The View From Centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings 2022 - Week 9

 

The ninth state rankings for the 2022 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Jamestown #17

 

Class A

Canisius #10

Amherst #18

 

Class B

Olean #4

Timon #15

St. Mary's #23

 

Class C

Randolph #6

 

Class D

Westfield #4

Clymer #9

Pine Valley #17

 

According to the rankings...

- No one checked the Canisius results when ranking the teams in NYS Class AA.  Jamestown sits one spot ahead of Aquinas at #17.  The Red Raiders lost to Canisius by double figures, while Aquinas defeated Canisius twice this season, once on Delaware Avenue.  Apparently all small potatoes in the grand scheme of things, as the rankings see Victor heading past both of them on the way to states this year. 

- Chaminade will win a CHSAA Class A state championship, but will need to travel to Buffalo and win at Canisius before hand.  They are currently ranked #4 in the state, while Canisius sits at #10.

- East High of Rochester defeated Health Sciences at the Centercourt Classic.  Amherst is projected to do the same in the upcoming postseason, as the Tigers are ranked one spot behind East High and NYS Class A at #18.

 

- The only public school from here to Syracuse ranked in NYS class B is the Olean Huskies.

- Despite slipping to #15 in NYS Class B, Timon is still the team to beat for a CHSAA state championship.  Unless of course, they reach the Manhattan Cup Final, which would take them out of contention and send a knockout tournament winner as the best representative for a Class B state championship push.

 

- Lyons will defeat Oakfield-Alabama in Section V to reach the Far West Regional against Randolph at Buff State, where they are projected to beat the Cardinals also.

 

- Avoca-Prattsburgh win’s the class D state championship going away.  On Wednesday night, they defeated Lyons, who entered the game as the #1 ranked team in NYS Class C.  Currently there could only be two teams in all of Class C better than A-P, according to the rankings, as Lyons is now at #3.  I actually made the trip out and had the pleasure of watching that game and will attest that in my opinion, Avoca-Prattsburgh has all the makings of a state champion.   Crown Point will need both a backslash & a hyphen, along with some Wheaties.

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/31/22 - 2/6/22

 

Monday, January 31st

McKinley @ I-Prep - 6 pm

Canisius @ St. Mary's - 6:30 pm

Nichols @ St. Francis - 7 pm 

 

Tuesday, February 1st

Ken West @ CSAT - 6:30 pm

Iroquois @ Williamsville East - 6:30 pm

 Salamanca @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Olean - 7:30 pm

Sherman @ Panama - 7:30 pm

Clymer @ Westfield - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, February 2nd

St. Joe's @ Aquinas - 6:30 pm

Jamestown @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, February 3rd

Burgard @ Olmsted - 6 pm

CSAT @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Lew-Port @ Niagara Falls - 6:30 pm

Nichols @ Timon - 6:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ Depew - 7 pm

Canisius @ Health Sciences - 7 pm

 

Friday, February 4th

Centercourt Classic at Hamburg HS

Iroquois vs. Niagara Wheatfield - 6 pm

Cardinal O'Hara vs. Hamburg - 7:45 pm

 

Saturday, February 5th

Centercourt Classic at Hamburg HS

Nichols vs. Niagara Falls - 12 pm

Williamsville East vs. Olean - 1:45 pm

St. Joe's vs. Amherst - 3:30 pm

Canisius vs. Jamestown - 5:15 pm

Health Sciences vs. East High (Rochester) - 7 pm

 

-centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings - Week 6

 

 

The sixth state rankings for the 2022 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Orchard Park #13

Jamestown #19

 

Class A

Canisius #14

 

Class B

Timon #5

Olean #7

Nichols #14

St. Mary's #21

 

Class C

Salamanca #8

Randolph #9

 

Class D

Westfield #5

Clymer #10

Panama #13

Pine Valley #18

 

According to the rankings...

- Orchard Park is up to #13 in NYS Class AA, one spot ahead of Aquinas, who had been previously unranked, but came crashing in all the way up to #14 after knocking off Canisius for a second time this season on Saturday.  One of the teams they jumped in the rankings was #19 Jamestown, who Orchard Park plays this week.

 

- Canisius falls spots to #14 in NYS Class A for losing to Aquinas who got rewarded for the win with the above mentioned poll crash!  Also, I believe during conversations this week about Class A rankings, it was suggested that St. Joes & Health Sciences were worthy of serious consideration and would be prime candidates for the magic of expanded rankings --- when they just add five teams to a classification (ranking 25 teams instead of 20).  And I also believe that to combat the suggestion of ranking those two good Class A teams (Joe's & Health), the committee used their magic to take teams away instead...reducing the number of teams ranked in Class AA to 20.  Well...22 I guess, because of the new magic that allows for three teams to be 'tied' for #20 in NYS Class AA.  Uh oh, it's magic!

 

- Nichols falls to #14 in NYS Class B from #5 (that's right, they got bumped to #5 last week after the rankings were released and originally had them at #9).  I know this all gets very convoluted.  And magical.  But anyway, Timon got sent back to #8 (not #9 where Nichols was when the rankings first came out, but #8) and Olean, the most steady hoops program in WNY, remained steady at #7 in NYS Class B.  You all with me still?   Ok, so Nichols loses to Class A (non-powers apparently) St.Joe's & Health and falls from #5 to #14.  Meanwhile, St. Mary's loses by 35 points to Timon (#8 and #5 in NYS Class B all in the same week) and stays at #21 in NYS Class B...because Class B still ranks 25 teams, the only Classification that ranks more than 20.  Except for Class AA which has ties & 22 teams.  And Class C, which also has ties, but only 21 teams.  :)

 

- Salamanca jumps two spots to #8 in NYS Class C, past Randolph who remains #9 in NYS Class C.  They fell behind Randolph in last week's rankings after losing to the Cardinals and both teams have won all their games since.  

 

- What sits smack dab in the middle of two hyphens?  Crown Point does!  After pointing out that Avoca-Prattsburgh was a hyphen and South Kortright/Andes was a backslash, the Avoca and Prattsburgh school districts were awarded a backslash in a formal ceremony at Tracy's house.  But let's keep the celebration brief, because there's a serious investigation pending...are Crown and Point in fact two different schools looking to provide opportunities to kids by combining to make one super power?  Hmmm.  Are they a backslash?  A hyphen?  Or just a traditional school district like the ones Section VI sends to the Far West Regionals in Class D?  More to come on this Crown Point.

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

The sixth state rankings for the 2022 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Orchard Park #13

Jamestown #19

 

Class A

Canisius #14

 

Class B

Timon #5

Olean #7

Nichols #14

St. Mary's #21

 

Class C

Salamanca #8

Randolph #9

 

Class D

Westfield #5

Clymer #10

Panama #13

Pine Valley #18

 

According to the rankings...

- Orchard Park is up to #13 in NYS Class AA, one spot ahead of Aquinas, who had been previously unranked, but came crashing in all the way up to #14 after knocking off Canisius for a second time this season on Saturday.  One of the teams they jumped in the rankings was #19 Jamestown, who Orchard Park plays this week.

 

- Canisius falls spots to #14 in NYS Class A for losing to Aquinas who got rewarded for the win with the above mentioned poll crash!  Also, I believe during conversations this week about Class A rankings, it was suggested that St. Joes & Health Sciences were worthy of serious consideration and would be prime candidates for the magic of expanded rankings --- when they just add five teams to a classification (ranking 25 teams instead of 20).  And I also believe that to combat the suggestion of ranking those two good Class A teams (Joe's & Health), the committee used their magic to take teams away instead...reducing the number of teams ranked in Class AA to 20.  Well...22 I guess, because of the new magic that allows for three teams to be 'tied' for #20 in NYS Class AA.  Uh oh, it's magic!

 

- Nichols falls to #14 in NYS Class B from #5 (that's right, they got bumped to #5 last week after the rankings were released and originally had them at #9).  I know this all gets very convoluted.  And magical.  But anyway, Timon got sent back to #8 (not #9 where Nichols was when the rankings first came out, but #8) and Olean, the most steady hoops program in WNY, remained steady at #7 in NYS Class B.  You all with me still?   Ok, so Nichols loses to Class A (non-powers apparently) St.Joe's & Health and falls from #5 to #14.  Meanwhile, St. Mary's loses by 35 points to Timon (#8 and #5 in NYS Class B all in the same week) and stays at #21 in NYS Class B...because Class B still ranks 25 teams, the only Classification that ranks more than 20.  Except for Class AA which has ties & 22 teams.  And Class C, which also has ties, but only 21 teams.  :)

 

- Salamanca jumps two spots to #8 in NYS Class C, past Randolph who remains #9 in NYS Class C.  They fell behind Randolph in last week's rankings after losing to the Cardinals and both teams have won all their games since.  

 

- What sits smack dab in the middle of two hyphens?  Crown Point does!  After pointing out that Avoca-Prattsburgh was a hyphen and South Kortright/Andes was a backslash, the Avoca and Prattsburgh school districts were awarded a backslash in a formal ceremony at Tracy's house.  But let's keep the celebration brief, because there's a serious investigation pending...are Crown and Point in fact two different schools looking to provide opportunities to kids by combining to make one super power?  Hmmm.  Are they a backslash?  A hyphen?  Or just a traditional school district like the ones Section VI sends to the Far West Regionals in Class D?  More to come on this Crown Point.

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/24/22 - 1/30/22

 

Monday, January 24th

Iroquois @ Sweet Home - 6:30 pm

Orchard Park @ Lancaster - 7:30 pm

Hamburg @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 25th

Olmsted @ Burgard - 4:30 pm

St. Mary's @ St. Joe's - 6:30 pm

Cardinal O'Hara @ Timon - 6:30 pm

Lew-Port @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Pioneer @ Maryvale - 6:30 pm

Riverside @ McKinley - 6:30 pm

St. Francis @ Canisius - 7 pm

Randolph @ Southwestern - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 26th

Sweet Home @ Amherst - 7:30 pm

Orchard Park @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

Williamsville East @ Willaimsville South - 7:30 pm

Hamburg @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 27th

City Honors @ Burgard - 4 pm

Lew-Port @ Niagara Wheatfield - 6:30 pm

Southwestern @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

Salamanca @ Olean - 7:30 pm

Dunkirk @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 21st

Riverside @ Olmsted - 6 pm

St. Joe's @ Timon - 6:30 pm

Jamestown @ Elmira - 7 pm

Cheektowaga @ Tapestry - 7 pm

St. Mary's @ Nichols - 7:30 pm

Clarence @ Hamburg - 7:30 pm

NFL vs. ECIC Challenge at North Tonawanda

CSAT vs. Frontier - 5 pm

Lew-Port vs. Williamsville South - 6:30 pm

Niagara Wheatfield vs. Orchard Park - 8 pm

 

Saturday, January 22nd

Hilton @ Olean - 11 am

Hutch-Tech @ Middle College - 12:30 pm

Sherman @ Clymer - 3 pm

NFL vs. ECIC Challenge at North Tonawanda

Ken East vs. Depew - 12 pm

Lockport vs. Amherst - 1:30 pm

North Tonawanda vs. Iroquois - 3 pm

 

-centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings - Week 5

 

The fifth state rankings for the 2022 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Orchard Park #15

Jamestown #20

 

Class A

Canisius #10

St. Francis #20

 

Class B

Timon #5

Olean #7

Nichols #9

St. Mary's #21

 

Class C

Randolph #9

Salamanca #10

 

Class D

Westfield #5

Clymer #10

Panama #13

 

According to the rankings...

- The number of teams ranked in each class is arbitrary.  Class AA & Class B each have 25 teams ranked, while the other three classes only have 20 schools ranked.  It’s never quite consistent from year to year and often times in the past when the decisions get tough the rankings just get expanded to 30 teams in certain classifications or to 25 if they were at 20.  So for teams that have yet to bust into the rankings, be patient.  You never know when the rankings will magically expand.

 

- There are eight public school teams in the NYS Class AA Top 25 that remain undefeated, including Orchard Park and Victor from Section V.

 

- Canisius sits at #10 in NYS Class A, but still have two teams ahead of them in the CHSAA, meaning they would not be projected to win a state title.  St. Francis is the fifth ranked team in CHSAA Class A .

 

- Despite a most impressive string of wins for Nichols, the state rankings panel remains sold on Timon as not only the best Class B school from WNY, but also project for them to win the Class B state title in CHSAA.

 

- Olean is one of three public schools that remains undefeated in NYS Class B.  Lowville is another of those three schools.  Both teams own double-digit wins over Cardinal O’Hara this season.

- Not much separates the two best Class C teams from our area.  Randolph and Salamanca sit at #9 & #10 respectively in the NYS Class C state rankings.  The two have split a pair of meetings this season, with Randolph holding a slightly better point differential from the two games.  A third matchup between the two in March seems inevitable to me.  Interestingly, there are two teams from Section V ranked ahead of Randolph and Salamanca.  The Section VI Class C champion has advanced past the Section V champion in 7 of the last 10 Far West Regionals.

- Avoca and Prattsburgh combined talent to make one team and are listed with a hyphen (Avoca-Prattsburgh).  South Kortright and Andes did the same, but they use a backslash (South Kortright/Andes).  If they met in the Class D state final, it would be the first championship game in high school hoops that was also a final four...

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings 2022 - Week 4

 

The fourth state rankings for the 2022 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Orchard Park #15

Niagara Falls #16

Jamestown #21

 

Class A

Canisius #10

Amherst #17

St. Francis #20

 

Class B

Timon #5

Olean #7

Nichols #9

Tapestry #23

 

Class C

Salamanca #7

Randolph #10

 

Class D

Westfield #5

Clymer #10

Panama #11

 

According to the rankings...

 

- The winner of Section VI Class AA is pegged to win the Far West Regional and advance to Glens Falls.  Victor holds the highest Class AA ranking from Section V and they currently sit behind both Orchard Park and Niagara Falls.  Lots of season to go, maybe Jamestown spoils the party for everybody.

 

- The gap between Section V and Section VI is glaring.  Pittsford Mendon is once again a Class A power in Rochester, currently unbeaten at 9-0 and the highest ranked public school in NYS Class A (#3).  Amherst is the highest ranked public in Class A from Section VI, checking in at #17 this week.  They've climbed six spots since debuting at #23 to start the season.

 

- Olean is a couple months away from an eighth trip to Glens Falls in the last two decades.  The Huskies sit at #7 in NYS Class B and other than Tapestry at #23, they are the only public school from here to Syracuse appearing in the rankings.

 

- A Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser in Salamanca on Saturday night at 6 pm will feature a nonleague battle between a pair of Top 10 teams in NYS Class C when the Warriors host Randolph.

 

- Remember all the conspiracy cries in 2018 when East was in Class D and Section VI had the D's?  East won a state championship that season, emerging as local champion in a season that featured three Class D powers from Section VI (Franklinville & Ellicottville also).   Where's that same energy now that perennial Section V Class D powers Avoca & Prattsburgh have combined teams and hold down the #1 spot in NYS Class D?  

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/10/22 - 1/16/22

 

Monday, January 10th

Olean @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

Lancaster @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

Jamestown @ Frontier - 7:30 pm

Salamanca @ Southwestern - 7:30 pm

Panama @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 11th

Riverside @ City Honors - 6 pm

Timon @ Nichols - 6:30 pm

Niagara Wheatfield @ Niagara Falls - 6:30 pm

Amherst @ Williamsville East - 6:30 pm

Cardinal O'Hara @ St. Francis - 7 pm

Lockport @ Ken West - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 12th

St. Joe's @ Canisius - 6:30 pm

Frontier @ Hamburg - 7:30 pm

Jamestown @ Lancaster - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 13th

Nichols @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

St Francis @ St. Mary's - 7 pm

Fredonia @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 14th

Ken West @ Niagara Wheatfield - 6:30 pm

Health Sciences @ Tapestry - 7 pm

Hamburg @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 15th

Lancaster @ Clarence - 11:30 am

McKinley vs. Bishop Kearney ** at City Honors - 3:30

Randolph @ Salamanca - 6 pm

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/3/22 - 1/9/22

 

Monday, January 3rd

Timon @ Canisius - 6:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 4th

Westfield @ Burgard - 6 pm

Maryvale @ Iroquois - 6:30 pm

Niagara Wheatfield @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Hamburg @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

Frontier @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 5th

Timon @ St. Joe's - 6:30 pm

Nichols @ St. Mary's - 6:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 6th

Bennett @ McKinley - 6 pm

Fredonia @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

Olean @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

Sherman @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 7th

St. Francis @ Nichols - 6 pm

Burgard @ Riverside - 6 pm

Niagara Falls @ CSAT - 6:30 pm

St. Mary's @ Canisius - 7 pm

Orchard Park @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

Williamsville South @ Amherst - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 8th

Williamsville East @ Iroquois - 12 pm

Lancaster @ Lockport - 2:30 pm

St. Joe's @ Health Sciences - 4:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Randolph - 5 pm

 

-centercourt

Season Preview: 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2022 Preview contains:

- Commentary

- What's New

- Player Movement

- Returning 2021 All-Centercourt Players

- 20 Players to watch in 2022

- A League-by-League look at returning All-League selections

(MMA, Yale Cup, ECIC,  NFL, N-O, CCAA, & Charters)

- Coaching Changes

- Classification Changes

- Preseason Top 10 Large & Small Schools

- Predictions

 

Commentary

The finish to the 2020 season and the start of the 2021 season had something in common - blindsides.  Three nights prior to the March 2020 shut downs, I was watching games at Buff State.  One week prior to the start of the 2021 season, I was sitting on my couch, watching college basketball games played in empty arenas, with no real optimism of high school sports being played in the near future.  

The end of 2020 quite simply felt like we were robbed.  There was just no opportunity to further the championship aspirations that our winning teams had.  Then, after nearly a year of mandates and restrictions, the 2021 season initially felt like a gift.  Coaches and players were just grateful for any sense of normalcy and the opportunity to compete.  But the reality is, the 2021 season allowed for even less of a regular season, and an even shorter postseason.  Initially, no fans were allowed, which was amended to a pair of family members per player for the last few weeks.

The 2021 season was truly unlike any other.  No tournaments or major events, and no state rankings, because the only thing that mattered was how you stacked up in your own area.  The photos commemorating the season show players wearing chin straps, with bleachers that were never pulled out in the background.  And not a single repeat champion in any of the nine classifications in Section VI or in the Manhattan Cup, which has never happened in my 17 years on the scene. 

But on the positive side of things, some teams had an opportunity to win their final game on their home court.  The very best pictures that came out of last season are the ones of players cutting down the nets - something I had never seen before in high school basketball, and it was really cool!  Much was made early in the pandemic of heroes, usually referring to healthcare workers or those who are still getting to work when most of the world was shut down.  Well in the high school basketball world last year, I felt like the AD's & coaches were heroes.  Administrators scrambled to put a schedule together and make everything work.  The coaches demonstrated just how much they cared about their players and how dedicated they were to coaching the sport.  And one thing I can testify to from the 49 games I was able to witness in person, along with countless live streams I watched from home, the product on the court wasn’t compromised.  It was still basketball and the kids played their butts off!  To all the coaches, players, and administrators who made last season possible, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you.

Having seen only about a third of the action I'd normally get to last year, and being forced to pick which championship game I would attend instead of seeing them all, my grasp of the high school basketball world isn’t what it normally is at this time of year.  This is the latest I’ve ever produced a season preview, due at least in part, to the feeling that I’m shooting with my back to the basket.  So if I didn’t predict your team to win anything, that might be a good thing.

*******************

 

What's New ??

- Fans are back!  Events are back!!  Even state playoffs are back!!!

- The Centercourt Classic lineup for this season is bigger & better than ever.  The annual event is scheduled for February 4th & 5th at Hamburg High School.

- Regionals return to Buffalo for the first time since 2018!!  The 2020 season ended unceremoniously one day before Buff State was set to host 5 Far West Regional games and 2021 was a condensed seven-week season ending with sectional championships.

- The Manhattan Cup is once again a single tournament with one champion and games will be hosted by the higher seed.  The winner represents our area in the CHSAA Class A state playoffs.  A  Class B representative will also be determined via a knock out tournament as Class B teams in the Manhattan Cup Tournament are eliminated.  The caveat being, if a Class B teams reaches the Manhattan Cup Final, they would then face a win-or-go-home scenario. 

- Tapestry receives the charter school bump.  For the first time, the Thunderhawks will compete in Class B, despite having Class C BEDS numbers.  Health Sciences, the first Section VI charter school to be moved up in classification, originally from Class B2 to Class A2, and then all the way up to Class AA last year, returns to Class A2 for the 2022 campaign.

- Class B returns to its usual B1 & B2, after adding a Class B3 for the 2021 season.  Class C loses its traditional C1/C2 split this season and will crown a single champion among the 17 teams on JCC Friday in March, with no Class C crossover game.

 - The Lafayette Violets will not field a team this season.  The talent pool has merged with the Riverside Frontiers, leaving seven teams in Yale Cup II.

- After winning Class A1 a season ago, Hamburg moves into ECIC I, joining West Seneca West as the only Class A1 teams competing against the Class AA squads of that division.

- Iroquois joins ECIC II this season, after earning a league crown in ECIC III last year.

- Tonawanda returns to ECIC IV after one season in ECIC III.

- Springville returns to ECIC III after winning ECIC IV last season.

- The league formerly known as CCAA I East will now be called CCAA Central.  CCAA II East is now just CCAA East.  CCAA West I and CCAA West II are still leagues.  

- Maple Grove & Cassadaga Valley join CCAA Central from CCAA II West. 

- Chautauqua Lake slides into CCAA II West after a year in CCAA I East (now CCAA Central).

- Global Concepts & BASCS are both back in the fold after a year without them.

- After exiting the MMA following the 2019 season and competing as a NYSAIS Class A (Independent) for two seasons, head coach Rich Jacobs (2018 Centercourt Coach of the Year) and AD Marcus Hutchins have both resigned.  The Park School now returns to the IAC (New Life Christian, Stanley G Falk, Gow, CCA, etc) for the first time since 2013.

 

******************************************

 

Player Movement

Key Transfers

Jaiden Harrison:  West Seneca East ----> Timon

Malachi Parker:  Cheektowaga ----> Timon

Jacob Humphrey:  Cheektowaga ----> Timon

Jimmie Green:  Cardinal O'Hara ----> Health Sciences

Tyreke Hopkins:  CSAT ----> Health Sciences

Kydale Staten:  Cheektowaga ----> Health Sciences

Jalen Duff:  Lew-Port ----> Nichols

Parker Rey:  Orchard Park ----> Nichols

Luke Granto:  North Tonawanda ----> Canisius

Johnny Esposito:  Niagara Falls ----> Canisius

Rod Brown:  Sweet Home ----> Niagara Falls

Nicco DiGiulio:  St. Joe's ----> Williamsville South

Massimo Moretti:  Italy ----> St. Mary's

 

Early Prep School Departures

Josh Haskell - St. Joe's

Kamar Goudelock - Timon

Massai Graham - Tapestry

Dom Phillips - East Aurora 

 

Returning Studs

Joe Harrington (Lancaster) & Nick Whitfield (Fredonia) are back after missing their junior seasons (2021) due to injury.  Gabe McCoy (Randolph) returns to the team after playing his junior season in Florida.

 

** 2021 All-Centercourt Defender Brady Kustra of Hamburg suffered a football injury that will force him to miss his senior hoops season **

 

The Players

***  8 of the top 25 players from the 2021 All-Centercourt Team return to the WNY high school hoops scene, along with 13 players that received Honorable Mentions following last season.  

 

Returning First Teamers

Justin Glover - St. Joe's, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

14.1 PPG

7.2 APG

4.6 RPG

2.1 SPG

The four year starter and WNY assist leader in 2021 picked up a D2 offer from Daemen in the offseason after leading the Marauders to their first Manhattan Cup in 13 years.  The All-Centercourt Defender and quickest player in WNY consistently produces against the best teams in the area.

 

 

 

Max Schneider - Williamsville East, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

30.4 PPG

7.2 APG

2.7 SPG

1.9 RPG

After a two-week Covid pause during a seven-game season, he went on an absolute tear while playing back-to-backs and Sunday mornings.  The 2021 WNY scoring leader is only the 2nd player along with Dom Welch to average 30 plus points per game in Class A in over a decade.

 

 

 

 

Returning Second Teamer

Trey Kleitz - Iroquois, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

26.5 PPG

7.3 APG

6.3 SPG

6.0 RPG

Does everything on the hardwood for Iroquois at both ends, stuffing the stat sheet while providing a great example of sportsmanship & leadership.  Set the WNY record for TD passes in a season while leading the Chiefs to consecutive Section VI title games on the gridiron.

 

 

 

 

Returning Third Teamers

Jalen Duff - Nichols, Junior

Sophomore Season Stats:

28.3 PPG

5.0 RPG

3.8 APG

2.0 SPG

A proven scorer with over 1,000 already, Duff is always working and his game continues to flourish.  His combination of shooting, body & ball control, and understanding of the game has him ready to lead the Vikings in the MMA.

 

 

 

 

Xander Fletcher - Niagara Wheatfield, Junior

Sophomore Season Stats:

20.3 PPG

4.8 APG

4.7 RPG

2.8 SPG

Handles the ball like it's on a string, sets up himself & his teammates for easy money, and knocks down shots.  His defensive timing forces turnovers and gets the transition game going for the Falcons.

 

 

 

 

 

Returning Fourth Teamers

Jaiden Harrison - Timon, Sophomore

Junior Season Stats:

21.6 PPG

8.7 RPG

3.3 APG

1.8 SPG

A special talent and future D1 baller who played three varsity seasons at West Seneca East, arrives to keep the Tigers in the Manhattan Cup championship chase.  That WNY scoring record is in big trouble come 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

Declan Ryan - Canisius, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

15.7 PPG

7.9 RPG

1.2 APG

0.5 BPG

0.5 SPG

Looked dominant early om in the 2021 season before suffering an injury on a hustle play.  Outstanding hands & footwork in the paint and an automatic finisher.

 

 

 

 

Returning Fifth Teamer

Bryant Rosa - Riverside, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

24.5 PPG

4.2 APG

2.3 SPG

1.8 RPG

This BPS baller has flown under the radar despite All-State honors as a sophomore and leading the Frontiers to a league title & a sectional championship game appearance in 2021.  A polished player offensively with a great shot.

 

 

 

 

 

Returning 2021 Honorable Mentions

Trevin Boling - Tonawanda, Senior

29.9 PPG / 4.1 RPG / 1.4 APG / 1.3 SPG - as a junior

 

Caleb Chapman - City Honors, Senior

20.1 PPG / 7.9 RPG / 4.1 APG / 3.6 SPG - as a junior

 

TJ Robinson - Niagara Wheatfield, Senior

19.8 PPG / 4.0 RPG / 1.9 APG / 1.6 SPG - as a junior

 

Tyler Curran - Allegany-Limestone, Senior

18.2 PPG / 3.7 RPG / 3.3 APG / 2.2 SPG - as a junior

 

Romeo Bell - Tapestry, Senior

13.8 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 4.8 APG / 3.5 SPG - as a junior

 

Dominic McKenzie - Niagara Falls, Senior

13.6 PPG / 9.3 RPG / 1.3 SPG / 1.0 BPG - as a junior

 

Benjamin Bill - Hamburg, Senior

13.2 PPG / 8.0 RPG / 2.6 BPG / 2.1 APG / 1.1 SPG - as a junior

 

Kevin Thompson - Timon, Senior

12.5 PPG / 5.4 RPG / 1.1 APG / 1.6 SPG / 2.6 BPG - as a junior

 

Jimmie Green - Health Sciences, Senior

12.5 PPG / 6.4 RPG / 2.6 APG / 1.8 SPG / 1.3 BPG - as a junior

 

Solomon Jackson - St. Joe's, Senior

10.1 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 2.1 APG / 0.9 SPG - as a junior

 

Nick Moore - Amherst, Junior

13.4 PPG / 4.8 RPG / 3.3 APG / 2.1 SPG - as a sophomore

 

Lucas Brown - Salamanca, Sophomore

18.3 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 2.4 APG / 2.1 SPG - as a freshman

 

Adam Chiacchia - Hamburg, Sophomore

12.2 PPG / 9.2 RPG / 2.9 APG / 1.8 SPG / 1.3 BPG - as a freshman

 

20 Players to Watch

Here's 20 players not mentioned anywhere above that will be difference makers in 2022

Seth Joba - Orchard Park, Senior

Chris Wright - Cardinal O'Hara, Senior

Lamar Matthews - Tapestry, Senior

Aidan Kennedy - Southwestern, Senior

Zion James - Olean, Senior

Nate Parker - CSAT, Senior 

Teddy McDuffie - Amherst, Senior

Brendan Reid - St. Francis, Senior

Rod Brown - Niagara Falls, Senior

Tyreke Hopkins - Health Sciences, Senior

Nick Mogavero - Iroquois, Senior

Elijah Whitehead - McKinley, Senior

Dan Maku - Riverside, Senior

Darien Swanson - Westfield, Senior

Jasiah Jerocinski - Pioneer, Senior

Rashard Perry - Bennett, Junior

Dorian Facen - Williamsville East, Junior

Luke Granto - Canisius, Junior

Parker Rey - Nichols, Sophomore

Drew Hind - Randolph, Freshman

 

***********************************************

 

League-By-League:  Returning All-League Talent 

 

Monsignor Martin Association

 

Large Schools - CLASS A

Canisius - Declan Ryan

St. Joe's -  Justin Glover

St. Francis 

 

****************************************

 

Small Schools - CLASS B

Timon - Kevin Thompson

Cardinal O'Hara - Christopher Wright

 Nichols 

 St. Mary's 

 

************************************************ 

 

Section VI

 

Charter Schools

Health Sciences - Nasir West

Tapestry -  Lamar Matthews, Romeo Bell  

Maritime

Global Concepts

BASCS

 

*************************************

 

YALE CUP I

McKinley - Elijah Whitehead, Jahood Martin

South Park -  Javany Rivera

Middle College - Amir Marble, Zamar Ashford

Bennett - Lebrun Northington, Rashard Perry

East - 

Hutch-Tech - TJ Jacobs

I-Prep - Daryl Allen, Angel Serrano

 

******

 

YALE CUP II

Riverside - Bryant Rosa, Dan Maku, Desimon Elston

Olmsted - Ezekiel Alexander, Myrie Harris, Ricky Shanklin

MST Seneca -  Nassir Williams, Marcelino Long

City Honors - Caleb Chapman

Buffalo Arts - Jordan Rodgers

Emerson - Hassan Muktar

Burgard 

 

 ***********************************

 

ECIC I

Jamestown -  Trey Drake, Jaylen Butera

Hamburg - Benjamin Bill, Adam Chiachia, Evan Chaffee

Orchard Park - Seth Joba, Keegan Mancabelli

Lancaster -  Joe Harrington

Frontier 

Clarence 

Williamsville North 

West Seneca West 

 

********************************

 

ECIC II

Amherst -  Nick Moore, Gary Johnson

Williamsville East -  Max Schneider 

Iroquois - Trey Kleitz

Sweet Home - Diar Fleming

Williamsville South  

West Seneca East 

Starpoint 

 

**********************************

 

ECIC III

East Aurora - Ryan Esminger

Pioneer - Jasiah Jerocinski

Cheektowaga 

Lake Shore  

Maryvale 

Depew  

Springville

 

************************************

 

ECIC IV

Lackawanna -  Julienn Clements, Archie Saeed, Ashlin Alexander

Alden - John Watson, Walker Wrest

Tonawanda - Trevin Boling 

Cleveland Hill - Jordan Mann

JFK -  Jacob Krotz

Holland - Jake Gailey

Eden

 

**************************************

 

Niagara Frontier League

Niagara Wheatfield -  TJ Robinson, Xander Fletcher 

Niagara Falls - Dom McKenzie

Kenmore West - Sean Hargrave

CSAT - Nate Parker

Lew-Port - Bobby Beilein

North Tonawanda  

Lockport  

Kenmore East  

Grand Island 

 

**********************************

 

Niagara-Orleans

Medina -  Jarin Rhim, Joe Checchini

Roy-Hart - Aiden Petrie, Gavyn Boyle

Albion - Jahmeek Riley

Barker -  Brad Cantrell

Newfane 

Akron  

Wilson 

 

********************************

 

CCAA I West 

Olean - Zion James, Kamdyn McClain

Fredonia -  Nick Whitfield, Ethan Fry

Allegany-Limestone -  Tyler Curran, Anthony DeCapua

Dunkirk - Timothy Brown, A'Marion Tell 

Salamanca - Lucas Brown 

Southwestern -  Aidan Kennedy

 

***********************************

 

CCAA Central

Randolph - Jaiden Huntington, Drew Hind

Cassadaga Valley -  Wyatt Harrington, Braden Lebaron

Frewsburg - Zach Winters, Connor Murray, Zach Carr

Maple Grove - Tucker Fenton

Portville - Maxx Yehl

Silver Creek - Matt Woleben

Gowanda - John Ondus

 

****************************************

 

CCAA II West 

Westfield -  Darien Swanson, Ethan Weingart, Cole Holland

Sherman - Gerald Carris, Elijah Kioko

Panama -  Cooper Brown, Carter Brink, Gabe Roth

Clymer -  Austin White, Micah Willink

Brocton  

Falconer 

Chautauqua Lake

 

**********************************************

 

CCAA II East 

Cattaraugus-Little Valley - Josh Halterman, Johnny Visnesky

Pine Valley - Kordell Oakes, Bryce Sercu, Wayne Libby

Franklinville -  Blake Frank, Connor Terwilliger

North Collins -  Chris Smith

Ellicottville -  Logan Grinols  

Forestville 

 

**************************************

 

Teams with New Coaches (17)

 

Nichols - Matt Bradshaw

St. Mary's - Ryan Gallo

Cheektowaga - Demario Rhodes

West Seneca West - Reuben Owens

Maritime - Donjuan Tyson

Tonawanda - Rod Middleton

City Honors - Demario Badger

Lew-Port - Pat Krawczyk

Westfield - Nolan Swanson

Cassadaga Valley - Greg Frank

Falconer - Jordan Goold 

 Forestville - Tom Dempsey

Holland - Matt Krotz

JFK - Sean McCowan

Portville - Josh Brooks

Springville - Chris Matthewson

BASCS - Chris Castleberry

 

***************************************

 

Classification Changes (17)

 

Lockport moves down from Class AA to Class A1

Williamsville East moves up from Class A2 to Class A1

Health Sciences moves down from Class AA to Class A2

Emerson moves up from Class B1 to Class A2

Lew-Port moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

Middle College moves up from Class C1 to Class B1

Riverside moves up from Class C1 to Class B1

Burgard moves up from Class B2 to Class B1

Depew moves up from Class B2 to Class B1

Lackawanna moves up from Class B2 to Class B1

Tonawanda moves up from Class B2 to Class B1

Springville moves up from Class B2 to Class B1

Bennett moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Tapestry moves up from Class C1 to Class B2

Wilson moves down from Class B2 to Class C

Ellicottville moves down from Class C2 to Class D

Westfield moves down from Class C2 to Class D

 

****************************************

 

Preseason Rankings

**  Seven of the 10 teams that appeared in the 2021 Preseason Large School Rankings were Top 10 teams when the season ended, and I was 8 of 10 predicting Top 10 small schools in 2021

 

Large Schools

1. Health Sciences

2. Canisius

3. St. Joe's

4. Niagara Falls

5. Jamestown

6. Hamburg

7. Amherst

8. St. Francis

9. Niagara Wheatfield

10. CSAT

 

Small Schools

1. Timon

2. Nichols

3. Olean

4. Bennett

5. Randolph

6. St. Mary's

7. Cardinal O'Hara

8. Tapestry

9. Allegany-Limestone

10. Salamanca

 

**************************************

 

Predictions

 

MMA - Canisius

Yale Cup I - McKinley

Yale Cup II - Riverside

ECIC I - Jamestown

ECIC II - Amherst

ECIC III - Pioneer

ECIC IV - Lackawanna

NFL - Niagara Falls

N-O - Medina

CCAA I West - Olean

CCAA II West - Westfield

CCAA Central - Randolph 

CCAA East - Ellicottville

 

*********************************************

 

I only predicted 3 of the 10 champions correctly in 2021 (Bennett, Fredonia, & Tapestry) - I blame the shutdown

 

Manhattan Cup

It's getting bad.  The swami I am not when predicting the Manhattan Cup winner.  In the last nine years, I've only gotten it right twice.  

** Timon **

 

Class AA 

Final Four:  

Niagara Falls, Orchard Park, Jamestown, & Lancaster

** Niagara Falls **

 

Class A1 

Final Four:

McKinley, Ken West, Hamburg, & Niagara Wheatfield

** Hamburg **

 

Class A2  

Final Four:  

Amherst, Health Sciences, Iroquois, & CSAT

** Health Sciences **

 

Class B1 

Final Four:  

Olean, Lackawanna, Lew-Port, & Riverside

** Olean **

 

Class B2 

Final Four:

Tapestry, Allegany-Limestone, Bennett, & Fredonia

** Bennett **

 

Class C

Final Four:

Randolph, Salamanca, Global Concepts, & MST Seneca

** Randolph **

 

Class D

Final Four to reach JCC:  

Sherman, Ellicottville, Westfield, & Clymer

** Westfield **

 

-centercourt

The 2021 All-Centercourt Team: The Best in WNY

 

The 2021 CC MVP

Jalen Bradberry

Niagara Falls

Senior

24.2 PPG

6.7 RPG

6.0 APG

2.3 SPG

Class AA Champion

NFL Champion

NFL Player of the Year

(Photo: The Buffalo News)

 

First Team All-Centercourt

Jaden Slaughter

St. Joe's

Senior

20.5 PPG

6.4 RPG

4.7 APG

2.1 SPG

Manhattan Cup Champion

Manhattan Cup MVP

First Team All-Catholic

(Photo: Andrew Miller)

 

Jamyier Patton

Timon

Senior

24.5 PPG

4.5 RPG

3.3 SPG

2.9 APG

Manhattan Cup Finalist

 All-Catholic Player of the Year

(Photo: Tom Burns)

 

 

Justin Glover

St. Joe's

Junior

14.1 PPG

7.2 APG

4.6 RPG

2.1 SPG

Manhattan Cup Champion

First Team All-Catholic

(Photo: Andrew Miller)

 

 

Max Schneider

Williamsville East

Junior

30.4 PPG

7.2 APG

2.7 SPG

1.9 RPG

ECIC II Player of the Year

First Team All-ECIC

(Photo: Buffalo News)

 

 

JaVaughn Jones

Health Sciences

Senior

23.8 PPG

8.1 RPG

6.8 APG

4.9 SPG

2.6 BPG

(Photo: Buffalo News)

 

 

 

 

Second Team All-Centercourt

Trey Kleitz

Iroquois

Junior

26.5 PPG

7.3 APG

6.3 SPG

6.0 RPG

All-ECIC Player of the Year

ECIC III Player of the Year

ECIC III Champion

(Photo: Renea Lauck)

 

Keonjay Carter

Park

Senior

22.9 PPG

7.6 RPG

2.2 APG

1.1 SPG

(Photo: Buffalo News)

 

 

 

Jason Brooks

Olean

Senior

21.8 PPG

4.4 APG

4.0 RPG

2.6 SPG

CCAA I West Player of the Year

CCAA I West Champion

 

 

 

Peyton Consigli

St. Francis

Senior

19.9 PPG

7.3 RPG

3.1 APG

1.1 SPG

First Team All-Catholic

 

 

 

 

Caleb Hutchins

Park

Senior

14.8 PPG

10.5 RPG

3.0 APG

1.9 SPG

1.6 BPG

 

 

 

 

 

Third Team All-Centercourt

Kamar Goudelock

Timon

Junior

16.9 PPG

4.3 RPG

2.7 APG

2.3 SPG

Manhattan Cup Finalist

First Team All-Catholic

(Photo: Buffalo News)

 

 

Jalen Duff

Lew-Port

Sophomore

28.3 PPG

5.0 RPG

3.8 APG

2.0 SPG

First Team NFL

(Photo: Buffalo News)

 

 

 

Xander Fletcher

Niagara Wheatfield

Sophomore

20.3 PPG

4.8 APG

4.7 RPG

2.8 SPG

First Team NFL

(Photo: Buffalo News)

 

 

 

Tyler Putney

Fredonia

Senior

20.2 PPG

8.2 RPG

2.8 APG

1.4 SPG

0.7 BPG

Section VI Class B3 Champion

First Team CCAA I West

(Photo: Scott Kindberg/Observer)

 

Josh Haskell

St. Joe's

Junior

13.4 PPG

4.4 RPG

2.1 APG

1.4 SPG

Manhattan Cup Champion

Second Team All-Catholic

(Photo: Buffalo News)

 

 

 

Fourth Team All-Centercourt

Max Dowling

Canisius

Senior

12.8 PPG

7.9 RPG

2.1 APG

1.0 BPG

0.6 SPG

Second Team All-Catholic

(Photo: Buffalo News)

 

 

Declan Ryan

Canisius

Junior

15.7 PPG

7.9 RPG

1.2 APG

0.5 SPG

0.5 BPG

First Team All-Catholic

(Photo: Buffalo News)

 

 

Damario James

Bennett

Senior

17.6 PPG

4.1 APG

2.1 SPG

1.9 APG

Section VI Class B1 Champion

First Team Yale Cup 

(Photo: Harry Scull)

 

 

Tariq Eubanks

Tapestry

Senior

12.9 PPG

10.1 APG

7.1 SPG

3.7 RPG

Section VI Class C1 Champion

(Photo: Buffalo News)

 

 

 

Jaiden Harrison

West Seneca East

Freshman

21.6 PPG

8.7 RPG

3.3 APG

1.8 SPG

First Team All-ECIC

First Team ECIC II

(Photo: West Seneca Bee)

 

 

 

Fifth Team All-Centercourt

Massai Graham

Tapestry

Junior

16.1 PPG

11.2 RPG

3.3 BPG

2.3 APG

Section VI Class C1 Champion

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

Zach Ianello

Clarence

Senior

15.3 PPG

3.0 RPG

1.9 APG

1.0 SPG

ECIC I Player of the Year

First Team All-ECIC

 

 

 

Tyler Chinn

Medina

Senior

17.8 PPG

5.4 APG

5.0 RPG

4.7 SPG

Section VI Class B2 Champion

Niagara-Orleans Champion

N-O Player of the Year

(Photo: Orleans Hub)

 

Bryant Rosa

Riverside

Junior

24.5 PPG

4.2 APG

2.3 SPG

1.8 RPG

Yale Cup II Champion

Yale Cup II Player of the Year

 

 

 

Bush Rieang

McKinley

Senior

16.4 PPG

5.0 APG

2.0 SPG

Yale Cup I Champion

Yale Cup I Player of the Year

(Photo: Buffalo News)

 

 

 

 

Honorable Mention

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Springville's Austin Boies was the ECIC IV Player of the Year and a First Team All-ECIC selection, leading the Griffins to an ECIC IV Championship / Photo: Harry Scull)

 

Austin Boies - Springville, Senior

* ECIC IV Player of the Year

24.4 PPG / 8.6 RPG / 4.5 SPG / 2.5 APG

 

Javier West - Forestville, Senior

* First Team CCAA II East

23.9 PPG / 7.8 RPG / 4.6 SPG / 2.0 APG

 

Christian Pagano - Depew, Senior

* First Team ECIC III

20.6 PPG / 4.5 RPG / 2.5 APG / 1.8 SPG / 0.8 BPG

 

Imario Douglas - Lockport, Senior

* First Team NFL

20.3 PPG / 8.7 RPG / 2.2 SPG

 

Jerrold Skillon - Bennett, Senior

* First Team Yale Cup I

18.7 PPG / 6.3 RPG / 1.5 APG / 1.0 SPG

 

Anthony Smith - Middle College, Senior

* First Team Yale Cup I

18.2 PPG / 16.6 RPG / 3.2 BPG / 1.8 SPG

 

Wally Wisniewski - North Tonawanda, Senior

* First Team NFL

17.1 PPG / 5.6 RPG / 3.8 SPG / 1.8 APG / 1.2 BPG

 

Hunter Wassink - Clymer, Senior

* CCAA II West Player of the Year

17.1 PPG / 3.7 APG / 3.7 RPG / 1.8 SPG

 

Lief Jimerson - Ellicottville, Senior

* First Team CCAA II East

16.8 PPG / 3.5 SPG / 3.1 RPG / 2.6 APG

 

Jaiden Green - East, Senior

* First Team Yale Cup I

15.6 PPG / 11.7 RPG / 2.4 SPG / 2.3 APG / 1.5 BPG

 

Zech Franklin - Iroquois, Senior

* First Team ECIC III

14.8 PPG / 11.7 RPG / 4.5 BPG / 2.0 SPG

 

Jackson Jerebko - Lancaster, Senior

* First Team ECIC I

14.5 PPG / 6.5 RPG / 2.1 APG / 1.2 SPG

 

Des Davis - Park, Senior

14.5 PPG / 8.7 RPG / 3.0 APG / 2.5 SPG

 

Brian Fry - Medina, Senior

* First Team N-O

13.7 PPG / 8.3 RPG / 4.2 APG / 2.9 SPG

 

Elijah Rojas - Jamestown, Senior

* First Team ECIC I

13.7 PPG / 4.5 APG / 2.9 RPG / 2.6 SPG

 

Amiel Collins - St. Francis, Senior

* Second Team All-Catholic

13.6 PPG / 3.6 RPG / 2.3 APG / 1.4 SPG / 1.1 BPG

 

Nevada Eldridge - Cheektowaga, Senior

* First Team ECIC III

13.5 PPG / 8.8 RPG / 1.6 APG / 1.0 BPG

 

Brandon Okie - Frontier, Senior

* First Team ECIC I

13.3 PPG / 9.6 RPG / 1.9 APG / 0.9 SPG

 

Jeremy Foltz - Newfane, Senior

* First Team N-O

12.8 PPG / 4.3 APG / 2.5 SPG / 1.6 RPG

 

Keonte Brown - Cheektowaga, Senior

* First Team ECIC III

12.4 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 4.1 APG / 3.0 SPG

 

Clayton Rowland - Ellicottville, Senior

* CCAA II East Player of the Year

12.0 PPG / 12.2 RPG / 5.2 APG / 3.2 SPG

 

Trevin Boling - Tonawanda, Junior

* First Team ECIC III

29.9 PPG / 4.1 RPG / 1.4 APG / 1.3 SPG

 

Caleb Chapman - City Honors, Junior

* First Team Yale Cup II

20.1 PPG / 7.9 RPG / 4.1 APG / 3.6 SPG

 

TJ Robinson - Niagara Wheatfield, Junior

* First Team NFL

19.8 PPG / 4.0 RPG / 1.9 APG / 1.6 SPG

 

Tyler Curran - Allegany-Limestone, Junior

* First Team CCAA I West

18.2 PPG / 3.7 RPG / 3.3 APG / 2.2 SPG 

 

Dom Phillips - East Aurora, Junior

* First Team ECIC III

14.9 PPG / 3.5 RPG / 2.5 APG / 2.5 SPG

 

Romeo Bell - Tapestry, Junior

13.8 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 4.8 APG / 3.5 SPG

 

Dominic McKenzie - Niagara Falls, Junior

* Second Team NFL

13.6 PPG / 9.3 RPG / 1.3 SPG / 1.0 BPG 

 

Benjamin Bill - Hamburg, Junior

* First Team ECIC II

13.2 PPG / 8.0 RPG / 2.6 BPG / 2.1 APG / 1.1 SPG

 

Kevin Thompson - Timon, Junior

* Second Team All-Catholic

12.5 PPG / 5.4 RPG / 1.1 APG / 1.6 SPG / 2.6 BPG

 

Jimmie Green - Cardinal O'Hara, Junior

* Honorable Mention All-Catholic

12.5 PPG / 6.4 RPG / 2.6 APG / 1.8 SPG / 1.3 BPG

 

Solomon Jackson - St. Joe's, Junior

* Second Team All-Catholic

10.1 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 2.1 APG / 0.9 SPG

 

Nick Moore - Amherst, Sophomore

* First Team ECIC II

13.4 PPG / 4.8 RPG / 3.3 APG / 2.1 SPG

 

Lucas Brown - Salamanca, Freshman 

* First Team CCAA I West

18.3 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 2.4 APG / 2.1 SPG

 

Adam Chiacchia - Hamburg, Freshman

* Second Team ECIC II

12.2 PPG / 9.2 RPG / 2.9 APG / 1.8 SPG / 1.3 BPG

 

Sixth Man of the Year
Jack Harper - Hamburg, Senior

As a senior and captain of a team that rolled out five underclassmen in its starting lineup, Jack Harper was a true team leader for the Hamburg Bulldogs.  The body language and energy he displayed, whether waiting to hear his number called for the first time, sprinting back after a made shot, or checking back out of the game remained constant and spoke to the team first concept that his senior leadership helped instill.  His consistent contributions on the court were a key reason the Bulldogs won championships in both Section VI Class A1 and in ECIC II.  The team always got a spark when he entered the game and there wasn't a more focused player on the floor.  Harper rebounded, defended, and fit perfectly into the offense, where he never failed to deliver some big shots and timely scoring.  

 

All-Centercourt Defenders

First Team

Jesse Hawkins - Cheektowaga, Senior

Malachi Williams - Niagara Falls, Senior

Justin Glover - St. Joe's, Junior

Shane Cercone - Canisius, Sophomore

Tariq Eubanks - Tapestry, Senior

 

Second Team

Brady Kustra - Hamburg, Junior

Benjamin Bill - Hamburg, Junior

JaVaughn Jones - Health Sciences, Senior

Luke Granto - North Tonawanda, Sophomore

Caleb Hutchins - Park, Senior

 

Third Team

Brian Fry - Medina, Senior

Kevin Thompson - Timon, Junior

Zion James - Olean, Junior

Zech Franklin - Iroquois, Junior

Jaylen Butera - Jamestown, Junior

 

Centercourt #BOOM Squad

Anthony Smith - Middle College, Senior

Massai Graham - Tapestry, Junior

Caleb Hutchins - Park, Senior

Oliver Ngarikiyintwari - Hutch Tech, Senior

TJ Jacobs - Hutch Tech, Junior

Elijah Whitehead - McKinley, Junior

Wally Wisniewski - North Tonawanda, Senior

Gary Johnson - Amherst, Junior

Jaden Slaughter - St. Joe's, Senior

Jalen Bradberry - Niagara Falls, Senior

Jerrold Skillon - Bennett, Senior

Jaiden Green - East, Senior

Greg Sanders - CSAT, Junior

Austin Boies - Springville, Senior

Jimmie Green - Cardinal O'Hara, Junior

 

Centercourt Coach of the Year

John Reinholz - Hamburg

In 2014, the Manhattan Cup playoffs appeared to be a mere formality.  A loaded Canisius team led by sophomore standout Howard Washington had spent the regular season destroying the local competition - so much so, that the closest regular season game against a WNY opponent for the Crusaders had been a 12-point win over Park.  No one was touching Canisius, because not only had no team come close, but the first two rounds of the playoffs ran through Delaware Avenue as home games for Canisius.

John Reinholz was the head coach at Nichols in 2014 and despite entering the postseason as the #5 seed in the Manhattan Cup playoffs, the Vikings had been competitive in a regular season visit to Canisius, losing there by 13 points, and had been a steadily improving squad with talented underclassmen.  After a win in the quarterfinals, Reinholz's squad faced that "mere formality", go lose at Canisius and try to keep it respectable.  Instead, Nichols sent shock waves throughout WNY on a Wednesday night in late February and soon had an arena watching Section VI playoffs at Buff State busy refreshing their phones for updates.  A seven-point win that night by Nichols sent them to the championship game, where they hoisted the hardware with a win over Timon.  Two seasons later, Reinholz won a second championship at Nichols, before resigning as head coach.

After a season away from the boys varsity ranks, he was back behind the bench.  This time, Reinholz was the man at Hamburg - much closer to his home in Orchard Park, but not exactly an annual championship program.  The Bulldogs played in ECIC II, a league recently dominated by Williamsville & Amherst, and it had been 64 years since the last Section VI championship.  That was all about to change.

His fourth season at Hamburg, the 2021 campaign that no one ever even knew for sure if we'd see, the team made history.  Starting five underclassmen, including a freshman, the Bulldogs quickly got off to a 5-1 start and ended the season by winning 9 of their last 10 games.  They won the ECIC II title outright and headed into the Section VI postseason as the #2 seed in the Class A1 bracket.

After a win in the quarterfinals over Hutch Tech, the Bulldogs faced an opponent that had recently ended its own long sectional drought in 2017 and played a similar defensive style in North Tonawanda.  That night I attended a different playoff game in the city, but was so fascinated by the NT at Hamburg game that I powered my phone off for the ride home and stayed away from Twitter for the evening -- so I could watch the game on Youtube from start to finish without knowing the result prior.  What unfolded on my big screen was a classic that went to overtime and came down to the game's final possession.  A gutsy lob play that snuck Evan Chaffee behind NT's zone where he took a perfect lob pass from Adam Chiacchia for the game-winner left my jaw dropped towards my chest for a couple minutes.  Then I powered my phone back on at 10:27 pm to text Coach Reinholz and commend him for going back to a call that I watched fail to the opposite side earlier that half.

The Class A1 championship game brought Niagara Wheatfield to Hamburg, where after a close opening quarter, the Bulldogs seized control and earned the title in convincing fashion, ending a 68-year drought in Section VI.  The team was exceptionally cohesive at both ends of the floor.  There was a team commitment at the defensive end and deliberate group that methodically executed at the offensive end.  Some of the best interior passing against a zone I've watched in local high school ball.  All while the man behind the Hamburg bench calmly orchestrated it all.  

Following his team's final victory, Reinholz patiently answered question after question for the media until his players couldn't take it anymore.  "Sorry to interrupt," one of his assistants finally approached and said, "the boys really want you in the locker room to celebrate!"  

It was a most fitting finale to the 2021 season for the Centercourt Coach of the Year!

 

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Poll Ballots 2021 - Season Finale

(St. Joe's & Timon finish on top in the final 2021 rankings / Photo: John Hickey)

 

Large Schools

1. St. Joe's (A) - Monsignor Martin Association & Manhattan Cup Champions - 16-1

2. Niagara Falls (AA) - Section VI Class AA & NFL Champions - 19-1

3. Canisius (A) - Manhattan Cup Semifinalist - 13-4

4. Park (A) - NYS Assocoiation Independent Schools - 11-3

5. Hamburg (A1) - ECIC II & Section VI Class A1 Champions - 14-4

6. Cheektowaga (A2) - ECIC III & Section VI Class A2 Champions - 14-3

7. St. Francis (AA) - Manhattan Cup Semifinalist - 8-8

8. Clarence (AA) - Section VI Class AA Finalist - 12-6

9. Jamestown (AA) - ECIC I Champions & Section VI Class AA Finalist - 14-3

10. North Tonawanda (A1) - Section VI Class A1 Semifinalist - 7-5

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B) - Manhattan Cup Finalist - 12-3

2. Bennett (B1) - Section VI Class B1 Champions - 12-3

3. Olean (B1) - CCAA I West Champions & Section VI Class B1 Finalist - 12-5

4. Tapestry (C1) - Charter Cup & Section VI Class C1 Champions - 9-5

5. Medina (B2) - Niagara-Orleans & Section VI Class B2 Champions - 14-1

6. Fredonia (B3) - Section VI Class B3 Champions - 11-6

7. Ellicottville (C2) - CCAA II East & Section VI Class C2 Champions - 15-2

8. Clymer (D) - CCAA II West & Section VI Class D Champions - 15-1

9. Newfane (B2) - Section VI Class B2 Finalist - 12-4

10. Southwestern (B3) - Won last four regular season games over Dunkirk, Fredonia, Salamanca, & Allegany-Limestone by an average margin of 16.8 pts.  Swept Fredonia & defeated Olean.  However, a Covid pause ended its postseason opportunity - 9-3

 

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Poll Ballots 2021 - Week 5

(Manhattan Cup Finalist Timon remains the top ranked WNY small school / Photo: John Hickey)

 

Large Schools

1. St. Joe's (A) - They never trailed in the second half and led by as many as 14 points in the Manhattan Cup championship game, ending the Cup drought on Kenmore Avenue and cutting the nets down on their way out.

2. Canisius (A) - Without Declan Ryan in the lineup, the Crusaders still took a late lead at Timon in the Manhattan Cup semifinals, before seeing their season come to an end.  Only losses on the year came from St. Joe's & Timon and the resume includes a nine-point victory over Jamestown & a 30-point rout of Health Sciences.

3. Park (A) - Handed Health Sciences a 13-point loss and followed it up with a 16-point win over Tapestry on Thursday night, as Keonjay Carter joined the 1,000 point club.

4. Niagara Falls (AA) - Falls Way included three more wins last week and a whole lot of points.  After ringing up 86 in a win over Niagara Wheatfield, the Wolverines hung 103 on Lew-Port in a 35-point road rout, before closing down the regular season with a 55-41 win at Sweet Home.  Their championship run now begins with a game against Orchard Park on Monday.

5. Jamestown (AA) - Got clipped at the buzzer by Frontier for their lone league loss earlier in the week, before bouncing back with a win over Fredonia.  The defending Class A champions from Health Sciences arrive in Jamestown on Monday night to kick off the Class AA Tournament.

6. McKinley (A1) - The last undefeated team in WNY is now just three wins away from a perfect championship season after handling East in their rematch and winning the Yale Cup.  

7. St. Francis (A) - There was a lot to like about the Red Raiders this season, who would caused a restless night of sleep for any Section VI coach if they had to face them in the postseason.  Particularly, I was impressed with the play of three seniors from Frannies.  Aidan Brunner turned into a true impact player, Amiel Collins was a dependable scorer & leader for the team and a focus for opposing coaches to plan for, and Peyton Consigli became an elite high school player in all phases.

8. Hamburg (A1) - The ECIC II champions finished the regular season with a victory at Frontier, where the Falcons had just downed Jamestown in the game prior.  The Bulldogs begin postseason play by hosting Hutch Tech in Class A1 and hope to end up being the squad that ends McKinley's dream season while winning another type of championship.

9. Williamsville East (A2) - Winners in four of their last five games, including a thriller in double OT over Olean on Friday night to drop an exclamation point on the regular season.  Also dropping that night were points by Max Schneider - matching the WNY season-high 46 in the victory.

10. Lockport (AA) - A 14-point win at Lew-Port, followed by a four-point nonleague victory at Amherst send the #3 seed Lions into the Class AA Tournament winners of 9 of their last 10 games.  The postseason begins for them with a visit from defending Section VI champion Lancaster.

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B) - Added another win over Canisius to an already phenomenal resume for a small school and then battled all the way to the end in the Manhattan Cup championship.  Kamar Goudelock made some shots in that last game that can only be described as awesome baby!

2. Olean (B1) - The CCAA I West champs saw their 10-game win streak snapped on a Friday night road trip at Williamsville East in double overtime.  That might be all it takes to fire up the Huskies in their quest to win a 13th Section VI title in 15 seasons.  That journey begins with a rematch of the 2020 Class B1 Final against East Aurora on Tuesday.

3. Bennett (B1) - Big wins last week over IPrep & Middle College send the Tigers into the postseason on  a seven-game win streak after finishing tied for second place in Yale Cup I.  Maryvale visits Main Street on Tuesday night.

4. Tapestry (C1) - After a season that saw the Thunderhawks play the likes of Park, Falls, O'Hara, & Nichols, they're three wins away from their third Section VI crown in program history.  The biggest obstacle in the Class C1 field might be Salamanca, who arrives in Buffalo on Tuesday night.

5. East (B1) - Losses in two of their last three games, with the win coming by one point over Hutch Tech, after winning eight straight games.  The Panthers will seek a return to the win column when they host Albion on Tuesday night, looking to advance to face the Olean/East Aurora winner.

6. Cardinal O'Hara (B) - The end of the road came for the Hawks on Wednesday night in Athol Springs, where they fell to St. Francis in the Manhattan Cup quarterfinals.  

7. Medina (B2) - With yet another N-O title in hand (the sixth in the last seven years), the Mustangs take their eight-game win streak and #1 seed in Class B2 into the postseason, which starts with a quarterfinal against Alden.

8. Southwestern (B3) - Winners of four straight games heading into the postseason, including victories over Fredonia, Allegany-Limestone, & Salamanca.  The Trojans are the hottest team in the Class B3 bracket with recent wins over a pair of the contenders.  They host Cleveland Hill on Monday in a Class A3 quarterfinal.

9. East Aurora (B1) - A very good small school that plays in a league with a couple tough teams from Class A2 in Cheektowaga & Iroquois.  Both of them knocked off the Blue Devils in the final week of the regular season, setting up a tough first round sectional draw in Class B1 -- a trip to Olean.

10. Clymer (D) - Suffered their first loss of the year at the hands of Sherman, who they split with in the regular season.  Still, the Pirates are league champions and the top seed entering the Section VI Class D Tournament and ended the regular season by taking Chautauqua Lake, who owns a win over Randolph, apart in a nonleague game.

 

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Brackets Central - 2021

 

Class AA

Class A1

Class A2

Class B1

Class B2

Class B3

Class C1

Class C2

Class D

Manhattan Cup

 

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Class D Bracket - 2021 Sectionals

 

Quarterfinals - Tuesday, March 23rd

(2) Sherman 73, (7) Forestville 37

(3) Franklinville 63, (6) Panama 45

 

Semifinals - Thursday, March 25th

(1) Clymer 69, (5) North Collins 43

(2) Sherman 66, (3) Franklinville 36

 

Final - Saturday, March 27th

(1) Clymer 53, (2) Sherman 40

 

2021 Section VI Class D Champions - Clymer Pirates

 

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Poll Ballots 2021 - Week 4

(Rashard Perry & Bennett are going to be a problem in Class B1 / Photo: Harry Scull)

 

Large Schools

1. St. Joe's (A) - The #1 seed in the Manhattan Cup playoffs draws the St. Francis/O'Hara winner on their floor Thursday night.  The Marauders swept both in the regular season and if they win on Thursday, they'll host the Manhattan Cup on Saturday.  Crazy that next week at this time, the season is already over in the MMA.  

2. Canisius (A) - Friday night's loss to Timon means they'll need to win a rematch in South Buffalo, regarded as one of, if not the toughest place to win in WNY....if they can beat Nichols for a third time on Tuesday.  The last time Canisius entered the postseason and wasn't even one of the top two seeds was in 2017.  They won it all that year as the #4 seed.

3. Jamestown (AA) - Survived a big scare from Lancaster last week and are now winners of 10 straight games, with their lone loss coming at Canisius.  The regular season finishes up with a trip to Frontier and a visit from Fredonia.

4. Park (A) - The Pioneers took down Niagara Falls and Tapestry last week and have a rematch in their gym coming with the Thunderhawks, along with a game versus Health Sciences.

5. Niagara Falls (AA) - Now back-to-back champions of the NFL following a busy week that saw the Wolverines squeeze in four games, including wins over Tapestry, Lockport, & Ken West and their first loss of the year at Park.

6. McKinley (A1) - One of two remaining undefeated teams left in WNY, the Macks can guarantee at least a share of the Yale Cup trophy with a victory over South Park on Tuesday, and can win it outright by following it up with a sweep of East on Thursday.

7. St. Francis (A) - The Red Raiders are coming off a walloping of West Seneca East, scoring 90 points.  They'll need to avenge a close loss to O'Hara on Tuesday if they want another shot at St. Joe's, who dished them a devastating one-point loss at the start of March.

8. Clarence (AA) - Three straight wins for the Red Devils, including a shooting display vs North and a solid win over Lancaster.  Clarence hosts Maritime to wrap up the regular season on Tuesday.

9. Williamsville East (A2) - Took the rematch with Hamburg in convincing fashion on Sunday morning, following a close loss there on Friday to remain in a tie for first place in ECIC II with the Bulldogs.  Back-to-back games with Sweet Home await on Monday & Tuesday.  If they win them both, the Flames are at least co-league champs.

10. Lockport (AA) - Since getting waxed at home by Will East to start the season, the Lions only losses have come to Niagara Falls, and the rematch was much closer than the first contest.  It's time for the Lions to be mentioned among the area's top large schools.  They'll close out the regular season with a road trip to Amherst on Thursday.

 

Small Schools 

1. Timon (B) - WNY's top small school is the #2 seed in the Manhattan Cup playoffs after finishing a busy week off with a win at Canisius and finishing a regular season that also included a win over St. Joe's.  Pretty rare that the top small school owns wins over the top two large schools.  They host St. Mary's in the quarterfinals on Tuesday night.

2. Olean (B1) - These guys, you know?  Three straight losses to open the season and nothing but victories ever since.  They sat back and watched teams tied for first place in the league sort it out, before beating them both to claim sole possession of first place in the league.  I remember talking with head coach Tim Kolasinski as his Huskies warmed up for their season opener at Jamestown.  Because of the fast turn around finding out there would even be a season, he wasn't really sure what to expect from his group.  But by now, I think the expectations are the same constants that have existed at Olean since before I began my coverage - defense & a game on Championship Saturday.

3. Bennett (B1) - The Tigers pounded East over on Northampton right in front of my eyes.  They were not just physically tougher, they were mentally tougher in the most critical portion of the game.  The only losses for this team are to McKinley & East.  

4. Tapestry (C1) - The Thunderhawks are getting rewarded for losses because of the way they've competed against top area large schools.  After beating Health & Nichols, Tapestry has shown they can run with Park & Falls.  

5. East (B1) - I watched a talented East team for the first time on Saturday and was really impressed -- for a little over two quarters.  Then I was surprised with the way they responded to adversity on senior day.  Talent needs toughness to equal championships.  Without toughness, all you get are some great quotes from coach.

6. Cardinal O'Hara (B) - A pair of losses to finish the regular season for the Hawks to Health & Timon after a win over CSAT to begin the week.  They'll need to win at St. Francis on Tuesday night to keep the party going.

7. East Aurora (B1) - Three straight wins for the Blue Devils heading into the toughest part of their schedule - games against Iroquois & Cheektowaga and then on to the postseason in Class B1.

8. Clymer (D) - Two more wins this week for the now 12-0 Pirates came by an average margin of 28 points.  They escaped with a two-point win in their first meeting with Sherman, the only team to threaten them this season, who they face in a rematch on Tuesday.

9. Medina (B2) - The Mustangs are now 9-1 on the year and their last three wins have come over their top three opponents in league play - Akron, Albion, & Newfane.  Wins over Wilson & Roy-Hart this week will clinch a 6th league championship in seven seasons.

10. Depew (B2) - The Wildcats are 8-4 on the year and have only lost one time to a fellow small school, at East Aurora, a loss they avenged in the rematch.  The regular season finishes up for Depew with games against Lake Shore & Pioneer.

 

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Poll Ballots 2021 - Week 3

(Jalen 2K Bradberry & Falls are still undefeated / Photo: Harry Scull)

 

 

Large Schools

1. St. Joe's (A) - Monsignor Martin league champs for the first time since 2011 after sweeping Canisius for the first time since 2006.  After 14 games in 27 days, the regular season ends with the Marauders hosting Health Sciences on Wednesday, before getting a week off to prep for the Manhattan Cup semifinal, which they will host.

2. Canisius (A) - Following three routs over Nichols, O’Hara, and Health Sciences, the Crusaders got clipped at home by rival St. Joe’s on Sunday.  The loss sets up an important game on Friday against Timon, with home court playoff implications at stake.  Canisius will first host Cheektowaga this Tuesday.

3. Jamestown (AA) - Orchard Park interrupted a five-game streak of double-digit wins by getting within eight points of the Red Raiders on Tuesday.  So Jamestown made it 7 of its last 8 by double figures with big wins on Thursday & Saturday.  They visit Lancaster for a rematch on Monday.

4. Niagara Falls (AA) - Still undefeated on the season and winners of 21 straight games in the NFL, Jalen Bradberry joined Club 2K in a weekend drubbing of Maritime.  Get ready for this week - away games at Tapestry, Park, & Lockport, along with a home game vs Ken West.

5. Park (A) - Earned a convincing win at Aquinas before a fourth quarter rally left them stunned at St. Joe's.  An interesting week ahead - fascinating matchups with Niagara Falls coming in on Tuesday and a visit to Tapestry on Saturday.  They also face New Life Christian and Walsh this week.  Someone told me Walsh was undefeated this year.  Not after Friday. 

6. McKinley (A1) - One of two mystery teams in my Top 10.  The Macks are 7-0 and I know they had some very good players coming back.  But no one can get in to see them, or the teams they are beating.  Nothing to go on other than past history telling me an unbeaten in Yale Cup I is doing something very well.

7. St. Francis (A) - Picked up a pair of victories after losing the lead to St. Joe's with four seconds left on Monday night, but then dropped another on Sunday to O’Hara.  The Red Raiders have home games against Timon and West Seneca East coming this week.

8. Frontier (AA) - The Falcons are winners of five of their last six games, and the loss came at Jamestown.  Recent wins over Clarence & Lancaster, who both held spots in my Top 10 the last two weeks.

9. Amherst (A2) - The Tigers are part of a three-way tie for first place in ECIC II and have already swept the series with Williamsville East.  They'll look to do the same against Hamburg (also tied for 1st) on Monday and still have games against Sweet Home & Williamsville South later in the week.

10. Williamsville East (A2) - The third wheel in the ECIC II three-way, the Flames are coming off a pair of wins over South and have only lost to Amherst on the year, but are staring down an eight-game stretch over twelve days, beginning tomorrow, that includes back-to-backs against Hamburg.

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B) - How good are these guys??  I think they're one of the top three teams in WNY and by the end of the season, we'll know the order.  Friday night's win over previously undefeated St. Joe's might read as an upset, but only based on the standings entering the game.  The same team that took Canisius to OT last year and then won the rematch, now boasts a the biggest win of this season.  Nichols, St. Francis, & O'Hara are all coming up this week before a visit to Canisius on Friday.  If the Tigers win out, they'll earn the #2 seed for the Manhattan Cup playoffs.

2. East (B1) - The other mystery team in my Top 10.  Only loss on the year was by five points against unbeaten McKinley to start the year.  So a serious question here...it's not safe for anyone to watch Yale Cup games, so what is the plan for the postseason?  Does it then become acceptable to be around others not associated with the BPS or are they opting out of sectionals?

3. Cardinal O'Hara (B) - Scored a big win over St. Francis on Sunday afternoon to rebound from a home loss at the hands of Nichols earlier in the week.  More fun ahead for the Hawks this week with CSAT, Timon, and Health Sciences on the docket.  

4. Tapestry (C1) - After six years of playing second fiddle in the Charter Cup, the Thunderhawks took Health Sciences to overtime and then knocked them off to earn a signature win.  Now we find out if they have another in them - Niagara Falls comes in on Monday, followed by a visit from Park later in the week.

5. Olean (B1) - Seven wins in a row for the Huskies, all by double figures.  Good old Olean, here they come.  They also own a 15-point win over the team sitting in first place in their league and could earn a share of first with two games at hand if they can sweep Allegany-Limestone on Tuesday night.

6. East Aurora (B1) - The Blue Devils slip down a bit after a loss in the rematch at Depew, but ECIC III is so competitive this year and the Wildcats are a huge part of that.  They remain in a three-way tie for first place in the league with games coming up this week against Lake Shore & Tonawanda.

7. Allegany-Limestone (B3) - The Gators gutted out another win in CCAA I West over Salamanca, who seems to be giving everyone a hard time, on Friday.  They host Olean on Tuesday night with a huge opportunity at hand - stay ahead of the Huskies in the league standings with a win, and they don't have to see them again in sectionals.  Bragging rights for the year over Olean is kind of a big deal in local basketball circles.

8. Clymer (D) - The Pirates are now 10-0 on the season and have defeated every team in their league at least once, led by Hunter Wassink who leads the team in points, assists, & steals.

9. Newfane (B2) - Took one on the chin to Akron to start the week, before winning a pair to remain in a tie for first place in the N-O.  They host Niagara Wheatfield on Tuesday and then head off to Medina, who they took the first matchup from, to settle first place in the league.

10. Medina (B2) - Earned the season sweep over a tough Akron team for their fourth straight victory.  The only loss on the season for the Mustangs is to Newfane and Thursday night will be for sole possession of first in the N-O, unless Albion has something to say about it when Medina heads there on Tuesday.

 

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Poll Ballots 2021 - Week 2

(East Aurora is 6-1 and tied for 1st in ECIC III /Photo: Harry Scull)

 

Large Schools

1. St. Joe's (A) - Rolling along with a 10-0 mark, the Marauders have an unbelievably challenging week ahead - road games at Canisius, Timon, & St. Francis, along with hosting Park.  

2. Canisius (A) - Passed a big test on Saturday with a road win at Timon in a game I heard many picking the Crusaders to lose.  They'll get a chance to avenge their lone loss of the season on Sunday when St. Joe's visits, two days after running with Health Sciences.

3. Jamestown (AA) - I've been told I'm too high on the Red Raiders.  Well let's see - they're 5-0 in Class AA, winning every game by double figures, beat Olean double digits, and hung 103 on West Seneca West in a 36-point rout. 

4. Niagara Falls (AA) - Don't look now, but the Wolverines improved to 6-0 after piling up three wins this week over Lew-Port, Ken East, & Grand Island, winning by an average margin of 34 points.  Four games coming up this week include CSAT, NT, and the first ever program meeting between Falls & Health Sciences.

5. Park (A) - Took down Health Sciences by 10 points on Thursday night, before falling to Rochester's East High on Saturday in a rematch of a thriller they won to start the season.  On Monday, the Pioneers have a rematch with Aquinas, another team they won the first tilt with, and then it's off to St. Joe's where they'll look to even the score with the Marauders.

6. St. Francis (A) - These guys were thoroughly impressive on Saturday in a 19-point win over Health Sciences - a game they led throughout.  The Red Raiders have a solid rotation led by the scoring of Peyton Consigli & Amiel Collins and the team's defensive play held the Falcons to just 41 points.  The rematch with league-leading St. Joe's comes on their home court Monday night.

7. McKinley (A1) - The Macks are on top in the Yale Cup with a 5-0 mark, winning four of those games by double figures.  

8. Health Sciences (AA) - Took a couple lumps this week - double figure losses at Frannies & Park, after winning their first four handily.  A huge litmus test awaits a team looking to fight their way out of a skid, when they face Niagara Falls on Monday in a possible Class AA postseason preview.  Then it's Tapestry & Canisius after that.  Tough week.

9. Clarence (AA) - Three straight wins for the Red Devils include one over the defending Class AA champs from Lancaster.  Frontier & OP await this week, ahead of a road trip rematch with first place Jamestown on Saturday.

10. Lancaster (AA) - The Legends rebounded from a home loss to Clarence with a narrow win over West Seneca West.  They'll need to be road warriors this week with games at Lew-Port, Frontier, & Orchard Park.

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B) - The Tigers are 4-2, with the losses coming to Joe's & Canisius, and a recent 26-point win at O'Hara.  They're an easy #1 and I don't see that changing.  With only two games this week, Timon will have some time to practice ahead of a Friday night rematch with St. Joe's on their home floor.

2. Cardinal O'Hara (B) - If it drives you crazy that I rank a 3-4 team this high, consider this - the four losses were to Top 10 large schools, they own wins over Tapestry & Nichols (also much better than their record would indicate), and they I just watched them compete for four quarters at St. Joe's.  

3. East (B1) - After beginning the year with a five-point loss to McKinley, the Panthers are winners of four straight games and have already swept Middle College with a pair of big wins. 

4. East Aurora (B1) - Coming off a win over Depew and tied for first place in ECIC III, the Blue Devils have allowed an average of 39.3 points in their six wins.  They have rematches with Depew & Maryvale this week.

5. Tapestry (C1) - The Thunderhawks are 3-2 with losses to Health Sciences & O'Hara and have a rematch this week with Health, along with a fun Friday run with The Park School.

6. Newfane (B2) - Rolling along in the N-O, including a 20-point win over Medina. They'll face a tough test at Akron on Tuesday night, but I think this Panther squad has pieces in all the right places and will only get stronger.

7. Allegany-Limestone (B3) - Now in first place atop the tough CCAA I West, a league that includes Olean, Fredonia, Salamanca, and a strong Southwestern team that they just knocked off on Friday night.  The defending Class B2 champs have a standout in Tyler Curran and they play great team ball.

8. Clymer (D) - Time to reward the unbeatens, beginning with the Pirates who are 7-0 on the season and in first place in CCAA II West.

9. Springville (B2) - The Griffins are 5-0 with a difficult week ahead, beginning their first game vs. JFK on Monday, followed by tilts with Cleveland Hill, Lackawanna, & Holland, who they own wins over already.

10. Riverside (C1) - I haven't cast a Top 10 vote for the Frontiers since Ron Killinger was large & in charge at Riverside (they were once a dominant large school around these parts!).  But in rewarding the unbeatens, these guys have earned that distinction after taking sole possession of Yale Cup II with a win over City Honors, led by Bryant Rosa who is averaging 25.6 points per game.

 

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Class D Bracket - 2020 Sectionals

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 28th at 7 pm

(2) Forestville 62, (7) Pine Valley 44

(3) Sherman 66, (6) Clymer 36

 

(4) North Collins 58, (5) Riverside 50

 

 Semifinals - Monday, March 1st & Tuesday March 2nd

AT JCC - 8:15 pm

(4) North Collins 47, (1) Panama 46

(3) Sherman 44, (2) Forestville 31

 

Final - Friday, March 6th

AT JCC - 5:15 pm

(3) Sherman 54, (4) North Collins 40

 

2020 Section VI Class D Champions - Sherman Wildcats

 

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NYSSWA State Rankings 2020 - Week 2

The second state rankings for the 2020 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

No teams ranked

 

Class A

Park #1

Canisius #2

Health Sciences #4

St. Joe's #18

McKinley #23

 

Class B

Cardinal O'Hara #9

Olean #22

Allegany-Limestone #25

 

Class C

Tapestry #2

Middle College #5

Randolph #8

 

Class D

Panama #2

Clymer #11

 

According to the rankings...

 

- We have a winner!  Last week, it was unclear if the Far West Region would even send a team to Glens Falls in Class AA because there were no teams from that region even represented in the Top 25.  Well thanks to the ever expanding rankings, it is now clear that UPrep is the big winner after the rankings went to a Top 30 after week one, and UPrep was quick to snatch up the coveted #29 slot.

 

- Park and Canisius will play.  Thanks to a talent-rich Florida Tournament that Albany Academy picked up its first three losses of the season in, the Cadets plummeted to #10 in the Class A state rankings.  Losses are not looked upon  kindly, especially three of them.  You can get away with one...or even two, as Park found out when it lost its second game of the season on Saturday and then moved up to #1 in NYS Class A.  Right behind them though, Canisius.  The Crusaders improved to 5-0 with a double figure win over McQuaid, one of Park's two losses, and they are now the #2 team in NYS Class A.  So basically, Park & Canisius have a date in Fordham on March 29th...but it gets better...

 

- Either Park or Canisius will have to first defeat NYSPHAA state champion Health Sciences, now the #4 team in NYS Class A and the highest ranked team in the public school tournament.  That's THREE teams from WNY in the Federation Tournament from Class A.  They should all do lunch while in the area together.

 

- The best way to lose is in North Carolina.  It worked well for St. Joe's, who jumped up to #18 in NYS Class A after losing its only game of the week.  Reports have the team currently looking into possible games in Raleigh late in January.

 

- McKinley knocks off Williamsville East in the Class A1 Final, before losing to Health Sciences in the Class A crossover -- the first ever meeting between the two programs.

 

- Cardinal O'Hara's loss to McKinley didn't happen according to the rankings.  But according to the records, it did.  The Hawks are now 2-2, but remain locked in at the #9 spot in NYS Class B.

 

- Allegany-Limestone's loss to Bradford did happen according to the rankings.  Bradford is a large school program from PA and knocked off Olean in double OT on Sunday night, but beating Allegany-Limestone the night prior caused the Gators to fall two spots to #25.

 

- Tapestry isn't just going to Glens Falls - they are now playing for a state championship thanks to its #2 Class C ranking in NYS.

 

- Last week, I suggested the Class C rankings could magically expand to 20 teams from 15 teams.  Well, I hope you all believe in magic.  Poof...20 teams!  However, despite the expansion, no love for Holland and its 4-0 record.  Last week, Ellicottville was ranked at 3-0 (a loss to Salamanca on Sunday night knocked them out of the rankings).  A 3-0 record is impressive if you're Ellicottville.   But 4-0 you ask -- not so much if you're Holland I guess. 

 

- Losing by 15 points to unranked opponents in the same classification is no biggie.  Somehow, someway, Clymer is still ranked #11 in NYS Class D.  This despite falling to 3-2 after a 15-point loss to unranked Sherman.  They are the only two-loss team in the now expanded-to-20-teams Class D rankings.  

 

- Pirates & Pioneers > Dutchmen

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

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Class D Bracket - 2018 Sectionals

 

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 21st

(9) Forestville 54, (8) Pine Valley 52

(5) Frewsburg 84, (12) Brocton 37

 

(7) Westfield 60, (10) Clymer 43

(6) Panama 67, (11) North Collins 52

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 23rd

(1) East 79, (9) Forestville 34

(4) Ellicottville 63, (5) Frewsburg 36

 

(2) Sherman 68, (7) Westfield 53

(3) Franklinville 81, (6) Panama 48

 

Semifinals - Tuesday, February 27th 

AT JCC - 6 & 7:45 pm

 (1) East 62, (4) Ellicottville 61

(3) Franklinville 61, (2) Sherman 45

 

Final - Saturday, March 3rd

AT JCC - 4 pm

(1) East 67, (3) Franklinville 59

 

2018 Section VI Class D Champions - East Panthers 

 

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All-League Teams 2017

 

 

MONSIGNOR MARTIN ASSOCIATION

Class A

Player of the Year:

Davion Warren - Timon, 12

 

All-Catholic

Joe Harrison - Timon, 12

Joe Jones - Park, 11

Bo Sireika - St. Francis, 11

Julian Cunningham - St. Francis, 10

Dan Scott - Park, 10

 

Class B

Player of the Year:

Tavien Kemp - Walsh, 12

 

All-Catholic

Will Johnson - Nichols, 12

Daquan Hunt - St. Mary's, 12

Christian Szablewski - St. Mary's, 11

Latrell Butler-Kemp - Walsh, 11

Justin Hemphill - Cardinal O'Hara, 10

 

 

 ************************************************

 

YALE CUP I

Player of the Year:

Shakur Harris - South Park, 12

 

First Team

Willard Anderson - East, 11

Ray Mushat - South Park, 11

Hakeem Dobbins - Middle College, 11

Nakye Booze - McKinley, 12

Tyreek Edwards - Emerson, 12

 

Second Team

Deamontae Riley - Burgard, 11

Justin Allen - East, 11

Davonti Wardlaw - McKinley, 12

Deon Spencer - McKinley, 11

Anthony Mack - South Park, 9

  

Third Team

Derrick Bishop - Middle College, 12

Nader Kompany - Middle College, 11

Kavon Rogers - McKinley, 11

Elijah Lewis - South Park, 10

Gerald Bratton - Riverside, 12

 

Honorable Mention

South Park:  Jeremy Jackson - 12, Jakari Woods - 12, Khalil White - 12

East:  Waunya Shaw - 11, Jahahd Maryon - 11

McKinley:  Emir Evans - 11, Joe Johnson - 12

Middle College:  Shawn Goree - 12, Allen McDuffie - 12

Burgard:  DeJuan Williams - 10

Riverside:  Hak Douth - 11

Hutch-Tech:  Anthony Whitfield - 11

Emerson:  Anthony Hunter - 12

 

************************************************

 

YALE CUP II

Co-Players of the Year:

Dan Reid - Olmsted, 12  / David Anderson - MST Seneca, 12

 

First Team

Earl Howard - MST Seneca, 10

Naseem Baynes - Olmsted, 12

Dom Prince - MST Seneca, 12

Carlos Rosa - Lafayette, 11

Amir Radford - City Honors, 10

 

 Second Team

Alijay Clark - I-Prep, 12

Takeylo Burts - Lafayette, 12

Javaughn Johnson - Buffalo Arts, 12

Jason Chapman - MST Seneca, 10

Austin Parham - Olmsted, 12

 

Third Team

Jeffrey Felix - Lafayette, 12

Talon Moody - City Honors, 12

Dreqwan Johnson - Buffalo Arts, 12

Greg Ngoma - I-Prep, 12

EB Lewis - DaVinci, 9

 

Honorable Mention  

City Honors:  Kevion Taylor - 9, Jaden Slaughter - 8

Lafayatte:  Austin Grimes - 11

Buffalo Arts:  Charles Slobert - 9

DaVinci: Mykel Hardgrove - 12

 

*************************************************

 

ALL-ECIC

Player of the Year:

Dominick Welch, Cheektowaga, 12

 

First Team

Dominick Welch, Cheektowaga, 12

Greg Dolan, Williamsville South, 11

James Rojas - Jamestown, 12

Marcellus Cooper - Amherst, 12

Nick Montgomery - East Aurora, 12

 

Second Team

Vito Fulciniti - Lancaster, 12

Mason Goodridge - Springville, 10

Ray Blackwell - Maryvale, 11

Da'Shawn Hines - Amherst, 12

Josh Denz - East Aurora, 12

 

*************************************************

 

ECIC I

Player of the Year:

James Rojas - Jamestown, 12

 

First Team

Vito Fulciniti - Lancaster, 12

LG Castillo - Lancaster, 12

Alec Tamburri - Lancaster, 11

Dylan Anderson - Orchard Park, 11

Jairus Huggins - Williamsville North, 12

 

Second Team

Jesse Wayland - West Seneca West, 11

Dan Anderson - Orchard Park, 12

Noah Speyer - Lancaster, 12

Marcus Rojas - Jamestown, 10

River Reinhardt - Clarence, 10

Jacob Belote - Williamsville North, 10

 

Honorable Mention

Frontier:  Kyle Ebert - 11, Brian Norsen - 10, Zack Gerken - 12

Williamsville North:  Corey Swiech - 11, Anthony Maniscalco - 12

Clarence:  Jack Putney - 10

Jamestown:  Matt Hill - 11

 

****************************************************

 

ECIC II

Player of the Year:

Greg Dolan - Williamsville South, 11

 

First Team

Marcellus Cooper - Amherst, 12

Dakota Wiley - Williamsville South, 12

Da'Shawn Hines - Amherst, 12

Jake Genzel - Hamburg, 11

Drew Butler - Williamsville East, 12

 

Second Team

Chris Stineman - West Seneca East, 10

Zamari Mitchell - West Seneca East, 10

Evan John - Sweet Home, 10

Dominic Farszmil - West Seneca East, 12

Stephon Trueheart - Sweet Home, 10

 

Honorable Mention

Williamsville South:  Adam Braniecki - 12, Mark Worthy - 12

Williamsville East:  Matthew Gelder, 12

Iroquois:  Matthew Whalen, 12

Amherst:  Daesean Ashley, 9

Hamburg:  Patrick Hart, 12

 

****************************************************

 

ECIC III

Player of the Year:

Dominick Welch - Cheektowaga, 12

 

First Team

Nick Montgomery- East Aurora, 12

Josh Denz - East Aurora, 12

Ray Blackwell - Maryvale, 11

John Park - Lake Shore, 11

Chad Biersbach - Depew, 11

 

Second Team

Derek Clemons - Starpoint, 12

Cal McTigue - East Aurora, 12

Kyle Burley - Pioneer, 11

Vaughn Burdette - Cheektowaga, 12

Justin Mott - Starpoint, 10

Rudy Bragg - Cheektowaga, 11

Honorable Mention

Maryvale:  Brian Sullivan - 12

Lake Shore:  Jay Brueckl - 11

Starpoint:  Adam Lasal - 12

Cheektowaga:  Alex Bryant - 11

Depew:  Tyler Biersbach, 12

East Aurora:  Joe Montgomery - 12

 

 ************************************************

 

ECIC IV

Player of the Year:

Mason Goodridge - Springville, 10

 

First Team

Paul Woodward - Cleveland Hill, 12

Coan Relyea - Holland, 12

Noah Grabar - Lackawanna, 10

Marcus James - Springville, 12

Christian Snell - Alden, 11

 

Second Team

Andy Bialy - Eden, 12

London Smith - Lackawanna, 11

Jacob Braniecki - JFK, 11

Tyler Phillips - Cleveland Hill, 12

Jordan Pacillo - Lackawanna, 12

Trey Lilly - Tonawanda, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Lackawanna:  Harris Bekric - 10, Noble Smith - 11

Tonawanda:  Charlie Moore - 12, Nick Bitter - 12

Holland:  Jordan Kolbmann, Pierce Gardon

JFK:  Thomas Isbrandt - 12

Alden:  Conrad Boucher - 12

Cleveland Hill:  J'Son James - 12

Eden:  Jason Porter

 

***************************************************

 

NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE

 

First  Team

Tyler Aquilina - Kenmore West, 12

Trevor Book - North Tonawanda, 11 

Tavon Chambers - Lockport, 12

Tal James - Kenmore West, 12

Cam Sionko - Grand Island, 10

 

Second Team

Syquan Ralands - Niagara Falls, 11

Kyle LaPlante - Kenmore West, 12

Kyle Brown - Lockport, 12

Mario Wright - Grand Island, 12

Malik Brooks - Lockport, 10

 

Third Team

Jalen Bradberry - Niagara Wheatfield, 8

Tazaun Rose - Niagara Falls, 11

Alex Quinn - North Tonawanda, 12

JB Wilkes - Grand Island, 12

Charles Lamar - Niagara Falls, 12

 

*******************************************************

 

NIAGARA-ORLEANS

 

First Team

Jalin Cooper - Medina, 11

Nathan Luckman - Barker, 12

Max Weber - Newfane, 11

Johnny Salone - Medina, 10

Kyle DeVoogel - Newfane, 11

 

Second Team

Justin Daul - Wilson, 12

Izaiah Rhim - Medina, 10

Jacob Bruning - Roy-Hart, 11

Kory Reynolds - Albion, 12

Connor Seeley - Wilson, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Akron:  Mason Schultz - 11, Derek Holtz - 11

Albion:  Lamar Chambers - 12, Tommy Matison - 12, Chase Hall - 12, Tanner Ferris - 12

Barker:  Eddie Wasnock - 12, Jake Arnold - 12, Austin Sullivan - 11

Roy-Hart:  Daniel Davis - 12, Brendan Hess - 12

Newfane:  Caleb Russell - 12, Connor Hill - 11, Chad Dunbar - 11, Brandon Gross - 11

Medina:  Vincent Montague - 10, Brendan Luthart - 11, Mason Lewis - 12, Alex Allis - 12, Tyrellis Atkins - 12

Wilson:  Jonah Miller - 12, Steve Frerichs - 10

 

**************************************************

 

CCAA I West

Player of the Year:

Devin Pope - Chautauqua Lake, 11

 

First Team

Monty Shoemaker - Olean, 12

Aaron Swan -  Chautauqua Lake, 12

Darnell Butts - Dunkirk, 11

Lucas Voss - Fredonia, 12

Carson Crist - Maple Grove, 10

 

Second Team

Shamon Stewart - Dunkirk, 12

Mike Schmidt - Olean, 10

Nate Shuart - Fredonia, 10

Tristen Snyder - Olean, 12

Michael Padilla - Maple Grove, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Dunkirk:  Evon Hernandez - 12, Tyreek Ruiz - 12, Devaun Farnham - 11, Noah Sobilo - 11

Maple Grove:  Dalton Dubois - 12, Peter Auer - 9

Falconer:  Brandon Luke - 12, Brandon Crick - 11

Olean:  Matt Droney - 10, Luke Rogers - 12

Southwestern:  Niko Pannes - 12, Alex Card - 10

Chautauqua Lake:  Tyler Meredith - 12

 

******************************************************

 

CCAA II WEST

Co-Players of the Year:

Chris Robson - Sherman, 12  &  Cordell O'Brien - Frewsburg, 12

 

First Team

Justin Svetz - Clymer, 12

Josh Van Earden - Clymer, 12

Dustin Neckers - Clymer, 11

Jared Gleason - Sherman, 11

 

Second Team

David Grayson - Westfield, 12

Tristen Frye - Panama, 12

Brandon Chamberlin - Cassadaga Valley, 12

Johnethen Spicer - Brocton, 12

Shawn Horr - Westfield, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Sherman: Mike Delcamp - 12, Brandon Nickerson - 12, Kyle Carpenter - 12, Tanner Ramsey - 11

Frewsburg:  Nyle Bird - 12, Caleb Caldwell - 12, Tyler Marchincin - 11, Brad Nelson - 9

Clymer:  Dylan Davis - 12

Brocton:  Garrett McFadden - 12

Cassadaga Valley:  Conner Crabtree - 10, Adam Goot - 10

Westfield:  Julio Torres - 11

Panama:  Noah Eggleston - 12, Lucas Golden - 12

 

**************************************************

 

CCAA I EAST

Co-Players of the Year:

Tyler Hind - Raandolph, 9  &  Nate Brawdy - Gowanda, 11

 

First Team

Zeus Enriquez - Salamanca, 12

Jarrett Lecceadone - Randolph, 12

Zach Hemphill - Allegany-Limestone, 12

Jake Beaver - Randolph, 12

 

Second Team

Jarmani Benton - Gowanda, 11

Joe Sherlock - Salamanca, 12

Hercules Rasha - Salamanca, 11

Nick Stein - Portville, 12

Sam Flanders - Allegany-Limestone, 10

Brady Woelben - Silver Creek, 10

 

Honorable Mention

Portville:  Colin Kloc - 12, Jaeden Harris - 11

Gowanda:  Matt Kruszka - 12

Randolph:  Kaleb Frink - 12

Salamanca:  Derek McClure - 12, Michael Collins - 12

Allegany-Limestone:  Sean McAffee - 11

Silver Creek:  Chris Williams - 12

 

*************************************************** 

 

CCAA II EAST

Player of the Year:

Elliot Bowen - Ellicottville, 11

 

First Team

Sam Erickson - Franklinville, 11

Dylan Chase - Pine Valley, 12

Griffin Chudy - Ellicottville, 11

Isaac Kopp - Franklinville, 11

Darren Clark - Franklinville, 11

 

 Second Team

Austin Grinols - Ellicottville, 11

Brandon Zielinski - North Collins, 11

Kalvin Stanbro - Forestville, 12

Kellen Martin - Cattaraugus/Little-Valley, 12

Lewis Markham - Forestville, 11

Zach Mansfield, Pine Valley, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Franklinville:  Brock Belcha - 11, Dylan Burton - 11

Ellicottville:  Steven Rowland - 10, Noah Stuve - 11

Pine Valley:  Gilberto Ortiz - 12

Forestville:  Trent Hartloff - 12

Cattaraugus/Little-Valley:  Austin Baker - 11

North Collins:  Zachary Schroeder - 11

 

All-Charter

Player of the Year:

Davonte Gaines - Health Sciences, 11

 

Offensive & Defensive POY:

Davonte Gaines - Health Sciences, 11

 

First Team

Davonte Gaines - Health Sciences, 11

Tyron Lott - Health Sciences, 11

Shakur Bridges - Oracle Charter, 12

Dwight Dilbert - Global Concepts, 12

Paitwan Jenifer - Tapestry, 12

 

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Section VI All-Tournament Teams 2017

(South Park's Shakur Harris scored 54 points in his two games during Buff State Week/Photo: Harry Scull,Buff News)

 

 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 brackets from every section in NYS, including other All-Tournament teams.

 

Class AA

MVP - Tazaun Rose - Niagara Falls

 

Cortese Myles - Niagara Falls

Alec Tamburri - Lancaster

Vito Fulciniti - Lancaster

James Rojas - Jamestown

Kevin Carpenter - Kenmore West

 

********          ********          ********  

 

Class A1

MVP - Trevor Book - North Tonawanda

 

Vincent Tripi - North Tonawanda

Zack Woodard - North Tonawanda

Greg Dolan - Williamsville South

Emir Evans - McKinley

JB Wilkes - Grand Island

 

********          ********          ******** 

 

Class A2

MVP - Shakur Harris - South Park

 

Dom Welch - Cheektowaga

Marcellus Cooper - Amherst

Da'Shawn Hines - Amherst

Ray Mushat - South Park

Monty Shoemaker - Olean

 

********          ********          ********      

 

Class B1

MVP - Nick Montgomery - East Aurora

 

Cal McTigue - East Aurora

Josh Denz - East Aurora

Max Weber - Newfane

Tyreek Ruiz - Dunkirk

David Anderson - MST Seneca

 

********          ********          ******** 

 

Class B2

MVP - Davonte Gaines - Health Sciences

 

Tyron Lott - Health Sciences

Haris Bekric - Lackawanna

Noah Grabar - Lackawanna

Jalin Cooper - Medina

Dan Reid - Olmsted

 

********          *********          ********  

 

Class C1

MVP - Devin Pope - Chautauqua Lake

 

Aaron Swan - Chautauqua Lake

Chase Johnson - Cleveland Hill

Paul Woodward - Cleveland Hill

Zach Hemphill - Allegany-Limestone

Nick Stein - Portville

 

********          ********          ********       

 

Class C2

MVP - Tyler Hind - Randolph

 

Jake Beaver - Randolph

Jarrett Lecceadone - Randolph

Willard Anderson - East

Cordell O'Brien - Frewsburg

Nate Luckman - Barker

 

********          ********          ********   

 

Class D

MVP - Isaac Kopp - Franklinville

 

Brock Blecha - Franklinville

Sam Erickson - Franklinville

Chris Robson - Sherman

Elliot Bowen - Ellicottville

Dustin Neckers - Clymer

 

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Sectional Preview - 2017

(Monty Shoemaker & the Olean Huskies enter sectionals on a 14-game win streak / Photo: Olean Times Herald)
 

 The Section VI postseason begins Tuesday night with seven First Round matchups.  The winner moves on to participate in the Pre-Quarterfinal round on Wednesday night at 7 pm.  On Friday, 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 

 

Most exciting brackets, top to bottom:

8. C1

7. D

6. C2

5. A1

4. B1

3. B2

2. AA

1. A2

- The Class A2 bracket is awesome for several reasons.  Amherst has been the highest ranked from that bunch all year and are the only local public school to knock off Williamsville South since 2015.  Cheektowaga has Dom Welch leading the Warriors and chasing the all-time scoring record, which very well could happen under the bright lights at Buff State.  South Park won the Yale Cup, which gives them a 70% chance of winning a Section VI crown based on past history.  Olean is the defending Class B state champion with the area's all-time winningest Hall of Fame coach and they just beat Timon by 10. Maryvale owns a win over Olean this season.  

 

Sleepers from each bracket

AA - Niagara Falls:  They are the #5 seed, so the Wolverines would qualify under this category.  Despite finishing 4th in the NFL, Falls is more than capable of winning the whole thing.  They've defeated the likes of UPrep, Kenmore West, Lockport, & North Tonawanda this season, along with going to overtime against Park.

A1 - Sweet Home:  The Panthers are still young, but have a win over Williamsville North this season and have shown the ability to hang with a couple large school top 10 teams...this month they only lost by five to both Amherst & Kenmore West.

A2 - Maryvale:  They were my sleeper in this bracket last year also.  The fact that the Flyers are one of two teams to defeat Olean this season, who they visit in the Quarterfinal Round this Friday night, says it all.

B1 - Dunkirk:  The #5 seed has been all over the place this season, but when they're on...look out.  A quarterfinal win at Springville would have them facing East Aurora in the semifinals at Buff State.  I'm willing to bet the Marauders are the one team East Aurora had hoped to avoid until the final.

B2 - Wilson:  The Lakemen are the classic team that will make you pay for not showing up...or sleeping on them.  They knocked off Niagara Wheatfield this season and also played Medina within four points.

C1 - Allegany-Limestone:  The Gators have improved after dropping their first four games to start the season.  They competed with Nichols in a nonleague contest, knocked off Wellsville late in the year, and spent the regular season taking their licks in CCAA I East.  They can hang with the rest in this bracket.

C2 - Maple Grove:  The Red Dragons just beat Dunkirk a week ago, swept Fredonia, knocked off Clymer (top seed in Class D), and have been to Glens Falls three times in the last decade, with two state titles.

D - Pine Valley:  The Class D bracket only has six teams.  I'll go out on a limb and make the #6 seed Panthers my sleeper.  

 

Top 10 Pre-Quarterfinal Games (Wednesday, February 22nd)

10. Iroquois @ Starpoint

9. Silver Creek @ Global Concepts

8. Frontier @ Orchard Park

7. Fredonia @ I-Prep

6. CSAT/Riverside @ Depew

5. Roy-Hart @ Lafayette

4. Alden @ Burgard *at MST Seneca

3. JFK @ Gowanda

2. Lake Shore @ Pioneer

1. Niagara Wheatfield @ Clarence 

 

Top 10 Quarterfinal Games (Friday, February 24th)

10. West Seneca East @ McKinley

9. Barker @ Holland

8. Maryvale @ Olean

7. Allegany-Limestone @ Salamanca

6. Wilson @ Lackawanna

5. Burgard @ East Aurora

4. Sweet Home @ Grand Island

3. Maple Grove @ Frewsburg

2. Middle College vs. Health Sciences *at Daemen

1. Niagara Falls @ Loclport

 

Most Exciting Potential Semifinals

8. Olmsted vs. Lackawanna (B2)

7. East Aurora vs. Dunkirk (B1)

6. Health Sciences vs. Medina (B2)

5. Ellicottville vs. Franklinville (D)

4. Kenmore West vs. Lancaster (AA)

3. Jamestown vs. Niagara Falls/Lockport

2. Olean vs. Amherst (A2)

1. Cheektowaga vs. South Park (A2)

 

Most Exciting Championship Games

5. Class B2

4. Class A1

3. Class AA

2. Class C2

1. Class A2

 

Winning streaks heading into sectionals

Olean - 14  (and 16 of last 17)

Medina - 13  (and 15 of last 16)

MST Seneca - 10  (and 12 of last 13)

South Park - 10

Randolph - 9  (and 12 of last 13)

Kenmore West 8  (and 11 of last 12)

East Aurora - 7  (and 11 of last 12)

Clymer - 7  (and 11 of last 12)

Franklinville - 6  (and 12 of last 13)

Lockport - 6  (and 7 of last 8)

Springville - 6

 * Olmsted has won 15 of its last 16

 * Amherst has won 14 of its last 15

 * Frewsburg has won 13 of its last 14

 * Ellicottville has won 10 of its last 11

 * Williamsville South has won 8 of its last 9

 

Predictions

AA - Niagara Falls

A1 - Williamsville South

A2 - Olean

B1 - East Aurora

B2 - Health Sciences

C1 - Chautauqua Lake

C2 - East

D - Franklinville

 

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Class D Bracket - 2017 Sectionals

 

 

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th 

(3) Franklinville 68, (6) Pine Valley 49

(4) Sherman 57, (5) Forestville 22

 

 Semifinals - Monday, February 27th & Tuesday February 28th

AT JCC - 8:15 pm

(4) Sherman 56, (1) Clymer 36

(3) Franklinville 66, (2) Ellicottville 48

 

Final - Friday, March 3rd

AT JCC - 5:15 pm

(3) Franklinville 59, (4) Sherman 48

 

2017 Section VI Class D Champions - Franklinville Panthers 

 

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Class D Bracket - 2016 Sectionals

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 17th

(8) Forestville 47, (9 ) Westfield 43

(7) Clymer 72, (10) North Collins 54

 

 Quarterfinals - Friday, February 19th 

(1) Panama 72, (8) Forestville 42

(4) Sherman 41, (5) Brocton 40

 

(2) Ellicottville 70, (7) Clymer 51

(3) Franklinville 51, (6) Pine Valley 46

 

 Semifinals - Monday, February 22nd & Tuesday February 23rd

AT JCC - 8:15 pm

 (1) Panama 65, (4) Sherman 44

(2) Ellicottville 72, (3) Franklinville 62

 

 Final - Friday, February 26th

AT JCC - 5:15 pm

(1) Panama 56, (2) Ellicottville 36

 

2016 Section VI Class D Champions - Panama Panthers

 

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Class D Bracket - 2015 Sectionals

 

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 25th

(8) Pine Valley 85, (9) West Valley 63

(5) Ellicottville 73, (12) North Collins 31

 

(7) Maple Grove 40, (10) Brocton 30

(6) Westfield 40, (11) Clymer 34

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 27th

(1) I-Prep 64, (8) Pine Valley 33

(4) Panama 72, (5) Ellicottville 24

 

(2) Sherman 58, (7) Maple Grove 46 

(6) Westfield 60, (3) Forestville 42

 

Semifinals - Monday, March 2nd & Tuesday March 3rd

AT JCC - 8:15 pm

(1) I-Prep 57, (4) Panama 53

(2) Sherman 75, (6) Westfield 52

 

 Final - Friday, March 6th

AT JCC - 5:30 pm

 (1) I-Prep 68, (2) Sherman 60

 

2015 Section VI Class D Champions:

I-Prep Presidents

 

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Top games of the week ending 1/18/15

(Freshman Joe Jones & the Park Pioneers invade Canisius on Tuesday. Photo by Buffalo News)

 

Here's a list of what I think are the top games to follow this week:

 

Monday, January 12th

Walsh @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

Sherman @ Maple Grove - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 13th

Park @ Canisius - 6:30 pm

Medina @ Wilson - 6:30 pm

Niagara Falls @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Williamsville South @ Sweet Home - 6:30 pm

Kenmore West @ North Tonawanda - 7 pm

Williamsville East @ West Seneca East - 7:30 pm

Portville @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 14th

Timon @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

St. Joe's @ Starpoint - 7 pm

 

Thursday, January 15th

Tapestry @ Randolph - 7 pm

Clymer @ Sherman - 7:30 pm

Cleveland Hill @ St. Mary's - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 16th

Lew-Port @ Niagara Falls - 6:30 pm

Lockport @ Kenmore West - 6:30 pm

Nichols @ St. Joe's - 7 pm

Cardinal O'Hara @ St. Mary's - 7:30 pm

Starpoint @ Williamsville East - 7:30 pm

Iroquois @ West Seneca East - 7:30 pm

Williamsville North @ Lancaster - 7:30 pm

Silver Creek @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

MLK Classic **at City Honors

City Honors vs. Health Sciences - 4:30 pm

I-Prep vs. Maritime - 6 pm

Middle College vs. St. Francis - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 17th

MLK Classic **at City Honors

Olmsted vs. Sherman - 11 am

Riverside vs. East Aurora - 12:30 pm

Hutch-Tech vs. Sweet Home - 2 pm

McKinley vs. Canisius - 5:15 pm

 

Game of the Week - Park @ Canisius on Tuesday, January 13th

- Two years ago, before I was aware of the influx of talent making its way to The Park School, a respected coach said to me, "I'm going to tell you right now, Park could win the Monsignor Martin".  At the time I laughed, literally, and thought of it as one of the more outlandish things I'd heard someone say to me with a straight face.   I'm no longer laughing.  These days, I'm the one saying that same thing to others.

The Park Pioneers will enter the game as WNY's top ranked small school, while Canisius, who needs no introduction in local high school hoop circles, is the top ranked large school and regarded as the benchmark program of the area.  This season, the Crusaders have already defeated the #2 large school and Class AA finalist from last season, Jamestown, along with turning in a resounding victory over the defending Manhattan Cup champs, Nichols.  

Meanwhile, Park has been wowing crowds on hand to witness the display they put on during games, and those who have yet to see them in person have done a double take when checking box scores.  Of the seven area teams the Pioneers have faced this season, none have gotten closer than 20 points, and only Lew-Port even competed, yet still trailed by 15 points through three quarters.  Park's seven wins have come by an average of 37.5 points.  The Pioneers hold the season-high for points in a game with 105, scored in a 59-point win over Hutch-Tech.

The two schools have only one prior meeting to look back at, a 12-point win for Canisius at Park last season.   While there is a growing sentiment that this year's Crusader squad may be even better than last's years buzz saw,  there is little debate when comparing last season to this year's version of the Pioneers - they have significantly upgraded.  Most notably, Park added 6-7 Jordan Nwora from Amherst, an inside/outside threat, and Joe Jones, a 6-8 freshman who mans the middle and gives them a legitimate post presence.

With the change in format to the Manhattan Cup playoffs, both teams will have a chance to compete for CHSAA state championships - Canisius in Class A and Park in Class B - if they can emerge as the champions of the MMA.  But there is no chance that these two cross paths in the postseason and there will be no rematch this year.  The winner of this game will be considered the best in WNY, which made this game an easy choice for the Game of the Week.

 

-centercourt

Top games of the week ending 1/11/15

(Middle College at McKinley on 2/8/14. Photo by John Hickey/Buffalo News)

 

Here's a list of what I think are the top games to follow this week:

 

Monday, January 5th

Bennett @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

Panama @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 6th

Canisius @ Nichols - 6:30 pm

St. Mary's @ Walsh - 6:30 pm

Maryvale @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

St. Joe's @ Timon - 7 pm

Lew-Port @ North Tonawanda - 7 pm

Fredonia @ Olean - 7:30 pm

Sweet Home @ West Seneca East - 7:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 7th

East @ McKinley - 6 pm

 

Thursday, January 8th

Cleveland Hill @ Tonawanda - 6:30 pm

Iroquois @ Starpoint - 7 pm

Amherst @ Maryvale - 7:30 pm

Jamestown @ Williamsville North - 7:30 pm

Williamsville East @ Williamsville South - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 9th

Middle College @ McKinley - 6 pm

Lockport @ Lew-Port - 6:30 pm

North Tonawanda @ Niagara Falls - 6:30 pm

Walsh @ Park - 6:30 pm

Amherst @ Sweet Home - 7 pm

Silver Creek @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

Randolph @ Portville - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 10th

Canisius @ St. Joe's - 2 pm

Niagara Falls @ Aquinas - 5 pm

 

Game of the Week - Middle College @ McKinley on Friday, January 9th

- After breaking the Yale Cup winning streak by winning 33 straight games against its competition from the Buffalo Public Schools, McKinley saw its run end at the hands of Middle College on January 31, 2014.  The Kats proceeded to go into Mack High a week later and defeat McKinley for a second time and went on to win the Yale Cup.

McKinley would go on to win a third straight Section VI title in Class A1, while Middle College also earned a third straight Section VI crown, and made it all the way to the NYSPHAA Class C state championship game.

Once again this season, the two programs are considered elite in both the city and in their respective classifications in the section.  The two games played between these annual powers will likely determine this year's Yale Cup champion just like a season ago.  The Kats already own a victory over East, the only other team likely to challenge these two in the city, who McKinley hosts prior to facing the Kats, on Wednesday.  A win on Friday for the Kats would have them well on their way to a repeat, while a McKinley victory would establish a clear pecking order of the city's top programs.

As of now, McKinley is the #4 ranked large school in WNY, while Middle College is ranked #4 among WNY small schools.

 

-centercourt

The Standings

 

* Overall record followed by league record

 

Yale Cup I

McKinley.................17-2  (12-0)

Middle College.........14-5  (9-3)

Burgard....................13-6  (9-3)

East.........................11-8  (8-4)

Bennett....................4-15  (3-9)

South Park...............6-12  (2-10)

Riverside..................5-14  (2-10)

Hutch-Tech..............3-16  (2-10)

 

 Yale Cup II

I-Prep.....................15-4  (11-1)

Emerson.................12-6  (8-4) 

MST Seneca............8-11  (7-5)

DaVinci...................8-6  (7-5)

City Honors............7-12  (6-6)

Buffalo Arts.............8-9  (6-6)

Olmsted..................7-12  (4-8)

Lafayette................0-18  (0-12)

 

ECIC I

Jamestown...........16-3  (12-0)

Will North............15-4  (10-2)

Lancaster...............11-8  (7-5)

Frontier.................10-8  (6-6)

Clarence...............5-14  (4-8)

Orchard Park..........6-13  (2-10)

W.Seneca West.......2-17  (1-11)

 

 ECIC II

Will South.............17-2  (13-1)

Starpoint..............16-3  (12-2)

Sweet Home...........10-9  (7-7)

Will East................9-10  (7-7)

Hamburg...............8-11  (6-8)

W.Seneca East.......10-9  (5-9)

Iroquois................7-12  (4-10)

 Lake Shore............4-18  (2-12)

 

ECIC III

Amherst............17-2  (12-0)

Cheektowaga.....15-4  (10-2)

Depew................10-9  (8-4)

East Aurora........8-11  (6-6)

Maryvale............9-10  (3-9)

Pioneer...............6-13  (3-9)

Springville..........3-15  (0-12)

 

 ECIC IV

Cleveland Hill............16-3  (12-0)

Lackawanna...............9-9  (9-3)

Holland......................9-10  (6-6)

Tonawanda................10-9  (6-6)

JFK.............................11-8  (6-6)

Alden.........................4-15  (3-9)

Eden..........................2-17  (0-12)

 

Niagara Frontier League

North Tonawanda...........15-4  (12-2)

Niagara Falls...................13-6  (12-2)

Lockport.........................11-8  (9-5)

Lew-Port.........................11-8  (8-6)

Kenmore West................7-12  (6-8)

Grand Island...................7-12  (5-9)

Niagara Wheatfield.........6-13  (4-10)

Kenmore East.................1-17  (0-14)

 

Niagara-Orleans

Wilson.................16-3  (13-1)

Medina................10-9  (10-4)

Akron..................11-9  (8-6)

CSAT...................10-7  (8-6)

Albion.................10-9  (8-6)

Newfane..............5-14  (4-10)

Roy-Hart.............6-13  (3-11)

Barker.................3-18  (2-12)

 

CCAA West I

Fredonia.......................17-2  (11-1)

Olean............................15-4  (11-1)

Dunkirk........................12-7  (8-4)

Southwestern................10-9  (5-7)

Chautauqua Lake..........5-14  (4-8)

Falconer.......................3-15  (2-10)

Cassadaga Valley..........6-14  (1-11)

 

CCAA East I

Silver Creek.......................17-2  (11-1)

Randolph..........................13-6  (10-2)

Salamanca.........................13-6  (9-3)

Portville............................12-7  (6-6)

Allegany-Limestone..........9-10  (4-8)

Gowanda...........................7-12  (2-10)

Catt Little/Valley...............2-17  (0-12)

 

 

CCAA West II

Sherman.......................19-0  (12-0)

Panama.........................15-4  (9-3)

Westfield.......................11-8 (8-4)

Maple Grove..................9-10  (7-5)

Frewsburg.....................4-15  (3-9)

Brocton.........................5-14  (2-10)

Clymer.........................5-14  (1-11)

 

 

 CCAA East II

Forestville.................12-7  (9-1)

Franklinville..............10-9  (8-2)

Ellicottville................12-7 (7-3)

Pine Valley................7-12  (3-7)

West Valley................8-11  (3-7)

North Collins.............0-18  (0-10)

 

Charter Schools 

Health Sciences...................16-3

Tapestry..............................15-3

Global Concepts...................10-9

Oracle..................................5-14

WNY Maritime.....................3-15

Buffalo Science.....................5-11

 

Monsignor Martin - Large Schools

Canisius.......................19-5  (13-0)

Nichols........................15-9  (8-5)

Timon.........................13-11  (7-6)

St. Joe's......................11-13  (7-6)

St. Francis....................5-19  (1-12)

 

Monsignor Martin - Small Schools

Park.............................17-3  (11-2)

St. Mary's....................15-9  (7-6)

Archbishop Walsh........14-10  (6-7)

Niagara Catholic...........10-13  (3-10)

Cardinal O'Hara............7-17   (2-11)

 

-centercourt

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

 

**********************************************

 

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

 

************************************************ 

 

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

 

**********************************************

 

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

 

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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

 

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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

 

-centercourt

The Schedule - 2014-2015

 

Saturday, March 28th

NYS Federation Semifinals at SUNY Albany 

Class B:

Park vs. Westhill - 1 pm

Dwight vs.  Maspeth - 3 pm

 

Saturday, March 28th

NYS Federation Championships at SUNY Albany

Class A:

Canisius vs. Albany Academy - 5 pm

Class AA:

Wings Academy vs.  TBD - 9 pm

 

Sunday, March 29th

NYS Federation Championships at SUNY Albany

Class B:

4 pm

 

-centercourt

All-League Teams - 2014

 

- Monsignor Martin

- Yale Cup I, II

- All-ECIC

-ECIC I, II, III, & IV

- NFL

- N-O

-CCAA West I, II

- CCAA East I, II

- Charter Schools

 

MONSIGNOR MARTIN ASSOCIATION

Co-Players of the Year:

Donte Williams, Timon - 12

Howard Washington, Canisius - 10

 

First Team

Stafford Trueheart - Canisius, 10

Tyler English - St. Mary's, 12

Cam Lewis - Nichols, 11

Justin Hollins - St. Joe's, 12

Derek Cheatom - Park, 11

 

Second Team

Chris Miner - Nichols, 11

LaTerrance Reed - Canisius, 11

Derick Simpson - Timon, 11

Tanner Schmit - Nichols, 11

Kordell Holness-Lightbody - St. Francis, 11

 

************************************************

 

YALE CUP I

Player of the Year:

Bri'an Brown - Middle College, 12

 

First Team

Johnathon Lewis - East, 12

Percy Bryant - East, 11

D'Andre Steward - McKinley, 12

Devin Morris - McKinley, 11

Kevin Briggs - Middle College, 12

 

Second Team

Shawn Young - East, 12

Aymanuel Ranford - Hutch-Tech, 12

Varin Lenard - McKinley, 12

Tarron Scott - Middle College, 12

Willie Smith - Riverside, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Dave Williams - Bennett, 12

AJ Ayala - East, 12

Dante Thompson - McKinley, 12

Keion Godson - South Park, 12

Austin Peach - South Park, 12

 

************************************************

 

YALE CUP II

Player of the Year:

Lester Diaz - Lafayette, 12

 

First Team

Terrance James - I-Prep, 11

Xavier Maye - I-Prep, 11

Michael Simpson - Emerson, 10

Ivan Harris - Buffalo Arts, 

Matt Cieslik - City Honors, 11

Brandon Roach - Olmsted, 10

 

Second Team

Damon Boykin - I-Prep, 12

Jamaal Felton - MST Seneca, 12

Jason Dowell - Emerson, 10

Jovanny Vargas - Lafayette, 10

 

Third Team

Isiah Griffin - Buffalo Arts, 12

Ballah burch - Olmsted, 12

Davon Grant - I-Prep, 10

Jordahn Summers - City Honors, 11

RaShawn Jones - MST Seneca, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Adam Figueroa - Lafayatte, 12

Jermaine Shelton - Buffalo Arts, 12

Dante Rivera - Emerson, 12

Nolan Megna - City Honors, 12

Griffin Tritto - Olmsted, 12

Divante Robinson - DaVinci, 11

 

*************************************************

 

ALL-ECIC

Player of the Year:

Sterling Taplin - Williamsville North, 12

 

First Team

Zack Panebianco - Jamestown, 12

Quinn Lee Yaw - Jamestown, 12

Ryan Funk - Clarence, 12

Phil Bowen - Iroquois, 12

TC Brown - Amherst, 10

 

Second Team

Aaron Phillips - Cleveland Hill, 12

Dominik Welch - Cheektowaga, 9

Zak Ciezki - Cheektowaga, 11

Cort Williams - Williamsville East, 11

Clay Lewis - Holland, 11

Jay Bergmann - Frontier, 11

 

*************************************************

 

ECIC I

Co-Players of the Year:

Sterling Taplin - Williamsville North, 12

Quinn Lee Yaw - Jamestown, 12

 

First Team

Zack Panebianco - Jamestown, 12

Ryan Funk - Clarence, 12

Bryan Jost - Clarence, 12

 Joe Jankowski - Lancaster, 12

Jay Bergmann - Frontier, 11

 

Second Team

Emaure Williams - Clarence, 12

Maceo Jack - Williamsville North, 10

Mike Spengler - Lancaster, 12

Stephen Carlson - Jamestown, 11

Nick Clancy - West Seneca West, 12

Dylan Lambert - Williamsville North, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Dave Rajski - Frontier, 12

Frank Borzillieri - West Seneca West, 11

Camron Murray - Orchard Park, 12

George Attea - Williamsville North, 11

Sean Hill - Williamsville North, 10

 

****************************************************

 

ECIC II

Player of the Year:

Phil Bowen - Iroquois, 12

 

First Team

Sam Castronova - Williamsville South, 11

Nicholas Clough - Williamsville East, 11

Cort Williams - Williamsville East, 11

James Nix - Sweet Home, 12

Griffin Ryan - Hamburg, 12

 

Second Team

Brandon Pierce - Hamburg, 12

Josh Pieczynski - Iroquois, 12

Christian Nodine - Starpoint, 10

Kam Varner - Williamsville South, 11

Nick Parucki - West Seneca East, 11

Jordan Heine - Sweet Home, 11

 

 Honorable Mention

Brandon Smiley - Sweet Home, 11

Matt Macomber - Williamsville South, 12

Graham Dolan - Williamsville South, 11

Brock Kroening - Starpoint, 10

 

****************************************************

 

ECIC III

Player of the Year:

TC Brown - Amherst, 10

 

First Team

Zak Cieszki - Cheektowaga, 11

Dominik Welch - Cheektowaga, 9

Ed Smith - Maryvale, 12

Brandon Cox - East Aurora, 12

Derrick Sekuterski - Depew, 12

 

Second Team

Logan Jung - Maryvale, 12

Jordan Nwora - Amherst, 10

Mike Lamb - Depew, 12

Colin Hart - Lake Shore, 12

Darien Lowe - Amherst, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Colin Gemerek - Depew, 12

Greg Beatty - Springville, 12

Preston Summers - Cheektowaga, 12

Wade Bergum - Lake Shore, 12

Noah Thompson - East Aurora, 10

Michael Coatsworth - East Aurora, 11

Bryce Little - Pioneer, 11

Dorian Billups - Amherst, 11

Denis Vanini - Depew, 12

 

**************************************************

 

ECIC IV

Player of the Year:

Aaron Phillips - Cleveland Hill, 12

 

First Team

Clay Lewis - Holland, 11

Dylan Dussault - Alden, 12

Larry Fields - Lackawanna, 12

Bradley Palmerton - Eden, 12

Tristan Boling - Tonawanda, 11

 

Second Team

Jermaine Hairston - Cleveland Hill, 11

Ben Stich - Tonawanda, 12

Connor Pumm - Tonawanda, 12

Jared Watkins - Cleveland Hill, 12

JR Kline - Holland, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Tyler Glaser - Alden, 12

Nick Kibler - Alden, 12

Dylan Riddoch - Alden, 10

Joe Braniecki - JFK, 11

Josh McMahon - JFK, 11

Jeremiah Jones - Lackawanna, 11

Darius Cleveland - Lackawanna, 11

 

***************************************************

 

NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE

First  Team

Noah Whalen - Kenmore West, 12

Alex Price - Kenmore West, 12

Colin Dougherty - Lockport, 12

Ryan Lawrence - Lockport, 12

Ryan Ross - Grand Island, 12

 

Second Team

Charlie Sobieraski - Lockport, 12

Joe Piotroski - North Tonawanda, 12

Craig Paige - Lew-Port, 11

Chris Woodard - North Tonawanda, 11

Mike Awad - North Tonawanda, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Adam Geib - Kenmore East, 12

Adam Fron - Kenmore West, 12

Zach Keegan - Lew-Port, 12

Jenard Jackson - Lew-Port, 10

Moziah Townsend - Lockport, 12

 

*******************************************************

 

NIAGARA-ORLEANS

First Team

Jake Haight - Barker, 12

Mungie Brown - Medina, 12

Mitch Luckman - Barker, 12

Alex Stoddard - Roy-Hart, 12

Josh Kneeland - Newfane, 12

Kyle Bradley - Wilson, 11

 

Second Team

Bryce Moeller - Barker, 12

Darrell Wesley - CSAT, 12

Noah Diebel - Akron, 12

Alex Santos - CSAT, 12

Christopher Sweeney - Barker, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Ryan Fannin - Albion, 12

Jason Hellwig - Medina, 11

Desmond Blackmon - Albion, 11

DeRon Woods - Roy-Hart, 12

Andrew Xapos - Roy-Hart, 10

Hayden Gooding - Barker, 12

Sean Costello - Newfane, 12

Darius Carson - CSAT, 9

Cedric Griffith - Medina, 12

Conner Barleben - Albion, 12

Evan Shank  - Wilson, 11

 

****************************************************

 

CCAA I WEST

Player of the Year:

Dylan Meyer - Fredonia, 12

 

First Team

Billy Brooks - Silver Creek, 11

Corey Wefing - Maple Grove, 12

Graham Soffel - Maple Grove, 11

Nick Johnston - Fredonia, 12

Michael Bess - Dunkirk, 12

 

Second Team

Josh Nelson - Falconer/Frewsburg, 12

John Piper - Fredonia, 11

Mitch Carter - Falconer/Frewsburg, 12

Isaiah Thomas - Dunkirk, 10

Kyle Moran - Southwestern, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Trevon Thompson - Silver Creek, 10

Patrick Moore - Fredonia, 10

Cam Voss - Fredonia, 11

Cody Cunningham - Fredonia, 12

Esmond Colvin - Dunkirk, 12

Kyle Peterson - Falconer/Frewsburg, 12

Mike Wilcox - Falconer/Frewsburg, 12

Riley Beaton - Maple Grove, 12

Riley Ribicki - Southwestern, 12

Jack Carlson - Southwestern, 11

Mike Sandbloom - Southwestern, 11

Patrick Mogenhan - Southwestern, 11

 

***************************************************

 

CCAA II WEST

Player of the Year:

Cody Johnson - Cassadaga Valley, 11

 

First Team

Andrew Graham - Sherman, 12

Ryan Robson - Sherman, 12

Tanner Dahl - Westfield, 11

Dan Odell - Panama, 12

Ian Clute - Chautauqua Lake, 12

 

Second Team

Mitchel Einink - Clymer, 12

Jake Card - Sherman, 11

Liam Tennies - Westfield, 11

Mike Lancaster - Cassadaga Valley, 12

Ricky Eddy - Panama, 12

Matthew Destevens - Clymer, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Gregory Delahoy - Panama, 11

Josh Odell - Panama, 10

Bryce Payne - Panama, 12

Jake Wiggers - Clymer, 12

Devin Moorehead - Sherman, 12

Ryan Myers - Sherman, 12

Jacob Gray - Westfield, 12

Jesse Rodriguez - Westfield, 12

Kyle Ruge - Cassadaga Valley, 12

Randy Dalaba - Cassadaga Valley, 12

Aaron Rifigiato - Brocton, 10

Macalum Buchanan - Brocton, 12

 

**************************************************

 

CCAA I EAST

Player of the Year:

 Jared Fish - Salamanca, 11

 

First Team

Bryce Morrison - Randolph, 11

Damien Taylor  - Salamanca, 12

Curtis Caya - Portville, 12

Dom Saglimben - Allegany-Limestone, 12

Ryan Vossler - Allegany-Limestone, 12

 

Second Team

Mitchell Maycock - Randolph, 12

Isaac Hilyer - Portville, 11

Chase Williams - Gowanda, 11

Any Crandall - Salamanca, 11

Mason Bosley - Randolph, 11

Zach Ewings - Portville, 11

Cole Davis - Allegany-Limestone, 10

 

Honorable Mention

Tyler Siperek - Salamanca, 11

Justin Forster - Cattaraugus/Little Valley, 12

Taylor Miller - Randolph, 12

Cody Oldro - Randolph, 12

Brennan Geiger - Gowanda, 12

 

*************************************************** 

 

CCAA II EAST

Player of the Year:

Ben Erickson - Franklinville, 11

 

First Team

Phalla Musall - Ellicottville, 11

Cameron Wilson - Ellicottville, 12

Wayne Hartloff - Forestville, 12

Jake Nosbisch - Forestville, 12

Collin Seamans - Franklinville, 12

 

Second Team

Caleb Makuch - Forestville, 11

Jordan Milks - Franklinville, 10

Jacob Wilcox - Pine Valley, 12

Emil Erlandson - West Valley, 11

Tanner Gregory - Ellicottville, 12

Derek Wells - West Valley, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Ryan Forbes - Forestville, 11

Dylan Szumigala - Forestville, 11

Drew Jackson - Franklinville

Tom Easton - Ellicottville, 10

Kilian Abers - Pine Valley

Bryce Jay - Pine Valley

Thomas Raiport - Pine Valley

Patrick Enser - West Valley

Collin Proctor - West Valley

Zane Lloyd - North Collins

 

*******************************************************

 

 CHARTER SCHOOLS

Player of the Year :

Allen Wright Jr. - Health Sciences, 12

 

First Team

Allen Wright - Health Sciences , 12

 

Fred Searles - Global Concepts, 11

 

Antone Gulledge - Oracle, 12

 

JaQuoine Fogan - Tapestry, 10

 

Carl Goodwin - Health Sciences, 12

 

 

Second Team

 

Aaron Day - Health Sciences, 12

 

Corey Wiseman - Health Sciences, 11

 

DeJaun Owens - Tapestry, 12

 

Isaiah Padin - Maritime, 12

 

Nelson Modi - Oracle, 12

 

 

Honorable Mention

 

Jordan Maxey - Tapestry, 11

 

Chip Davis - Maritime, 12

 

Chemar Pilot - Tapestry, 11

 

Yousef Yahya - Global Concepts, 11

 

Kenny White - Oracle, 10

 

 

-centercourt

Class D Bracket - 2014 Sectionals

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 20th

 (1) Sherman 62, (8) North Collins 23

(4) Ellicottville 49, (5) Pine Valley 42

 

(3) Panama 60, (6) Clymer 45

(2) Forestville 57, (7) West Valley 30

 

Semifinals - Wednesday, February 26th

AT JCC - 6 pm & 7:30 pm

 (1) Sherman 55, (4) Ellicottville 22

(3) Panama 67, (2) Forestville 59 

 

Final - Friday, February 28th

AT JCC - 5:30 pm

 (1) Sherman 67, (3) Panama 50

 

2014 Section VI Class D Champions - Sherman Wildcats

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Sectional Preview - 2014

 

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.  There's also my thoughts on the biggest favorite and the most competitive brackets, along with 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 

 

Top 10 Pre-Quarterfinal Games (Wednesday, 2/19)

10. City Honors @ Depew

9. Burgard @ Falconer/Frewsburg

8. Wilson vs. Emerson ** at Hutch-Tech

7. WNY Maritime @ Portville

6. Springville @ South Park

5. Starpoint @ Hamburg

4. West Seneca West @ Frontier

3. Grand Island @ Hutch-Tech

2. Riverside @ Lake Shore

1. Alden vs. Lafayette ** at City Honors

 

Top 13 Quarterfinal Games (Friday, 2/21) 

13. MST Seneca @ Olmsted

12. Allegany-Limestone @ Holland 

11. Portville @ Barker

10. Lackawanna @ Cleveland Hill

9. Lafayette @ Tonawanda

8. Hutch-Tech @ Williamsville South

7. Lancaster @ Clarence

6. Tapestry @ Silver Creek

5. Sweet Home @ North Tonawanda

4. Hamburg @ Iroquois

3. East Aurora @ Lew-Port

2. Williamsville East @ McKinley

1. Lockport @ Kenmore West

 

Most Exciting Potential Semifinals

5. Salamanca vs. Cleveland Hill

4. Lockport/Kenmore West vs. Jamestown

3. North Tonawanda vs. Williamsville South

2. McKinley vs. Iroquois

1. Clarence vs. Williamsville North

 

Most Exciting Potential Championship Games

5. Class C2 Final

4. Class A2 Final

3. Class A1 Final

2. Class AA Final

1. Olean vs. East in the crossover

 

Win Streaks heading into sectionals

Barker 18 games

I-Prep 12 games

Kenmore West 7 games

Sherman 6 games

 

Predictions

Class AA - Jamestown

Class A1 - McKinley

Class A2 - Amherst

Class B1 - Olean 

Class B2 - East

Class C1 - Middle College

Class C2 - Randolph

Class D - Sherman

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Final League Standings for 2014

 

 

Yale Cup I

Middle College.........11-1

East.........................10-2

McKinley..................9-3

Hutch-Tech..............5-7

Bennett....................5-7

South Park...............4-8

Riverside..................3-9

Burgard....................1-11

 

Yale Cup II

I-Prep.....................12-0  

Olmsted..................9-3

Lafayette................8-4

Buffalo Arts............7-5

MST Seneca...........4-8

City Honors...........4-8

Emerson................3-9   

 

ECIC I

Jamestown...........10-2

Clarence...............10-2

Will North............10-2

Lancaster...............6-6

Frontier..................3-9

W.Seneca West......2-10

Orchard Park.........1-11

 

ECIC II

Will South.............9-3

Iroquois................9-3

Sweet Home..........8-4

Will East...............7-5

Hamburg..............6-6

Starpoint..............3-9

W.Seneca East.....0-12

 

ECIC III

Amherst............12-2

Cheektowaga.....11-3   

Maryvale............9-5

East Aurora........8-6

Depew................7-7

Lake Shore.........4-10

Springville..........3-11

Pioneer...............2-12   

 

ECIC IV

Cleveland Hill...........11-1

Holland......................9-3

Tonawanda................8-4

Lackawanna...............6-6

Alden.........................4-8

JFK............................2-10

Eden..........................2-10

 

Niagara Frontier League

Lockport........................13-1

Kenmore West...............13-1

North Tonawanda...........9-5

Lew-Port.........................8-6

Niagara Falls...................6-8

Grand Island.................4-10

Kenmore East................3-11

Niagara Wheatfield.......0-14

 

Niagara-Orleans

Barker................14-0

Medina................9-5

Roy-Hart.............8-6

CSAT...................7-7

Albion.................6-8

Newfane..............6-8

Wilson.................4-10

Akron..................2-12

 

CCAA West I

Fredonia......................10-0

Silver Creek..................6-4

Maple Grove.................5-5

Falconer/Frewsburg.....4-6

Dunkirk........................3-7

Southwestern................2-8

 

CCAA East I

Salamanca........................9-1

Randolph..........................8-2

Allegany-Limestone..........6-4

Portville............................4-6

Gowanda...........................3-7

Catt Little/Valley..............0-10

 

CCAA West II

Sherman......................12-0

Panama.........................8-4

Cassadaga Valley...........7-5

Westfield.......................6-6

Clymer..........................5-7

Chautauqua Lake...........4-8

Brocton.........................0-12

 

CCAA East II

Forestville.................9-1

Ellicottville................7-3

Franklinville..............7-3

Pine Valley................5-5

West Valley...............1-9

North Collins.............1-9

 

Charter Schools

Health Sciences...................7-1

Tapestry..............................7-1  

WNY Maritime....................2-6

Global Concepts...................2-6

Oracle..................................1-7

 

Independent

Olean.............................15-3

 

 

Monsignor Martin - Large Schools

Canisius......................12-0   

Timon...........................9-3    

St. Joe's........................6-6   

St. Francis.....................3-9

 

Monsignor Martin - Small Schools

St. Mary's....................12-2    

Nichols.........................9-5   

Park.............................9-5    

Niagara Catholic...........2-12    

Archbishop Walsh........2-12

Cardinal O'Hara............2-12   

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

 

Top games of the week ending 2/2/14

 

 

Here's a list of what I think are the top games to follow this week:

 

Monday, January 27th 

Alden @ Holland - 6:30 pm

St. Francis @ Lake Shore - 6:30 pm

Timon @ Canisius - 7 pm

East @ Middle College - 7 pm

Williamsville East @ Sweet Home - 7 pm

Cheektowaga @ Amherst - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 28th

Niagara Falls @ Kenmore West - 6:30 pm

Lockport @ Batavia - 7 pm

Clymer @ Westfield - 7:30 pm

Maple Grove @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

Park @ Nichols - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 29th

Park @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

Olean @ Timon - 7 pm

St. Mary's @ St. Joe's - 7 pm

 

Friday, January 31st

Alden @ Cleveland Hill - 6:30 pm

North Tonawanda @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Lake Shore @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Williamsville North @ Sweet Home - 6:30 pm

McKinley @ Middle College - 7 pm

MST Seneca @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

Cardinal O'Hara @ Nichols - 7:30 pm

Salamanca @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

Sherman @ Cassadaga Valley - 7:30 pm

Panama @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

Amherst @ East Aurora - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, February 1st

McKinley @ Clarence - 10:30 am

Silver Creek @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

RAP CLASSIC @ East High School in Rochester

Canisius vs. Webster Schroeder - 5:15 pm

Olean vs. Greece Athena - 7:00 pm

Jamestown vs East (Rochester) - 8:45 pm

 

Game of the Week - Take your pick between any of the three at the RAP Classic

- Canisius vs. Webster Schroeder:  After considerable routs of Olean, St. Joe's, & McKinley, the Crusaders face one of the better teams from Rochester.  Last season, Webster Schroeder beat Niagara Falls in the classic and were considered the best Class AA team in Section V, until Bishop Kearney put it all together at season's end and knocked them out in the Class AA1 title game, enroute to winning it all in NYS.

- Olean vs. Greece Athena:  This one will be a rematch of a game played in Olean a month prior.  The Huskies won round 1 convincingly, 87-71, behind a strong performance from Sam Eckstrom.  Not only was that the lone loss on the year for Athena, they haven't won a game by less than 17 points all season.  They are considered the top team in all of Section V, and between round 2 being in Rochester & Athena stinging a bit from its only loss, I expect the rematch to be a closer affair.

- Jamestown vs. East (Rochester):  East has long been a Class AA powerhouse in Section V.  This season, the Orientals drop down to Class A, meaning they are quite likely the team our Class A rep would see in the regionals come March.  How Jamestown fares on East's court in the event's headliner will provide some gauge for WNY fans as to the chances of our rep getting past this program if they are indeed the Section V Class A winner.  The polls say our Class A rep will be McKinley again, and the Macks have been ahead of Jamestown in the local polls all season.  A strong showing from the Red Raiders could get everyone excited about our chances of winning more games than not against Section V at regionals this year.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

 

Top games of the week ending 1/19/14

 

Here's a list of what I think are the top games to follow this week:

 

Monday, January 13th

Salamanca @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

Clarence @ Lamcaster - 7:30 pm

Sherman @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 14th

Holland @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

Canisius @ Bishop Kearney - 7 pm

Iroquois @ Williamsville South - 7:30 pm

Sweet Home @ Hamburg - 7:30 pm

Williamsville East @ Frontier - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 15th

McKinley @ East - 6 pm

 

Thursday, January 16th 

Lackawanna @ Alden - 7 pm

Williamsville South @ Hamburg - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 17th

Nichols @ Park - 6:30 pm

Niagara Falls @ North Tonawanda - 7 pm

Iroquois @ Sweet Home - 7:30 pm

Williamsville North @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

MLK Classic at City Honors High School

Tapestry @ City Honors - 4:30 pm

IPrep vs. Maritime Charter - 6 pm

Middle College vs. Cheektowaga - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 18th 

MLK Classic @ City Honors High School

St. Francis vs. Hutch-Tech - 11 am

East vs. Sweet Home - 12:30 pm

Canisius vs. McKinley - 2 pm

 

Game of the Week - McKinley @ East on Wednesday, January 15th

-  The Yale Cup is the name of Buffalo's city league, and also the name of the trophy every team competing in that league covets.  East and McKinley have combined to win five of the last seven Yale Cups, including the last three.  East won it in 2007, 2009, & 2011.  McKinley hoisted it back-to-back the last two seasons, 2012 & 2013.  The Cup was won by Grover in 2008, before McKinley knocked them out of the playoffs...only to have its season ended by East, who advanced to Glens Falls in Class A that year.  Needless to say, these two programs are the gold standard of city basketball.

Both teams will enter the game undefeated in league play.  In fact, McKinley has been unbeaten in the Yale Cup in each of the last two seasons and enters the game with a 29-game winning streak in the Yale Cup.  That would be a remarkable feat for any team in any league to win that many in a row, but especially in a talent-laden league like the Yale Cup.  The Macks winning streak is closing in on history - Riverside holds the benchmark at 34 games dating back to the Mike Williams era in 2005 & 2006.  If you include postseason & nonleague games against Yale Cup schools, McKinley has won 33 consecutively versus Buffalo Public Schools.

The Macks were ranked sixth in last week's large school poll, and will likely move up, possibly as high as #2, following a win over Williamsville North on Friday.  McKinley is also considered a top 20 team in NYS in Class A.  East will enter the game as not only the top ranked small school in WNY, but in all of NYS. 

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

First state rankings are out

 

The first state rankings of the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Jamestown #25

 

Class A

Canisius #5

McKinley #11

Timon #25

 

Class B

Olean #1

East #2

St. Mary's #16

 

Class C

Middle College #5

Silver Creek #15

Randolph #19

 

Class D

Sherman #2

Clymer #7

 

** According to the rankings:

- Canisius is the top Class A CHSAA team in the state

- McKinley is heading back to Glens Falls

- An Olean/East crossover game at Buffalo State would serve as the real Class B Federation championship game

- Middle College makes it to Glens Falls

- Sherman should play for a state championship this year

 

** The most glaring omission in my opinion is Fredionia in Class B - not even an honorable mention.

 

Click here for a complete list of state rankings.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Season Preview: 2013-2014

 

                                               HAPPY HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS SEASON!!!!!

 

Below in this year's version of the Pre-View From Centercourt, you will find:

 - What's New

- Returning 2013 All-Centercourt Players

- Player Watch List for 2013-2014

- A League-by-League look at returning players & newcomers

- Coaching Changes

- Classification Changes

- Top Nonleague Games

- Predictions 

 

What's New

- During the season last year, I started tweeting. If you don't already, follow @centercourt42 

 - Park School is now a competing member in the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association

- Major divisional realignments in the CCAA, based on geography (See League-By-League below)

- Buffalo Science no longer fields a team

- Frewsburg and Ripley no longer field teams.  Frewsburg has combined with Falconer, while Ripley's talent pool plays at Chautauqua Lake

- Olean will play an independent schedule with, get this, a senior laden squad

- The Class AA semifinals will be played on the Monday of Buffalo State week, with B1 moving to Tuesday, A2 moving to Wednesday, and A1 moving to Thurday.  The B2 games will be split between Tuesday & Wednesday nights.

- The Class C1 and Class D semifinals flipped days at JCC, with Class C1 now playing Monday and Class D playing Wednesday

- Far West Regionals are back in Buffalo this year

- Sterling Taplin is finally a senior. Seriously.

- I-Prep returns to its school on 114th street for home games

 

******************************************************

 

  The Players

Five of the top 25 players from the 2013 All-Centercourt teams return to the WNY high school hoops scene, along with another 17 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 2013 1st Teamer

Sterling Taplin - Sr., Williamsville North:   21.84 PPG  /  5.73  RPG  /  4.21 APG  /  2.94 SPG as a junior

- Already a two-time First Team All-Centercourt selection and two-time ECIC POY as he enters his senior campaign.  The school's all-time points leader has 1,425 to his credit prior to beginning his fifth season as the Spartans' starting floor general.  After he manipulates defenses to free up his teammates for easy baskets to the tune of another 41 assists, he'll own the school record for dimes as well.  Taplin will look to add Section VI champion to his resume this season.

 

 Returning 2013 Second Teamers

 Wil Bathurst - Sr., Olean:  18.4 PPG /  8.0 RPG  /  3.3 APG  / 1.9 BPG  /  1.8 SPG as a junior

- Already verbally committed to play D1 basketball at Cornell next season.  Moved up from Third Team All-Centercourt as a sophomore.  A thoroughly entertaining player to watch because he does every thing so well and with such flare.  This season, Bathurst looks to help Olean attain its goal from the past two seasons, a Class B state title.

Sam Eckstrom - Sr., Olean:  18.2 PPG /  8.0 RPG  /  1.9 BPG as a junior

 - Commited to continue his career at the College of St. Rose in Albany (D2) following his prep days.  Moved up from Third Team All-Centercourt as a sophomore.   Spent much of junior season battling injury, facing constant double-teams, and sitting most of the second half of games as his team built such commanding leads.  The Huskies beefed up their schedule and Eckstrom is healthy, so look for big things from Olean's big man, who should really get his chance to shine this year.

 

Returning 2013 Fifth Teamers

 Ryan Funk - Sr., Clarence:  18 PPG  /  6 RPG  /  2 APG  /  1 SPG as a junior

- Was the MVP of a very good Red Devils team that reached the Class AA semifinals last seson.  Has the size to hurt you down low, but thrives from mid-range and long distance.  Showed the ability to create his own shot, which when it's on, forget about it.  One of the very best shooters in WNY.  

Jake Haight - Sr., Barker: 20.2 PPG  / 13.2 RPG  /  3.1 SPG  /  2.3 APG as a junior

- Needs just 22 points to eclipse 1,000 for his career, something he'll likely get out of the way in game one.  Has been First Team all N-O after his sophomore and junior season efforts.  Combines size and athleticism, producing a well-rounded game that is, at times, dominant.  Such a big fish in a small pond, he is reminiscent of Chris Secky from his days torching the ranks at Maple Grove.

 

Returning 2013 Honorable Mentions

 Donte Williams - 12 (Timon), Dylan Meyer - 12 (Fredonia), Nick Schmidt - 12 (Olean), Luke Hennessey - 12 (Olean), Kevin Briggs - 12 (Middle College), Tyree Tyson - 12 (East), Johnathan Lewis - 12 (East), Brendan Cox - 12 (East Aurora), Kaine Kettle - 12 (Silver Creek), Derrick Sekuterski - 12 (Depew), Bryan Jost - 12 (Clarence), Zack Panebianco - 11 (Jamestown), Chris Miner - 11 (Nichols), Cam Lewis - 11 (Nichols), Bill Brooks - 11 (Silver Creek), Zak Ciezlik - 11 (Cheektowaga), Bryce Morrison - 11 (Randolph)

 

Other names to watch for this season 

 Howard Washington - 10 (Canisius), LaTerrence Reed - 11 (Canisius),  Stafford Trueheart - 10 (Canisius), Justin Hollins - 12 (St. Joe's), Justin Jones - 10 (St. Joe's), Tanner Schmit - 11 (Nichols), Derick Simpson - 11 (Timon), Jonathan Jackson - 12 (Niagara Catholic), Tyler English - 12 (St. Mary's), Rasheed Paul - 12 (East), Percy Bryant - 11 (East), Bri'an Brown - 12 (Middle College), Lester Diaz - 12 (Lafayette), Jared Watkins - 12 (Cleveland Hill), Derek Sekuterski - 12 (Depew), Matt Cieslik - 11 (City Honors), Colin Dougherty - 12 (Lockport), Charlie Sobieraski - 12 (Lockport), Moziah Townsend - 12 (Lockport), Dorian Billups - 11 (Amherst), TC Brown - 10 (Amherst), Randy Dalaba - 12 (Cassadaga Valley), Clay Lewis - 11 (Holland), Quinn Lee Yaw - 12 (Jamestown), Sam Castronova - 11 (Williamsville South), Griffin Ryan - 12 (Hamburg), Matt Kumro - 11 (West Seneca East), Julian Mott - 12 (Starpoint), John Piper - 11 (Fredonia), Jared Fish - 12 (Salamanca), Damien Taylor - 11 (Salamanca), Andrew John - 12 (Silver Creek), Andrew Graham - 12 (Sherman), JaQuoine Fogan - 10 (Tapestry Charter)

 

**********************************************

 

League-By-League

 

Independent

 Olean

 Returning: Sam Eckstrom - 12, Wil Bathurst - 12, Nick Schmidt  - 12, Luke Hennessey - 12, Dante Tarr - 11, Chris Gayton - 11, Zach Pfeiffer - 12

 New: Christian Churakos - 10, Connor Prizel - 11, Chucky Martin - 11

 

 MONSIGNOR MARTIN

Canisius

Returning:  Howard Washington - 10, Ryan Richards - 12, Josh Huffman - 11, Patrick MacDonald - 12, Stafford Trueheart - 10, Mike McCall - 12, Matt Klee - 12

New:  LaTerrence Reed - 11, Zachary Koch - 11, Andrew Heitzhaus - 11, Patrick Viola - 11, David Keil - 11, Patrick Crangle - 11

 

St. Joe's 

Returning:  Justin Hollins - 12, Tyler Hill - 12, Justin Jones - 10, Fritz - 11, Adam Killeen - 12, Philip Wells - 12, Alexander Kovacs - 12

New:  Naseer Jackson - 9, Antonio Morreale - 11, Jack Hawkins - 11, John Scaglione - 11, David Maher - 11, Marcell Davis - 11, Edward Tabone Jr - 11

 

Bishop Timon/St. Jude

Returning: Donte Williams - 12, Derick Simpson - 11, Kyler Hairston - 11

New:  William Lamar - 9, Quinton Lamar - 10, Tyree Coble - 11

 

St. Francis

Returning:  Treyvon Holness - 12, Maurice Burse - 12,  Dave Kennedy - 12, Austin Taylor - 12, Chris Shriver - 12

 New:  Kordell Holness - 11, Kiernan Barnes - 10, Joe Carbone - 10, Taurean Davis - 10, John Steven Zhu - 10

 

Nichols

Returning: Christopher Miner - 11, Cam Lewis - 11, Tom Nuttle - 12, Jack Vance - 12, Seth Meyer -12, Greg White - 12, Jordan Tyson - 12

New:  Tanner Schmit - 11 (Transfer from Clarence), Zach Serotte - 11

 

St. Mary's

Returning:  Tyler English - 12, Corey Kiebzak - 12, Matt Wrobel - 12, Latrell Tyson - 12, Dione Strong - 11, Jake Concannon - 11

New:  Takal Molson - 10 (Transfer), Sean Wilson - 11, Austin Oakes - 11, Mark O'Neil - 11

 

 Cardinal O'Hara

Returning:  Zack Glowacki - 12, Donel Cathcart - 11, Kevin Kobza - 12, 

New:  Jovell Littlejohn - 11, Darnell Hamilton - 11, Erich Wheeler - 11, Amir Jemes - 10, David Gariano - 10, Shakur Harris - 9, Clifford Ziegler - 9, Maurice Brown - 12

 

Archbishop Walsh

Returning:  Adam Moore - 10, Gregor Greer - 12, Ethan Clarke - 12, Kieze Hund - 12, Christian Daugherty - 12, Zach Everett - 12, John "Buzz" Watkins - 11

New:  Dom Ambroselli - 10, Noah Watkins - 9

 

Niagara Catholic

Returning:  Jonathan Jackson - 12

 

 Park

 

YALE CUP I

 East

Returning:  Tyree Tyson - 12,  Johnathan Lewis - 12, Damone Brown - 11, Percy Byrant - 11, Shaun Young - 12, Rasheed Paul - 12

New:  Aurielo Ayala - 12 (Transfer from Bennett)

 

McKinley

 Returning:  Dante Thompson - 12, Varin Lenard - 12, D'Andre Steward - 12, Kenny Walters - 12, Devin Morris - 11, Jorge Melendez - 12

Riverside

Returning:  Willie Smith - 12, Jarmel Caldwell - 12, Jevon Rosier - 12, Jovell Littlejohn - 11

 

Middle College

Returning:  Bri'an Brown - 12, Kevin Briggs - 12, TJ Scott - 12, Brandon Jefferson - 12, Isaiah Jenkins - 11, Joseph Staton - 10, Khoron Ferguson - 10, Devon Singleton - 12, X-Ray  Drayton - 12, Elijah Mingo - 12, Xavier Mathews - 12

New:  Billy Rivera - 10

 

Hutch-Tech

Returning:  Roman West - 12, Amanuel Radford - 12

New :  Jailyn Rose - 10

 

South Park 

Returning:  Keion Godson - 12, Austin Peach - 12, Tyler Mascio - 12, James Baker - 10

 

Bennett

 

YALE CUP II

I-Prep

Returning:  Damon Boykin - 12, Ezana Kahsay - 12, Xavier Maye - 11, Terrence James - 11

New:  Jeffrey Townsel - 10, Davon Gant - 10

 

City Honors

Returning: Matt Cieslik - 11, Jordahn Summers - 11, Pasquale Scaife - 12, Tomothy Banks - 12, Jeriff Sanchez - 12, Keith Fulcher - 12, Courtney Carr-Johnson - 12

New:  Nolan Megna - 12

 

MST Seneca

 Returning:  Rayshawn Jones - 12, Jamaal Felton - 12

New:  Roqawn Gossum - 11, Ray (Meko) smith - 12, Jalen Felton - 12

 

Olmsted

Returning:  Brandon Roach - 10, Ballah Burch - 12, Delenci Shannon-Brown - 12

 

Buffalo Arts

New:  Tremaine Shelton - 12 (Transfer from St. Joe's)

 

Lafayette

Returning:  Lester Diaz - 12

 

Burgard

Emerson

DaVinci

 

 ECIC I

 Jamestown

Returning: Quinn Lee Yaw - 12, Zack Panebianco - 11, Josh Colwell - 12, Stephen Carlson - 12, Brian Park - 12, Matt Hoaglund - 11

New:  Zacc Kinsey - 10, Ben Larson - 11

 

Williamsville North

Returning:  Sterling Taplin - 12, George Attea - 11, Maceo Jack - 10, Casey Davis - 12, Ryan Majewski - 12, Kolbe Hughes - 12, Sam Cimato - 12

New:  Sean Hill - 10, Dylan Lambert - 11, Tim Kreuze - 11

 

 Clarence

Returning: Ryan Funk - 12, Bryan Jost - 12, Elliott Case - 12, Shane Weedon - 12, Matt Sadowy - 11, Emaure Williams - 12, Evan Hoarof - 12, Marc Cange - 12

New: Kyle Stevens - 11, Dave Cummisky - 11, Bryan Pulli - 11

 

 Lancaster

Returning:  Joe Jankowski - 12, Tyler Lis - 11, Griffin O'Brien - 11, Eric Zimpfer - 12, Tony Marrano - 12, Mike Spengler - 12

New:  Alex Damiani - 10, Collin Murray - 10, Alex Konst - 10

 

West Seneca West

Returning:  Nick Clancy - 12, Chris Walker – 12,  Evan Koelher – 12, Frank Borzillieri   - 11, DJ Ulmer – 11, Ben Hutton  - 10, Lou DiChristopher  - 11

 

Orchard Park

Returning:  Danny Freilicher - 10, Cameron Murray - 12, Jack Atkinson - 12, Kevin Goltz - 11, Tyler Heath - 12, Brad Roman - 12

New:  Chris Murphy - 12, Matt Perla - 11

 

Frontier

 

ECIC II

Williamsville East

Returning: Cort Williams - 11, Nicholas Clough - 11, Kyle Williams - 11, Joe Adcock - 11, Colin Greenway - 12, Quinn Keenan - 12

New:  Greg Cook - 11, Alex Pieri - 11, Jaleel Battle - 11, Mike Garafalo - 11 (Transfer from Cheektowaga)

 

Williamsville South

Returning:  Matt Macomber - 12, Sam Castronova - 11, Kam Varner - 11

 

Iroquois

Returning:  Phil Bowen - 12, Zach Emer - 11, Coyote Sokolski - 11, Joshua Piesczynski - 12, Lucas Tait - 11, Kyle Seifert - 11

 

Sweet Home

Returning:  James Nix - 12, Jordan Heine - 11, Mark Walker - 12, Mark Fuller - 12, Justin Chatelle - 12

New:  Ron Woods - 12, Rob Siegler - 11, Asa'd Myles - 11, Milton Zielger - 11, Brandon Smiley - 11, Jordan Evert - 11, Adrian Drake - 11, Wayne McDonald - 11, Josh Hammer - 11

 

Hamburg

Returning: Griffin Ryan - 12, Jeremiah Bill - 12, Tim Kane - 12, Joe DeGrood - 11, Brandon Pierce - 12

New:  Brendan Ryan - 10, Kyle Munro - 11, Caleb Wood - 11, Mark Myles - 11, Doug Horbachewski - 11

 

West Seneca East

Returning: Matt Kumro - 11, Nick Parucki - 11, Ed Radka - 10, Dan Picciano - 10

New:  DJ Schiersing - 11, Jake Klubek - 10, Dan Nicosia - 11, Evin Ksiezarczyk - 11,

JakeWojciechowski - 11

 

Starpoint

Returning:  Julian Mott - 12, Ian Emerick - 11, Sam Terrazzino - 12, Logan Seiferth - 12, Alex Leubner - 11

New:  Mike Chase - 11, Dennis Held - 11, Josh Roselund - 11, Eric Yaeger - 11, Bryan Cheskiewicz - 12

 

ECIC III

Amherst

Returning: Dorian Billups - 11, TC Brown - 10, Jordan Nwora - 10, Kevin Waller - 12, Myron Harvey - 12

New:  Darien Lowe - 11, Amadi Ikpeze - 10

 

East Aurora

Returning:  Brendan Cox - 12, Grant Haffenden - 12, Mike Coatsworth - 11, Noah Thompson - 10

 

Cheektowaga

Returning:  Zak Ciezki - 11, Dominik Welch - 9, Patrick Plummer - 11, Preston Summers - 12, Raekwon Williams - 12

New:  Khaya Dlodlo - 11, Keith Weekly - 10, Drequon Trotter - 11, Devon Camel - 11, Adam Reichert - 11, Ricky Stoudmire - 11, Hakiem Black - 11, Alvis Colon - 11, Antonio Southern - 10

 

Depew

Returning:  Derek Sekuterski - 12, Jake Lamb - 12, Steve Kaspraczk - 12, Denis Vanini - 12, Tyler Anna - 11, Bobby Burns - 11

New:  Dylan Sekuterski - 11, Collin Gemerek - 11, Mike Thornton - 11, Kyle Ratajczak - 11, Jakob Grant - 10, Sean Stablewski - 12

 

Maryvale

Returning:  Logan Jung - 12, Ed Smith - 12, Jayln Putnam - 12

 

Pioneer

Returning:  Bryce Little - 11, Adam Benzel - 12, Matt Haggerty - 11, Andrew Hyman - 11, Cole Connolly - 12 

New:  Vince Nourse - 11, Ravo Root - 10, Caleb Sayvone - 10, Dominic Sayvone - 10

 

Lake Shore

Returning:  Wade Bergum - 12

New:  Matt Vona - 11, Colin Hart - 11

 

Springville

 

ECIC IV

Cleveland Hill

Returning:  Jared Watkins - 12, Aaron Phillips - 12, Jermaine Hairston - 11, Wayne Jones - 12, Andrew Huff - 12

New:  Anthony Sullivan - 11, Omari Inman - 11, Aaron Wesley - 11, Zach Lewandowski - 11

 

Lackawanna

Returning: Cam Smith - 12, Larry Fields - 11, Darius Cleveland - 11

New: Quinton Robinson - 11, Roosevelt Jones - 10

 

Tonawanda

Returning:  Ben Stitch - 12, Connor Pumm - 12, Tristan Bolling - 11

New:  Brandon Frye - 11, Larenz Jefferson - 11

 

Holland

Returning:  Clay Lewis - 11, JR Kline - 11

New:  Matt Farant - 11, Cooper Rahn - 11, EJ Staniszewski - 10, Laine Husman - 10, Pierce Gardon - 9

 

JFK

Returning:  Joe Braniecki - 11, Josh McMahon - 11, Cale Byczkowski - 11, Alex Bouttarath - 12

New:  Shawn McPhail - 11, Hunter Kowal - 11, Brendan Fox - 11, Aaron Urbanczyk - 11, Nathan Pazderski - 11, Lexus Pollard - 9, Aaron Poniwas - 11, Collin Snyder - 11

 

Alden

Returning:  Dylan Dussalt - 12, Nick Kibler - 12, Tyler Glaser - 12, Brian Stoldt - 12

New:  Phil Zobrest - 12, Austin Zelasko - 11, Dylan Riddoch - 10, Jordan Stockweather - 10

 

Eden 

Returning:  Brad Palmerton - 12

 

Niagara Frontier League

Niagara Falls

New: Devin Scarbourough - 11, Mikey Bermudez - 11, Deon Harris - 10, Elijah Griggs - 10, Devin Sanders - 9, Tyler Sanders - 9, Zach Walker - 12, Charles Lamar - 9

 

Kenmore West

Returning:  Alex Price - 12, Adam Fron - 12, Tyler Grandits - 12, Noah Whalen - 12, Terrell Ford - 10, Laquan Salter - 12, Nick Wojnar - 12

New:  Trent White - 11, Tim Stoerr - 11, 

 

Grand Island

Returning:  Ryan Ross - 12

 

North Tonawanda

Returning:  Nehemiah Stone - 11, Joe Piotroski - 12, Chris Woodard - 11, Alex Billie - 12, Michael Awad - 12, Donovin Book - 11, Adam McNeil - 11, Jake Ferry - 12, Christian Lemke - 12, Kiel Davignon - 12

New:  Ryan Gilbert - 11, Ryan McDonough - 11, James Garavagli - 11, Drew Krantz - 11

 

Niagara Wheatfield

Returning:  Tyler Gornicki - 12, Nathan Nielson - 10, Joe Ayers - 12, Nick Forcucci - 12, Nathan Williams - 11

New:  Denzel Fuller - 10, Justin Eaton - 11, Brandon Funderburk - 11, Ty Parmentier - 11, Kasey Hasley - 10, Ken Camidge - 11, Preston Miller - 11

 

Lockport

Returning:  Colin Dougherty - 12, Charlie Sobieraski - 12, Moziah Townsend - 12, Ryan Lawrence - 12, Phil Crenshaw - 12, Javon Jenkins - 12, Gerald Baker - 12

 

Kenmore East

Lew-Port

 

Niagara-Orleans

Akron

Returning:  Noah Diebel - 12, Austen Lauricella - 11, CJ Longwell - 12

New:  Chris Mayrose - 12, Nick Doria - 12, Dam Sansanese - 12, Wyn Blueye - 12, Larson Sundown - 11, Caleb Martin - 11, Jake McKenna - 11, Chaunce Hill - 11

 

Newfane

Returning:  Sean Costello - 11, Josh Kneeland - 11, Nathan Aurenhamer - 12

New:  Sam Watkins - 11, Kyle Guerriera - 11, Chad Gilson - 10, Kyle Burdick - 11

 

CSAT

Returning: Dylanta Carson - 11, Alex Santos - 12, Bryan Locke - 11, Jorge Brown - 12, Darrell Wesley - 12

New:  Darius Carson - 9

 

Medina

Returning:  Jason Hellwig - 11, Dan "Mungie" Brown - 12, Drake Grabowski - 12, Larry Bruning - 12, Kevin Arnold - 12, Cedric Griffith - 12, Adam Hoot - 12, Ben McPherson - 12, Josh Cuadro - 12

New: Dylan Lewis - 10, Aaron Feltz - 11, Brennan Zinkievich - 11, David Garrow - 11, Devonte Howard - 11

 

Barker

Returning:  Jake Haight - 12, Mitchell Luckman - 12, Bryce Moeller - 12, Chris Sweeney - 11, Hayden Gooding - 12, Jared Worthington - 12, Tyler Dent - 12

New:  Sean Benoit - 11, Thomas Callaghan - 11, Tanner Gregorie - 11, Joshua Mead - 11, Tristan Payne - 11

 

Roy-Hart

Returning:  Marc Roman - 12, Alex Stoddard - 12, Andy Xapsos - 10, Austin Heschke - 12, DeRon Woods - 12, Sam White - 11, Cory Breedlove - 12, Nelson Andrade - 11

New:  Bailey Hudson - 11, Aaron Metz - 11

 

Wilson

Returning:   Emmett Dinse - 11, Evan Shank - 11, Kevin Daunce - 12, Kyle Bradley - 11

 

Albion

Returning:  Connor Barleben - 12, Chris Rivers - 12, Christian Trevino - 12, Ryan Fannin - 12, Andrew Burroughs - 12

New:  Dez Blackmon - 11, Austin Loyd - 11, Emanuel Thompson - 11, Alex Bison - 11, Clayton Stanton - 11, Gary Moore - 11

 

CCAA I West

Fredonia

Returning: Dylan Meyer - 12, Nick Johnston - 12, John Piper - 11, Cam Voss - 11, Jake Lilly - 12, Cody Cunningham - 12, Eric Jabot - 12, Cody Smith - 12

New:  Anhel Epps - 11, Mike Johnson - 11, Patrick Moore - 10

 

Silver Creek 

Returning:  Kaine Kettle - 12, Bill Brooks - 11, Brennan White - 11

New:  Andrew John - 12, Connor Gates - 10, Ayden Jimerson - 11, Frank  Wolf - 11, Chance Gates - 11

 

Maple Grove

Returning:  Graham Soffel - 11, Corey Wefing - 12, Nick Swanson - 12, Graham Nelson - 12, Collin Stack - 12, Kyle Richardson - 12

 

Southwestern

Returning:  Kyle Moran - 12, Nathan Schrope - 12, Riley Ribicki - 12,  Nick Gustafson - 12, Derek Johnson - 12, Jake Hammond - 12, Pat Mogenhan - 11, Jack Carlson - 11

New:  Mike Sandbloom - 11, Billy Johnston - 11, Andy Bell - 12,  Ben Burk - 10

 

Falconer

Returning:  Brandon DePietro - 12, Nick Conti - 12

 

Dunkirk

Returning:  Emanuel (Manny) Masonet - 12

 

CCAA I EAST 

Randolph

Returning:  Bryce Morrison - 11, Mitchell Maycock - 12, Cody Oldro - 12, Lucas Brown - 12, Taylor Miller - 12

 

Allegany-Limestone

Returning:  Dom Saglimben - 12, Ryan Vossler - 12, Dom Conroy - 11

New:  Cole Davis - 10, Mackenzie Zemak - 12

 

Gowanda

Returning:  Chase Williams - 12, Brennan Geiger - 12, Zach Stevens - 12, Jordan Young - 11

 

 Portville

Returning:  Curtis Caya - 12, Brett Marcellin - 12, Ben Reynolds - 12, Ben Waugh - 12, Zack Ewings - 11, Isaac Hilyer - 11

 

Salamanca

Returning:  Jared Fish - 11, Damien Taylor - 12, Matt Crandall - 12, Joe Hinman - 12, Tyler Siperek - 11

New:  Andrew Crandall - 11

 

 Cattaraugus Little Valley

 Returning:  Justin Forster - 12, Colt Agnew - 12, DJ Steven - 11, Nate Reynolds - 12, Darren Hadley - 12

New:  Gavin Young - 11, Kodie Skeels - 11, Kyle O'Donnell - 11, Jayden Chop - 11

 

CCAA II West 

Cassadaga Valley

Returning:  Randy Dabala - 12, Cody Johnson - 11, Mike Lancaster - 12, Kyle Ruge - 12, Chase Jones - 11

New:  Shane Parsons - 10, Tony Mangine - 11, Jaquan Watts - 11, Will Borkowski - 11, Jerimiah Jones - 11

 

 Westfield

Returning:  Tanner Dahl - 11, Jacob Gray - 12, Liam Tennies - 11, Jesse Rodriguez - 12

New: Ty Benthham - 10, Trevor North - 10, Nolan Hunt - 11,   Brandon Johnston - 12, Chris Brooker - 12, Chris Rodriguez - 12

 

Panama

Returning:  Dan Odell - 12, Mike Rensel - 11, Nick Kirby - 12, Ricky Eddy - 12

New:  David O'Dell - 11, Greg Delahoy - 11, Bryce Payne - 12, Noah Coffaro - 11, Jack Payne - 10, Chris Blose - 11, Josh O'Dell - 11, Dillon Mescall - 11

 

Chautauqua Lake

Returning:  Ian Clute - 12, Carter Davidson - 10,  AJ Hulton - 11, Kyle Mayer - 12, 

New:  Eric Smyanowski - 12 (Transfer from Ripley), Michael Lysek - 10 

 

Sherman

Returning:  Ryan Robson - 12, Andrew Graham - 12, Devin Moorhead - 12, Ryan Myers - 12, Jake Card - 11, Nathan Ottaway - 11, Jordan Boland - 12, Trevor Gleason - 12, Chris Greiner - 12, John Luden - 12

New:  Jeremy Cole - 11, Stephen Walczak - 11, Jake Ames - 11, Collin Finch - 11, Ben Reed - 11, Ethan Lyon - 11, Dylan Scoutan - 12, Cory Alger - 12

 

Clymer

Returning:  Mitch Einink - 12, Jacob Wiggers - 12, Garrett McAfoose - 12, Denton Holthouse - 12, David Holmstrom - 12, Mathew DeStevens - 12

 

Brocton

Returning:  Anthony Riforgiato - 12, Aaron Riforgiato - 10, Bryen Graves - 12, Macalum Buchanon - 12, Conner Dolce - 12, Nash Delcamp - 12, Kyle Witmer - 12, Matt Siragusa - 12

New:  Derek Walter - 11, Daultan Remington - 11

 

CCAA II East

Pine Valley

Returning:  Bryce Jay - 12, Jacob Wilcox - 12, Michael Isula - 12, Andrew Miller - 12, Wil Nelson - 12, Thomas Raiport - 12, Dan Weaver - 12, Dylan Granger - 11, Russell Hayes - 11, Kilian Abers - 10

 

Ellicottville

Returning:  Cameron Wilson - 12, Phalla Musall - 11, Tom Easton - 10, Calum Watt - 11, Fletcher Macomb - 12, Alex Delity - 11

New:  Cole Lapi - 10, Dylan Paprocki - 12, Tanner Gregory - 12, John Alzate - 12, Cory Tomblin - 12, Kevin Bower - 11

 

Forestville

Returning:  Jacob Nosbisch - 12

 

North Collins

West Valley

 Franklinville

 

 Charter Schools

Oracle 

Returning:  Nelson Modi - 12, Jayson Jones-Johnson - 12, Antone Gullege - 12, Barry Bray - 12, Levon Dickson - 12

New:  Shaundez Davis - 11, Kenny White - 10, Brian Bradberry - 12

 

Tapestry

Returning:  Jon Spears - 12, JaQuoine Fogan - 10, DeJuan Owens - 11, DaQuan Lias - 12

New:  Jordan Maxey - 11, DaVonte Cunningham - 10, Marques Perkins - 11, Jesus McClain - 11, Poshine Jenifer - 11, Andre Bragg  - 11, Keith Littlejohn - 11, Joe Henderson - 11, Kaleb King - 11,Chemar Pilot - 11, Dallas Williams - 12

 

Health Sciences

Returning:  Allen Wright Jr - 12, Carl "Boonie" Goodwin - 12, Aaron Day - 12, Marquist Lumpkin - 12, Cory Wiseman - 12, Davion Washington - 12, Ja'Quan Sullivan - 12, Nasir Flood - 11, Jason Giles - 12, Shiloh Gibbs - 12, Ivory Prince - 12

 

WNY Maritime

 Returning:  Isaiah Padin - 12, Rodney Lee - 12, Charles Davis - 12, Marques DeBose - 12, Joseph Adeleke - 12, 

New:  Damon Glenn - 10, Brian Johnson - 10

 

Global Concepts

 Returning:  Fred Searles - 11

New:  Fabian Pierce - 10 (Transfer from Lackawanna)

 

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New Coaches

Ron Killinger, South Park

Roland Davis, Riverside

David Nieves, Hutch-Tech

Brandon Woods, Global Concepts

Scott Gill, Eden

Justin Abel, Orchard Park

Brett Lyford, Lake Shore

Steve O'Brien, Dunkirk

Michael Putney, Chautauqua Lake

 Brennan Meakin, Albion

 

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Classification Changes

North Tonawanda moves down from Class AA to Class A1

West Seneca East moves up from Class A2 to Class A1

Starpoint moves up from Class A2 to Class A1

Iroquois moves up from Class A2 to Class A1

East Aurora moves up from Class B1 to Class A2

Springville moves up from Class B1 to Class A2

Albion moves up from Class B1 to Class A2

Maryvale moves up from Class B1 to Class A2

Buffalo Arts moves up from Class B2 to Class B1

Medina moves up from Class B2 to Class B1

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 up from Class C1 to Class B2

 DaVinci moves up from Class C1 to Class B2

 Oracle Charter moves up from Class C1 to Class B2

 Lackawanna moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Health Sciences moves up from Class C2 to Class B2

Portville moves up from Class C2 to Class C1

Silver Creek moves up from Class C2 to Class C1

Randolph moves down from Class C1 to Class C2

 

****************************************************

 

Top Nonleague Games 

 12/3 Salamanca @ Silver Creek

12/4 - Cleveland Hill vs. Nichols @ Lancaster

12/4 - Williamsville East vs. Oracle Charter @ Daemen College

12/5 - East vs. Timon/St. Jude @ Daemen College

12/5 - St. Mary's vs. Middle College @ Daemen College

12/5 - McKinley vs. Kenmore West @ Daemen College

12/5 - Randolph @ Maple Grove

12/6 - Clarence vs. North Tonawanda @ Amherst

12/6 - Oracle Charter @ Amherst

12/6 - Sir Edmund McNabb @ Niagara Falls

12/6 - Sherman @ Randolph

12/6 - Williamsville East @ Lockport

12/7 - St. Joe's vs. Will East/Lockport 

12/7 - Williamsville North vs. Timon @ NFHS

12/7 - Bishop Kearney @ Niagara Falls

12/7 - Consolation & Championship of Amherst Tourny

12/7 - Championship of Olean Tourny (potentially Silver Creek @ Olean)

12/9 - Oracle Charter @ Newfane

12/10 - Aquinas @ St. Joe's

12/10 - Timon @ Olean

12/11 - Maple Grove @ Randolph

12/13 - Fordham @ Canisius

12/13 - Aquinas @ Timon

12/13 - Olean @ Bishop Kearney

12/13 - Greece Athena vs. Fredonia @ Jamestown

12/13 - Oracle Charter @ City Honors

12/13 - Olmsted @ Sherman

12/14 - Greece Athena/Fredonia @ Jamestown

12/14 - Consolation & Championship of Tom Keenan Tourny @ Canisius

12/17 - St. Joe's @ Bishop Kearney

12/17 - Fredonia @ Lackawanna

12/19 - Nichols vs. Depew @ Canisius

12/20 - Clarence vs. St. Mary's @Canisius

12/21 - Randolph @ Sherman

12/21 - St. Joe's vs. McKinley @ Canisius

12/21 - Olean @ Canisius

12/21 - City Honors vs. St. Mary's @ Depew

12/21 - Lancaster @ Depew

12/23 - Consolation & Chanpionship Rounds of Depew Tournament (Beware of Transit Rd. holiday traffic!  I once missed the entire consolation game on 12/23 because of it.)

12/27 - Middle College vs. Tapestry @ St. Joe's

12/28 - Championship of Clarence Tourny (potentially Fredonia @ Clarence)

12/28 - University Prep @ Timon

1/3 - Greece Athena @ Olean

1/3 - Randolph @ Silver Creek

1/6 - McKinley @ Clarence

1/6 - Nichols @ Lackawanna

1/6 - Bishop Kearney @ Timon

1/8 - Canisius @ Aquinas

1/10 - Williamsville North @ McKinley

1/11 - Olean @ Aquinas

1/14 - Canisius @ Bishop Kearney

1/18 - Canisius vs. McKinley @ City Honors

1/18 - East vs. Sweet Home @ City Honors

1/18 - Cheektowaga vs. Middle College @ City Honors

1/18 - Sherman @ Olmsted

1/21 - Olean @ St. Mary's

1/22 - Silver Creek @ Salamanca

 1/24 - Williamsville South @ Olean

1/24 - Batavia @ Lackawanna

1/28 - Lockport @ Batavia

1/29 - Olean @ Timon

1/31 - MST Seneca @ Lackawanna

2/1 - Timon & Jamestown playing Sec V teams in RAP Classic @ Rochester's East High

2/1 - Olean @ Greece Athena

2/1 - Silver Creek @ Randolph

2/7 - Bishop Kearney @ Olean

2/8 - Cathedral Prep @ Canisius

2/9 - Willliamsville South @ St. Joe's

2/12 - St. Mary's @ Fredonia

2/13 - St. Joe's @ Kenmore West

2/14 - North Tonawanda @ Cleveland Hill 

 

************************************************

 

Predictions

 

MMA - Canisius

Yale Cup I - East

Yale Cup II - City Honors

ECIC I - Jamestown

ECIC II - Williamsville East

ECIC III - Amherst

ECIC IV - Cleveland Hill

NFL - Lockport

N-O - Barker

CCAA I West - Fredonia

CCAA I East - Randolph

CCAA II West - Sherman

CCAA II East - Pine Valley

Charters:  Oracle

 

Manhattan Cup: Canisius

Class AA: Jamestown

Class A1: North Tonawanda

Class A2: Amherst

Class B1: Olean

Class B2: East

Class C1: Middle College

Class C2: Randolph

Class D: Sherman

 

  -centercourt

@centercourt42

The 2013 All-Centercourt Team: The Best in WNY

 

CC MVP:

Adam Weir - Canisius, Senior

Since his sophomore season, you could see something special in Adam Weir.  He returned for his junior season noticably taller and a whole lot more confident and aggressive, resulting in an outstanding season both for his team, and individually.  As a result, he was selected to First Team All-Centercourt as a junior.  This season, the talented 6-4 senior looked and played more focused than ever before, taking his game to yet another level.

 Whether he came bursting out of the gates to score in double figures before the end of the first quarter, or he took over at a timely moment later in the game, Weir always played a stretch of the game like he was on such a mission, there was simply no stopping him.  He could come flying off a screen and catch & shoot, beat you baseline and flush it with ease, or drive the lane and drop dimes without looking as the help came.  He was equally effective running in transition or in a half court set.

 Best of all, Weir played the game the right way.  He went hard all the time, was a leader to his teammates, and maintained that same look of focus regardless of the game circumstances.  There was no showmanship and no whining, just basketball. And this season in WNY, Weir played basketball at the kind of level that earns you Player of the Year honors.

 

**************************************************

 

 First Team All-Centercourt

Adam Weir - Canisius, Senior

 21.0 PPG  /  7.0 RPG  /  2.0 APG  /  1.5 SPG

Earned the distinction of being the best player on the best team.  Led Canisius to an unbeaten season in the MMA, to a third straight Manhattan Cup in as many varsity seasons, and to the CHSAA Class A state championship game.  Named All-Catholic Player of the Year.  Last season's Manhattan Cup MVP and first team Manhattan Cup all-tournament team this year.

 

Jermaine Crumpton - Niagara Falls, Senior

20 PPG / 12 RPG / 3 BPG / 3 APG

Crumpton led a Wolverines team that was ranked at the top of WNY for much of the season.  Improved over his three-year varsity career into one of the premier players in the area, combining athleticism with a soft touch from anywhere on the court.  Dropped a season-high 32 points against Grand Island and led NFHS to season-opening win over NYSPHAA Class AA state champion, Bishop Kearney.  He will attend Canisius College next year, where he will continue playing basketball.

 

Sterling Taplin - Williamsville North, Junior

21.84 PPG  /  5.73  RPG  /  4.21 APG  /  2.94 SPG

A returning First Team All-Centercourt selection from 2012, Taplin was named ECIC Player of the Year.  Has already been a four-year starter on varsity and will enter his senior season with 1,425 points - the school's all-time leader. Needs just 41 more assists to own the school record in that category.  Named MVP of Five Guys Tournament and player of the game after a win over Batavia at the Cataract City Classic.  Has excellent court vision and is tremendous at creating opportunities for his teammates.  Plays such a smooth style that defenders are often left watching him blow by, having had no idea it was about to happen.  Put on a clinic in a 61-47  win at Jamestown in January as he sliced through the defense at will, finishing with 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals.  With one more season remaining, the sky is the limit as to where his talents could take him following his prep career.

 

Lovell Smith -  McKinley, Senior

15.0 PPG  /  10.0 RPG  /  4.2 SPG  /  2.6 APG  /  2.1 BPG

Led McKinley to its first ever NYSPHAA Class A state championship and was named MVP of the tournament.  Selected to First Team All-High for a second straight year after his Macks finished a second straight season unbeaten in the Yale Cup.  Brings relentless energy on both ends of the court for the entire contest and is highly effective. Plays  about five inches taller than he is.  Gets to the basket with ease and soars high above the rim.  

 

Marcus Morris - McKinley, Senior

16.0 PPG  /  8.0 RPG  /  5.7 APG  /  3.0 SPG  /  2.2 BPG

The Yale Cup I Player of the Year saw his stock skyrocket after his performance in the overall Class A championship win over Amherst.  Morris scored a game-high 28 points, including the game-winner with 18 seconds left.  Bombed in 57 3-pointers on the season.  Was at his best from the perimeter, but mastered the art of driving and stopping on a dime to pull-up over an opponent.  A good passer who seemed to have a highlight assist in every game.  Once described to me by his coach, Zaire Dorsey, as "in range" as soon as he enters the gym.  

 

*******************************************************

 

 Second Team All-Centercourt

Zed Williams - Silver Creek, Senior

17.7 PPG / 8.33 APG / 7.16 RPG

 One of the most versatile and well-rounded players in WNY and the unquestioned leader of the Black Knights.  Depending on the matchup, would run the point or play inside, and always drew the opposing team's top scorer to defend.  Led his team to a state semifinal appearance in Class C and 23-1 record, that included a 23-game win streak.  Scored a season-high 38 points in the sectional quarterfinals against Olmsted, and put on an inspiring performance to advance Silver Creek past Middle College in the overall Class C championship for Section VI.  Williams willl attend Virginia to play lacrosse.

 

Tommy Campion - Jamestown, Senior

21.2 PPG /  2.9 APG /  2.7 RPG /  2.3 SPG

Named Co-Player of the Year in ECIC I after Jamestown won the league for a second straight season.  A four-year varsity player, Campion led his Red Raiders to a third section VI Class AA title in four seasons this year.  Joined the elite 1,000 point club at Jamestown this year during a season-high 40 point outburst against Lancaster, and was on fire against St. Joe's, scoring 31 points in the MMA/ECIC challenge.  In Jamestown's regional loss to eventual state champion Bishop Kearney,  he was aggressive in attacking the defense and showed his game could thrive against the best competition in the state.  Campion will continue his hoops career at Hobart next year.

 

Wil Bathurst - Olean, Junior

18.4 PPG /  8.0 RPG  /  3.3 APG  / 1.9 BPG  /  1.8 SPG

The do-it-all junior stands out to anyone watching a Huskies game for his smooth and effective style that controls the pace of games.  Was named Co-Player of the Year in CCAA I and Olean's Tip-off Tournament MVP. In the Huskies' sectional  championship win, Bathurst scored 19 points, grabbed 10 boards, dished nine assists, blocked seven shots, and had two steals.  Scored the go-ahead basket following a steal in the Far West Regionals, before Olean fell in a heart-breaker at the buzzer.

 

Sam Eckstrom - Olean, Junior

18.2 PPG /  8.0 RPG  /  1.9 BPG

The most fundamentally sound big man in WNY has already surpassed 1,000 points in his career, before his senior campaign even begins. Routinely draws the attention of opposing defenses and double teams, yet still thrives in the paint.  Was named Co-Player of the Year in CCAA I.  Scored a season-high 30 points against Fredonia, and did it in just under two and a half quarters.  Will continue to field several offers until he makes a decision on where he will continue to play after next season.

 

Jonathan Belton - Amherst, Senior

17 PPG  /  7.64 RPG  /   6.95 APG  / 4.7 SPG  / 1.3 BPG

Named first team All-ECIC, ECIC III Player of the Year, Jolly Boys Tournament MVP, and team MVP.  Led Amherst to a Class A2 title and a 20-game winning streak.  Scored in double figures in 20 of 22 games, and in one of the games he did not score double figures, he logged double-digits in assists and rebounds.  The Tigers looked to get the ball in his hands, not only because he was a playmaker, but also because he took care of the ball - Belton recorded a 3.6 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. 

 

 *************************************************

 

Third Team All-Centercourt

Keir Anderson - Middle College, Senior

 22 PPG /  4.6 RPG  /  3.5 APG  /   2.6 SPG  

Led the Kats to a second straight Class C1 title and a second place finish in Yale Cup I.  Scored a season-high 32 points in the C1 final against Oracle Charter, with 22 of those points coming during an explosive first half.  Went off for a triple-double in winning the rematch at East, including 31 points.  Over the final month of the season, Anderson averaged better than 25 points per game.  His leadership qualities could be seen on the court and heard in any of his postgame comments.  Named to First team All-High.

 

Aaron White - Canisius, Senior

11.5 PPG  /  5.0 APG  /  3.0 SPG

The floor general for the three-time Maanhattan Cup champs.  Manhattan Cup MVP.  Named First Team All-Catholic.  Selected as MVP at the RAP Classic.  Regarded by many as not only the best defender, but also the quickest guard in WNY.  Shifty with an outstanding handle, White would constantly shake down defenders and then blow past them.  Added a reliable three-point shot to his arsenal this year, making him even more dangerous.  

 

Matt MacDonald - Canisius, Senior

15.5 PPG  /  5.5 RPG  /  2.0 APG

Named to First Team All-Catholic.  Manhattan Cup all-tournament team.  Has a very high basketball IQ.  Possibly the best pure shooter in the area this season.  Deadly from beyond the arc and knocked down free throws like they were layups.  Was an obvious leader for the Crusaders and facilitated the offense at a high level.  Described by his coach, Kyle Husband, as one of the hardest workers he's ever had.

 

Darnell Carson - CSAT, Senior

23.6 PPG /  4.4 APG  /  3.8 SPG  / 2.9 RPG

Combines a ridiculous handle with exceptional quickness, and at times, makes it look like he's just toying with defenders.  He can drive, dish, and shoot, and was an exceptional defender, as evidenced by his eye-popping steals per game average.  Led the Eagles to the first unbeaten season the  N-O  league has seen in over a decade.  Led a wild 17-point second half comeback victory at Newfane, pouring in a career-high 35 points, while completely taking over the game.

 

Reyjzon Jordan - McKinley, Senior

10.4 PPG  /  6.0 RPG  /  6.0 SPG  /  5.4 APG  

Was the point guard for the state champion Macks and one of the top defenders in WNY.  The Yale Cup Player of the Year in 2012, Jordan was named to First Team All-High this season.  Selected to the Federation Class A all-tournament team, following his 15-point performance there.  

 

 *********************************************************

 

Fourth Team All-Centercourt

JJ Wilkes - Niagara Falls, Senior

13 PPG  /  7 APG  /  4 SPG  /  2 RPG

The three-year varsity starter dealt with a knee injury that limited him to just 16 games including the postseason, but still turned in an outstanding campaign.  Widely regarded as a top defender in WNY, he scored a season-high 26 points in the Class AA semifinals against Kenmore West.  Hopes to attend Monroe CC (where Davon Marshall started) or Polk CC in Florida.

 

Paul Rath - St. Mary's, Senior

14.1 PPG  /  5.3 RPG  /  5.2 APG  /  4.2 SPG

Was at his best in big games, particularly in three games against Nichols and in a double overtime battle with St. Joe's.  The reining Centercourt Sixth-man of the year winner, Rath was selected to First Team All-Catholic.  Took MVP honors at the Jack silvernail and Depew Tournaments, along with the Pastor-Cooper Showcase and Cataract City Classic.  Is between Hilbert, Medaille, and Daemen for his colllege choice.

 

Nate Wilkinson - Iroquois, Senior

23.48 PPG  /  3.5 APG  /   2.43 SPG  /   2.0 RPG

Winner of Player of the Year honors in ECIC II and also selected to First Team All-ECIC.  Led the Chiels to the Class A2 championship game.  Scored a season-high 36 points and also registered a pair of 34-point outings.  Holds the school record for steals in a game (11) and tied a school record for points in a quarter (19). 

 

Tyrell Mitchell - South Park, Senior

26.25 PPG

Led the Sparks to their best season in years, as they reached the semifinals in Class A2.  A pure scorer who could hurt you anyplace on the court.  Owner of the single-game scoring mark in WNY for the 2013 season fir his career-high 41 point game. 

 

Daequan Warren - McKinley, Senior

11.0 PPG  /  8.0 RPG  /  4.0 SPG  /  3.0 APG

 A key starter for the Class A state champs and back-to-back Class A1 champs.  Selected to Second-Team All-High.  At 6-4, Warren moved and handled the ball beautifully and his style of play complemented what the Macks did perfectly.  Perhaps the most well-rounded of the Macks this season, Warren got better as the season wore on and by the end of the year, his contributions were invaluable.

 

 *********************************************************

 

Fifth Team All-Centercourt

Zach Blask - Portville, Senior

18.8 PPG  /   7.5 APG  /  4.3 SPG

Voted the CCAA II Player of the Year.  Was content to score, defend, distribute, and handle the ball for the Panthers and was always the focal point of opposing defenses.  Led Portville to the Class C2 championship game, after a masterful performance against Maple Grove in the semifinals, in which he repeatedly broke the Red Dragons trademark pressure.   A career 1,000 point scorer, his season-high of 32 points came against Cattaraugus/Little Valley.

 

Gerald Bibbs - Oracle Charter, Senior

12.8 PPG  /  11.5 RPG  /  3.0 SPG  /  1.9 APG  /  1.7 BPG

 Voted the Charter School Player of the Year and also selected as team MVP.  Controlled activity in the paint and played even bigger than what he was listed at.  Led the Phoenix through a 19-game winning streak, that included wins against McKinley and North Tonawanda, all the way to the Class C1 final.  

 

Ryan Funk - Clarence, Junior

18 PPG  /  6 RPG  /  2 APG  /  1 SPG

A First Team All-ECIC selection and the only underclassmen to earn that honor.  Also named team MVP and choosen as the MVP of the Clarence Tournament.  Led a Red Devils team that was ranked all season, to the Class AA semifinals.  Scored a career-high 37 points against Lancaster and dropped 33 points on Lockport in the quarterfinals, including 19 second half points. 

 

Jake Haight - Barker, Junior

20.2 PPG  / 13.2 RPG  /  3.1 SPG  /  2.3 APG 

A First Team selection in the N-O after both his sophomore and junior campaigns.  Will enter his senior season with 978 career points.  Can hurt you from the perimeter, drive the lane for a dunk, or pull up someplace in between for a jumper.  Led Barker to the Class C1 semifinals after  a tough road win at Holland.

 

Clark Brueckl - Lake Shore, Senior

18.3 PPG  /  5 RPG

Named to First Team ECIC III.  A scorer with incredible range from outside.  Set the school record for 3-pointers in game with nine, and finished the season 67 total treys to his credit.   Lit up Pioneer for a season-high 39 points on 9/12 shooting from downtown.  Will attend Alfred next year.

 

***********************************************

 

 HONORABLE MENTION

Stephen Marcey - Silver Creek, Senior

Ramir Burton - Niagara Falls, Senior

Quinton Campbell - Kenmore West, Senior

Louie Oliveri - St. Joe's, Senior

Jordan Glover  - St. Joe's, Senior

Jaylen Morris - St. Joe's, Senior

Demone Harris - Timon/St. Jude, Senior

Chaq Nettles - Williamsville South, Senior

Jamarr Cuningham - Oracle Charter, Senior

Eric Waters - Oracle Charter, Senior

Clayton Hess - Tonawanda, Senior

Alex Turecki - Amherst, Senior

Jordan Parker - Cleveland Hill, Senior

Ahmad Abdo - Lackawanna, Senior

Jovohn Owens - Hutch-Tech, Senior

Jack Mulcahey - Niagara Wheatfield, Senior

Dan Lictus - Clymer, Senior

Donte Williams - Timon/St. Jude, Junior

Dylan Meyer - Fredonia, Junior

Nick Schmidt - Olean, Junior

Luke Hennessey - Olean, Junior

Kevin Briggs - Middle College, Junior

Tyree Tyson - East, Junior

Johnathan Lewis - East, Junior

Brendan Cox - East Aurora, Junior

Kaine Kettle - Silver Creek, Junior

Bryan Jost - Clarence, Junior

Derrick Sekuterski - Depew, Junior

Zack Panebianco - Jamestown, Sophomore

Branden Kellam - Jamestown, Sophomore

Chris Miner - Nichols, Sophomore

Cam Lewis - Nichols, Sophomore

Bill Brooks - Silver Creek, Sophomore

Bryce Morrison -  Randolph, Sophomore

Zak Ciezlik - Cheektowaga, Sophomore

 

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42 

All-League Teams - 2013

 

MONSIGNOR MARTIN ASSOCIATION

Player of the Year:

 Adam Weir - Canisius, 12

 

First Team

Matt MacDonald - Canisius, 12

Louie Oliveri - St. Joe's, 12

Paul Rath - St. Mary's, 12

Aaron White - Canisius, 12

Donte Williams - Timon, 11

 

Second Team

Jordan Glover - St. Joe's, 12

Demone Harris - Timon, 12

Cam Lewis - Nichols, 10

Chris Miner - Nichols, 10

Jaylen Morris - St. Joe's, 12

 

*************************************************************

 

 

YALE CUP I

Player of the Year:

Marcus Morris - McKinley, 12

 

First Team

Lovell Smith - McKinley, 12

Keir Anderson - Middle College, 12

Tyree Tyson - East, 11

Kevin Briggs - Middle College, 11

Reyjzon Jordan - McKinley, 12

 

Second Team

Tyrell Mitchell - South Park, 12

Johnathan Lewis - East, 11

Daequan Warren - McKinley, 12

Bri'an Brown - Middle College, 11

Willie Smith - Riverside, 11

 

Third Team

Percy Bryant - East, 10

Jovohn Owens - Hutch-Tech, 12

Tarron Scott - Middle College, 11

Aymanuel Radford - Hutch-Tech, 11

Samuel Smith - McKinley, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Avrelio Ayala - Bennett, 11

Dante Thompson - McKinley, 11

Joseph Stanton - Middle College, 9

Jovell Littlejohn - Riverside, 10

Jonathan Kinley - East, 10

 

******************************************************************

 

YALE CUP II & III

Player of the Year:

Lester Diaz - Lafayette, 12

 

First Team

JaVaughn McNab - MST Seneca, 12

Lenny Dowell - Emerson, 12

Daquan Walker - Burgard, 12

Malcolm Hendrick - Olmsted, 10

Damon Boykin - I-Prep, 11

 

Second Team

 Jon Colon - Lafayette, 12

Tyler James - Buffalo  Arts, 12

Jamaal Felton - MST Seneca, 11

Jordan Garrett - Emerson, 12

Yusef Burgos - City Honors, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Burgard:  Sean Marshall - 12, Aaron Jones - 12

I-Prep:  Terrance James - 10, Willquan Burgess - 10

City Honors:  Matt Cieslik - 10

Buffalo Arts:  Ivan Harris - 11

MST Seneca:  Ben Bolden - 12

Olmsted:  Jalen Schumaker - 12

DaVinci:  Darius Henry - 12

 

*********************************************************************

 

ALL ECIC

Player of the Year:

Sterling Taplin - Williamsville North, 11

 

First Team

Tommy Campion - Jamestown, 12

Jonathan Belton - Amherst, 12

Nate Wilkinson - Iroquois, 12

Ryan Funk - Clarence, 11

Jordan Parker - Cleveland Hill, 12

 

Second Team

Brendan Cox - East Aurora, 11

Clayton Hess - Tonawanda, 12

Ahmad Abdo - Lackawanna, 12

Alex Turecki - Amherst, 12

Derrick Sekuterski - Depew, 11

 

*****************************************************************

 

 ECIC I

Co-Players of the Year:

Tommy Campion - Jamestown, 12  

Sterling Taplin - Williamsville North, 11

 

First Team

Ryan Funk - Clarence, 11

David Berkun - Williamsville North, 12

Branden Kellam - Jamestown, 10

Quinn Lee Yaw - Jamestown, 11

Byran Jost - Clarence, 11

 

Second Team

Kevin Marcinkowski - Frontier, 12

Zack Panebianco - Jamestown, 1o

Matt Wheelock - West Seneca West - 12

Bobby Florio - Clarence, 12

Tanner Schmit - Clarence, 10

 

Honorable Mention

Lancaster:  Sean Murray - 12, Mac Garby - 12

Clarence:  Emarure Williams - 10

West Seneca West:  Nick Clancy - 11

Frontier:  David Rajski - 12

Williamsville North:  George Attea - 10

 

********************************************************************

 

ECIC II

Player of the Year:

Nate Wilkinson - Iroquois, 12

 

First Team

Phil Bowen - Iroquois, 12

Chaq Nettles - Williamsville South, 12

Damien Powers - Williamsville South, 12

Mike Torrillo - Sweet Home, 12

Cort Williams - Williamsville East, 10

 

Second Team

Khalid Barnes - Sweet Home, 12

Zachary Bischel - Williamsville East, 12

Kole Gilchrist - Sweet Home, 12

Andrew Rankie - Starpoint, 12

Griffin Ryan - Hamburg, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Nicholas Clough - Williamsville East, 10

Nick Parucki - West Seneca East, 10

Andrew Sardina - Hamburg, 12

Kyle Violanti - Hamburg, 12

 

*******************************************************************

 

ECIC III

Player of the Year:

Jonathan Belton - Amherst, 12

 

First Team

Derrick Sekuterski - Depew, 11

Brendan Cox - East Aurora, 11

Alex Turecki - Amherst, 12

Clark Brueckl - Lake Shore, 12

Zak Ciezki - Cheektowaga, 10

Ed Smith - Maryvale, 12

 

Second Team

Ian Allen - East Aurora, 12

Max Aiken - Maryvale, 12

Dion Lewis - Amherst, 12

Preston Summers - Cheektowaga, 11

Terik Lewis - Pioneer, 12

Denis Vanini - Depew, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Cheektowaga:  Dominick Welch - 11, Derek Clyburn - 12

Maryvale:  Demetri McCallie - 12

East Aurora:  Michael Coatsworth - 10

Lake Shore:  Ryan Joslyn - 12

Springville:  William Dickinson, 12

 

***********************************************************************

 

ECIC IV

Co-Players of the Year:

Jordan Parker - Cleveland Hill, 12

Clayton Hess - Tonawanda, 12

 

First Team

Shaquille Brooks - Lackawanna, 12

Ahmad Abdo - Lackawanna, 12

Clay Lewis - Holland, 10

Richard Sotero - Cleveland Hill, 12

 

Second Team 

Damone Sylvers - Lackawanna, 10

Dylan Dussalt - Alden, 11

Aaron Phillips - Cleveland Hill, 11

Ben Stitch - Tonawanda, 11

Bradley Palmerton - Eden, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Lackawanna:  Cam Smith - 11, Deron Adams - 12

Alden:  Corey Barcyzkowski - 12, Tyler Glasser - 11, Nick Kibbler - 11

Holland:  Curtis Blendinger - 12, Storm Phillips - 12, JR Kline - 10

JFK:  Zack Walkowski - 12, Tyler Gabrielli - 12

 

*******************************************************************

 

NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE

 

First Team

Jermaine Crumpton - Niagara Falls, 12

Quinten Campbell - Kenmore West, 12

Jack Mulcahey - Niagara Wheatfield, 12

Ian Gilhousen - North Tonawanda, 12

Ramir Burton - Niagara Falls, 12

 

Second Team

JJ Wilkes - Niagara Falls, 12

Vinzell Watkins - Niagara Falls, 11

Nick Mansour - Lew-Port, 12

Moziah Townsend - Lockport, 11

Ryan Ross - Grand Island, 11

 

Third Team

Charlie Sobierski - Lockport, 11

Pat Schroeder - Kenmore East, 12

Nehemiah Stone - North Tonawanda, 10

Colin Dougherty - Lockport, 11

Ryan Lawrence - Lockport, 11

 

************************************************************

 

Niagara-Orleans League

 

First Team

Darnell Carson - CSAT, 12

Jake Haight - Barker, 11

Connor Sears - Newfane, 12

Brad Bobbit - Roy-Hart, 12

Connor Ladd - Akron, 12

 

Second Team

Blake Copella - Roy-Hart, 12

Austin Mietz - Akron, 12

Jaquille Peay - CSAT, 12

Reid Weber - Newfane, 12

Mitchell Luckman - Barker, 11

 

Honorable Mention

CSAT:  Alex Santos - 10

Newfane:  Bryan Geise - 12

Roy-Hart:  Ryan Farewell - 12, Alex Stoddard - 11

Akron:  Gowah Abrams - 12

Medina:  Mungie Brown - 11, Lonnie Taylor - 12

Albion:  Fred Koester - 12

Wilson:  Matt Baker - 12

 

*******************************************************************

 

CCAA I

Co-Players of the Year:

Wil Bathurst - Olean, 11

Sam Eckstrom - Olean, 11

 

First Team

Dylan Meyer - Fredonia, 11

Kyle Radack - Southwestern - 12

Max Portlow - Olean, 12

John Piper - Fredonia, 10

Alek Peck - Southwestern, 12

 

Second Team

Pat Scholla - Olean, 12

Domonic Saglimben - Allegany-Limestone, 11

Nick Conti - Falconer, 12

Ryan Vossler - Allegany-Limestone, 11

Nick Johnston - Fredonia, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Olean:  Nick Schmidt - 11, Luke Hennessey - 11, Evan Ryan - 12

Fredonia:  Jon Fletcher - 12

Dunkirk:  Michael Bess - 12, Alex Crossan - 12, Jacob Lockett - 12, Marquel Ruiz - 12

Falconer:  Mitch Carter - 12

Gowanda:  Zach Stevens - 11, Brennan Gieger - 11, Chase Williams - 11

Allegany-Limestone:  Caswell Stanton - 12

Southwestern:  Peter Trathen - 12

 

**************************************************************

 

CCAA II

Player of the Year:

Zach Blask - Portville, 12

 

First Team

Zed Williams - Silver Creek, 12

Kaine Kettle - Silver Creek, 11

Bill Brooks - Silver Creek, 10

Bryce Morrison - Randolph, 10 

 

Second Team

Stephen Marcey - Silver Creek, 12

Alex Elderkin - Frewsburg, 12

Nathan Beaver - Rndolph, 12

Tanner John - Salamanca, 12

Jared Fish - Salamanca, 10

Tim Bender - Cassadaga Valley, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Silver Creek:  Brennan White - 10

Portville:  Curtis Caya - 11

Salamanca:  Bryce Stahlman - 12

Cassadaga Valley:  Randy Dalaba - 12, Mike Lancaster - 12

Randolph:  Mitchell Maycock - 11, Cody Oldro - 11

Frewsburh:  Josh Nelson

Cattaraugus/Little Valley:  Colt Agnew

 

****************************************************************

 

CCAA III

 Co-Players of the Year:

Will Soffel - Maple Grove, 12

Aaron Germain - Maple Grove, 12

 

First Team

Will Soffel - Maple Grove, 12

Aaron Germain - Maple Grove, 12

John Coe - Westfield, 12

Tanner Dahl - Westfield, 10

Alec Blose - Panama, 12

Ian Clute - Chautauqua Lake, 11

 

Second Team

Lucas Trombley - Pine Valley, 12

Austin Goerke - Maple Grove, 12

Dan O'Dell - Panama, 11

Colin Seamans - Franklinville, 11

Corey Wefing - Maple Grove, 11

Cody Thomas - Chautauqua Lake, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Chautauqua Lake:  A.J. Hulton

Forestville:  Caleb Makuch, Jake Nosbisch, Adam Pleva

Maple Grove:  Graham Soffel, Jeff Tampe

Pine Valley:  Spencer Sticek

Westfield:  Dylan MacCubbin, Dan Tofil

 

 

 

*****************************************************************

 

CCAA IV

Player of the Year:

Dan Lictus - Clymer, 12

 

First Team

Jordan Patterson - Brocton, 12

Andrew Graham - Sherman, 11

Jared Keppel - North Collins, 12

Dan Ferguson - Brocton, 12

Ryan Robson - Sherman, 11

 

Second Team

Mitchell Einink - Clymer, 11

Devin Morehead - Sherman, 11

Colton Myers - West Valley, 12

Jacob Wiggers - Clymer, 11

Alex Steinbroner - Ellicottville, 12

Mike Grigsby - West Valley, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Brocton:  Aaron Riforgiato - 12, Macalum Buchanon - 11

Sherman:  Jake Card - 10

North Collins:  Todd Youngman - 12, Jordan Keough - 12

Ellicottville:  Cam Wilson - 12, Phalla Musall - 10

Clymer:  Garrett McAfoose - 11

Ripley:  Eric Horstman - 12

 

********************************************************************

 

Charter Schools

Player of the Year:

Gerald Bibbs - Oracle Charter, 12

 

First Team

Gerald Bibbs - Oracle, 12

Jamarr Cunningham - Oracle, 12

Julius Allen - Oracle, 12

Tom Lucas - Tapestry, 12

Allen Wright Jr. - Health Sciences, 11

 

Second Team

Eric Waters - Oracle, 12

Jon Spears - Tapestry, 12

Tyree Coble - Maritime, 10

Warren Mostiller - Maritime, 12

Randy Golda - Global Concepts, 10

 

Honorable Mention

Antoine Gulledge - Oracle, 11

Brandon McCants - Buffalo Science, 12

Aaron Day - Health Sciences, 11

Carl Goodwin - Health Sciences, 11

JaQuoine Fogan - Tapestry, 9

 

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

Fredonia kicks Buff State week off in style; Huskies & Steelers advance

 

Fredonia 66, CSAT 62

The fourth-seeded Hillbilles may have had to play second fiddle behind Olean in CCAA I this season, but as we've found out between the Class B2 quarter and semifinals, they'd have been the cream of the crop playing in the N-O.

 

Fredonia got 24 points from Dylan Meyer and 22 points from John Piper, as they put together a fourth quarter rally to defeat the undefeated champs from the N-O and the top seed in Class B2, CSAT, 66-62.   The Hillbilles await the winner of tonight's contest between East and Cleveland Hill, for a championship encounter on Saturday at noon.

 

CSAT jumped out to an 8-2 lead almost immediately before Fredonia settled in and began punching back.  Piper scored seven straight points for Fredonia during a 10-0 run that set an early tone for the game. At the end of the first quarter, Fredonia led, 16-14.  The teams traded leads heading towards halftime,with Cam Voss scoring six points in the later portion of the second quarter for the Hillbillies, who held on to a one-point lead at the break, 32-31.

 

After baskets by Jon Fletcher and Meyer to begin the second half, Fredonia had its largest lead of the game, 36-31.  The Eagles got active in their 3-2 zone and mounted a run to finish the third quarter. CSAT outscored the Hillbilles, 16-5 , during the remainder of the stanza, and regained a 47-41 advantage heading to the final quarter.

 

One minute into the fourth, CSAT had pushed its lead to 10 points, 53-43, and looked well on its way to a second straight B2 title game after winning it all the season prior. But the Hillbillies had other ideas and were not ready to give up on their season just yet.  Just five seconds after the basket that put Fredonia down 10 points, Piper responded with a 3-pointer that ignited a late-game surge. The Hillbillies finished the contest on a 23-9 run, with all their points except for the game's final two free throws, coming from Meyer (11 points) and Piper (10 points) over the last seven minutes.

 

Darnell Carson finished a brilliant career at CSAT with a game-high 32 points, and both a sectional ('12) & league ('13) title on his resume.

 

Olean 72, Maryvale 51

Wil Bathurst scored 26 points and hauled in 15 rebounds, Sam Eckstrom finished with 23 points and collected 11 boards, Nick Schmidt netted 15 points, and Max Portlow scored six points, as the top ranked team in the state's Class B advanced to the B1 title game for a second straight season. Pat Scholla scored the first two points of the game to give the Huskies a lead they'd own for the duration. Olean led by 13 at halftime and never let Maryvale get any closer than within eight points the rest of the way.

 

The Flyers were led by 13 points from Ed Smith, while Max Aiken scored 12 points in the loss.

 

Lackawanna 68, East Aurora 55

The Steelers jumped out to a double-digit lead at the end of the first quarter, 20-9, and continued to maintain at least a 1o-point advantage of each quarter for the remainder of the game, as they advance back to the Class B1 title game against Olean on Saturday at 1:45 pm.  Lackawanna won Class B1 two seasons ago, while Olean claimed the class last season.

 

The Steelers got a balanced scoring attack in the win with four players scoring in double figures. Shaquille Brooks led the way with 17 points, Ahmad Abdo  scored 14 points, while Cam Smith and Damone Sylvers each scored 13 points.

 

Brendan Cox scored a game-high 26 points to lead East Aurora, who also got 15 points from Ian Allen, and 12 points from Kevin Tierney.

 

In the Class D semifinals at JCC, Brocton routed Ellicottville, 67-29, while Sherman got little resistance from Clymer, downing the Pirates, 50-30.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Sectional Preview - 2013

 

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.  There's also my thoughts on the biggest favorite and the most competitive brackets, along with some winning streaks and predictions.

 

Top 6 Pre-Quarterfinal Games (Wed. 2/20)

6. Class A2 Starpoint vs. Riverside ** At McKinley

5. Class B1 Tonawanda vs. Burgard ** At MST Seneca

4. Class B2 City Honors vs. Emerson ** At Hutch-Tech

3. Class B1 Alden vs. Lafayette ** At McKinley

2. Class C1 Allegany-Limestone @ Salamanca

1. Class AA Lancaster @ North Tonawanda

 

Top 6 Quarterfinal Games (Fri. 2/22)

6. Class B2 Roy-Hart @ Cleveland Hill

5. Class B2 Akron @ Fredonia

4. Class AA Kenmore West @ Williamsville North

3. Class AA Lockport @ Clarence

2. Class B1 Newfane @ Maryvale

1. Class B1 Depew @ Lackawanna 

 

Most likely Quarterfinal upsets

Class A1

(5) Hutch-Tech @ (4) Hamburg - It seems like every season, the Engineers are a tough large school that finishes behind the elite large schools of the Yale Cup, ending up with a lower seed and a road game in the quarterfinals, before advancing to Buffalo State for the semifinals.  Why sould this year be any exception?

Class A2

(7) Cheektowaga @ (2) Iroquois - The Chiefs biggest obstacle to reaching the Class A2 final might occur before they even reach Buffalo State. Cheektowaga benefits from playing in ECIC III, where they've faced teams similar to Iroquois all season.  I like the Chiefs to pull it out and grace us with their presence on the big stage, but don't be surprised if the Warriors find their way back to Buffalo State, where they seem to wind up year after year.

(5) Lake Shore @ (4) South Park - It's a shame that the seedings fell in a way that these two must face each other now, rather than in the semifinals.  Instead, Lew-Port is a three seed and hosting a quarterfinal.  Both schools bounced back nicely from a series of down years to make some noise on the hoops scene.  Both schools also have a player that can fill it up - Tyrell Mitchell for the Sparks and Clark Brueckl for the Eagles.

(6) Pioneer @ (3) Lew-Port - The Panthers boast a large lineup that could present a problem for the Lancers.  Lew-Port is coming off an 11-point loss to Grand Island.

Class C1

(5) Tapestry Charter @ (4) Randolph -  Both teams have faced the best in Class C this season and are battle tested.  Tapestry has the ability to go into Randolph and steal the win, as evidenced by road wins this season against MST Seneca and Roy-Hart.

(6) Barker @ (3) Holland - A battle between teams led by talented underclassmen, sophomore Clay Lewis for the Dutchmen and junior Jake Haight for the Raiders.  Holland ended the year on a three-game skid with lopsided losses to Lackawanna, Cleveland Hill, and MST Seneca, so its confidence may not be where it needs to be for the postseason.  Conversely, Barker won three of its last five, and the two losses were a five-point decision to CSAT and a one-point heartbreaker to Roy-Hart.

 

Biggest Favorites to win a Sectional

3. Class A1 - McKinley

2. Class A2 - Amherst

1. Class B1 - Olean

 

Most likely to avance to Glens Falls

Class B - Olean

 

Best Brackets top-to-bottom

Class AA & Class B2

 

Most exciting potential semifinal matchups

4. Class A1 - Williamsville South vs. McKinley

3. Class AA - Clarence vs. Jamestown

2. Class AA - Williamsville North vs. Niagara Falls

1. Class B2 - East vs. Cleveland Hill

 

Most exciting potential championship matchups

Class D - Brocton vs. Sherman

Class C2 - Maple Grove vs. Silver Creek

Class C1 - Oracle Charter vs. Middle College

Class AA -  Niagara Falls vs. Jamestown

 

Winning Streaks heading into Sectionals

Class C2  Silver Creek - 18 games

Class C1 Oracle Charter - 17 games

Class C2 Maple Grove - 16 games

Class A2 Amherst - 16 games

Class B2 CSAT - 13 games

Class D Brocton - 11 games

Class B1 Olean - 10 games (Huskies have won 35 straight vs. public schools)

 

Predictions

Class AA - Niagara Falls

Class A1 - McKinley

Class A2 - Amherst

Class B1 - Olean

Class B2 - East

Class C1 - Oracle Charter

Class C2 - Silver Creek

Class D - Sherman

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Selection Tuesday - Ranking every team in Section VI

The most commonly asked question right now is "where can I find the brackets?"   Unfortunately, the answer continues to be...they're not ready yet.

 

Most coaches have a very good idea of which team or teams they are likely to draw, depending on how the last week plays out, and in turn their players and immediate fans of that team also know where the team they follow stands.  But I'm sensing that WNY basketball fans want to see where every team stands, so I took this route instead...Ranking every team in Section VI, by class.

 

** Please note these are not seedings and do not reflect actual power points.  This is simply how I rank the teams heading into sectionals, or, where I'd seed them if I ruled the world (the WNY basketball world).  It's not a prediction of how I think the seedings will end up.

 

Class AA

1. Niagara Falls

2. Jamestown

3. Williamsville North

4. Clarence

5. Kenmore West

6. Frontier

7. Lockport

8. North Tonawanda

9. Lancaster

10. Niagara Wheatfield

11. West Seneca West

12. Orchard Park

 

Class A1

1. McKinley

2. Williamsville South

3. Sweet Home

4. Hutch-Tech

5. Hamburg

6. Williamsville East

7. Grand Island

8. West Seneca East

9. Kenmore East

 

Class A2

1. Amherst

2. Iroquois

3. South Park

4. Cheektowaga

5. Lake Shore

6. Pioneer

7. Starpoint

8. Lew-Port

9. Riverside

 

Class B1

1. Olean

2. Lackawanna

3. Depew

4. Maryvale

5. Newfane

6. East Aurora

7. Lafayette

8. Burgard

9. Tonawanda

10. Bennett

11. Alden

12. Dunkirk

13. Albion

14. Eden

15. Springville

 

Class B2

1. East

2. Cleveland Hill

3. CSAT

4. Fredonia

5. Roy-Hart

6. Akron

7. City Honors

8. Emerson

9. Southwestern

10. Medina

11. Buffalo Arts

12. JFK

13. Wilson

14. Gowanda

15. Falconer

 

Class C1

1. Oracle Charter

2. Middle College

3. Holland

4. Randolph

5. Salamanca

6. Barker

7. Tapestry Charter

8. Allegany-Limestone

9. Cassadaga Valley

10. Maritime Charter

11. Cattaraugus Little Valley

12. Da Vinci

 

Class C2

1. Silver Creek

2. Maple Grove

3. Portville 

4. MST Seneca

5. I-Prep

6. Olmsted

7. Westfield

8. Frewsburg

9. Chautauqua Lake

10. Health Sciences

11. Franklinville

12. Buffalo Science

 

Class D

1. Brocton

2. Sherman

3. Clymer

4. North Collins

5. Pine Valley

6. Forestville

7. Panama

8. Ellicottville

9. West Valley

10. Ripley

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

Top games of the week ending 2/10/13

Here's a list of what I think are the top games to follow this week:

 

Monday, February 4th

Tonawanda @ Cleveland Hill - 6:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ Amherst - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, February 5th

East @ McKinley - 6 pm

Niagara Falls @ Kenmore West - 6:30 pm

Roy-Hart @ Newfane - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ Nichols - 7:30 pm

Niagara Catholic @ St. Mary's - 7:30 pm

Maryvale @ Depew - 7:30 pm

Clymer @ Brocton - 7:30 pm

Salamanca @ Portville - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, February 6th

Timon/St. Jude @ Bishop Kearney - 6:30 pm

Batavia @ East Aurora - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, February 7th

Newfane @ Akron - 6:30 pm

Portville @ Frewsburg - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, February 8th

Hutch-Tech @ East - 6 pm

Burgard @ City Honors - 6 pm

MST Seneca @ I-Prep - 6 pm

Williamsville South @ Sweet Home - 6:30 pm

Timon/St. Jude @ St. Joe's - 7 pm

Cheektowaga @ Maryvale- 7:30 pm

Randolph @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

Cassadaga Valley @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Olean - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, February 9th

Maple Grove @ Randolph - 6:30 pm

 

Game of the Week - East @ McKinley on Tuesday, February 5th

- The defending Yale Cup champions put their 22-game league winning streak on the line against the team that hoisted it the season before last, East.  The Panthers have just one loss in Yale Cup I this year, and it came at the hands of the Macks in the first meeting between the two this season.  McKinley defeated East, 79-76, on January 3rd.

If the Panthers could manage to snap McKinley's streak against its fellow city foes, they would pull even with the Macks in the Yale Cup  I standings and find themselves in a situation where they control their own destiny, with the potential to be co-league champs.  On the other hand, if McKinley is able to sweep East, it would likely claim both a second straight Yale Cup.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

Random Smatterings IV

Time in

 

In Middle College's loss to East, the Kats' Keir Anderson was sporting a pair of argyle socks as part of his uniform.

 

During Newfane's loss to Akron, there was a point heading into a timeout situation when an Akron player got frustrated and yelled at a teammate for not coming to the ball.  Newfane's student section, The Blue Zone, then held up a sign for the Akron player that read "You Mad Bro?!?"

 

St. Joe's JV head coach and varsity assistant, Jack Herlan, gets more miles out of one piece of gum than any other coach in this area.

 

Some teams rarely discussed, but worth mentioning this season include North Tonawanda, Lafayette, and Burgard.  North Tonawanda's only losses in the NFL league have come to Niagara Falls and Kenmore West, both top ten large schools from Class AA.  The Jacks are a young team this season, but are quietly putting together a nice season.  Lafayette has just one league loss to date and Burgard has an overall record of 8-3.

 

East big man, Tyree Tyson, has already blocked 64 shots this season.  He probably rejected someone while I was typing this.

 

Speaking of East, the whole "slow start" thing really seems to serve them well.  Here's how they've started and then finished the season the past three seasons:

2012 - Began 0-4, finished season by playing for Class B1 title.

2011 - Began 2-2, finished season by winning overall Class A title.

2010 - Began 1-2, finished season by winning Class A2 title.

** In 2009, East began 3-0.  That was the Dallas Gary/Dominique Jackson season when they were upset by Cheektowaga in the Class A2 quarterfinals.  Good news for the Panthers - they started 0-2 this year.

 

In Barker's 52-40 loss to Roy-Hart, only three Raiders scored in the game (Haight 17, Luckman 13, & Sweeney 10).

 

Darnell Carson of CSAT eclipsed the 1,000 point total for his career in a win over Wilson.  It was just his 51st career game.  Jared Keppel of North Collins also surpassed the 1,000 point total for his career in a loss to Clymer.

 

Since McKinley hasn't been turning out Olympic champions for gymnastic rings, it might want to consider having those rings that hang in the gym raised.  Those rings block at least one 3-pointer a game from the corner in front of the visitors bench.

 

Hinsdale continues to appear in the Buffalo News Scoreboard, even though Section V annexed them last year.  The problem is, their scores never get reported, so we're teased with knowing Hinsdale battled the likes of Scio or Belfast, but never get the results.  Well Bobcat fans, I did some research and can report Hinsdale is 1-10 and set to host Canaseraga tonight. 

 

I don't remember a bigger regular season game in recent years between a pair of MMA Class B schools, than the one tonight between Nichols and St. Mary's.  It should be the biggest game played at Nichols since they defeated Canisius to end the 2010 regular season.  Looking forward to it.

 

If we were going to assemble a basketball Dream Team, using only head varsity coaches in WNY based on their playing ability, which 12 coaches would make the roster?

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

Top games of the week ending 1/20/13

Here's a list of what I think are the top games this week:

 

Monday, January 14th

Sherman @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 15th

MST Seneca @ Olmsted - 6 pm

Akron @ Newfane - 6:30 pm

Hutch-Tech @ Middle College - 7 pm

Sweet Home @ Williamsville South - 7 pm

Lake Shore @ Depew - 7:30 pm

Randolph @ Frewsburg - 7:30 pm

Cassadaga Valley @ Portville - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 16th

Oracle Charter @ City Honors - 6 pm

Batavia @ Timon/St. Jude - 7 pm

 

Thursday, January 17th

Middle College @ McKinley - 6 pm

Williamsville South @ Iroquois - 6:30 pm

Maryvale @ Lake Shore - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ Aquinas - 7:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ East Aurora - 7:30 pm

Maple Grove @ Westfield - 7:30 pm

Lancaster @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

Bishop Kearney @ St. Joe's - 8 pm

 

Friday, January 18th

CSAT @ Akron - 6:30 pm

Randolph @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

Nichols @ Frontier - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 19th

Cheektowaga @ Hutch-Tech - 4 pm

 

MLK CLASSIC @ City Honors HS 

Session I

City Honors vs. Lackawanna - 11 am

East vs. East Aurora - 12:45 pm

 Session II

Middle College vs. Sweet Home - 4 pm

McKinley vs. Canisius - 5:45 pm

 

Sunday, January 20th

 Irondequoit Tournament

Jamestown vs. Edison Tech - 4:30 pm

Eastridge @ Irondequoit - 6:30 pm

 

Game of the Week - Canisius vs. McKinley on Saturday, January 19th

- Last season at the MLK Classic, these two squared off in the headliner and  Canisius won, 76-65.  The Crusaders went on to win the Manhattan Cup, while the Macks claimed another Class A1 crown.  Both teams brought back most of their key players from a year ago.

As of right now, Canisius is the second-ranked large school, while McKinley sits at number four.  The Macks own a pair of wins versus top ten schools in Timon and Clarence.  The only top ten large school Canisius has faced at this point is St. Joe's, who they defeated on Saturday.  The Macks lone loss this year came at the hands of the Marauders, when a shot went in at the buzzer.

 

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

Random Smatterings II

On Tuesday night at Canisius for its game against Bishop Kearney, as Keith McShea made his way to the media table where I was sitting, he walked past the Blue Crew and drew quite the "KEITH" ovation from the student section.  Earlier, when I walked by them, I heard centercourt. I looked up to see them pointing out where the St. Joe's kids were sitting across the way.

 

There are eight remaining unbeaten teams in WNY.  Three large schools: Jamestown, Williamsville North, and Sweet Home.  Five small schools: Olean, Silver Creek, Newfane, Holland, and Clymer.  We will be down to seven by December 26th, as Williamsville North hosts Holland in the first round of its tournament.

 

The song All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey, always make me think of Depew, because I watched them warmup to the song at its Holiday Tournament in 2010.  Actually, most Christmas music holds some HS basketball association for me because I'm always listening to it while driving to games in December.

 

 Over the last three seasons, the Section VI sectionals program cover has featured Lew-Port/Wilson (2010), Lockport/Grand Island (2011), and Lockport/Ken West (2012).  While the 2010 Lakemen made it to Buff State, the player from the cover photo never saw the floor in the semifinals.  The other schools never even advanced to the semis.  You have to go back to the cover of the 2009 program (Falls/Jamestown with TJ Crittenden & Marcus McAffee) to find players who competed on the court at Buff State.

 

In a 73-25 win over DaVinci, Emerson's Lenny Dowell was credited with the following stat line: 32 points, 21 boards, and 14 assists.  If you include the assists, he would have accounted for at least 60 points (they led 55-22 through three quarters).  Thursday at Olmsted, Dowell finished with two points and no field goals.

 

Speaking of Lenny Dowell, the Eagles' senior is joined in the starting lineup by his brothers, junior Marki and freshman Jason.

 

Once in awhile I get myself freaked out by scrolling too quickly, too far down while checking scores on the Buffalo News scoreboard page, and wind up looking at the girls scores without realizing it.  It happened most recently on Monday night, when I saw Lancaster 43, Will North 31 and said out loud, "What"? 

 

Cassadaga Valley's Randy Dalaba scored 24 points to go with 21 rebounds in a 64-50 win over Cattaraugus/Little Valley.

 

I'd like to see Olean get a playoff bye until the Class B1 title game, just to see who would emerge as the champ in the competitive B1 class without them in it.

 

The Canisius Crusaders Blue Crew participated in the final minute of pregame warmups with the team at Tuesday's win over Kearney.

 

Based on early season results, Bishop Kearney would be considered no better than the fourth best team if we ranked them in WNY, behind Falls, Olean, and Canisius.  If I were ranking them, I'd put three more teams - Jamestown, St. Joe's, & McKinley ahead of them as well.

 

Barker junior Jake Haight set the new individual game season-high scoring mark for this season in WNY with 40 points in a win over Elba.

 

Olean routed Southwestern, 70-36, without the services of Sam Eckstrom.

 

One of my favorite parts of following high school basketball is seeing a player for the first time who I've read or heard about for a longtime.  That was recently the case for such players as Frewsburg's Alex Elderkin, Portville's Zach Blask, Emerson's Lenny Dowell, Clarence's Bryan Jost, and Olmsted's Jalen Schumaker.

 

Olmsted plays the best version of the National Anthem ever recorded - Whitney Houston's rendition from Super Bowl XXV.

 

-centercourt

 

Holiday Tournament Schedule

Depew Tournament

Dec. 27th

St. Mary's vs. City Honors - 6 pm

Depew vs. Lancaster - 7:30 pm

Dec. 29th

Consolation game - 3:30 pm

Championship game - 5 pm

 

Williamsville Jolly Boys Tournament

Dec. 27th

Amherst vs. Newfane - 6 pm

Williamsville South vs. St. Francis - 7:30 pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 6 pm

Championship game - 7:30 pm

 

Clarence Tournament

Dec. 27th

Fredonia vs. Bennett - 5 pm

Clarence vs. Iroquois - 6:30 pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 5 pm

Championship game - 6:30 pm

 

Five Guys Williamsville North Tournament

Dec. 26th

Williamsville East vs. Park - 6 pm

Williamsville North vs. Holland - 7:30 pm

Dec. 27th

Consolation game - 6 pm

Championship game - 7:30 pm

 

East Aurora Invitational

Dec. 27th

CSAT vs. Hutch-Tech - 5:30 pm

East Aurora vs. Pioneer - 7 pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 5:30 pm

Championship game - 7 pm

 

Maryvale Tournament

Dec. 27th

Cleveland Hill vs. Hamburg - 5:30 pm

Maryvale vs. Akron - 7 pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 4:30 pm

Championship game - 6 pm

 

Pendleton Lions Tournament at Starpoint

Dec. 27th

Niagara Catholic vs. Lockport - 5 pm

Starpoint vs. Medina - 6:30 pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 5 pm

Championship game - 6:30 pm

 

St. Joe's Tournament

Dec. 27th

Riverside vs. Cheektowaga - 6 pm

St. Joe's vs. I-Prep - 7:30 pm

Dec. 28th 

Consolation game - 5:30 pm

Championship game - 7:15 pm

 

Southwestern Classic

Dec. 29th

Salamanca vs. Sherman - 6 pm

Southwestern vs. Chautauqua Lake - 7:30 pm

Dec. 30th

Consolation game - 6 pm

Championship game - 7:30 pm

 

Cassadaga Valley Tournament

Dec. 27th

Clymer vs. Oracle Charter - 6 pm

Cassadaga Valley vs. Westfield - 7:30 pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 6 pm

Championship game - 7:30 pm

 

IAABO Tournament @ St. Bonaventure

Dec. 27th

BRACKET ONE

Randolph vs. Archbishop Walsh - 2:30 pm

Portville vs. Allegany-Limestone - 4:15 pm

BRACKET TWO

Nichols vs. Warren PA - 6 pm

Olean vs. Bradford PA - 7:45 pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 2:30 pm

Consolation game - 4:15 pm

Championship game - 6 pm

Championship game - 7:45 pm

 

Emerling Ford Tournament @ Springville

Dec. 27th

South Park vs. Gowanda - 4:30 pm

Springville vs. West Valley - 6 pm

Dec. 29th 

Consolation game - 1:30 pm

Championship game - 6 pm

 

West Seneca Tournament at West Seneca East

Dec. 27th

Tonawanda vs. Buffalo Science - 4:30 pm

West Seneca West vs. West Seneca East - 6 pm

Dec. 28th 

Consolation game - 4:30 pm

Championship game - 6 pm

 

Ken-Ton Tournament at Kenmore East

Dec. 27th

Kenmore West vs. Sweet Home - 5 pm

Kenmore East vs. Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 5 pm

Championship game - 6:30 pm 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

 

-centercourt

 

 

 

Preview: 2012-2013 Season

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