhattan Cup
Amherst & Olean win Class A2 semifinals, will meet up in final
Class A1 semifinals: South & NT advance
Buff State Tuesday: East, Fredonia, & Jamestown march on
Manhattan Cup Semifinals Recap
Cheektowaga is going back to Buff State
My Poll Ballots heading into championship week
Final regular season standings
WHO DESERVES A SPOT ON ALL-CENTERCOURT?
-centercourt
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Sectional Preview - 2015
(It's that time of year again - High School basketball sectionals / Photo by Dave DeLuca)
The Section VI postseason begins tonight with first round games, and the winners move on to participate in the pre-quarterfinal games played on Wednesday. Friday night is when the action really kicks up, as 32 quarterfinal games will decide which teams move on to Buffalo State and JCC for the semifinals.
Below I take a look at some of the best matchups we could potentially see in the pre-quarterfinals, quarterfinals, semifinals, and even the championship games, along with sleepers, some winning streaks, and predictions.
** Please note that many of the games below are based on my predictions of who will win in prior rounds
Teams who opted out of sectionals:
- Falconer
- Cattaraugus Little Valley
Most exciting bracket
Class A2
Sleepers for each bracket:
Class AA - Kenmore West
Class A1 - Williamsville East
Class A2 - Lew-Port
Class B1 - East Aurora
Class B2 - Emerson
Class C1 - Chautauqua Lake
Class C2 - Global Concepts
Class D - Maple Grove
Top 10 Pre-Quarterfinal Games (Wednesday, 2/25)
10. Niagara Wheatfield @ Clarence
9. Orchard Park @ Kenmore West
8. Akron vs. CSAT
7. Buffalo Science @ Olmsted
6. Southwestern vs. East
5. Bennett @ Buffalo Arts
4. JFK @ Lackawanna
3. Maryvale @ City Honors
2. DaVinci vs. Emerson
1. Riverside @ West Seneca East
Top 10 Quarterfinal Games (Friday, 2/27)
10. Williamsville East @ Sweet Home
9. Lockport @ Lancaster
8. Frontier @ Niagara Falls
7. Maryvale @ Depew
6. East Aurora @ Albion
5. Maple Grove @ Sherman
4. Kenmore West @ Williamsville North
3. Emerson @ Wilson
2. East vs. Health Sciences *at Nichols
1. Lew-Port @ Cheektowaga
Most Exciting Potential Semifinals
6. Tapestry vs. Salamanca
5. East/Health Sciences vs. Cleveland Hill
4. Niagara Falls vs. Williamsville North
3. Starpoint vs. Olean
2. Lew-Port/Cheektowaga vs. Amherst
1. McKinley vs. Williamsville South
Most Exciting Potential Championship Games
5. Class AA Final
4. Class B2 Final
3. Class C1 Final
2. Class D Final
1. Class A2 Final
Win Streaks heading into sectionals
Sherman 19
Health Sciences 12
Fredonia 11
Silver Creek 10
Cleveland Hill 8
Cheektowaga 8
McKinley 7
Amherst 7
Jamestown 6
Predictions
Class AA - Jamestown
Class A1 - McKinley
Class A2 - Amherst
Class B1 - Depew
Class B2 - Fredonia
Class C1 - Silver Creek
Class C2 - Middle College
Class D - Sherman
-centercourt
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Class B1 & B2 Brackets - 2015 Sectionals
Class B1
First Round - Tuesday, February 24th
(12) Alden 75, (13) Springville 57
(10) Maryvale 69, (15) Lafayette 44
(11) Newfane 64, (14) Eden 42
Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 25th
(9) Bennett 46, (8) Buffalo Arts 44
(5) East Aurora 62, (12) Alden 40
(10) Maryvale 71, (7) City Honors 47
(6) Tonawanda 76, (11) Newfane 42
Quarterfinals - Friday, February 27th
(1) Burgard 65, (9) Bennett 53
(4) Albion 78, (5) East Aurora 62
(10) Maryvale 49, (2) Depew 47
(3) Medina 52, (6) Tonawanda 39
Semifinals - Wednesday, March 4th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 5:15 pm & 6:45 pm
(4) Albion 62, (1) Burgard 54
(10) Maryvale 46, (3) Medina 43
Final - Saturday, March 7th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 1:45 pm
(4) Albion 65, (10) Maryvale 57
2015 Section VI Class B1 Champions:
Albion Purple Eagles
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Class B2
First Round - Tuesday, February 24th
(12) Southwestern 56, (13) Oracle 51
(11) JFK 50, (14) Roy-Hart 39
Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 25th
(8) CSAT 48, (9) Akron 45
(5) East 84, (12) Southwestern 48
(7) Emerson 39, (10) DaVinci 37
(6) Lackawanna 54, (11) JFK 51
Quarterfinals - Friday, February 27th
(1) Cleveland Hill 60, (8) CSAT 52
(5) East 62, (4) Health Sciences 51
(2) Wilson 58, (7) Emerson 49
(3) Fredonia 59, (6) Lackawanna 51
Semifinals - Tuesday, March 3rd
AT BUFFALO STATE - 5:15 & 6:45 pm
(5) East 59, (1) Cleveland Hill 44
(3) Fredonia 53, (2) Wilson 48
Final - Saturday, March 7th
AT BUFFALO STATE - 12 pm
(5) East 54, (3) Fredonia 51
2015 Section VI Class B2 Champions:
East Panthers
-centercourt
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Random Smatterings Dos
(McKinley & South could play earlier than anticipated. Photo by Buffalo News)
- Fans who have been checking the polls, reading box scores, or actually getting out to the games, and drooling about the potential of McKinley/Williamsville South sectional final in Class A1 might get that matchup much sooner than expected. Based on the way sectional power points are shaking out, it looks like they would be on course to meet up in the semifinals instead. Furthermore, that would be played on the first night of Buff State week.
- 20 games are back!!! The NYSPHAA voted to approve the maximum number of varsity contests inceasing back to 20 games. The vote passed by a 20-2 margin. This means more nonleague games and the potential for many more high profile games between the area's top programs. I will be throwing out plenty of suggestions.
- In CCAA I East, Salamanca beat Silver Creek, but lost to Randolph. Randolph beat Salamanca, but lost to Silver Creek. Silver Creek hosts Salamanca on February 12th in a game that could decide the league champ. I think tip should be moved to 8 pm that night, so I can catch it all after the Nichols/Park game that night (6 pm tip).
- Most impressive about Salamanca & Silver Creek being tied for first place in the competitive CCAA I East - both have had to win with key starters missing extended time due to ankle injuries, Jared Fish for the Warriors and Trevon Thompson for the Black Knights.
- Cheektowaga's Zak Ciezki, Silver Creek's Bill Brooks, and Williamsville East's Nicholas Clough are all recent additions to the 1,000 point club.
- How about this stat line from Silver Creek's Bill Brooks: 20 points, 23 rebounds, 10 blocks, & five assists in a 74-33 win against Maple Grove.
- To the best of my knowledge, the season-high for points scored in a game in WNY is 40, scored by St. Francis' Kordell Holness-Lightbody and Health Sciences' Tyron Lott. Cody Johnson of Cassadaga Valley and Craig Paige of Lew-Port have both turned in 39-point games, and Takal Molson of St. Mary's scored 38 points last night.
- The above mentioned Tyron Lott scored 40 points coming off of a 35-point night. He's a freshman.
- On the last day of January, I'll try to predict the four team that will arrive at Buffalo State in March for the Class B1 semifinals:
Depew, Burgard, Albion, & East Aurora
- Unfortunately, the Manhattan Cup Finals at Canisius College are the same night as the Class B1 semifinals and one of the Class AA finals at Buffalo State.
- East Aurora has been a pretty scrappy team this season, considering its lineup has been almost exclusively underclassmen and its senior scoring leader, Mike Coatsworth, is out for the season with an injury.
- Speaking of season-ending injuries, St. Joe's lost senior starting center Ed Tabone last week to a broken wrist.
- Two MMA teams hoping for a boost from returning big men - Canisius & Timon. The Crusaders have been winning without TJ Wheatley, as he takes his time taking visits and making the right choice about where he'll attend college to play D1 football next year. Timon awaits the return of Tyree Coble, who will provide some needed size for the Tigers. Coble started for Timon last year.
- In the crazy NFL, once ruled by Niagara Falls, the one team that has yet to falter is North Tonawanda. They survived a scare from Ken West and needed overtime to get past Falls, but the Lumberjacks are the league's lone unbeaten.
- Wilson, who saw its streak of six straight appearances at Buff State end two seasons ago, is unbeaten in the N-O and appears to be a school with a good chance to get back to the dance.
- Health Sciences threw 117 points on the scoreboard in a win, the most I've seen scored in WNY in years. The Falcons' leading scorer that night equaled the total scored by the opposition (35 pts).
- Lew-Port has scored over 80 points in five wins this season. I'm hoping that scoring punch arrives at Buff State in a month from now so we can all see it.
- Student sections are on the rise everywhere and it makes high school basketball environments so much better.
- The entire Lancaster basketball team, including the coach, shaved their heads for Bald for Bucks, a cancer fundraiser.
-centercourt
Monday, December 08, 2014
Wednesday, December 03, 2014
Season Preview: 2014-2015
(Nichols celebrates its 2014 Manhattan Cup Championship. Photo by Buffalo News)
Below, in this year's version of the Pre-View From Centercourt, you will find:
- What's New
- Returning 2014 All-Centercourt Players
- Player Watch List for 2014-2015
- A League-by-League look at teams players
- Coaching Changes
- Classification Changes
- Predictions
What's New
- Section VI teams got one of their games back and are now eligible to play a 19-game regular season.
- The Manhattan Cup is now a tournament for the Class A teams only. The small schools in the MMA will now compete in a separate playoff, with the winner moving on in the CHSAA Class B postseason.
- Slight divisional realignments once again in the CCAA. Based on geography...no, based on school size...no, let's try geography again.
- Buffalo Science is back.
- Falconer & Frewsburg are once again separate programs, and face each other in Round One of the Frewsburg Tournament. Falconer's JV coach from last season, Dan Molfino, now leads the varsity squad at Frewsburg.
- Lake Shore moves back into ECIC II after playing in ECIC III last season.
- This season, the Class AA semifinals will be split up between the Tuesday & Wednesday nights of Buffalo State week, with the Class B2 semis and then the Class B1 semis played prior to each AA semifinal. That means the Class A1 semifinals are Monday night, leaving the Class A2 semifinals for Thursday night.
- JCC will squeeze all the magic of semifinal week into two nights. The Class C1 semifinals will preceed the first Class D semifinal on Monday, with the Class C2 semifinals preceeding the second Class D semifinal on Tuesday.
- Far West Regionals are in Rochester this year
- A master schedule for every WNY team, along with regularly updated standings will be available on this site all season.
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The Players
Nine of the top 25 players from the 2014 All-Centercourt teams return to the WNY high school hoops scene, along with another 14 players that received Honorable Mentions following last season. In addition, many others are primed to have breakout seasons, while the influx of talented underclassmen continues to surface at multiple schools throughout WNY.
Reigning Player of the Year & Returning 2014 1st Teamer
Zack Panebianco - Sr., Jamestown: 19.1 PPG / 4.1 APG / 3.5 RPG / 2.2 SPG as a junior
- Elite two-sport athlete and the reigning Centercourt Player of the Year who led the Red Raiders to the Class AA state title game last year. Deadly from outside, but equally effective knifing through defenses. Can score in bunches and is highly efficient on offense. Looks to lead the Red Raiders to a third consecutive Section VI crown - something that has never been achieved in program history.
Returning 2014 Second Teamer
Stafford Trueheart - Jr., Canisius: 13.0 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 4.5 BPG as a sophomore
- Already receiving offers as he enters his junior year. A polished big man with explosivness, touch around the rim, and outstanding anticipation. Has a summer home in "Lob City". Looks to get Canisius back to the status of Manhattan Cup champions and beyond.
Returning 2014 Third Teamers
Billy Brooks - Sr., Silver Creek: 19.1 PPG / 14.4 RPG / 6.7 BPG / 4.2 APG as a junior
- Will be getting looks from college coaches all season and turning the heads of local fans along the way. Completely alters the game for the Black Knights' opponents with his post presence. Led WNY in shots blocked as a junior and is also the best passing big man in the area. Look for even bigger strides this season as he assumes the leadership role for his team.
Cam Lewis - Sr., Nichols: 16.1 PPG / 7.7 RPG / 2.0 APG / 1.4 SPG as a junior
- A star with a skill set tailor made for the next level. At 6-8, Lewis is just as comfortable with the ball in his hands out on the perimeter as he is banging on the block down low. Was selected as Manhattan Cup MVP after his big game performances in the postseason. Already a career 1,000 point scorer.
Chris Miner - Sr., Nichols: 16.4 PPG / 12.9 RPG / 2.1 BPG / 1.8 SPG as a junior
- Uses his broad frame inside to out-muscle opponents for buckets and rebounds. A double-double machine who led the Manhattan Cup champs in both scoring and rebounding a season ago. Also already a career 1,000 point scorer.
Returning 2014 Fourth Teamer
Percy Bryant - Sr., East: 17.4 PPG / 6.2 APG / 4.7 SPG / 3.5 RPG as a junior
- An ultra-quick point guard with a masterful handle. Provides equal energy on the defensive end and creates countless turnovers. Led his team in both assists and steals last year, and may add scoring leader to that resume this season. When his shot is falling, he's practically unstoppable.
Returning 2014 Fifth Teamers
Dominick Welch - So., Cheektowaga: 19.5 PPG / 13.3 RPG / 3.6 BPG / 1.4 APG / 1.2 SPG as a freshman
- Led the Warriors to their first ever sectional crown as a freshman and averaged a double-double along the way. Can play all five positions and will hurt you from anywhere on the court - a special talent in this area. Will look to lead his team past Amherst in the division and then aim for a repeat in sectionals.
TC Brown - Jr., Amherst: 18.2 PPG / 6.0 RPG / 5.6 APG / 3.9 SPG as a sophomore
- Plays bigger than his size and older than his age. Competitive and highly confident leader for the Tigers. Looking to add a third ECIC III title to his resume in his third varsity season, and hopes to help return Amherst to the top of Class A2.
Devin Morris - Sr., McKinley: 15 PPG / 11 RPG / 2 BPG / 2 SPG as a junior
- Stands out on a deep Macks team. Moves fluidly with the ball and excels at getting his shot off in the face of the defense. Excellent shooter and rebounds well for his size, thanks to good instincts. Attempting to lead McKinley to a fourth straight Section VI title.
Returning 2014 Honorable Mentions
LaTerrance Reed - 12 (Canisius), Zak Cieski - 12 (Cheektowaga), Nicholas Clough - 12 (Williamsville East), Cort Williams - 12 (Williamsville East), Clay Lewis - 12 (Holland), Tanner Schmit - 12 (Nichols), Bryce Morrison - 12 (Randolph), Kordell Holness-Lightbody - 12 (St. Francis), Derick Simpson - 12 (Timon), Derek Cheatom - 12 (Timon), Sam Castronova - 12 (Williamsville South), Jared Fish - 12 (Salamanca), Cody Johnson - 12 (Cassadaga Valley), Brandon Roach - 11 (Olmsted)
Player Watch List: other names you'll hear from this season
Justin Jones - 11 (Canisius), Dorian Billups - 12 (Amherst), John Piper - 12 (Fredonia), JaQuoine Fogan - 11 (Tapestry), Greg Dolan - 9 (Williamsville South), Kam Varner - 12 (Williamsville South), Graham Dolan - 11 (Williamsville South), Maceo Jack - 11 (Williamsville North), William Lamar - 10 (Timon), Fred Foster - 11 (Middle College), Jordan Nwora - 11 (Park), Donell Cathcart - 12 (Cardinal O'Hara), Buzz Watson - 12 (Walsh), Qeyion Williams - 10 (Niagara Falls), Jaylin Rose - 11 (Hutch-Tech), Chris Woodard - 12 (North Tonawanda), Matt Cieslik - 12 (City Honors), Terrance James - 12 (I-Prep), Xavier Maye - 12 (I-Prep), Michael Simpson - 11 (Emerson), Jay Bergmann - 12 (Frontier), Christian Nodine - 11 (Starpoint), Nick Parucki - 12 (West Seneca East), Jordan Heine - 12 (Sweet Home), Tristan Boling - 12 (Tonawanda), Jermaine Hairston - 12 (Cleveland Hill), Craig Paige - 12 (Lew-Port), Jenard Jackson - 11 (Lew-Port), Kyle Bradley - 12 (Wilson), Jason Hellwig - 12 (Medina), Darius Carson - 10 (CSAT), Isaiah Thomas - 11 (Dunkirk), Patrick Moore - 11 (Fredonia), Tanner Dahl - 12 (Westfield), Fred Searles - 12 (Global Concepts), Corey Wiseman - 12 (Health Sciences)
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League-By-League
MONSIGNOR MARTIN CLASS A
The defending Manhattan Cup champs, Nichols, are back in a BIG way. Not only are three of its starters enormous (6-8, 6-7, 6-5), but they are also phenomenal basketball talents. Cam Lewis & Chris Miner are both career 1,000 point scorers entering their senior campaigns, while Tanner Schmit is already commited to play at the D1 level for Central Arkansas. Canisius lost the area's most highly touted player in Howard Washington to a transfer, but also benefited from the arrival of transfer Justin Jones from St. Joe's. With the size and athleticism of what returns, including Second Team All-Centercourt selection Stafford Trueheart and HM LaTerrance Reed, the Crusaders will continue to be one of the most dominant programs in WNY. Timon will focus on ball movement and defensive pressure in a bid to return to a third straight Manhattan Cup Final, with its goal being to win it this time. St. Joe's welcomes back eight players (seven seniors) and adds Grant Beyer from Williamsville South. With a deep bench and a focus on balance, the Marauders like their chances in the competitive and talent-rich MMA. St. Francis has its leading scorer and All-Centercourt HM returning, Kordell Holness-Lightbody. With Holness-Lightbody certain to be the focus of opposing defenses, the young Red Raider lineup will have to grow up quickly and contribute.
***
Nichols: Christopher Miner - 12, Cam Lewis - 12, Tanner Schmit - 12, Zach Serotte - 12, Ken Williams - 12, Steve Foley - 12, Ben Sendziak - 12, Will Johnson - 10, Marcellus Cooper - 9
Canisius: Stafford Trueheart - 11, LaTerrence Reed - 12, TJ Wheatley - 12, Josh Huffman - 12, Zachary Koch - 12, Andrew Heitzhaus - 12, Patrick Viola - 12, David Keil - 12, Patrick Crangle - 12, Justin Jones - 11
St. Joe's: Mathew Fritz - 12, Naseer Jackson - 10, Antonio Morreale - 12, John Scaglione - 12, David Maher - 12, Marcell Davis - 12, Edward Tabone Jr - 12, Grant Beyer - 11, Anthony Brophy - 11, Nick Motley - 11
Bishop Timon/St. Jude: Derick Simpson - 12, William Lamar - 10, Quinton Lamar - 11, Claudius Modi - 12, Hunter Lancaster - 11, Tyler Ringwood - 11, Joe Harrison - 10
St. Francis: Kordell Holness-Lightbody - 12, Bo Sireika - 9, Roburt Welch - 10, John Steven Zhu - 11, Cody Smith - 10, Isiah Utley - 11
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MONSIGNOR MARTIN CLASS B
Park brings back four starters and welcomes in Jordan Nwora from Amherst. The Pioneers will focus on more consistent pressure defensively, as they have the talent to win the league. If this new format had existed over the past several years, St. Mary's would have owned it. The Lancers look to continue their recent success with a brand new starting lineup, as they've done in the past. Tony Pulvirenti takes over the varsity reigns at Cardinal O'Hara after guiding the JV Hawks over the last three seasons. He'll have a young team with just one senior, but that didn't stop him from bulking up O'Hara's nonleague schedule. Walsh has a pair from the basketball-famed Moore family of Olean in head coach Andy and junior Adam. Combine that with the return of 6-6 senior Buzz Watson (18.5 ppg), along with an Olean transfer, and the Eagles should be contenders. Niagara Catholic's young team will look to grow under the leadership of a new coach with a pair of Class AA state championship game appearances on his resume, Giulio Colangelo.
***
Park: Derek Cheatom - 12, Randy Golda - 12, Jordan Nwora - 11, Kyle Harris - 11, Hunter Anderson - 11, Tony Ugboma - 11, Ethan Cotrell - 11, Joe Jones - 9
St. Mary's: Jake Concannon - 12, Takal Molson - 11, Sean Wilson - 12, Austin Oakes - 12, Mark O'Neill - 12, Chris Peete - 12, Kayson Hill - 11, Tony Robinson - 11, Jordan MacKinnon - 11, Cam Dunning - 11, Joseph Stoj - 11, Daquan Hunt - 10, Eric Brown - 9
Cardinal O'Hara: Donel Cathcart - 12, Charles Debose - 11, Clifford Ziegler - 10, William Turner - 11, Deamontae Riley - 10, Michon Dudley - 9
Archbishop Walsh: Adam Moore - 11, John "Buzz" Watson - 12, Noah Watson - 10, Christian Churakos - 10, Ethan Clarke - 12, Tavian Kemp - 10
Niagara Catholic: Elijah Griggs - 11, Jaceary Menes - 11, Jake Socha - 12, Zach Socha - 11, Connor Freeburger - 12
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YALE CUP I
McKinley has become the model of consistency for basketball programs in WNY. Do I even need to tell you what the Macks will look like this season? Fast, deep, and intense, are the first three words that come to mind. They bring back plenty from another defending Section VI championship team. Defending Yale Cup champion Middle College added one of the most athletically gifted players in all of WNY to its roster with the offseason addition of Park transfer Fred Foster (6-5). He, along with another always deep roster, will have the Kats eyeing another Yale Cup & another run at states in Class C. East has dynamic guard Percy Bryant back for his senior season and hopes to have O'Hara transfer Jovell Littlejohn ready to man the middle when the season tips. The Panthers also have some talented underclassmen that should rapidly improve throughout the year. South Park will rely on tempo and pressure defense, with no player on its roster over 6-feet tall. Riverside has a pair of starters back, and a good amount of depth competing for the remaining spots. Bennett & Burgard did not provide team information.
***
East: Damone Brown - 11, Percy Byrant - 11, Jovell Littlejohn - 11, Takeyo Burts - 10, Malik Doughty - 12, Willard Anderson - 9
McKinley: Devin Morris - 12, Shaquan Jones - 11, Keyon Johnson - 11, Juwan Tolliver - 12, Jaylen Prophet - 11
Riverside: Romero Gardner - 11, Tim Manney - 12, Jamal Wardlaw - 11, Alexander Johnson - 11, Asuquo "Junior" Efiong - 11, Roberto Rodriguez - 12, Mohammed Ali - 12, Claudio Olympio - 12, Jewimaer Toussaint - 12, Damone McNamee - 12
Middle College: Isaiah Jenkins - 12, Joseph Staton - 11, Fred Foster - 11, Billy Rivera - 11, Royce Burks - 12, Amir Jemes - 11, Brian Johnson - 11, Loronzo Truitt - 11, Claudius Thomas - 11, Dajon Johnson - 11, Dion Watkins - 11, Tyshawn Silas - 10, Nate Jackson - 9, Hakeem Dobbins - 9, Azyion Clemons - 9
Hutch-Tech: Jailyn Rose - 11
South Park : James Baker - 11, John Vallone - 12, D'Angelo Allen - 12, Shakur Harris - 10, Antonio Leonard - 12, Darrel Moore - 12, Mike McDonald - 12
Burgard
Bennett
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YALE CUP II
I-Prep has its sights set on a repeat in Yale Cup II and a run in the Class D sectionals this year, with three key pieces back from the undefeated league championship team of '14. City Honors will be a guard-oriented team, led by four-year varsity player, Matt Cieslik. Olmsted will have a formidible backcourt and one of the top players in the city in Brandon Roach, but lack size. Lafayette has a fill lineup of players this season, described as young, energetic, and optimistic, led by Jovanny Aviles-Vargas. Emerson, MST Seneca, Buffalo Arts, & DaVinci did not provide any information.
***
I-Prep: Xavier Maye - 12, Terrance James - 12, Jeffrey Townsel - 11, Davon Gant - 11
City Honors: Matt Cieslik - 12, Jordahn Summers - 12, John Seitz - 12, David Lippman - 12, Alfred Gary - 11, Caleb Lee - 12
Olmsted: Brandon Roach - 11, Dan Reid - 10, Athan Kaudeyr - 12, Anthony Mendrysa - 11, Austin Carter - 12
Lafayette: Jovanny Aviles-Vargas - 12, Christian Tarado-Suarez - 10, Erik Aponte - 9, Cesar Medina - 10, Justin Galvin - 11, Miyaga Miyaga - 11, Demetrius White-Zinermon - 9, Daniel Gonzales - 11, Abdi Malako - 11, Stephan Thomas - 10, Julio Muriel - 12, Eugenio Vira - 11, Derek Ramdhansingh - 12, Luis Plaza - 10
Emerson: Michael Simpson - 11, Jason Dowell - 11
MST Seneca
Buffalo Arts
DaVinci
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ECIC I
Three teams (Jamestown, Clarence, & Williamsville North) all shared the league title a season ago, so the Red Raiders settled things by advancing far past the others in the postseason - all the way to the Class AA state championship game. Jamestown will be a step behind to start the season thanks to the success of the football team, but after the way Zack Panebianco finished the season last year, they shouldn't be overly concerned. Lancaster should have its best and most balanced unit in several seasons. The Redskins showed flashes last year with a very young team, and now they'll have eight players with a lot of varsity experience. Clarence graduated all five starters from its Class AA finalist team, but does have a pair of returning players who saw considerable action. Williamsville North will look different without Sterling Taplin in the starting lineup for the first time in five seasons, but the Spartans have no shortage of talent or experience, and will challenge for the top spot in ECIC I once again. Orchard Park fields a young, defensive-minded team with three returnees. Frontier & West Seneca West did not provide team information.
***
Jamestown: Zack Panebianco - 12, Stephen Carlson - 12, Zacc Kinsey - 11, Ben Larson - 12
Lancaster: Tyler Lis - 12, Griffin O'Brien - 12, Alex Damiani - 11, Collin Murray - 11, Alex Konst - 11, Andy Fellner - 12, Matt Devic - 12, LG Castillo - 10
Williamsville North: George Attea - 12, Maceo Jack - 11, Sean Hill - 11, Dylan Lambert - 12, Tim Kreuze - 12, Chad Steinwachs - 12, Sam Cimato - 12, Nick Maranto - 11, Jeff Calderon - 12
Clarence: Matt Sadowy - 12, Kyle Stevens - 12, Dave Cummisky - 12, Bryan Pulli - 12, Hunter Harris - 12, Adam Southern - 11, Jake Ireland - 10, Jake Randall - 10
Orchard Park: Kevin Goltz - 12, Jake Heath - 12, Dan Freilicher - 11, Phil Marks - 11, Wes Seigner - 11, Max Cerone - 11, Kevin Looney - 11, Bryan Somerville - 11, Hunter Harris - 11, Chris Liberatore - 11
West Seneca West: Frank Borzillieri - 12, DJ Ulmer – 12, Ben Hutton - 11, Lou DiChristopher - 12
Frontier
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ECIC II
Williamsville South has plenty of pieces back from last year's team that fell short of finishing off McKinley in the Class A1 final last season. The Billies have talent everywhere and will focus on cohesiveness and team-first basketball. Williamsville East will play uptempo and look for mismatches. The Flames should find plenty, with a pair of returning All-Centercourt HM selections and four-year varsity players back in Cort Williams and Nicholas Clough. Sweet Home will be an experienced and athletic team, returning over 37 points per game from last season. Starpoint has its best team in recent seasons, and with a good mix of seniors and underclassmen. The Spartans have four starters back and should challenge the division's top squads. West Seneca East may have the most experienced unit in the division, as last year's group was void of any seniors. Both co-captains, along with the school's all-time 3-point leader, are back for the Trojans. Hamburg returns four players that saw quality minutes during its run to the Class A1 semifinals last year. Couple that with some talented additions from their 16-win JV team, and the Bulldogs optimistic about making a return trip to Buffalo State. With just a single senior back, a young team, and a move up to ECIC II, Lake Shore hopes to rebuild its roster through valuable experience this season. After two straight successful campaigns, Iroquois will look to its five seniors for leadership and rely on size & athleticism.
***
Williamsville East: Cort Williams - 12, Nicholas Clough - 12, Kyle Williams - 12, Joe Adcock - 12, Greg Cook - 12, Alex Pieri - 11, Mike Garafalo - 12, Mike Poturalski - 11
Williamsville South: Sam Castronova - 12, Kam Varner - 12, Graham Dolan - 11, Greg Dolan - 9, Matt Foster - 11, Myles Hall - 11, Jordan Buell - 11, Dave Isselbaecher - 12, Ryan Phillips - 11, JP Rehak - 12
Iroquois: Zach Emer - 12, Coyote Sokolski - 12, Lucas Tait - 12, Kyle Seifert - 12, Joe Bowen - 11, Dominic Allen - 11, James Carlin - 11, Jack Edwards - 10, Matt Whalen - 10
Sweet Home: Jordan Heine - 11, Asa'd Myles - 12, Milton Zielger - 12, Brandon Smiley - 12, Jordan Evert - 12, Adrian Drake - 12, Josh Hammer - 12, Dylan McDuffie - 9
Hamburg: Joe DeGrood - 12, Brendan Ryan - 11, Kyle Munro - 12, Caleb Wood - 12, Mark Myles - 12, Doug Horbachewski - 12, Matt Snyder - 12, Ryan Dils - 11, Sean DeLellis - 11
West Seneca East: Matt Kumro - 12, Nick Parucki - 12, Ed Radka - 11, Dan Picciano - 11, DJ Schiersing - 12, Jake Klubek - 11, Dale Nicosia - 12, Evin Ksiezarczyk - 12, Jared Kania - 11, Anthony Roncone - 10, Justin Gospodarski - 10
Starpoint: Ian Emerick - 12, Dennis Held - 12, Eric Yaeger - 12, Brock Kroening - 11, Christian Nodine - 11, Ben Walters - 11, Adam Lasal - 10
Lake Shore: Andrew Bush - 12, Brandon Buchanon - 12, Alec Lezama - 12, Mike Braeuner - 11, Alec Bergum - 11, Collin Fiutko - 11, Cory Fiutko - 11, Joe Friedhoff - 11, Ron John - 11, Nate Myers - 11, Kyle Wishman - 11, Andrew McDonaugh - 10
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ECIC III
Amherst has claimed the last three league titles and have reason to believe they're the favorites to do it again. TC Brown leads a Tigers team that has confidence, size, and depth. Despite Amherst winning ECIC III last year, it was Cheektowaga who edged them out in the postseason after sweeping them in the regular season. The Warriors have nearly the entire squad back, including Dominick Welch & Zak Ciezki, and hope that by season's end, they'll have three more wins over Amherst. The future looks great at East Aurora, and if they are able to compete with the top teams in this league - look out. The Blue Devils have just one senior in their regular rotation, one that will include four sophomores. Springville hopes to get strong guard play on an inexperienced team that returns just one starter. Balance will be the theme at Maryvale after graduating its top three scorers. The Flyers will use as many as 12 players in their rotation and keep the energy level up. Depew will look to develop team chemistry and form an identity, after losing some key team leaders and significant size inside. The Wildcats could be a team that blossoms in the later half of the season.
***
Cheektowaga: Dominick Welch - 10, Zak Ciezki - 12, Patrick Plummer - 12, Khaya Dlodlo - 12, Drequon Trotter - 12, Devon Camel - 12, Hakiem Black - 12, Adrian Baugh - 10, Stephan Parker - 10
Amherst: Dorian Billups - 12, TC Brown - 11, Darien Lowe - 12, Amadi Ikpeze - 11, Nick Foster - 11, Nathan Russell-Webster - 12, Bryon Fowler - 12, Rory Walsh - 11, Sean Andrews - 11, Nathan Waldu - 11, Sean Gibson - 11, Jake Maley - 11, Da'Shawn Hines - 10, Jordan Barr - 10, Richard Kay - 10
East Aurora: Mike Coatsworth - 12, Noah Thompson - 11, Josh Denz - 10, Nick Montgomery - 10, Joe Montgomery - 10, Cal McTigue - 10
Depew: Tyler Anna - 12, Dylan Sekuterski - 12, Collin Gemerek - 12, Jakob Grant - 11, Ryan Guay - 11, Tyler Biersbach - 9
Maryvale: Drew Crombie - 11, Mike Kelleher - 12, Jeremia Pace - 12, Marcus Ford - 11, Eric Graham - 12, Floyd Remley - 11, Steve Mason - 12, Matt Mason - 12, Mike Ferguson - 11
Pioneer: Bryce Little - 12, Matt Haggerty - 12, Andrew Hyman - 12, Vince Nourse - 12, Ravo Root - 11, Caleb Sayvone - 11, Dominic Sayvone - 11
Springville: Kyle Crotty - 12, Devin Pazzuti - 12, Kyle Warner - 11, John Domes - 10, Parker Rice - 11, Pat Emmick - 12, Colin DeWitt - 11
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ECIC IV
After two straight division titles, expectations remain high at Cleveland Hill. Jermaine Hairston, who is one of six returning seniors for the Golden Eagles, is a prime candidate to have a breakout season. Lackawanna would like to end Cleveland Hill's league run and reclaim ECIC IV. The Steelers brought back all five starters to a team with nine seniors. JFK finished at the bottom of the league last season, but has all five starters back, including size (6-6 & 6-4) and high hopes coming into the year. Tonawanda has a pair of starters returning from the team that reached Buffalo State last season for the second time in four years. Alden will have a presence inside and versatility, but will need its young backcourt to get acclimated with the varsity level as the year wears on. Eden did not provide team information.
***
Cleveland Hill: Jermaine Hairston - 12, Anthony Sullivan - 12, Zach Lewandowski - 12, Ramah Lassiter - 11, Nick Gamble - 11
Lackawana: Larry Fields - 12, Jeremiah Jones - 12, Darius Cleveland - 12, Jaelin Watson - 11, Quinton Robinson - 12, Yousef Yahya - 12, Johan Santiago - 12
Tonawanda: Tristan Bolling - 12, Brandon Frye - 12, Larenz Jefferson - 12, Adrian Hall - 11, Cody Diaz - 11, Tyler Staff - 11
Holland: Clay Lewis - 12, JR Kline - 12, Matt Farant - 12, Cooper Rahn - 12, EJ Staniszewski - 11, Laine Husman - 11, Pierce Gardon - 10
JFK: Joe Braniecki - 12, Josh McMahon - 12, Cale Byczkowski - 12, Shawn McPhail - 12, Hunter Kowal - 12, Brendan Fox - 12, Aaron Urbanczyk - 12, Nathan Pazderski - 12, Lexus Pollard - 10, Aaron Poniwas - 12, Collin Snyder - 12
Alden: Austin Zelasko - 12, Dylan Riddoch - 11, Jordan Stockweather - 11, Conrad Boucher - 10, Christian Snell - 9, Brandon Bojt - 12
Eden
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Niagara Frontier League
Niagara Falls brings back nearly its entire team, including four starters. The Wolverines also welcome in sophomore point guard, Qeyion Williams, who transferred from Niagara Catholic, and should find themselves back in the company of WNY's elite teams. Kenmore West has just one starter back, along with its sixth man who'll now enter the starting lineup. They'll have to rely on athleticism and energy until experience is on their side. Lew-Port has a pair of playmakers back on a team that reached Buff State last season. The Lancers should make a return trip again this season, after making noise in the NFL first. North Tonawanda will once again be difficult to rebound against or score inside on, as the Jacks return three players who are 6-4 or taller, including the active double-double machine, Chris Woodard. Grand Island has improved its record over each of the past two seasons, and hopes to continue the trend with a deep rotation led by captain Colin Carrey. Lockport's senior laden Class AA semifinalist team from last season gave way to a young squad with just one senior and limited experience, who hope to improve as the season goes on. Niagara Wheatfield took its lumps during a winless season in NFL action last year, but now are back with all of its core players and a much more confident group. As always, Kenmore East did not provide any team information.
***
Niagara Falls: Devin Scarbourough - 12, Mikey Bermudez - 12, Breon Harris - 11, Devin Sanders - 10, Tyler Sanders - 10, Charles Lamar - 10, Jamal Harris - 12, Qeyion Williams - 10
Kenmore West: Terrell Ford - 11, Trent White - 12, Aaron Tucker - 11, Jason Taylor - 11, Mark Taylor - 11, DeAngelo Walker - 11
Grand Island: Colin Carrey - 12, Kyle Burns - 11, Joe Kulikowski - 11, Mark Montes - 12, Manny Montes - 11, Justin Figler - 12, Mike Podgorny - 12, Devin Brandon - 10, Colton Czajka - 12
North Tonawanda: Chris Woodard - 12, Donovin Book - 12, Adam McNeil - 12, Ryan Gilbert - 12, Ryan McDonough - 12, James Garavagli - 12, Drew Krantz - 12, Jacob Lemke - 11, Jacob Krauss - 11, Colby Moultrie - 10, Alex Quinn - 10, Brandon Casterline - 10
Niagara Wheatfield: Nathan Nielson - 11, Nathan Williams - 12, Denzel Fuller - 11, Justin Eaton - 12, Brandon Funderburk - 12, Ty Parmentier - 12, Ken Camidge - 12, Austin Wangler - 11
Lockport: Lavette Warren - 11, Andrew Austin - 11, Kelly Brown - 11, Dakota Wiley - 10
Lew-Port: Craig Paige - 12, Jenard Jackson - 11, Jacob Eoute - 12, Dane Parlato - 12, Jacob Rizzo - 12, Jordan Willard - 12, Colton Stallard - 12, Anthony Dipasquale - 12
Kenmore East:
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Niagara-Orleans
Newfane & Wilson each enjoyed a string of success over several seasons, which made the local rivalry between the two that much more intense. Both teams have returning players, expect to be compete for the league, and are looking forward to overflow crowds once again when they get together on the court. Medina likes its combination of returning talent and mental toughness, and expects to compete for the league crown. The Mustangs have beefed up their nonleague schedule to challenge this group. Barker returns five seniors - but just one starter from its unbeaten league championship team from last year. CSAT has a new coach, along with a pair of Carson brothers, which make the Eagles contenders for that reason alone. Roy-Hart welcomes first year head coach Joe Pawlak, who will look to put his own stamp on the Rams program, which he characterizes as an extremely hard working group. With just four players back and two of those coming off surgery, Akron will have some work to put in before they're completely up tp speed. The Tigers do have talented underclassmen and could be a dangerous team in the later half of the season.
***
Akron: Larson Sundown - 12, Caleb Martin - 12, Chaunce Hill - 12, Brendan Weirerheiser - 11
Newfane: Sam Watkins - 12, Kyle Guerriera - 12, Chad Gilson - 11, Kyle Burdick - 12, Tyler Jordan - 12, MaxWeber - 9, Al Kramp - 10, David Krull - 11, Nick Schultz - 11, Zach Lajoie - 11
CSAT: Dylanta Carson - 12, Bryan Locke - 12, Darius Carson - 10, Will Fletcher - 12, Jahleel Burks - 11
Medina: Jason Hellwig - 12, Dylan Lewis - 11, Aaron Feltz - 12, Brennan Zinkievich - 12, David Garrow - 12, Devonte Howard - 12, Jared Zinkievich - 11, Tyler Ames - 11, Dylan Lewis - 11, Brad McPherson - 11, Justin Morgan - 11, Jalin Cooper - 9
Barker: Chris Sweeney - 12, Sean Benoit - 12, Thomas Callaghan - 12, Tanner Gregorie - 12, Joshua Mead - 12, Tristan Payne - 12, Michael Snell - 11, Kyle Secor - 11, Nathan Luckman - 10
Roy-Hart: Andy Xapsos - 11, Sam White - 12, Nelson Andrade - 12, Bailey Hudson - 12, Aaron Metz - 12, Ben Maynard - 11, Justin Heschke - 11, Chris Anderson - 11, James DiLorenzo - 12, Zack Srock - 11, Austin Dodge - 11
Wilson: Evan Shank - 12, Kyle Bradley - 12, Zac Sarratori - 12, Joe Littere - 12, Jarret Johnston - 12, Adam Murray - 12, Alex Fox - 11, Andrew Eames - 11
Albion: Dez Blackmon - 12, Austin Loyd - 12, Emanuel Thompson - 12, Alex Bison - 12, Clayton Stanton - 12, Gary Moore - 12
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CCAA West I
Defending league champion, Fredonia, should be in great shape for another run this season. The Hillbillies will start five players who are 6-feet or taller and have a combined 13 years of varsity experience between them. Olean starts over after reaching the Class B state title game a year ago. The Huskies graduated five senior starters and return just two players who saw any action. Reining Centercourt Coach of the Year, Jeff Anastasia, will embrace the challenge and make household names out of the Huskies' players soon enough. Southwestern lost some of its size, but brings back three starters, accounting for much of its scoring. The Trojans will look to push the pace and wreak havoc on teams defensively. Rich Clifford is back behind the bench for another season at Cassadaga Valley and the veteran coach returns three starters, including 2014 All-Centercourt HM Cody Johnson (20.5 ppg). After two seasons coaching the JV team, Jack O'Brien takes over varsity duties at Dunkirk and will have some senior leadership, along with a trio of 6-3 juniors. Chautauqua Lake fields a young & passionate group that hopes league competition will prepare them for the playoffs. After being combined with Frewsburg in hoops a season ago, Falconer is back on its own, returning just four returning players, each with little varsity experience.
***
Fredonia: John Piper - 12, Cam Voss - 12, Anhel Epps - 12, Noah Voss - 12, Patrick Moore - 11
Olean: Connor Prizel - 12, Chucky Martin - 12, Blake Covert - 12, Colden Dwaileebe - 12, John Zamites - 12, Jake Cavana - 11, Derek Schmidt - 11, Levi Johnson - 11, Elijah Ramadhan - 11, Ben Eckstrom - 10
Southwestern: Pat Mogenhan - 12, Jack Carlson - 12, Mike Sandbloom - 12, Billy Johnston - 12, Ben Burk - 11, Brendan Kennedy - 11, Nick Cooper - 11, Niko Pannes - 10
Dunkirk: Isaiah Thomas - 11, Rashad Brown - 11, Chad Butts - 11, Shamron Stewart - 10, Richard Pickens - 12, Leroy Gilbert - 12, Gemaro Collazo - 12
Cassadaga Valley: Cody Johnson - 12, Chase Jones - 12, Shane Parsons - 11, Tony Mangine - 12, Jaquan Watts - 12, Jerimiah Jones - 12, Tyler Simpson - 11, James Cornelius - 11
Chautauqua Lake: Carter Davidson - 11, Michael Lysek - 11, Aaron Swan - 10, Devin Pope - 9, Tyler Meredith - 10, David Applegarth - 12, Erik Szymanowski - 12, Cody Latimer - 12, Ben Stahlsmith - 11
Falconer: Gavin Beaumont - 12, Chris Elderkin - 12, Andrew Ward - 12, Tavon Fisher - 11, Ryan DePietro - 11, Jackson Teboe - 11, Brandon Curtis - 11, Drew Beckerink - 12, Sean Nord - 11, Trevor Dykstra - 11, Tareek Hannold - 12, Colin Boutelle - 12, Manny Machado - 12, Dillon Johnson - 12, Sean Dudenhoffer - 12
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CCAA EAST I
Three of the seven teams in this league (Silver Creek, Randolph, Portville) have reached sectional title games in the last two years, and a fourth team (Salamanca) won its league last year. Needless to say, this should be one of the more competitive league races in WNY this season. Silver Creek looks forward to an above-the-rim season from 2014 3rd Team All-Centercourt selection Billy Brooks, but the Black Knights are even more excited about the energy and team commitment of their players at early season practices. Salamanca returns a talented tandem in its backcourt, along with 6-6 2014 All-Centercourt HM Jared Fish, who together, accounted for 40 ppg last year. Randolph, maybe Section VI's most storied football program ever, will again be a force on the court as well, once it gets its basketball legs under them. Portville returns two of its three leading scorers for first year head coach Bill Torrey to work with. Gowanda has athletes who can get up and down the floor, so transition offense will be key for the Panthers. Cattaraugus/Little Valley has just four seniors on its young team. Allegany-Limestone has a pair of starters back and will look to push the tempo and press.
***
Silver Creek: Billy Brooks - 12, Sherman Williams - 12, Connor Gates - 11, Trevon Thompson - 11, Chance Gates - 12, Chris Williams - 10, Heron Snow - 11, Jacob Lewis - 11, James Corbin - 12
Salamanca: Jared Fish - 12, Tyler Siperek - 12, Andrew Crandall - 12, Jake Dowdy - 12, Tate Reynolds - 11, Marcus Cooper - 11, Eric George - 12, Luke Zurat - 11, Zeus Enriquez - 10, Austin Elliott - 12
Randolph: Bryce Morrison - 12, Connor McAllister - 12, Mason Bosley - 11, Jarrett Lecceadone - 10, Derek Young - 12, Nick Carpenter - 12, Kyle Beaver - 12, Tyler Stahley - 11
Allegany-Limeston: Dom Conroy - 12, Cole Davis - 11, Bailey Higby - 11, Brad McAfee - 11, Brad Reed - 11, Zach Hemphill - 10, Austin Dziennik - 11, Tyler Hines - 11, Garrett Johnston - 12, TJ McMullen - 12
Gowanda: Jordan Young - 12, carter Benton - 11, Lucas Brawdy - 11, Randy Jimerson - 12, Les Young - 12
Portville: Zack Ewings - 12, Isaac Hilyer - 12, Andrew Sarber - 12, Nick Stein - 10, Nick Gehm - 11, Sean Harris - 11, Chase Swetland - 12
Cattaraugus Little Valley: DJ Steven - 12, Darnell Pritchard - 12, Kodie Skeels - 12, Kyle O'Donnell - 12, Hunter Baker - 11, Caleb Hibit - 11, Devon Parmenter - 11, Alex Perkins - 11, Anthony Bernardi - 11, Kellen Martin - 10
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CCAA West II
Panama reached the Class D final with a young team last season , but fell to Sherman. The Panthers have matured both mentally and physically, and should contend in league with a solid point guard, a sharp-shooter in Josh Odell, and 6-6 Josh Eddy inside. Westfield returns five players that contributed in 2014, including one of the league's best in Tanner Dahl. Sherman was hit hard by graduation following two consecutive Class D sectional championships, and will look to find a new identity with this year's team. Maple Grove will be very good, they always are. I can't tell you much else, because their very successful coach who's teams have received significant press from me over the years, never responds to email requests for information. The Red Dragons listed below were listed as underclassmen in the 2014 Section VI program. Brocton, Clymer, & Frewsburg did not send information.
***
Maple Grove: Graham Soffel - 12, Matt Roach - 11, Jonah Tanner - 12, Pat Nelson - 11, Nolan Knipe - 12, Mitch Sandberg - 11, Jeff Clauson - 11
Westfield: Tanner Dahl - 12, Liam Tennies - 12, Trevor North - 11, Nolan Hunt - 12, Steven DeMarco - 12, Joe Quagliana - 11, Jon Wilson - 11, Greg Schroeder - 11, Luke Haskin - 11
Panama: David O'Dell - 12, Greg Delahoy - 12, Jack Payne - 11, Chris Blose - 12, Josh Odell - 11, Dillon Mescall - 12, Josh Eddy - 11, Chris Blose - 11, Jarrett Yuchnitz - 11
Sherman: Jake Card - 12, Nathan Ottaway - 12, Jeremy Cole - 12, Stephen Walczak - 12, Chris Robson - 10, Jake Ames - 12, Kolby Parks - 10, Kyle Carpenter - 10, Sam Vanvelkenburg - 11, Kyle Rhebergen - 11
Brocton: Aaron Riforgiato - 11, Derek Walter - 12, Daultan Remington - 12
Clymer
Frewsburg
************************************************
CCAA East II
After finishing 9-1 in league action last season Forestville, returns six players and has its sights set on a repeat. Ellicottville will look to the dynamic Phalla Musall, a returning all-league selection, to guide a very young team. No other teams from this league had coaches respond with the requested team information. My apologies to the players in this league.
Ellicottville: Phalla Musall - 12, Calum Watt - 12, Austin Gronols - 9, Griffin Chuddy - 9, Elliot Bowen - 9, Cole Lapi - 11, Jonas Hurlburt - 11, Cameron Eddy - 11
Forestville: Caleb Makuch - 12, Dylan Szumigala - 12, Logan Youngberg - 12, Jeff VanVlack - 12, Ryan Forbes - 12, Chris Sheldon - 12, Jackson Egan - 11, Tyler Spears - 11, Andrew Deszcz - 11, Derek Catalano - 11
Pine Valley: Dylan Granger - 12, Russell Hayes - 12, Kilian Abers - 11
North Collins
West Valley
Franklinville
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Charter Schools
Tapestry enters the season as the favorite to win the Charter Cup and make serious noise come sectional time, thanks to returning nine seniors and junior scoring machine, JaQuoine Fogan. Oracle has length and quickness, and is excited about the potential growth of its young team with just three seniors back. Health Sciences is the defending Charter Cup champion and the third-year program will seek a repeat, despite graduating 12 seniors. Maritime has just one player back with varsity experience and will hand point guard duties over to a freshman. After a season with just a JV squad, Buffalo Science returns to varsity competition, hoping that developing chemistry and playing smart will result in some wins. Global Concepts will lean on the leadership and experience of returning First-Team All-Charter player Fred Searles.
***
Tapestry: JaQuoine Fogan - 11, DeJuan Owens - 12, Jordan Maxey - 12, DaVonte Cunningham - 11, Marques Perkins - 12, Jesus McClain - 12, Poshine Jenifer - 12, Andre Bragg - 12, Keith Littlejohn - 12, Joe Henderson - 12, Kaleb King - 12, Chemar Pilot - 12
Oracle: Shaundez Davis - 12, Kenny White - 11, Shakur Bridges - 10, Rakim Graves - 11, Darius Embry - 11, Andra Austin - 12, Jamal Woods - 11
Health Sciences: Malik Walker - 12, Nasir Flood - 12, Mikel Carr - 12, Dayquan Williams - 11, Tyquan Jordan - 11, Carson Wiseman - 11, Kam Rashada - 11, Tyrin Lott - 9
WNY Maritime: Damon Glenn - 12, Arkeil Gaskins - 12, DeQuan Sanders - 9
Global Concepts: Fred Searles - 12, Nick Moylan - 12, Lincoln Billingslea - 11, Fabian Pierce - 11
Buffalo Science: Joe Owens - 12, Neil squires - 12, Jazzmone Brown - 12, Abdullah Farah - 12, Aristotle Copeland - 12, Lauren Killian - 11, David Harris - 11, Roland Taylor - 11, Julian Johnson - 10, Georges Cortes - 10, JaQuez McMullin - 10, Deonte Brown - 10, Julian Allen - 9
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New Coaches
Giulio Colangelo - Niagara Catholic
Tony Pulvirenti - Cardinal O'Hara
Karl Maggiore - DaVinci
Pat Foster - Lafayette
Joe Pawlak - Roy-Hart
Jack O'Brien - Dunkirk
Bill Torrey - Portville
David Phiblad - Pine Valley
Camilo Hoyos - CSAT
Ben Ganschow - Buffalo Science
***********************************************
Classification Changes
South Park moves up from Class A2 to Class A1
Starpoint moves down from Class A1 to Class A2
Iroquois moves down from Class A1 to Class A2
West Seneca East moves down from Class A1 to Class A2
East Aurora moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
Springville moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
Albion moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
Maryvale moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
Olean moves up from Class B1 to Class A2
Dunkirk moves up from Class B1 to Class A2
Fredonia moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Falconer moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
City Honors moves up from Class B2 to Class B1
Fredonia moves up from Class B2 to Class B1
Falconer moves up from Class B2 to Class B1
Salamanca moves down from Class B2 to Class C1
Gowanda moves down from Class B2 to Class C1
Middle College moves down from Class C1 to Class C2
Holland moves down from Class C1 to Class C2
Portville moves down from Class C1 to Class C2
Maple Grove moves down from Class C2 to Class D
I-Prep moves down from Class C2 to Class D
Westfield moves down from Class C2 to Class D
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Predictions
MMA - Canisius
Yale Cup I - McKinley
Yale Cup II - I-Prep
ECIC I - Jamestown
ECIC II - Williamsville South
ECIC III - Cheektowaga
ECIC IV - Lackawanna
NFL - Niagara Falls
N-O - Wilson
CCAA I West - Fredonia
CCAA I East - Silver Creek
CCAA II West - Maple Grove
CCAA II East - Franklinville
Charters: Tapestry
Manhattan Cup: Nichols
Class AA: Jamestown
Class A1: McKinley
Class A2: Cheektowaga
Class B1: Depew
Class B2: East
Class C1: Silver Creek
Class C2: Middle College
Class D: Maple Grove
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