The Pastor-Cooper Showcase tips tonight, so it's official...high school hoops season is here!
Below in this year's version of the Pre-View From Centercourt, you will find:
- What's New
- Coaching Changes
- Classification Changes
- Top Nonleague Games
- Returning 2012 All-Centercourt Players
- Player Watch List for 2012-2013
- A League-by-League look at top returning players & newcomers
- Predictions
- Preseason Top 10
What's New
- Middle Early College dropped the OTC, so in place of OTC/MEC, I'm going old school and calling them Middle College again
- Sweet Home moved from ECIC I to ECIC II
- Lake Shore moved from ECIC II to ECIC III
- Ellicottville moved down to CCAA IV, while Panama bumped up to CCAA III
- Sectional seeding points will be updated more regularly this year - details when they're available
- There is now a Yale Cup I, II, & III, and Middle College will play up in League I with the big boys, despite its BEDS numbers
- Depew head coach Larry Jones has replaced former Lew-Port head coach Jim Walker as the Section VI Boy's Basketball Chairman
- The Canisius/St. Joe's rivalry games will both be played at the Canisius College Koessler Center this season
- In Section V, Bishop Kearney (who added another tower to its roster) moved up to Class AA and Batavia moved down to Class B1
- Williamsville South and Allegany-Limestone will finally play each other this year...twice
- Two new charter schools will compete in Section VI - Global Concepts & Health Sciences
- Dunkirk has seriously stepped up its nonleague schedule: Home & home with Silver Creek (C2 champ), at McKinley (A1 champ), and at Frontier (AA semifinalist).
New Coaches
Gabe Michael, Williamsville South
Ben Scaffidi, Starpoint
Paul Rath, St. Mary's
John Reinholz, Nichols
David Nieves, Hutch-Tech
Matt Bradshaw, Lew-Port
Darren Kresge, Tapestry Charter
Dave Carson, Barker
Joe Mihalics, Bishop Timon/St. Jude
Brian Ferris, St. Francis
Ron Krysztof, Grand Island
Tim Anderson, Falconer
Classification Changes
North Tonawanda moves down from Class AA to Class A1
West Seneca East moves down from Class A1 to Class A2
Starpoint moves down from Class A1 to Class A2
Lake Shore moves down from Class A1 to Class A2
Bennett moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
East Aurora moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
Maryvale moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
Albion moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
Lafayette moves down from Class A2 to Class B1
East moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Medina moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Buffalo Arts moves down from Class B1 to Class B2
Allegany-Limestone moves down from Class B2 to Class C1
DaVinci moves up from Class C2 to Class C1
Randolph moves up from Class C2 to Class C1
Olmsted moves up from Class D to Class C2
Top Nonleague Games
12/5 - Williamsville East vs. Middle College @ Daemen College
12/6 - East vs. St. Mary's @ Daemen College
12/6 - Timon vs. McKinley @ Daemen College
12/7 - Bishop Kearney @ Niagara Falls
12/8 - Jamestown vs. Williamsville South @ NFHS
12/8 - Brunswick (OH) @ Niagara Falls
12/8 - East @ Olean (projected in round two of tournament)
12/11 - Jamestown vs. St. Joe's @ St. Mary's
12/11 - Canisius vs. Olean @ St. Mary's
12/12 - Williamsville South @ St. Mary's
12/12 - CSAT @ Middle College
12/14 - St. Joe's @ McKinley
12/18 - Bishop Kearney @ Canisius
12/20 - Middle College @ St. Joe's
12/22 - Timon @ Jamestown (projected in round two of tournament)
1/17 - Bishop Kearney @ St. Joe's
1/18 - Timon @ Bishop Kearney
1/19 - St. Joe's @ Aquinas
1/19 - Canisius vs. McKinley @ City Honors
1/19 - East vs. East Aurora @ City Honors
2/2 - Niagara Falls @ Bishop Kearney
2/4 - Oracle Charter @ Olmsted
2/6 - Timon @ Bishop Kearney
2/7 - Canisius @ Cathedral Prep
2/9 - Nichols @ Aquinas
2/12 - St. Joe's @ Frontier
2/12 - Aquinas @ Timon
2/13 - Olmsted @ Tapestry Charter
2/14 - Sweet Home @ St. Joe's
2/14 - Williamsville North @ Williamsville East
2/14 - Dunkirk @ Silver Creek
2/18 - Cleveland Hill @ St. Mary's
The Players
Nine of the top 25 players from the 2012 All-Centercourt teams return to the WNY high school hoops scene, along with another 13 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.
Returning 2012 1st Teamers
Adam Weir - Sr., Canisius: 18 ppg, 7 reb. Helped lead the Crusaders to a second straight Manhattan Cup championship, where he earned MVP honors, while leading team in postseason scoring. His familiarity with success on the Koessler Center floor should serve him well when he continues his hoops career with Canisius College after high school.
Sterling Taplin - Jr., Williamsville North: 19.1 ppg, 5.7 reb, 3.6 asst, 2.7 stl. Sank five 3-pointers and scored 13 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter of the AA semifinal in an effort that fell just short of an upset bid against eventual champion Niagara Falls. Enters his junior season having already eclipsed 1,000 career points.
Returning 2012 Second Teamer
Jermaine Crumpton - Sr., Niagara Falls: 17 ppg, 7 reb, 3 asst, 2 blk. Helped to lead the Wolverines back to prominence as they recaptured the Class AA title, defeating Jamestown . Played very well against top competition, including game-highs in points and rebounds when Falls faced Milton, a team that finished in the top ten nationally in 2012. Crumpton will also continue playing hoops for Canisius College following graduation.
Returning 2012 Third Teamers
Tommy Campion - Sr., Jamestown: 18.6 ppg, 4.3 asst, 2.1 stls. The lone returning starter from the Class AA NYS runners-up in 2011, Campion's leadership and abilities on the court returned the Red Raiders to Class AA Section VI championship game. He shared ECIC I Player of the Year honors with Taplin thanks to his contributions in all phases of the game for Jamestown.
Sam Eckstrom - Jr., Olean: 14.8 ppg, 9.2 reb, 2.0 blk. Helped lead a Huskies squad loaded with expectations to the brink of a state title in just his sophomore campaign. His footwork and positioning in the post, along with a soft touch around the rim, make him the most fundamentally sound junior big man WNY has seen since Will Regan.
Wil Bathurst - Jr., Olean: 11.8 ppg, 7.6 reb, 2.2 asst. Complemented Eckstrom's talents wonderfully to give the Huskies a potent 1-2 punch. Combines raw athleticism with a silky-smooth style that allows him to shoot from anywhere, get to the basket (and above) with ease, and snag every rebound within his radius that Eckstrom didn't already secure.
Returning 2012 Fourth Teamer
Zed Williams - Sr., Silver Creek
Returning 2012 Fifth Teamers
JJ Wilkes - Sr., Niagara Falls
Darnell Carson - Sr., CSAT
Returning 2012 Honorable Mentions
Johnathan Belton - Sr. (Amherst), Justice Feggans - Sr. (Riveride), Aaron White - Sr. (Canisius), Matt MacDonald - Sr. (Canisius), Quinton Campbell - Sr. (Kenmore West), Reyszon Jordan - Sr. (McKinley), Marcus Morris - Sr. (McKinley), Lovell Smith - Sr. (McKinley), Jordan Glover - Sr. (St. Joe's), Chaquiel Nettles - Sr. (Williamsville South), Clayton Hess - Sr. (Tonawanda), Nick Scmidt - Jr. (Olean), Brendan Cox - Jr. (East Aurora)
Other names to watch for this season
Jake Haight - Jr. (Barker), Steve Marcey - Sr. (Silver Creek), Jack Mulcahey - Sr. (Niagara Wheatfield), Kyle Radack - Sr. (Southwestern), Dylan Meyer - Jr. (Fredonia), Zach Blask - Sr. (Portville), John Coe - Sr. (Westfield), Louis Oliveri - Sr. (St. Joe's), Tyree Tyson - Jr. (East), Johnathan Lewis - Jr. (East), Fulton Bryant - Sr. (Timon), Bri'an Brown - Jr. (Middle College), Keir Anderson - Jr. (Middle College), Paul Rath - Sr. (St. Mary's), Brandon Kellam - So. (Jamestown), Kole Gilchrist - Sr. (Sweet Home), Jordan Parker - Sr. (Cleveland Hill), Ramir Burton - Sr. (Niagara Falls), Connor Sears - Sr. (Newfane), Lonnie Taylor - Sr. (Medina), Connor Ladd - Sr. (Akron)
League-by-league
MONSIGNOR MARTIN
Canisius
Key Returnees: Adam Weir - 12, Aaron White - 12, Matt MacDonald - 12, Jamel Mosley - 12, Jake Cercone - 12, Ryan Raccuia - 12
Key Newcomers: Ryan Richards - 11, Josh Huffman - 10, Patrick MacDonald - 11, Howard Washington - 9 (Transfer from City Honors)
St. Joe's
Key Returnees: Jordan Glover - 12, Jalen Morris - 12, Mark Cerza - 12, Louis Oliveri - 12, Dan Maher - 12, Dylan Hall - 12
Key Newcomers: Justin Hollins - 11, Tremaine Shelton - 11 (Transfer from Buffalo Arts), Tyler Hill - 11
Bishop Timon/St. Jude
Key Returnees: Bryant Fulton - 12, Donte Williams - 11, Manny Welch - 12,
Key Newcomers: Derick Simpson - 10, Kyler Hairston (Transfer from Park School), Brandon Donohue, Sean Murphy
St. Francis
Key Returnees: Cory Cullen - 12, Brennan Macey - 12, David Kennedy - 11, Wenny Xie - 12
Key Newcomers: Treyvon Holness - 11 (Transfer from Montreal), Maurice Burse - 11 (Transfer from Lackawanna), Devantie Campbell - 11 (Transfer from Montreal), Austin Taylor - 11, Chris Shriver - 11
Nichols
Key Returnees: Liam Ryan - 12, Christopher Miner - 10, Cam Lewis - 10, Adam Noonan - 12
Key Newcomer: Tom Nuttle - 11, Jack Vance - 11
St. Mary's
Key Returnees: Paul Rath - 12, Latrell Tyson - 12, Quinn Gill - 12
Key Newcomers: Tyler English - 11, Corey Kiebzak - 11, Matt Wrobel - 11, Dione Strong - 11, Jake Concannon - 10
Niagara Catholic
Key Returnee: Jonathan Jackson - 11
Cardinal O'Hara
Archbishop Walsh
YALE CUP I
McKinley
Key Returnees: Marcus Morris - 12, Lovell Smith - 12, Reyjzon Jordan - 12, Deonte Bell - 12, Samuel Smith - 12, DaeQuan Warren - 12, Stephen Johnson - 12
East
Key Returnees: Tyree Tyson - 11, Johnathan Lewis - 11, Damone Brown - 10, Dajuan Quarles - 12
Key Newcomer: Percy Bryant - 10 (Transfer from St. Mary's)
Riverside
Key Returnees: Justice Feggans - 12, Shawn Johnson - 12, Willie Smith - 11, Jarmel Caldwell - 11
Key Newcomers: Jevon Rosier - 11, Jovell Littlejohn - 10
Middle College
Key Returnees: Bri'an Brown - 11, Keir Anderson - 12, Kevin Briggs (formerly Reese) - 11, TJ Scott - 11, Brandon Jefferson - 11, Donavin McLean - 12, Aterah Dickinson - 12
Key Newcomers: Isaiah Jenkins - 10, Joseph Staton - 9, Khoron Ferguson - 9, Devon Singleton - 11, X-Ray Xavier Drayton - 11, Elijah Mingo - 11
Hutch-Tech
Key Returnees: Tim Whitehead - 12, Roman West - 11, Jovohn Owens - 12, Amanuel Radford - 11
South Park
Key Returnees: Zachary Kaczor - 11, Tyrell Mitchell - 12, Darius White - 12
Bennett
Key Returnees: Aurelio Ayala - 12
YALE CUP II
I-Prep
Key Returnees: Justice Radford - 12, Damon Boykin - 11, DaQuan Evans - 10
City Honors
Key Returnees: Marqell Massey - 11, James Miller - 11, Yusef Burgos - 11, Matt Cieslik - 10, Jordahn Summers - 10
Burgard
Key Returnees: Daquan Walker - 12
MST Seneca
Key Returnees: JaVaughn McNab - 12, RayShawn Jones - 12
Key Newcomers: Adrian Blackmon - 11, Ben Bolden - 11
YALE CUP III
Olmsted
Key returnees: Jalen Schumaker - 12, Malcolm Hendrick - 10, Ballah Burch - 11
Buffalo Arts
Key Returnees: Derek Simpson - 10
Lafayette
Key Returnees: Jon Colon - 12
Emerson
Key Returnee: Lenny Dowell
DaVinci
ECIC I
Jamestown
Key Returnees: Tommy Campion - 12, Quinn Lee Yaw - 11, Brandon Kellam - 10, Zack Panebianco - 10
Williamsville North
Key Returnees: Sterling Taplin - 11, David Berkun - 12, George Attea - 10, Aman Washington - 12
Clarence
Key Returnees: Bobby Florio - 12, Ryan Funk - 11, Bryan Jost - 11, Elliott Case - 11
Key Newcomers: Tanner Schmidt - 10 (Transfer from Nichols), Matt Sadowy - 10, Emaure Williams - 11
Lancaster
Key Returnees: Sean Murray - 12, Jacob Plonka - 12, Joe Jankowski - 11, Steve Musso - 12, Mac Garby - 12, Colin Stotz - 12
Key Newcomers: Tyler Lis - 10, Griffin O'Brien - 10, Eric Zimpfer - 11
West Seneca West
Key Returnees: Nick Clancy - 11
Orchard Park
Frontier
ECIC II
Williamsville East
Key Returnees: Michael Spina - 12, Cort Williams - 10, Nicholas Clough - 10, Zachary Bischel - 12
Williamsville South
Key Returnees: Damian Powers - 12, Pat Stasiak - 12, Chaquiel Nettles - 12, Trent Ferguson - 12, Jack Fitzpatrick - 12, Sam Castronova - 10
Iroquois
Key Returnees: Nate Wilkinson - 12, Matthew Zimmerman - 12
Sweet Home
Key Returnees: Kole Gilchrist - 12, Khalid Barnes - 12
Hamburg
Key Returnees: Kyle Violanti - 12, Andrew Sardinia - 12, Griffin Ryan - 11, Jeremiah Bill - 11, Tony Guzzetta - 12, Matt Odre - 12
Key Newcomers: Tim Kane - 11, Kyle Munro - 10, Joe DeGrood - 10
West Seneca East
Key Returnees: Alex Pacer - 12, Austin Spindler - 12, Corey Fermo - 12, Matt Kumro - 10
Key Newcomers: Nick Parucki - 1o, Ed Radka - 9, Dan Picciano - 9
Starpoint
Key Returnees: Andrew Rankie - 12, Julian Mott - 11, Ian Emerick - 10
ECIC III
Amherst
Key Returnees: Johnathan Belton - 12, Dion Lewis - 12, Alex Turecki - 12, Dorian Billups - 10
East Aurora
Key Returnees: Brendan Cox - 11, Ian Allen - 12, James Ritchie - 12, Grant Haffenden - 11
Key Newcomers: Mike Coatsworth - 10, Kevin Tierney - 11
Cheektowaga
Key Returnees: Zak Ciezki - 10, Derek Clyburn - 12, Dileon Pearsall - 12
Depew
Key Returnees: Derek Sekuterski - 11, Jake Lamb - 11, Nate Hyman - 12
Maryvale
Key Returnees: Tyler Smith - 12, Demetri McCallie - 12, Max Aikin - 12, Tyler Graham - 12
Key Newcomers: William Lamar - 8
Pioneer
Key Returnees: Terik Lewis - 12, Connor Johnson - 12, Dylan Souder - 12, Ryan Miller - 12
Key Newcomer: Bryce Little - 10
Lake Shore
Key Returnees: Clark Brueckl - 12, Ryan Joslyn - 12, Wade Bergum - 11
Key Newcomers: Matt Vona - 11, Colin Hart - 11
Springville
ECIC IV
Cleveland Hill
Key Returnees: Jared Watkins - 11, Jordan Parker - 12, Rayshawn Smalls - 12, Richard Sotero - 12, Andrej Krajewski - 12
Key Newcomers: Aaron Phillips - 11, Jermaine Hairston - 10
Lackawanna
Key Returnees: Shaquille Brooks - 12, Cam Smith - 11, Norman Sweat - 12, Deron Adams - 12
Key Newcomer: Ahmad Abdo - 12
Tonawanda
Key Returnees: Clayton Hess - 12, Ben Stitch - 11
Key Newcomer: Tristan Bolling - 10
Holland
Key Returnees: Clay Lewis - 10, Curtis Blendinger - 12
JFK
Key Returnees: Nick Anderson - 12
Alden
Key Returnees: Corey Barczykowski - 12
Eden
Key Returnees: Brad Palmerton - 11
Niagara Frontier League
Niagara Falls
Key Returnees: Jermaine Crumpton - 12, JJ Wilkes - 12, Ramir Burton - 12, Stefon Caffee - 12, Tikere Ralands - 12, Vinzell Watkins - 11
Key Newcomer: Jamar Waters - 10 (Transfer from Nichols)
Kenmore West
Key Returnees: Quinton Campbell - 12, Alex Price - 11, Joel Northup - 12, Shay Cuadra - 12, Adam From - 11
Key Newcomers: Terell Ford - 9, Tyler Grandits - 11
Grand Island
Key Returnees: Nick Soos - 12, Ryan Ross - 11, Jordan Jelks - 12, Corey Adamshick - 12
North Tonawanda
Key Returnees:
Niagara Wheatfield
Key Returnees: Jack Mulcahey - 12, Anthony Cappucilli - 12, Chris Galvano - 12
Lockport
Kenmore East
Lew-Port
Niagara-Orleans
Akron
Key Returnees: Connor Ladd - 12, Austin Mietz - 12, Noah Diebel - 11, Gowah Abrams - 12, Steve Poodry - 12
Key Newcomers: Sturgis Sundown - 12, Austen Lauricella - 11
Newfane
Key Returnees: Connor Sears - 12, Bryan Geise - 12, Reid Weber - 12, Alex Intihar - 12, Jake O'Keefe - 12, Brian "Rat" Ratajczak - 12
Key Newcomers: Jimmer Branca - 12, Ryan Doyle - 12, Sean Costello - 11, Josh Kneeland - 11
CSAT
Key Returnees: Darnell Carson - 12, Dylanta Carson - 10
Key Newcomers: Alex Santos - 11, Quinton Lamar - 9, Bryan Locke - 10
Medina
Key Returnees: Lonnie Taylor - 12, Dan "Mungie" Brown - 12, Jason Hellwig - 10
Barker
Key Returnees: Jake Haight - 11, Mitchell Luckman - 11, Bryce Moeller - 11, Chris Sweeney - 10, Brett Cole - 12, Hayden Gooding - 11
Key Newcomer: Jared Worthington - 11
Roy-Hart
Key Returnees: Brad Bobbitt - 12, Blake Copella - 12, Ryan Farewell - 12, Marc Roman - 11, Alex Stoddard - 11
Key Newcomers: Andy Xapsos - 9, Austin Heschke - 11, DeRon Woods - 11, Sam White - 10
Wilson
Key Returnee: Matt Baker
Albion
CCAA I
Olean
Key Returnees: Sam Eckstrom - 11, Wil Bathurst - 11, Nick Schmidt - 11, Luke Hennessey - 11, Max Portlow - 12, Pat Scholla - 12, Evan Ryan - 12
Key Newcomers: Dante Tarr - 11, Chris Gayton - 11
Fredonia
Key Returnees: Dylan Meyer - 11, Nick Johnston - 11, John Piper - 10
Southwestern
Key Returnees: Kyle Radack - 12, Alek Peck - 12, Peter Trathen - 12, Nick Baglia - 12, Jacob Pilling - 12, Kyle Moran - 11, Andrew Greenlee - 12
Top Newcomers: Riley Ribicki - 11, Nathan Schrope - 11
Falconer
Key Returnees: Brandon DePietro - 11, Nick Conti - 11
Dunkirk
Key Returnees: Marquel Ruiz - 12, Jacob Lockett - 12, Drew Messina - 12
Key Newcomer: Emanuel (Manny) Masonet - 11
Allegany-Limestone
Key Returnees: Dom Saglimben - 11, Ryan Vossler - 11, Caswell Stanton - 12
Key Newcomers: Dom Conroy - 10, Trevin Barber - 12
Gowanda
Key Returnees: Chase Williams - 11, Brennan Geiger - 11, Zach Stevens - 11
Key Newcomer: Jordan Young - 10
CCAA II
Silver Creek
Key Returnees: Zed Williams - 12, Kaine Kettle - 11, Steve Marcey - 12
Key Newcomers: Bill Brooks - 10, Brennan White - 10
Portville
Key Returnees: Zach Blask - 12, Josh Watson - 12
Randolph
Key Returnees: Bryce Morrison - 10
Salamanca
Key Returnees: Tanner John - 12
Key Newcomer: Damion Taylor - 11
Frewsburg
Key Returnees: Alex Elderkin - 12
Cassadaga Valley
Key Returnees: Randy Dabala - 12
Cattaraugus Little Valley
CCAA III
Maple Grove
Key Returnees: Jeff Tampe - 12, Will Soffel - 12, Aaron Germain - 12, Austin Goerke - 12, Oliver Simpson - 12
Westfield
Key Returnees: John Coe - 12
Panama
Key Returnees: Alec Blose - 12, Dan Odell - 11, Brandon Lewis - 12
Chautauqua Lake
Key Returnees: Ian Clute - 11, Cody Thomas - 12, Jeremiah Russin - 12, Jordan Briggs - 12
Pine Valley
Key Returnees: Lucas Trombley - 12
Forestville
Key Returnees: Jacob Nosbisch - 11
Franklinville
CCAA IV
Sherman
Key Returnees: Ryan Robson - 11, Andrew Graham - 11, Devin Moorhead - 11
Clymer
Key Returnees: Dan Lictus - 12, Connor Payne - 12, Mitch Einink - 11, Jacob Wiggers - 11, Caleb Clark - 12
Brocton
Key Returnees: Dan Ferguson - 12, Jordan Patterson - 12, Macalum Buchanan - 11
West Valley
Key Returnees: Mike Grigsby - 12, Colton Myers - 12
Ellicottville
Key Returnees: Cameron Wilson - 11, Storm Wilson - 12, Alex Steinbroner - 12
North Collins
Ripley
Charter Schools
Oracle
Key Returnees: Gerald Bibbs - 12, Julius Allen - 12, Jamarr Cunningham - 12, Eric Waters - 12
Key Newcomers: Nelson Modi - 11, Jayson Jones-Johnson - 11, Antone Gullege - 11
Tapestry
Key Returnees: Tom Lucas - 12, Tong Mawein - 12, Jon Spears - 11
Key Newcomers: Gary Foster - 9, JaQuoine Fogan - 9
WNY Maritime
Buffalo Science
Health Sciences
Global Concepts
Predictions
Manhattan Cup: Canisius
Class AA: Jamestown
Class A1: McKinley
Class A2: Amherst
Class B1: Olean
Class B2: East
Class C1: Middle College
Class C2: Silver Creek
Class D: Clymer
- McKinley, Olean, & Middle College will all advance to Glens Falls
- Olean will win the Class B State Championship
- Canisius will win the CHSAA Class A State Championship
- Section V "super power" Bishop Kearney will lose one of its games played against a WNY team this year (Falls, Canisius, St. Joe's, Timon)...or maybe Jamestown)
Preseason Top 10 - Large Schools
1. Canisius
2. Jamestown
3. Niagara Falls
4. McKinley
5. St. Joe's
6. Bishop Timon/St. Jude
7. Williamsville North
8. Clarence
9. Amherst
10. Riverside
Preseason Top 10 Small Schools
1. Olean
2. East
3. Middle College
4. Silver Creek
5. East Aurora
6. Depew
7. Nichols
8. St. Mary's
9. Cleveland Hill
10. CSAT
-centercourt
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