The View From 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

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.

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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.

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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 

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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

Season Preview: 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2021 Preview contains:

- Commentary

- What's New

- Returning 2020 All-Centercourt Players

- Player Watch List for 2021

- 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

For the first time in the 12 seasons I've been doing this, WNY has no reigning state champions entering this season.  So I'd like to start this preview off by taking some liberties and crowning a few squads from the 2020 season.  Relying on years of watching these teams throughout the year and then following them to the state & fed tournaments in late March, I think I have a decent gauge of what a state championship team looks like - and I've even predicted a few months in advance.  So when I look back on the 2020 season, we had four state champions, and you can't convince me otherwise.  I have clairvoyance and this is how it would have all gone down:

 

- After winning the game of the year in the Far West Regional at Buff State, a thriller between Health Sciences and Rochester's East High, the state tournament seemed like a mere formality to the Falcons -- especially after routing their opponent in the state semifinal in Glens Falls.  However, the state championship game was too close for comfort...that is until late in the fourth quarter when Jonezy went Jonezy, again, and took the game over.  Ty Parker lost his voice.  Daciare, Tyler, Jabari, & Deshaun were each given a key to the City of Buffalo upon their return home for being outstanding seniors.  And Major announced his retirement at the victory parade, but Ty overruled that decision.

 

- Middle College had some unfinished business to tend to from the 2019 season and headed to Glens Falls hell bent on winning one for Jakari Nettles, who had helped them get so close in 2019.  The weekend was reminiscent of the 2010 and 2016 seasons for the Kats.  They destroyed a pair of opponents, who never saw it coming, in the state tournament.  Parents of the losing teams in Class C wept and cried foul.  But it had been all too legit.  Jamond was too good.  Speedy was too quick.  Keith Brown & Keyunte Jones were too tough.  And Anthony Smith became the first player to shatter a backboard at Glens Falls.  

 

- Following an exhausting road trip to Long Island in the state semifinals, Canisius earned the right to come home and play for a state championship in Buffalo.  The combination of playing in their hometown, unbiased officiating (as opposed to Long Island), Coach Husband shaving his beard, and having Dewayne Vass - clearly the best player on the court that day -was more than the Crusaders even needed.  Though the scoreboard showed Canisius won by six points, they held a double figure lead most of the second half after a pair of backcourt steals by Shane Cercone ignited a late first half run that basically put the game away.  Joe Ciocca connected four straight times from long range at one point and Max Dowling had a double-double by halftime.

 

- Finally, Timon caused the CHSAA to launch an investigation, after winning a state title while starting four underclassmen.  Who is this General Jamyier Patton, they demanded to know, and how in the hell does he score like that in the paint amidst so many trees??  You're telling me Kamar Goudelock is only a sophomore, they asked?  With that handle, range, and moxy?  Hold up...Kevin Thompson is only a sophomore as well AND this Leo Camilloni (a junior) can shoot the '3'?  Well, needless to say, Coach Rowe remained his usual quiet self and was unavailable for comment during the investigation, which turned up no wrong doing.  Timon was indeed a state champion (they beat Canisius in the regular season for crying out loud!).  And you better believe they will repeat this year...

 

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What's New ??

- Two-time All-Centercourt First Team selection Roddy Gayle made the decision to transfer out of state, a few weeks after announcing his commitment to play for Ohio State in a couple years.  Greg Brooks has left the area after earning All-Centercourt Honorable Mention as a 7th grader at Maritime, and All-Centercourt Honorable Mention selection Gabe McCoy from Randolph also left the area.

- No fans at games (at least initially), no state playoffs, and no Federation Tournament

- All the major regular season events have been canceled, including tip-off & holiday tournaments, the Cataract Classic, the BSN Sports NFLvs. ECIC Challenge, the Pastor-Cooper Showcase, MLK Classic, and my baby, the Centercourt Classic (the 4th Annual would've been the best one yet)

- There will be no state rankings released during the 2021 regular season  

- All postseason games in WNY will be hosted by the higher seed, including the Section VI Championship games.  Championship Saturday is set for March 27th

- The Manhattan Cup this season will include all seven Monsignor Martin Association teams.  With no CHSAA state playoffs, there is no need to determine a Class B representative.  Only one teams will be crowned champion.  The Manhattan Cup Championship is set for Saturday, March 20th

- Despite its Class B BEDS' numbers, Health Sciences is once again moving up.  After being moved to Class A2 for the past two seasons, Section VI has bumped the Falcons up as high as they can go - Class AA.  Tapestry will continue to compete in Class C and Maritime stays in Class B

- Joining Health in Class AA will be Four-time All-Centercourt standout Jalen Bradberry, who returns to his hometown Niagara Falls for his senior season.  Bradberry will play for his father, Carlos, the new coach of the Wolverines.  Talk about bolstering a lineup...Class AA is going to be a blast this year

- Instead of every team receiving an automatic bid to the Sectionals, only the top eight teams from each classification will move on to the postseason this year

- Class B will break into three sections this season (adding B3), instead of the traditional Class B1 & B2.  As Class B is currently the largest classification in Section VI by 10 teams, this move will allow for an additional eight teams to qualify for the postseason

- Bennett moves up to Yale Cup I from Yale Cup II, while City Honors moves from Yale Cup I down to Yale Cup II

- Tonawanda joins ECIC III after competing in ECIC IV last season

- Springville moves from ECIC III to ECIC IV

- Salamanca and Chautauqua Lake are flipping divisions.  Salamanca joins CCAA I West, while Chautauqua Lake joins CCAA I East

- Global Concepts & BASCS both opted out of competition for the 2021 season

- I will provide the play-by-play for all St. Joe's home games this season, which can be heard on the game's live stream

 

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The Players

***  8 of the top 25 players from the 2020 All-Centercourt Team return to the WNY high school hoops scene, along with 15 players that received Honorable Mentions following last season.  

 

Reigning CC MVP

JaVaughn Jones - Health Sciences, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

20.6 PPG

7.4 RPG

7.3 APG

4.9 SPG

The epitome of a four-year floor general who takes over at both ends

** All-Centercourt Defender **

 

 

 

 

 

Returning First Teamer

Jalen Bradberry - Niagara Falls, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

19.7 PPG

3.2 APG

3.1 RPG

1.4 SPG

Enters the 2021 campaign needing 599 points to become WNY's all-time leading scorer

** Centercourt #BOOM Squad **

 

 

 

Returning Second Teamers

Jamyier Patton - Timon, Senior

Junior Season Stats

22.1 PPG

3.2 RPG

2.7 APG

2.7 SPG 

Slithers through defenders at the rim and finishes consistently, when he's not killing you from downtown

 

 

 

Jaden Slaughter - St. Joe's, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

18.1 PPG

5.3 RPG

2.7 APG

1.2 SPG

 A highly efficient and unselfish talent that is now 6-5.  He's smooth!

 

 

 

 

Returning Fourth Teamers

Demarri Jones - Jamestown, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

17.2 PPG

10.3 RPG

1.3 APG

1.3 SPG 

High intensity baller who routinely outworks opponents

 

 

 

 

Trey Kleitz - Iroquois, Junior

Sophomore Season Stats:

20.7 PPG

7.5 APG

5.7 SPG

2.8 RPG

 Two-sport standout with excellent court vision

 

 

 

 

Returning Fifth Teamers

Joe Harrington - Lancaster, Junior

Sophomore Season Stats

15.8 PPG

8.4 RPG

2.0 BPG

1.7 SPG

1.3 APG

Led the defending Class AA champs in scoring, rebounding, & blocks as a sophomore 

 

 

 

Tariq Eubanks - Tapestry, Senior

Junior Season Stats

13.3 PPG

7.3 APG

5.0 SPG

3.6 RPG

The combination of talent, quickness, and effort has made Mr. Excitement the straw that stirs the drink at Tapestry for three seasons

** All-Centercourt Defender **

 

 

Returning 2020 Honorable Mentions

Zach Ianello - Clarence, Senior

16.8 PPG / 4.0 APG / 2.0 SPG / 72 Made 3-pointers - as a junior

 

Tyler Putney, Fredonia, Senior

15.9 PPG / 8.0 RPG / 2.0 BPG / 1.8 APG / 1.1 SPG - as a junior

 

Peyton Consigli - St. Francis, Senior

14.6 PPG / 7.2 RPG / 1.7 APG / 1.4 SPG / 0.8 BPG - as a junior

 

Keonjay Carter - Park, Senior

14.3 PPG / 4.5 APG / 4.3 RPG / 1.0 SPG - as a junior

 

Joe Ciocca - Canisius, Senior

11.8 PPG / 1.9 RPG / 1.8 APG / 1.0 SPG - as a junior

 

Max Dowling - Canisius, Senior

11.0 PPG / 5.0 RPG / 0.9 SPG / 0.7 BPG - as a junior

 

TJ Robinson - Niagara Wheatfield, Junior

21.0 PPG / 4.3 RPG / 2.4 APG / 2.0 SPG - as a sophomore

 

Trevin Boling - Tonawanda, Junior

20.6 PPG / 2.3 RPG / 1.8 SPG / 1.6 APG - as a sophomore

 

Max Schneider - Williamsville East, Junior

16.5 PPG / 7.0 APG / 3.1 SPG / 2.3 RPG -  as a sophomore

 

Kamar Goudelock - Timon, Junior

16.3 PPG / 4.3 RPG / 2.8 APG / 2.8 SPG - as a sophomore

 

Massai Graham - Tapestry, Junior

14.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 2.9 BPG / 1.6 APG / 1.4 SPG - as a sophomore

 

Josh Haskell - St. Joe's, Junior

12.9 PPG / 3.8 RPG / 1.8 APG / 0.7 SPG - as a sophomore

 

Justin Glover - St. Joe's, Junior

10.7 PPG / 4.0 APG / 2.9 RPG / 1.4 SPG - as a sophomore

 

Jalen Duff - Lew-Port, Sophomore

17.5 PPG / 3.9 APG / 3.4 RPG / 1.5 SPG - as a freshman

 

Shane Cercone - Canisius, Sophomore

9.0 PPG / 5.7 RPG / 1.1 APG / 1.0 SPG - as a freshman

 

Player Watch List

SENIORS

Malik Jemison (Canisius), Hugh Purks (Nichols), Jesse Adamu (Nichols), Amiel Collins (St. Francis),  Jaden washington (Cardinal O'Hara), Jaiden Green (East), Anthony Smith (Middle College), Bush Rieang (McKinley), Koran Askia (McKinley), Chris Coleman (South Park), Mykell Hepburn (South Park), Damario James (Bennett), Jarold Skillon (Bennett), Jamai Jackson (Ken West), Martin Espinal (Hutch-Tech),  Jaylen Hearon (Maritime), Davon Scott (Bennett), Elijah Rojas (Jamestown), Simeon Leeper (Jamestown), Faybion Prather (Niagara Falls), Arien Robinson (Niagara Falls), Caleb Tillman (Niagara Falls), Conor Foley (Frontier), Jackson Jerebko (Lancaster), Dexter Brooks (Starpoint), Sam Walters (Starpoint), Christian Pagano (Depew), Nevada Eldridge (Cheektowaga), Austin Boies (Springville), Jeff Koch (Amherst), Andrew Dockery (Maryvale), Ian Moog (East Aurora), Colin Herzog (Lake Shore), Keith White (Lake Shore), Jason Brooks (Olean), Deuce Capen (Newfane), Sam Capen (Newfane), Adam Mietz (Akron), Javier West (Forestville), Caleb Hutchins (Park), Desmond Davis (Park), Logan Sionko (Grand Island), Jarod White (Salamanca), Lief Jimerson (Ellicottville), Clayton Rowland (Ellicottville), Logan Frank (Franklinville), John Swabik (Sherman), Wally Wisniewski (North Tonawanda), Seth Joba (Orchard Park)

 

JUNIORS

Declan Ryan (Canisius), Jimmie Green (Cardinal O'Hara), Chris Wright (Cardinal O'Hara), Lamar Matthews (Tapestry), Romeo Bell (Tapestry), Jahodd Martin (McKinley), Bryant Rosa (Riverside), Dom Phillips (East Aurora), Aidan Kennedy (Southwestern), Tyler Curran (Allegany-Limestone), Zion James (Olean), Logan Sionko (Grand Island), Sean Hargrave (Ken West), Dominic McKenzie (Niagara Falls), Jorden Bynes (CSAT), Teddy McDuffie (Amherst), Isaiah Jean-Pierre (Health Sciences), Jaylen Butera (Jamestown), Roderick Brown (Sweet Home), 

 

SOPHOMORES

Trey Drake (Jamestown), Nick Moore (Amherst), Xander Fletcher (Niagara Wheatfield), Luke Granto (North Tonawanda), Bobby Beilein (Lew-Port)

 

FRESHMEN

Jaiden Lewis (West Seneca East), Lucas Brown (Salamanca), Shawn Watson (Niagara Wheatfield), Jaiden Huntington (Randolph), Channing Francis (Lancaster)

 

8th GRADE

Drew Hind (Randolph)

 

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League-By-League:  Returning All-League Talent 

 

Monsignor Martin Association

 

Large Schools - CLASS A

 

Canisius - Max Dowling, Joe Ciocca 

St. Joe's -  Jaden Slaughter 

St. Francis - Peyton Consigli  

 

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

 

Small Schools - CLASS B

 

Timon - Jamyier Patton, Kamar Goudelock 

 Nichols - Hugh Purks

Cardinal O'Hara 

 St. Mary's 

 

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

 

Section VI

 

Charter Schools

Health Sciences -  JaVaughn Jones 

Tapestry -  Tariq Eubanks, Massai Graham, Romeo Bell  

Maritime - Jaylon Hearon, John Washington

 

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

 

YALE CUP I

McKinley - Bush Rieang, Koran Askia, & Jahood Martin  

South Park -  Chris Coleman

Middle College - Anthony Smith 

Bennett - Damario James, Jerrold Skillon, Damone McClain, Jacob Pullins 

East - Jaiden Green, Anthony Oberlander

Hutch-Tech - Martin Espinal, Oliver Ngarikiyintwari, Kenneth Jacobs

Emerson - Lawrence Russell

 

 

******

 

YALE CUP II

MST Seneca -  Terrell Craig 

Buffalo Arts - Jordan Rodgers

Riverside - Bryant Rosa, Dan Maku

City Honors - Caleb Chapman

Burgard - Lafario Ross

I-Prep - Naesiah Woods

Lafayette - Kevin Calderon

Olmsted  

 

 ***********************************

 

ECIC I

Jamestown -  Demarri Jones, Elijah Rojas  

Lancaster -  Joe Harrington, Jackson Jerebko

Frontier - Brandon Okie, Conor Foley 

Clarence -  Zach Ianello 

Orchard Park 

Williamsville North 

West Seneca West 

 

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

 

ECIC II

Amherst -  Nick Moore

Williamsville East -  Max Schneider 

West Seneca East -  Jaiden Lewis 

Starpoint - Dexter Brooks

Sweet Home  

Williamsville South  

Hamburg 

 

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

 

ECIC III

Iroquois -  Trey Kleitz 

Cheektowaga - Nevada Eldridge, Keonte Brown

Depew -  Christian Pagano 

East Aurora -  Ian Moog, Dom Phillips

Lake Shore -   Noah Herzog, Keith White  

Maryvale - Andrew Dockery 

Tonawanda -  Trevin Boling, JJ Velazquez  

Pioneer  

 

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

 

ECIC IV

Springville -Austin Boies  

Lackawanna -  Jeremi'yhi Presley, AJ Turner 

Cleveland Hill -  Charlie Meredith

JFK -  Josh Knox  

Eden - Hunter Stetz

Alden - Matt Hay

Holland 

 

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

 

Niagara Frontier League

Niagara Wheatfield -  TJ Robinson, Xander Fletcher 

Lew-Port -  Jalen Duff  

Grand Island - Logan Sionko

Niagara Falls  

North Tonawanda  

Kenmore West  

Lockport  

CSAT  

Kenmore East  

 

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

 

Niagara-Orleans

Newfane -  Sam Capen, Michael Carmer 

Akron -  Adam Mietz, Mitchell Holtz, Jake Mazza  

Roy-Hart -  Gavyn Boyle, Tommy Ragonese, Rhett Goodwin 

Medina -  Brian Fry, Tyler Chinn, Jarin Rhim

Albion - Bailey Blanchard

Wilson -   Mike Miller

Barker -  Joey Brandt 

 

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

 

CCAA I West 

Olean - Jason Brooks, Zion James 

Fredonia -  Tyler Putney, Nick Whitfield 

Salamanca -  Jarod White, Lucas Brown 

Allegany-Limestone -  Tyler Curran 

Southwestern -  Aidan Kennedy,  Nate Johnson, Calvin Ricker

Dunkirk - Christian Ortiz 11, A'Marion Tell 

 

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

 

CCAA I East

Randolph - Ashton Bushey

Chautauqua Lake - Luke Waters 

Portville 

Silver Creek 

Falconer 

Gowanda 

 

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

 

CCAA II West 

Sherman -  John Swabik, Keith Gormley, Gerald Carris

Cassadaga Valley -  Wyatt Harrington, Braden Lebaron

Panama -  Connor Cooper 

Westfield -  Darien Swanson

Clymer -  Hunter Wassink

Brocton  

Maple Grove 

Falconer 

 

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

 

CCAA II East 

Ellicottville -  Clayton Rowland, Leif Jimerson, Wyatt Chudy, Logan Grinols  

Franklinville -   Logan Frank , Blake Frank  Matt Peters

North Collins -  Chris Smith, Mitchell Warsaw, Matthew Sweet

Cattaraugus-Little Valley -  Kordell Oakes, Josh Halterman, Gage Furl

Pine Valley -  Wayne Libby, Bryce Sercu, Cameron Hayes

Forestville -  Javier West

 

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

 

Teams with New Coaches (14)

 

Niagara Falls - Carlos Bradberry

Ken West - Ryan Hogan

Grand Island - Chris Simpson

South Park - Kyle Perla 

Middle College - Randy Rich

City Honors - Michael Mills

Medina - Eric Hellwig

Wilson - Rob Linhart

Barker - Jake Haight

Albion - Travis Downs

Tonawanda - Scott Foster

Rob Culver - Frewsburg

Robert Slisz - Pine Valley

Lucas Brawdy - Gowanda

 

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

 

Classification Changes (31)

 

Health Sciences moves up from Class A2 to Class AA

South Park moves up from Class A2 to Class A1

Williamsville East moves down from Class A1 to Class A2

Ken East moves down from Class A1 to Class A2

Iroquois moves up from Class B1 to Class A2

Lake Shore moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

Emerson moves down from Class A1 to Class B1

East moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

Depew moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Medina moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Burgard moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Lackawanna moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Tonawanda moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Springville moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Alden moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Lafayette moves down from Class A2 to Class B3

Eden moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Olmsted moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Fredonia moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Roy-Hart moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Maritime moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

JFK moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Southwestern moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Wilson moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Cleveland Hill moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Allegany-Limestone moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Salamanca moves up from Class C2 to Class C1

Riverside moves up from Class D to Class C1

Silver Creek moves down from Class C1 to Class C2

Cassadaga Valley moves down from Class C1 to Class C2

Franklinville moves down from Class C2 to Class D

 

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

 

Preseason Polls

**  Seven of the 10 teams that appeared in the 2020 Preseason Large School Poll were Top 10 teams when the season ended, and I was 8 of 10 predicting the Top 10 small schools in 2020

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius

2. Park

3. St. Joe's

4. Jamestown

5. Health Sciences

6. Niagara Falls

7. Lancaster

8. Amherst

9. South Park

10. McKinley

 

Small Schools

1. Timon

2. Tapestry

3. O'Hara

4. Middle College

5. Bennett

6. Newfane

7. Akron

8. East Aurora

9. Nichols

10. Randolph

 

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

 

Predictions

 

 MMA - Canisius

Yale Cup I - McKinley

Yale Cup II - Olmsted

ECIC I - Jamestown

ECIC II - Amherst

ECIC III - Cheektowaga

ECIC IV - Springville

NFL - Niagara Falls

N-O - Newfane

CCAA I West - Fredonia

CCAA I East - Randolph 

CCAA II West - Maple Grove

CCAA II East - Ellicottville

 

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

 

Manhattan Cup

Only twice in the last seven seasons, have I accurately predicted the winner and both times I got it right, I picked Canisius.  Well duh.  

** Canisius **

 

Class AA 

Final Four:  

Niagara Falls, Health Sciences, Jamestown, & Lancaster

** Jamestown **

 

Class A1 

Final Four:

McKinley, Ken West, South Park, & North Tonawanda

** South Park **

 

Class A2  

Final Four:  

Amherst, Cheektowaga, Williamsville East, & Lew-Port

** Amherst **

 

Class B1 

Final Four:  

Olean, Bennett, East Aurora, & East

** Bennett **

 

Class B2 

Final Four:

Newfane, Akron, Depew,  & Medina

** Newfane **

 

Class B3

Final Four:

Fredonia, Allegany-Limestone, Southwestern, & Maritime

** Fredonia **

 

Class C1

Final Four:

Tapestry, Middle College, Salamanca, & Riverside

** Tapestry **

 

Class C2

Final Four:

Randolph, Maple Grove, Holland, & Ellicottville

** Randolph **

 

Class D

Final Four to reach JCC:  

Sherman, Franklinville, Pine Valley, & Clymer

** Sherman **

 

-centercourt

Class A1 & A2 Bracket - 2020 Sectionals

 

Class A1

First Round - Tuesday, February 25th at 7 pm

(12) Emerson 55, (13) Grand Island 41

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 26th at 7 pm

(9) Hamburg 68, (8) Niagara Wheatfield 51

(5) Ken West 55, (12) Emerson 34

 

(7) Sweet Home 60, (10) Ken East 48

(11) Hutch-Tech 80, (6) I-Prep 70

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 28th at 7 pm

(1) Williamsville East 57, (9) Hamburg 50

(4) West Seneca West 70, (5) Ken West 53

 

(2) North Tonawanda 73, (7) Sweet Home 52

(3) McKinley 100, (11) Hutch-Tech 71

 

Semifinals - Monday, March 2nd

AT BUFFALO STATE - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

(4) West Seneca West 58, (1) Williamsville East 57

(2) North Tonawanda 82, (3) McKinley 59

 

Final - Saturday, March 7th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 8:30 pm

(2) North Tonawanda 64, (4) West Seneca West 56

 

2020 Section VI Class A1 Champions - North Tonawanda Jacks

 

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

 

 Class A2

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 26th at 7 pm

(8) Willaimsville South 67, (9) Cheektowaga 60

(5) East  82, (12) Starpoint 39

 

(10) West Seneca East 62, (7) Lake Shore 49

(6) South Park 79, (11) Pioneer 31

 

Quarterfinals - Saturday, February 29th at 1 pm

(1) Amherst 81, (8) Williamsville South 58

(5) East 49, (4) CSAT 47

 

(2) Health Sciences 82, (10) West Seneca East 46

(6) South Park 83, (3) Lew-Port 71

 

Semifinals - Thursday, March 5th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

(1) Amherst 73, (5) East 66

(2) Health Sciences 82, (6) South Park 58

 

Final - Saturday, March 7th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 7 pm

(2) Health Sciences 53, (1) Amherst 49

 

2020 Section VI Class A2 Champions - Health Sciences Falcons

 

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The Schedule: 2018-2019 Season

(Photo: Harry Scull, BuffNews) 

 

Click HERE for the 2020 Schedule

 

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Class A1 & A2 Brackets - 2018 Sectionals

Class A1

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 21st

(9) Grand Island 67, (8) Hutch-Tech 54

(12) West Seneca East 52, (5) Williamsville East 45

 

(7) Hamburg 66, (10) Kenmore West 55

(6) McKinley 68, (11) Kenmore East 48 

 

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 23rd

(1) West Seneca West 1oo, (9) Grand Island 64

(4) North Tonawanda 59, (12) West Seneca East 43

 

(2) Williamsville South 81, (7) Hamburg 41

(6) McKinley 60, (3) Sweet Home 53 OT

 

Semifinals - Wednesday, February 28th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 5:15 pm & 6:45 pm

(1) West Seneca West 82,  (4)  North Tonawanda 62

(2)  Williamsville South 50,  (6) McKinley 46

 

Final - Saturday, March 3rd

AT BUFFALO STATE - 8:30 pm

(1) West Seneca West 97, (2) Williamsville South 95 -(4 OT)

 

2018 Section VI Class A1 Champions - West Seneca West Indians 

 

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

 

Class A2

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 21st

(8) Iroquois 65, (9) Starpoint 55

 

(7) Pioneer 46, (10) East Aurora 34

(6) Amherst 62, (11) Emerson 40

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th

(8) Iroquois 49, (1) Maryvale 44

(4) Lake Shore 50, (5) Lew-Port 49

 

(2) Cheektowaga 55, (7) Pioneer 43

(3) South Park 46, (6) Amherst 45 OT

 

Semifinals - Tuesday February 27th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 5:15 pm & 6:45 pm

(4) Lake Shore 64, (8) Iroquois 49

(3) South Park 69, (2) Cheektowaga 46

 

Final - Saturday, March 3rd

AT BUFFALO STATE - 7 pm

(3) South Park 74, (4) Lake Shore 42

 

2018 Section VI Class A2 Champions - South Park Sparks

 

 

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Class A1 & A2 Brackets - 2017 Sectionals

 

Class A1

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 22nd

(8) Hamburg 79, (9) Hutch-Tech 70

(10) West Seneca West 60, (7) Williamsville East 48

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th

(1) Williamsville South 76, (8) Hamburg 43

(4) McKinley 62, (5) West Seneca East 55 OT

 

(2) North Tonawanda 72, (10) West Seneca West 47

(3) Grand Island 45, (6) Sweet Home 40 

 

Semifinals - Tuesday, February 28th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 5:15 pm & 6:45 pm

 (1) Williamsville South 63, (4) McKinley 51

(2) North Tonawanda 64, (3) Grand Island 34

 

 Final - Saturday, March 4th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 7 pm

(2) North Tonawanda 60,  (1) Williamsville South 54

 

2017 Section VI Class A1 Champions - North Tonawanda Jacks

 

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

 

 Class A2

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 22nd

(8) Starpoint 56, (9) Iroquois 45

(7) Lew-Port 77, (10) Kenmore East 75

(11) Lake Shore 61, (6) Pioneer 50

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th

(1) Amherst 60, (8) Starpoint 47

(4) Olean 70, (5) Maryvale 36

 

(2) Cheektowaga 83, (7) Lew-Port 36

(3) South Park 75, (11) Lake Shore 57

 

Semifinals - Tuesday February 28th & Wednesday March 1st

AT BUFFALO STATE - 8:15 pm

(3) South Park 74, (2) Cheektowaga 64 

(1) Amherst 57, (4) Olean 53

 

Final - Saturday, March 4th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 3:30 pm

(1) Amherst 55, (3) South Park 53

 

2017 Section VI Class A2 Champions - Amherst Tigers

 

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Class A1 & A2 Brackets - 2016 Sectionals

 

Class A1

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 17th

(8) Grand Island 61, (9) Sweet Home 32

(7) Williamsville East 98, (10) Hutch-Tech 72

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 19th

(1) Williamsville South 74, (8) Grand Island 43

(4) Hamburg 80, (5) West Seneca East 62 

 

(2) McKinley 84, (7) Williamsville East 49

(3) South Park 80, (6) North Tonawanda 59

 

Semifinals - Tuesday, February 23rd & Wednesday, February 24th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 8:15 pm

(1) Williamsville South 68, (4) Hamburg 49

(2) McKinley 84, (3) South Park 74 OT

 

 Final - Saturday, February 27th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 7 pm

 (1) Williamsville South 67, (2) McKinley 63

 

2016 Section VI Class A1 Champions - Williamsville South Billies

 

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

 Class A2

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 17th

(8) Pioneer 63, (9) Riverside 53

(7) Iroquois 59, (10) Kenmore East 35 

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 19th

(1) Amherst 85, (8) Pioneer 42 

(4) Maryvale 50, (5) Cheektowaga 42

 

(2) Starpoint 70, (7) Iroquois 29 

(3) Lew-Port 85, (6) Lake Shore 67 

 

Semifinals - Monday, February 22nd

AT BUFFALO STATE - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

(3) Lew-Port 68,  (2) Starpoint 67

(1) Amherst 65, (4) Maryvale 46

 

 Final - Saturday, February 27th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 3:30 pm

 (1) Amherst 84, (3) Lew-Port 76

 

2016 Section VI Class A2 Champions - Amherst Tigers

 

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Class A1 & A2 Brackets - 2015 Sectionals

 

Class A1

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 25th

(9) South Park 63, (8) Hutch-Tech 61

 

(7) Grand Island 56, (10) Kenmore East 45

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 27th

(1) North Tonawanda 64, (9) South Park 49

(4) Sweet Home 70,  (5) Williamsville East 55

 

(2) Williamsville South 63, (7) Grand Island 35

 (3) McKinley 75, (6) Hamburg 47

 

Semifinals - Monday, March 2nd

AT BUFFALO STATE - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

(1) North Tonawanda 46, (4) Sweet Home 35

(2) Williamsville South 65, (3) McKinley 61

 

Final - Saturday, March 7th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 6:30 pm

(2) Williamsville South 63, (1) North Tonawanda 41 

 

2015 Section VI Class A1 Champions:

Williamsville South Billies

 

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

 

Class A2

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 25th

(8) Iroquois 60, (9) Pioneer 55

 

(7) West Seneca East 73, (10) Riverside 45 

(6) Dunkirk 67, (11) Lake Shore 61

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 27th

(1) Amherst 75, (8) Iroquois 50

(4) Cheektowaga 64, (5) Lew-Port 51

 

(2) Starpoint 68, (7) West Seneca East 56

(3) Olean 66, (6) Dunkirk 45

 

Semifinals - Thursday, March 5th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

(3) Olean 62, (2) Starpoint 51

(1) Amherst 54, (4) Cheektowaga 53

 

Final - Saturday, March 7th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 3:30 pm

(3) Olean 58, (1) Amherst 49

 

2015 Section VI Class A2 Champions:

Olean Huskies

 

-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

Classifications for 2014-2015

    Class AA   (11 Teams)                                           Monsignor Martin Class A 

    Jamestown - ECIC I                                                      Canisius 

    Niagara Falls - NFL                                                        Nichols 

    Kenmore West - NFL                                                    Timon 

    Lancaster - ECIC I                                                          St. Joe's 

    Clarence - ECIC I                                                           St. Francis 

    Williamsville North - ECIC I                                                 

    Lockport - NFL                                                               Monsignor Martin Class B

    Frontier - ECIC I                                                            Park

    West Seneca West - ECIC I                                       St. Mary's

    Orchard Park - ECIC I                                                 Cardinal O'Hara

    Niagara Wheatfield - NFL                                          Archbishop Walsh

                                                                                                  Niagara Catholic                                                                          

   

 Class A1 (10 Teams)                                   Class A2 (11 Teams)

 

    McKinley - Yale Cup I                                                 Amherst - ECIC III        

    Williamsville South - ECIC II                                  Cheektowaga - ECIC III

    Williamsville East - ECIC II                                      Lew-Port - NFL

    North Tonawanda - NFL                                            Olean - CCAA

    Sweet Home - ECIC II                                                 Iroquois - ECIC II

    Hutch-Tech - Yale Cup I                                            Riverside - Yale Cup I

    South Park - Yale Cup I                                              West Seneca East - ECIC II

    Grand Island - NFL                                                       Starpoint - ECIC II

    Hamburg - ECIC II                                                       Lake Shore - ECIC II

    Kenmore East - NFL                                                    Pioneer - ECIC III

                                                                                                  Dunkirk - CCAA                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                              

    Class B1 (15 Teams)                                                 Class B2  (15 Teams)    

    Maryvale - ECIC III                                                       East - Yale Cup I

    East Aurora - ECIC III                                                  Fredonia - CCAA I West

    Depew - ECIC III                                                             Cleveland Hill - ECIC IV

    City Honors - Yale Cup II                                            Lackawanna - ECIC IV

    Tonawanda - ECIC IV                                                   Oracle - Charter

    Bennett - Yale Cup I                                                       Health Sciences - Charter

    Medina - N-O                                                                     CSAT - N-O

    Newfane - N-O                                                                  Wilson - N-O

    Burgard - Yale Cup I                                                       Emerson - Yale Cup II

    Alden - ECIC IV                                                                Falconer - CCAA West I

    Buffalo Arts - Yale Cup II                                             Roy-Hart - N-O

    Lafayette - Yale Cup II                                                   Southwestern - CCAA West I

    Albion - N-O                                                                       Akron - N-O

    Springville - ECIC III                                                     JFK - ECIC IV

    Eden - ECIC IV                                                                  DaVinci - Yale Cup II   

 

     

   Class C1 (10 Teams)                                                       Class C2 (10 Schools)

    Silver Creek - CCAA East I                                          Middle College - Yale Cup I

    Tapestry - Charter                                                          Olmsted - Yale Cup II

    Salamanca - CCAA East I                                             Randolph - CCAA East I

    Allegany-Limestone - CCAA East I                          Holland - ECIC IV

    Cassadaga Valley - CCAA West I                              MST Seneca - Yale Cup II

    Chautauqua Lake - CCAA West I                              Global Concepts - Charter

    Maritime - Charter                                                          Portville - CCAA East I

    Gowanda - CCAA East I                                                Franklinville - CCAA East II

    Barker - N-O                                                                      Frewsburg - CCAA West II

    Cattaraugus/Little Valley - CCAA West I             Buffalo Science - Charter

 

 

   Class D (12 Teams)

    Maple Grove - CCAA West II

    I-Prep - Yale Cup II

    Westfield - CCAA West II

    Sherman - CCAA West II

    Clymer - CCAA West II

    Panama - CCAA West II

    Pine Valley - CCAA East II

    Brocton - CCAA West II

    Ellicottville - CCAA East II

    West Valley - CCAA East II

    Forestville - CCAA East II

    North Collins - CCAA East II

 

    -centercourt

Class A1 & A2 Brackets - 2014 Sectionals

 

Class A1

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 19th

(8) Hutch-Tech 71, (9) Grand Island 69

(5) Sweet Home 54, (12) West Seneca East 34

(7) Hamburg 62, (10) Starpoint 53

(6) Williamsville East 73, (11) Kenmore East 43

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 21st

(1) Williamsville South 83, (8) Hutch-Tech 79 

 (4) North Tonawanda 48, (5) Sweet Home 39

 

(7) Hamburg 59,  (2) Iroquois 43

 (3) McKinley 76, (6) Williamsville East 61

 

Semifinals - Thursday, February 27th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 6 pm & 7:30 pm

 (1) Williamsville South 62, (4) North Tonawanda 49

(3) McKinley 49, (7) Hamburg 37

 

Final - Saturday, March 1st

AT BUFFALO STATE - 6:30 pm

(2) McKinley 71,  (1) Williamsville South 66

 

2014 Section VI Class A1 Champions - McKinley Macks 

 

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

 

Class A2

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 19th

(8) Lake Shore 62, (9) Riverside 43

(7) South Park 65, (10) Springville 58

(11) Pioneer 75, (6) Albion 49

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 21st

(1) Amherst 60, (8) Lake Shore 44

(4) Lew-Port 60, (5) East Aurora 55

 

(2) Cheektowaga 60, (7) South Park 56

(3) Maryvale 73, (11) Pioneer 46

 

Semifinals - Wednesday, February 26th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 7 pm & 8:30 pm

 (1) Amherst 51, (4) Lew-Port 49

(2) Cheektowaga 72, (3) Maryvale 53

 

Final - Saturday, March 1st

AT BUFFALO STATE - 3:30 pm

(2) Cheektowaga 69,  (1) Amherst 68  OT

 

2014 Section VI Class A2 Champions - Cheektowaga Warriors

 

-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

 

 

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

 

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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 

 

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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

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

 

Class A1 & A2 Brackets - 2013 Sectionals

CLASS A1

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 20th

(9) Kenmore East 47, (8) West Seneca East 46

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 22nd

(1) Sweet Home 58, (9) Kenmore East 44

(5) Hutch-Tech 59, (4) Hamburg 38

 

(2) McKinley 96, (7) Grand Island 52

(3) Williamsville South 70, (6) Williamsville East 69 

 

Semifinals - Wednesday, February 27th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

(5) Hutch-Tech 67,  (1) Sweet Home  47

(2) McKinley 77, (3) Williamsville South 46

 

Final - Saturday, March 2nd

AT BUFFALO STATE - 6 pm

 (2) McKinley 63,  (5) Hutch-Tech 55

 

2013 Section VI Class A1 Champions - McKinley Macks

 

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

 

CLASS A2

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 20th

 (8) Riverside 62,  (9) Starpoint 46

 

 Quarterfinals - Friday, February 22nd

(1) Amherst 53, (8) Riverside 39

(4) South Park 68, (5) Lake Shore 58

 

(2) Iroquois 73, (7) Cheektowaga 69

(3) Lew-Port 54, (6) Pioneer 51

 

Semifinals - Tuesday, February 26th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 7:15 pm & 8:45 pm

 (1) Amherst 68, (4) South Park 52

(2) Iroquois 58, (3) Lew-Port 48

 

Final - Saturday, March 2nd

AT BUFFALO STATE - 3:30 pm

 (1) Amherst 62, (2) Iroquois 41

 

2013 Section VI Class A2 Champions - Amherst Tigers

 

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

 

Overall Class A Championship

Tuesday, March 5th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 8:45 pm

(A1) McKinley 64, (A2) Amherst 61

 

Overall 2013 Section VI Class A Champion - McKinley Macks

 

-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

 

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

Classifications for 2013 Season

 

Class AA                                                                      Class D                                                         

Lancaster                                                                         Panama                                                 

Niagara Falls                                                                  Pine Valley                                          

Lockport                                                                          Forestville

Clarence                                                                           Ellicottville

Frontier                                                                            North Collins

Orchard Park                                                                 Brocton

Jamestown                                                                      Sherman

Kenmore West                                                              Clymer

West Seneca West                                                       West Valley

Williamsville North                                                    Ripley

Niagara Wheatfield

 

Class A1                                                                       Class A2

North Tonawanda                                                       West Seneca East

Hamburg                                                                          Starpoint

Sweet Home                                                                    Iroquois

Williamsville East                                                        Riverside

McKinley                                                                         Lake Shore

Kenmore East                                                                South Park

Hutch-Tech                                                                    Amherst

Grand Island                                                                  Pioneer

Williamsville South                                                    Cheektowaga

                                                                                             Lew-Port

 

Class B1                                                                        Class B2

Bennett                                                                             Medina

Maryvale                                                                         Buffalo Arts

Albion                                                                               Buffalo East 

Springville                                                                      Fredonia

East Aurora                                                                   Roy-Hart

Olean                                                                                JFK

Dunkirk                                                                          City Honors

Burgard                                                                          Akron

Depew                                                                             CSAT

Lafayette                                                                       Cleveland Hilll

Alden                                                                               Southwestern

Newfane                                                                        Wilson

Tonawanda                                                                  Emerson

Eden                                                                                Gowanda

Lackawanna                                                                 Falconer

 

Class C1                                                                        Class C2

Salamanca                                                                     Silver Creek

Leonardo da Vinci                                                     Portville

Allegany-Limestone                                                 Buffalo Science

OTC/MEC                                                                    Health Sciences

Cassadaga Valley                                                      MST Prep Seneca

Oracle Charter                                                            I-Prep Grover

Barker                                                                            Frewsburg

Martime Charter                                                      Westfield

Tapestry Charter                                                     Maple Grove

Holland                                                                        Chautauqua Lake

Randolph                                                                    Olmsted

Cattaraugus/Little Valley                                    Franklinville

 

 -centercourt

2012 All-League Teams

 

 

Monsignor Martin Association

Player of the Year:

Reggie Agbeko - St. Joe's, 12

 

First Team

Matt Hart - Canisius, 12

Adam Weir - Canisius, 11

Ryan Whelpley - Archbishop Walsh, 12

Jordan Williams - Timon, 12

Kyle Kobis - Timon, 12

Erik Simmons - St. Mary's, 12

 

Second Team

Devin Redden - St. Mary's, 12

Joe Lowery - Niagara Catholic, 12

DeMilo Gibbs - Timon, 12

Jake Denz - St. Mary's, 12

Matt MacDonald - Canisius, 11

 

 

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

 

YALE CUP I

Player of the Year:

Reyszon Jordan - McKinley, 11

 

First Team

Justice Feggans - Riverside, 11

Marcus Morris - McKinley, 11

Marcus Nelson - Hutch-Tech, 12

Lamont Little - Riverside, 12

Lovell Smith - McKinley, 11

 

Second Team

Denzell Washington - Hutch-Tech, 12

Tim Whitehead - Hutch-Tech, 12

Daquawn Griggs - East, 12

Mike Leonard - Riverside, 12

Daequan Warren - McKinley, 11

 

Third Team

Andrew Strug - Hutch-Tech, 12

Johnathan Lewis - East, 10

Mike Davis - McKinley, 12

Jon Colon - Lafayette, 11

Javon Fogan - Bennett, 12

 

Honorable Mention

East: Rashaan Brown - 12, Jayvon Vanoy - 12

Bennett: Ed Bishop - 12

Burgard: Justin Jennings - 12, Arzell Kaigler - 11

South Park: Zachary Kaczor - 10

Lafayette: Anthony Rodgers - 12

Hutch-Tech: Jovohn Owens - 11, Roman West - 10, Amanuel Radford - 10

Riverside: Willie Smith - 10, Walter Pryor - 10

McKinley: Deonte Bell - 11, Samuel Smith - 11

 

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

 

YALE CUP II

Player of the Year:

Cordell Torres - OTC/MEC, 12

 

First Team

Aaron Frasier - MST Seneca, 12

Jamaal Carter - City Honors, 12

Maurice Cheatom - I-Prep, 12

Khalid Brown - OTC/MEC, 12

DeVonte Harper - OTC/MEC, 12

 

Second Team

Marquel Massey - City Honors, 12

Lenny Dowell - Emerson, 11

Bri'an Browm - OTC/MEC, 10

Devonte Witsett - I-Prep, 12

Kevin Reese - OTC/MEC, 10

 

Third Team

Jaleyn Pierson - MST Seneca, 12

Johnny Linton - Buffalo Arts, 12

Howard Washington - City Honors, 8

Keir Anderson - OTC/MEC, 11

Ameer Franklin - Emerson, 12

 

Honorable Mention

MST Seneca: Marquis Shaw - 12

City Honors: Matt Cieslik - 9

Buffalo Arts: Derek Simpson - 9

I-Prep: Duryll Anderson - 10

Emerson: Demetrius Hodge - 12

OTC/MEC: TJ Scott - 10

 

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

 

ALL ECIC 

Player of the Year:

Stan Wier - East Aurora, 12

 

First Team

Sterling Taplin - Williamsville North, 10

Connor Keenan - Williamsville East, 12

Tommy Campion - Jamestown, 11

Jesse Lalka - Tonawanda, 12

Jordan Farrant - Holland, 12

 

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

 

ECIC I

Co-Players of the Year:

Sterling Taplin - Williamsville North, 10 & Tommy Campion - Jamestown, 11

 

First Team

Matt McCormick - Orchard Park, 12

Matt Taylor - Frontier, 12

Stephen Hughes - Clarence, 12

Alex Warren - Frontier, 12

Adam Cecchini - Jamestown, 12

 

Second Team

Kareem Walker - Jamestown, 12

Neal Farrell - Orchard Park, 12

Jayson Moore - Sweet Home, 12

Sean Murray - Lancaster, 11

Justin Bangert - Willaimsville North, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Williamsville North: David Berkun - 11

West Seneca West: Nick Clancy - 10

Clarence: Bryan Jost - 10

Frontier: Remington Heil - 12

Sweet Home: Rashaad Rogers - 12, Kole Gilchrist - 11

Lancaster: Danny Emma - 10

 

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

 

ECIC II

Player of the Year:

Connor Keenan - Williamsville East, 12

 

First Team

Chaquiel Nettles - Williamsville South, 11

Nick Benningfield - Hamburg, 12

Michael Kyarunts - Williamsville East, 12

Nate Wilkinson - Iroquois, 12

 

Second Team

Madison Wesolowski - Iroquois, 12

Jim Caputi - Williamsville South, 12

Isaiah Kaudeyr - Williamsville East, XX

Damien Powers - Williamsville South, 11

Eric Moscato - Hamburg, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Lake Shore:  Carl Brueckl - XX, Tyler Mascio - XX, Wade Bergum - XX, Ryan Spears - XX

West Seneca East: Andy Smigera - XX, Alex Pacer - XX

Starpoint: Andrew Rankie - XX

Hamburg: Jeremiah Bill - XX, Kyle Violanti - XX

Iroquois: Ben Wutz - XX

 

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

 

ECIC III

Player of the Year:

Stan Wier - East Aurora, 12

 

First Team

Jonathan Belton - Amherst, 11

Sean Weisansal - Maryvale, 11

Glenn Belton - Amherst, 12

Jonathon Gemerek - Depew, 12

Marquel Jackson - Cheektowaga, 11

Jaden Cotton - Depew, 12

 

Second Team

Brendan Cox - East Aurora, 10

Alex Turecki - Amherst, 11

Zak Ciezki - Cheektowaga, 9

Derek Clyburn - Cheektowaga, 11

Aaron Ertel - Depew, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Pioneer: Terik Lewis - 11, Mike Brass - 12, Connor Johnson - 11

Springville: Hunter Berry - 12

Amherst: Jonah Heim - 11, Dion Lewis - 11

East Aurora: Ian Allen - 11

 

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

 

ECIC IV

Player of the Year:

Jordan Farrant - Holland, 12

 

First Team

Jesse Lalka - Tonawanda, 12

Daryl Spencer - Cleveland Hill, 12

Clayton Hess - Tonawanda, 11

Miles Barker - Cleveland Hill, 12

Paul Matuszak - Alden, 12

 

Second Team

Zak Stone - Alden, 12

Shaquille Brooks - Lackawanna, 11

Jared Wilkins - Cleveland Hill, 10

Nick Anderson - JFK, 11

Ken Minorczyk - JFK, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Alden: Corey Barczykowski - 11, Ryan Sosnowski - 12

Eden: Joe Slisz - 12, Brad Palmerton - 10

Holland: Trevor Leach - 12, Curtis Blendinger - 11, Clay Lewis - 9

JFK: Jimmy Quinn - 12, Ben Zaccagnino - 12

Lackawanna: Norman Sweat - 11, Raytrel Finley - 12

Tonawanda: Jake Spencer - 12, Ben Stitch - 10

 

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

 

NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE

First Team

Jermaine Crumpton - Niagara Falls, 11

Martin Bailey - Kenmore West, 12

Quinton Campbell - Kenmore West, 11

John Dziewit - Lew-Port, 12

Jack Mulcahey - Niagara Wheatfield, 11

 

Second Team

JJ Wilkes - Niagara Falls, 11

Taijay Williams - Niagara Falls, 12

Corey Mis - North Tonawanda, 12

PJ Blanch - Kenmore East, 12

DiAntre Cullens - Lockport, 12

 

Third Team

Quinn Carey - Grand Island, 9

Ryan Bradt - North Tonawanda, 12

Nick DiMartile - Lockport, 12

Jakai Daniels - Kenmore East, 12

Corey Pietkiewicz - North Tonawanda, 12

 

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

 

NIAGARA-ORLEANS LEAGUE

First Team

Darnell Carson - CSAT, 11

Josh Haight - Barker, 12

Tyler Martin - Wilson, 12

Jake Haight - Barker, 10

Brad Bobbit - Roy-Hart, 12

 

Second Team

Connor Sears - Newfane, 11

Sean Seefeldt - Newfane, 12

Scott Kneeland - Newfane, 12

Pat Diez - Wilson, 12

Connor Ladd - Akron, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Newfane: CJ Knight - 12, Bryan Geise - 11

Wilson: Dustin DiLaura - 12, Pat Walch - 12

CSAT: Justin Black - XX

Medina: Lucas Evans - XX

Akron: Austin Mietz, 11

Albion: Nick Santos, 12

 

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

CCAA I

Player of the Year:

Kevin Holmes - Dunkirk, 12

 

First Team

Sam Eckstrom - Olean, 10

 Dylan Meyer - Fredonia, 10

Ryan Nord - Falconer, 12

Zach Harrington - Allegany-Limestone, 12

Kyle Radack - Southwestern, 11

 

Second Team

Wil Bathurst - Olean, 10

Max Portlow - Olean, 10

Mike Donaldson - Dunkirk, 12

Nick Johnston - Fredonia, 10

Nick Huffman - Gowanda, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Olean: Nick Schmidt - 10, Luke Hennessy - 10, Pat Scholla - 11

Allegany-Limestone: Kyle Trietley - 12, Jeff Tang - 12

Southwestern: Jake Swan - 12, Peter Trathen - 11

Dunkirk: Josh Mleczko - 12, Evan Ahlstrom - 12

Falconer: Brandon DePietro - 11, Nick Conti - 11

Fredonia: John Piper - 9

Gowanda: Alex Sternisha - 12

 

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

 

CCAA II

Player of the Year:

Zeddie Williams - Silver Creek, 11

 

First Team

Dustin Schauman - Cassadaga Valley, 12

Zach Blask - Portville, 11

Jevon Battle - Salamanca, 12

John Morgante - Randolph, 12

Brady Morrison - Randolph, 12

 

Second Team

Steve Marcey - Silver Creek, 11

Kaine Kettle - Silver Creek, 10

Mike Querrieo - Portville, 12

Zach Miles - Portville, 12

Gage Bird - Frewsburg, 12

Jackson John - Salamanca, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Silver Creek: Jon Jimerson - 12, Frank Brown - 12

Cassadaga Valley: Mike Lanphere - 12, Matt Woodward - 12, Kyle Pfeiffer - 12

Salamanca: Tanner John - 11, Bryce Stahlman - 12

Portville: Chris Querrieo - 12, Ryan Marcellin - 12, Josh Watson - 11

Cattaraugus-Little Valley: Hayden Griffith - 12

Frewsburg: Alex Elderkin - 11, Ian MacFarland - 12

Randolph: Bryce Morrison - 9

 

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

 

CCAA III

Player of the Year:

Alex Grace - Maple Grove, 12

 

First Team

Austin Alonge - Westfield, 12

Jake Reynolds - Franklinville, 12

Skylar Liddell - Maple Grove, 12

Jason McMahon - Chautauqua Lake, 12

John Coe - Westfield, 11

 

Second Team

Nate Stott - Forestville, 12

Ian Clute - Chautauqua Lake, 10

Trey North - Westfield, 12

LucasTrombley - Pine Valley, 11

Colin Lapi - Ellicottville, 12

Joe Frazier - Maple Grove, 12

Jason Pembridge - Maple Grove, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Forestville: Jacob Nosbisch - 10

Chautauqua Lake: Dan Gleason - 12

Ellicottville: Connor Hellwig - 12, Josh Bower - 12

Westfield: Anthony Leone - 12

Pine Valley: Lyle Howard - 12, Nate Noble - 12

 

 -centercourt

Those two games are gone forever - let's deal with it!

The member schools of the NYSPHAA  just finished their second 18-game regular season.  Next year, those schools will be again limited to just 18 games - down two games from seasons past, down six games from what Monsignor Martin schools can schedule, and significantly down from what most states in this country allow. 

 

I've heard it discussed, read articles about it, and read ranting on blogs.  These last two  years, when the quality of basketball in WNY is questioned, (whether it's the players aren't as good anymore, we don't have the powerhouse teams we used to have, or there aren't enough marquee games) it always seems to come back to one thing - we have to get those two games back from the state.

 

I'm sorry, but those two games are gone and we're not getting them back.  It's a sad reality, but one that needs to be faced. I could sooner see the state taking more away, rather than restoring the basketball season to 20 games.   The biggest  impact of the restriction is felt in nonleague scheduling. 

 

With the exception of the charter schools, all public schools in Section VI are part of a league, and depending on which your team belongs to, league play gobbles up either 12 or 14 of the 18-game allowance.  In the Niagara Orleans league or the Yale Cup for example, teams play 14 league games.  League play began this year in January, but the season starts in the last week of November.  That leaves over a month of season, in which you're allowed to schedule four games.  One tournament played over two nights, and you're down to two games.  If you play in a tip-off tournament, you're left with two games to schedule over the course of 30 days.  That's unacceptable!  So let's stop accepting it.  If this is the fate we are dealt, it's time to work within it.

 

The only suggestion I've heard is teams face league opponents just once and rotate the home sight annually.  I have a solution that I think makes even more sense, and is the best compromise I've come up with to maintain the esablished leagues, while greatly improving the nonleague scheduling dilema.

 

I'll use the Yale Cup large schools (Yale Cup I) to illustrate this example.  Rather than all eight teams playing a home and home against each other, divide those large schools in half - by team strength, by location, etc. - however you want to divide them.  Say it's:

1. McKinley, Riverside, Hutch-Tech, & East

2. Bennett, Lafayette, South Park, Burgard

Teams from group one still play a home and home (six games), then group one plays each team from group two just once (four games).  Teams could even leave one game on their schedule "open" for a league showcase, which could also serve as a tiebreaker in some league races.  In this example, league games are reduced to 10 or 11 games, allowing seven or eight nonleagers.  That's four tournaments, one for every weekend in December.

 

The above formula is designed for leagues with eight teams, which include: Yale Cup I, Yale Cup II, ECIC I, NFL, and N-O.

 

Leagues with seven teams include: ECIC II, III, & IV, and all four CCAA divisions.  Those teams currently play six nonleague games and 12 league contests.  If you're okay with six nonleague game, then you're in good shape.  If you want more, here's what I've come up with:

 

- Move one team from CCAA I down to CCAA II and move a team from CCAA III down to CCAA IV.   Now CCAA I & III would have six teams (10 league games), while CCAA II & IV  would have eight teams and could follow the format above.

 

That leaves ECIC II, III, and IV all with seven teams.  If each league added one team, they'd all have eight teams and could also follow the eight-team league format outlined above.  But where do we come up with three teams to add?  Well, I can think of three independent charter schools off the top of my head: Oracle, Tapestry, and Maritime.  CSAT is a charter school and plays in the N-O.  It's not such a crazy concept.

 

 

I realize everything I wrote may sound complicated.  To me, it's logical and makes perfect sense. 

 

Is it a sensible solution to a situation that isn't going to get any better on its own or is it just a pipe dream?  For me, the answer depends on how badly the coaches want more nonleague games to schedule.

 

Call me crazy, call me brilliant, call me naive...just say something.  This is an issue that needs a productive discussion or there will never be any resolution - just a long December.  I want reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last.

 

-centercourt

 

 

 

Class A1 Sectional Bracket

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 22nd

(9) Kenmore East 77, (8) Lake Shore 71

(5) Hutch-Tech 70, (12) Starpoint 31

(7) Sweet Home 56, (10) West Seneca East 37

(6) Hamburg 52, (11) Grand Island 51

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th

(1) McKinley 94, (9) Kenmore East 46

(5) Hutch-Tech 90, (4) Iroquois 51

 

(2) Williamsville South 56, (7) Sweet Home 48

(3) Williamsville East 78, (6) Hamburg 29

 

Semifinals - Wednesday, February 29th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 6 & 7:45 pm

(1) McKinley 58, (5) Hutch-Tech 53

(3) Williamsville East 46, (2) Williamsville South 38

 

Section VI Class A1 Championship - Wednesday, February 29th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 6:30 pm

 (1) McKinley 59, (3) Williamsville East 56

 

2012 Section VI Class A1 Champions  - McKinley Macks

 

-centercourt

Top games of the week ending 2/19/12

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

 

Monday, February 13th

Emerson @ MST Seneca - 6 pm

Frontier @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

East Aurora @ Depew - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, February 14th

Newfane @ Akron - 6:30 pm

CSAT @ Wilson - 6:30 pm

Archbishop Walsh @ St. Mary's - 7:30 pm

Clymer @ Panama - 7:30 pm

Salamanca @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, February 15th

Amherst @ Pioneer - 6:30 pm

Lackawanna @ Tonawanda - 6:30 pm

Kenmore West @ Kenmore East - 7 pm

Orchard Park @ Williamsville North - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, February 16th

McKinley @ Riverside - 6 pm

OTC/MEC @ MST Seneca - 6 pm

I-Prep @ City Honors - 6 pm

CSAT @ Newfane - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ Bishop Timon/St. Jude - 7:30 pm

Williamsville South @ Williamsville East - 7:30 pm

Silver Creek @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, February 17th

St. Mary's @ Newfane - 7 pm

Sherman @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, February 18th

St. Joe's @ Canisius - 3 pm

 

Game of the Week - St. Joe's @ Canisius on Saturday, February 18th

- For the first two months of the season, the  big debate among WNY basketball fans was who should be ranked #1 - Canisius or Niagara Falls?  Then just when we had seen enough to give the Crusaders that distinction by a slight edge, St. Joe's beats Aquinas and Canisius within a week - debate over...for now.

In the first meeting between these two, an exciting contest gave way to a Marauder run to open the fourth quarter that put the game away.  Canisius hopes this season plays out exactly like it did a year ago - spot Joe's the first one, then take the next two and be crowned as the winners of the Manhattan Cup.

Assuming the Marauders can take care of business against St. Francis and Nichols this week, they will be unbeaten in the MMA entering Saturday's rivalry tilt.  That would create a must win situation for Canisius, with a visit to Timon on Thursday looming for the Crusaders.  If Timon could pull off the upset on Canisius, it would be the second league loss for them and the only stakes for Saturday's game would be pride. 

However, if Canisius can win out, including against St. Joe's, the two would once again be co-champs of the MMA.  That would force a coin toss determine the top seed for the Manhattan Cup playoffs for a third straight season.

However this week shakes out, we will get our first matchup of the season between the #1 and #2 ranked large schools on Saturday.  I can't think of a better way to end the regular season.

 

-centercourt

 

 

 

Top games of the week ending 1/29/12

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

 

Monday, January 23rd

Nichols @ Walsh - 6:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 24th

St. Mary's @ Bishop Timon/St. Jude - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 25th

MST Seneca @ Holland - 6:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 26th

North Tonawanda @ Kenmore East - 7 pm

 

Friday, January 27th

Orchard Park @ Hutch-Tech - 5:45 pm

Kenmore West @ Niagara Falls - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ St. Joe's - 7 pm

Bishop Kearney @ Bishop Timon/St. Jude - 7 pm

MST Seneca @ OTC/MEC - 7 pm

Newfane @ Albion - 7 pm

Portville @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

Jamestown @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 28th

Canisius @ Rochester East - 8:30 pm

 

Game of the Week - Canisius @ St. Joe's on Friday, January 27th

- On a Friday night loaded with games I'd like to see, there's an easy choice for the one to be at.  WNY's biggest rivalry returns to the hardwood for round one, on the heels of a big Saturday for both teams.

The last time these two faced each other was the 2011 Manhattan Cup championship game, a thriller won by Canisius, 57-53.  The regular season saw the teams split their two meetings, with the road team victorious in both.

Canisius has owned the series recently, winning nine of the last 11 against the Marauders and four in a row at Kenmore Avenue.  The Crusaders have also played for the last three Manhattan Cups, winning in 2009 and 2011, while St. Joe's last won it in 2008.

If you want to be part of the experience on Friday, you'll need to arrive early - this game is a guaranteed sell out. The tip is scheduled for 7 pm, part of a freshmen & JV triple-header.

 

-centercourt

 

Top games of the week ending 1/22/12

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

 

Tuesday, January 17th

Medina @ Newfane - 6:30 pm

Wilson @ Albion - 7 pm

Williamsville East @ Williamsville South - 7 :30 pm

Clarence @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

Panama @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

Kenmore East @ Kenmore West - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 18th

East @ McKinley - 6 pm

Hamburg @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 19th

Clymer @ Sherman - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 20th

Wilson @ CSAT - 6:30 pm

Lockport @ Kenmore West - 7 pm

Portville @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

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

Williamsville North @ Frontier - 7:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ Depew - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 21st

Cathedral Prep @ Canisius - 3 pm

Aquinas @ St. Joe's - 4 pm

 

Game of the Week - East @ McKinley on Wednesday, January 18th

- When you think of the top teams from the Yale Cup, these are likely the first two that come to mind, and for good reason.  Both teams make annual appearances in the semifinals at Buffalo State and each team has advanced to the Class A regionals twice in the last five years.

But look at the names engraved on the coveted Yale Cup trophy in the last five years: 2007 - East, 2008 - Grover, 2009 - East, 2010 - Middle College, 2011 - East.  That's right, McKinley hasn't finished higher than second in the city league since 2006.

This season, McKinley is the top ranked city team, currently the 6th ranked large school in WNY.  They have started 4-0 in league play, including a win over another ranked large school - Hutch-Tech.  East is a small school but competes with the big dogs, and also has beaten a ranked large school in Riverside.   

Well, there are no no dogs bigger or meaner than the Macks in the city this year.   These two teams are guaranteed to get after it, and if the crowd at Mack High is even close to as loud as they were last year, the atmosphere will be incredible.

 

-centercourt

 

 

All-Centercourt & CC MVP - Let the discussion begin

 

In November, 101 teams between Section VI and the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association began preparation for the 2010-2011 season.  Now with just two left standing, I'm sure most people have some idea about who they think deserves some recognotion for postseason honors.

 

Sometime in early April, I will release the All-Centercourt Team (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th team, along with 35 honorable mention selections).  I will also select a Player of the Year and Coach of the Year.

 

One thing that I've noticed from taking a preliminary glance, this season there were a lot of good teams with balance, which makes the players more difficult to separate.  Who's the best player on McKinley? Canisius? Timon? Will South? Bennett? Maple Grove? Newfane? Clarence? Niagara Falls?  Ken West?  I could keep going, but I'm sure you get the point. 

 

I also think there will be quite a bit of discrepancy in how everyone will look to fill out the first and second team.  Once you get to third team and beyond, it'll be all over the place.  There's plenty to debate about where the players will get slotted after this season...and it's going to be a lot of fun.

 

In the comments section below, let us know your thoughts on where you think the players should be placed.  Remember that it's always a better argument if you can say who you would have in a spot, rather than to simply state a player should not be there.

 

I'm looking forward to the discussion, as this is always one of the best topics to close out each season with. 

 

-centercourt

Random Smatterings - Week 10

During East's quarterfinal win over Depew on Friday, the referee turned from the action to tell Panther coach Starling Bryant (who was standing at half court) to stay in the coach's box.  "Watch the game", Bryant replied.

 

During an injury timeout, the Depew players huddled on the court around head coach Larry Jones...and East senior Jasen Oden, who joined the Wildcats.  Oden was just hunched over trying to be nonchalant and listen in on the opposition.  I couldn't hear what was said, but Jones seemed to have a sense of humor about it as Oden finally left to join his team with a smirk on his face.

 

Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Williams was part of a two-man cheering section for his alma mater Riverside, during the Frontiers exciting 60-58 win at Maryvale.  Williams stood and bellowed chants of "I'm blind, I'm deaf, I wanna be a ref" and also "I can't hear you" in response to the Flyers student section.

 

Two very good players that few have heard of will get an opportunity to shine at Buffalo State this week.  Bennett senior Forest Richardson and CSAT sophomore Darnell Carson are guys who are sure to have fans flipping through their programs to find out who they are.

 

The Class A1 semifinal between Bennett and Kenmore East could set records for the lowest attendance.  The game is competing with the Manhattan Cup championship only a few minutes away, and casual Kenmore fans may choose  to watch the team from Kenmore Avenue.

 

Holland junior Jordan Farrant finished the season on fire.  After scoring 43 points in a pre-quarterfinal win over Salamanca, Farrant scored 33 of his team's 41 points in a quarterfinal loss to OTC Middle College.

 

Joe Licata needs just two more 3-pointers to break the New York State record, which is likely to happen on Wednesday night when the Billies face Hutch-Tech at Buffalo State at 7:45 pm.

 

Silver Creek followed up a double-digit upset win over Portville, by nearly pulling off a shocker against four-time Section VI champion Maple Grove.  The Knights led the Red Dragons 46-40 heading into the fourth quarter on Friday night and wound up losing by just one point.

 

Some high scoring playoff performances from this past week include: 47 points by Vincent Bomasuto of Dunkirk in a win over Buffalo Arts, 35 points from Jaysean Paige of Jamestown in a win against Clarence, and 32 points from Dazmond Knight of Tapestry Charter in a win versus MST Seneca.

 

A player who probably won't earn an All-WNY honorable mention, but who's play was most deserving of praise this season, is Alex Nowocien of Lew-Port.  Nowocien had a motor that never quit, outworked everyone on the court, and he did all the little things that helped the Lancers to a winning record this year.  Grand Island head coach Nate Beutel said he'd be happy to start five Nowociens, an assessment that NCCC head coach Bill Beilein agreed with.

 

Whoever the announcer at the Koessler Center is, he's good.

 

Newfane better come out ready to play for the third quarter against Tonawanda.  The Warriors blew open a tight game against JFK a couple weeks ago, used a big third to gain the edge in a league title-clinching win against Lackawanna, and erased a halftime deficit in the third against Alden on Friday before eventually winning by eight.

 

-centercourt

 

 

 

 

Quarterfinals are on for tonight

Of the 28 scheduled quarterfinal games for tonight, only four have been postponed.  Even Allegany-Limestone is making the looonnnggg trip up north to play at Wilson.

 

Rescheduled for Saturday, February 25th

Class B1

Buffalo Arts @ Dunkirk - 2 pm

Class D

Olmstead @ Sherman - 2 pm

North Collins @ Panama - 2 pm

Ellicottville @ Clymer - 2 pm

 

That means a near full slate of games tonight to determine the participants of this season's semifinals at Buffalo State & JCC.

 

Let us know what you saw tonight and how it turned out.

 

-centercourt

Class A1 Sectionals

Dates and times of postseason games for both Section VI and the MMAA can be found here.

 

1st Round

(12) Grand Island 64, (13) Lake Shore 63

 

Pre-Quarterfinals

(8) Iroquois 59, (9) Hamburg 36

(5) Sweet Home 78, (12) Grand Island 53

(7) Kenmore East 71, (10) Starpoint 63

(6) West Seneca East 63, (11) Lafayette 60

 

Quarterfinals

(1) Williamsville South 78, (8) Iroquois 71

(4) Hutch Tech 59, (5) Sweet Home 43

 (7) Kenmore East 51, (2) Williamsville East 42

(3) Bennett 62, (6) West Seneca East 45

 

Semifinals @ Buffalo State

(1) Williamsville South 61, (4) Hutch Tech 52

(3) Bennett  57, (7) Kenmore East 50

 

Class A1 Final @ Buffalo State

(1) Williamsville South 56, (3) Bennett 49

 

2011 Section VI Class A1 Champions - Williamsville South Billies

 

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Random Smatterings - Week 6

During high school basketball season, I become quite the connoisseur of pizza, because almost every concession stand has it.  For my money, the best school to get good pizza at is Canisius, hands down.  Not only is it from Mister Pizza, but it is constantly delivered fresh throughout the games.  Pay attention Buffalo State!

 

Almost every dunk you see at a high school game happens when a player is alone on a  breakaway.  Everytime I-Prep's Kadeem Hillman dunks, it's over a defender.

 

Niagara Wheatfield's Jake Hughes has 12 double-doubles in 12 games this season.  Against Kenmore East, Hughes scored 26 points and grabbed 20 rebounds.

 

After being suspended for an incident during a game against McKinley, Willie Jefferson is back on the team at Riverside.  Jefferson missed the fourth quarter and overtime in a loss to McKinley and did not play in the Frontiers loss to Bennett or their win against South Park.

 

Sal Constantino has the highest career winning percentage in WNY.

 

The Buffalo News Large School Poll had the same ten teams in it for the first four weeks, before a pair of big wins vaulted Bennett into the top ten.  Riverside was the team that fell out of the poll.

 

Although perennial power Olean will be dethroned as league champs this year and may very well be absent from Buffalo State for the first time in years, the future looks very bright.  The Huskies are led by a pair of freshmen this season in Nick Schmidt and Sam Eckstrom.  Schmidt is the son of St. Bonaventure head coach Mark Scmidt and Eckstrom, the team's center, is a transfer from Bradford.

 

Riverside's 109 points against South Park last week were the most points scored by a team from WNY this season.  The Frontiers  had a 42-point third quarter in that game.

 

I-Prep head coach Shaunessy Ryan likes his school's JV coach a lot.   He better, because she's his his wife Rebecca, and she appears to be doing a great in her first season as the head coach of the boys JV squad.

  

A pair of top ten large schools, Williamsville South and St. Joe's, have each been without a player all season who has been with the team since their sophomore year.  Aaron Adams will return to the lineup tonight for the Billies, while Tom Escott hopes to be back very soon for the Marauders.

 

JJ Harrington of Lancaster scored 21 points to go with 18 rebounds in a win over Orchard Park.  Wilson's Tyler Truesdell scored 22 points, grabbed 17 boards, and had six steals in a win against CSAT.  Niagara Gazette writer, Ryan Nagelhout, did a story on Truesdell and the Wilson/Newfane rivalry game tonight.

 

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Top games of the week ending 1/23/11

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

 

Tuesday, January 18th

Kenmore East @ Kenmore West - 5:30 pm

Depew @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Salamanca @ Portville - 7:30 pm

Jamestown @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 19th

Hutch Tech @ East - 5:30 pm

Olean @ Southwestern - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 20th

Kenmore West @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

BishopTimon-St. Jude @ Batavia - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 21st

JFK @ Cleveland Hill - 6:30 pm

Jamestown @ Williamsville North - 7:30 pm

Maryvale @ Depew - 7:30 pm

Olean @ Dunkirk - 7:30 pm

Clymer @ Panama - 7:30 pm

Cassadaga Valley @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

 

Game of the Week - Clymer @ Panama on Friday, January 21st

- This is the game of the year in CCAA IV and the biggest game in Class D until sectionals begin.   The winner of this game moves into sole possesion of first place in league and will likely be the top seed in the playoffs.  In the first meeting between these two teams, Clymer owned the middle quaters, outscoring the Panthers by a combined 18 points in the second and third.  Then the Pirates withstood a late rally from Panama and hung on to earn a 71-67 victory.  I know most readers would have picked Jamestown at Williamsville North, and that's the game I'll be at, but the implications of the small school game in the southern tier got them the nod this week.  

 

-centercourt

Classifications & Leagues

    Class AA                                                                         Class A1

    Niagara Falls - NFL                                                       Hamburg - ECIC II

    Lancaster - ECIC I                                                         Sweet Home - ECIC II

    Lockport - NFL                                                               Williamsville East - ECIC II

    Frontier - ECIC I                                                            Kenmore East - NFL

    Clarence - ECIC I                                                           Hutch-Tech - Yale Cup I

    Orchard Park - ECIC I                                                 Bennett - Yale Cup I

    Jamestown - ECIC I                                                      Grand Island - NFL

    Kenmore West - NFL                                                   Williamsville South - ECIC II

    Williamsville North - ECIC I                                     Lafayette - Yale Cup I

    West Seneca West - ECIC I                                        Iroquois - ECIC II

    North Tonawanda - NFL                                             West Seneca East - ECIC II

    Niagara Wheatfield - NFL                                           Starpoint - ECIC II

    McKinley - Yale Cup I                                                   Lake Shore - ECIC III

 

    Class A2                                                                          Class B1

    Amherst - ECIC III                                                        Tonawanda - ECIC IV

    Riverside - Yale Cup I                                                   Lackawanna - ECIC IV

    Buffalo East - Yale Cup I                                              Newfane - N-O

     Albion - N-O                                                                     Dunkirk - CCAA I

    Lew-Port - NFL                                                                 Alden - ECIC IV

    Cheektowaga - ECIC III                                               Medina - N-O

    Pioneer - ECIC III                                                          Eden - ECIC IV

    Maryvale - ECIC III                                                       JFK - ECIC IV

    Burgard - Yale Cup I                                                      Buffalo Arts - Yale Cup II

    South Park - Yale Cup I                                                Akron - N-O

    Olean - CCAA I                                                                 Roy-Hart - N-O

    East Aurora - ECIC III

    Springville - ECIC III

    Depew - ECIC III

 

    Class B2                                                                      Monsignor Martin

    Fredonia - CCAA I                                                         Canisius - A

    Cleveland Hill - ECIC IV                                             St. Joe's - A

    Emerson - Yale Cup II                                                 Bishop Timon-St. Jude - A

    City Honors - Yale Cup II                                          St. Francis - A

    Southwestern - CCAA I                                               St. Mary's - B

    Wilson - N-O                                                                    Cardinal O'Hara - B

    Gowanda - CCAA I                                                         Nichols - B

    Falconer - CCAA I                                                          Niagara Catholic - B

    Allegany-Limestone - CCAA I                                  Archbishop Walsh - B

    CSAT - N-O

    Cassadaga Valley - CCAA II

 

    Class C                                                                             Class D

    Salamanca - CCAA II                                                   Pine Valley - CCAA III

    Oracle Charter - Independent                                  Brocton - CCAA III

    OTC Middle College - Yale Cup II                          North Collins - CCAA III

    Maritime Charter - Independent                            Ellicottville - CCAA IV

    Holland - ECIC IV                                                         Forestville - CCAA IV

    I-Prep at Grover - Yale Cup II                                 Panama - CCAA IV

    Silver Creek - CCAA II                                                Olmsted - Yale Cup II

    Cattaraugus-Little Valley - CCAA II                      Sherman - CCAA IV

    Tapestry Charter - Independent                             Clymer - CCAA IV

    Randolph - CCAA II                                                      West Valley - CCAA IV

    Frewsburg - CCAA II                                                     Ripley - CCAA IV

    Portville - CCAA II

    Westfield - CCAA III

    Buffalo Science Charter - Independent

    Maple Grove - CCAA III

    MST Prep at  Seneca - Yale Cup II

    Chautauqua Lake - CCAA III

    Franklinville - CCAA III

    Barker - N-O

Random Smatterings - Week 1

When I wrote a preview for Prep Talk, I gave a preseason top ten for the large and small schools.  The hardest part was easily the first four large schools, which I had: 1. St. Joe's; 2. Williamsville South; 3. Jamestown; 4. Canisius.  Then I saw the Crusaders play twice.  Now I'm not changing anything yet, because I haven't seen the other three, and I'm confident they will all be quite impressive as well.  But I do think those four schools are bunched together at the top and it will be a lot of fun watching that sort out.  Oh yeah, then there's Niagara Falls, who might be quietly hiding in the shadows of a team that underachieved a year ago.  If they are (I'm guessing that's the case), make it a top five.

 

After seeing multiple city schools from Buffalo this week, I think the Yale Cup large schools will be a lot of fun to watch this year and very competitive.  East and McKinley both won at the Pastor-Cooper Tournament, while Riverside and Hutch Tech each looked good as well.   Bennett brings back a lot from last year and under the new format, every team plays a home-and-home, meaning Lafayette gets everyone once in its gym - never an easy place to win at.

 

St. Mary's hopes to rebound this week after losses to McKinley and Grover.  The Lancers next face a pair of top ten small schools and the elite of the N-O League, when they host Newfane tomorrow and play against Wilson on Saturday.  Then next week, they get Class AA finalist Clarence.  No other small school opened its season with a tougher schedule.

 

I was chatting with a fellow hoops junkie who questioned what Maple Grove had back to make them competitive.  When I began rattling names off, he said "now you're just reading names from their roster".  Now I realize that Chris Secky was nothing short of phenomonal in leading the Red Dragons to the Class D title last season, but I also saw them play seven times and there are a lot of good players back from that championship team.  They all benefitted from playing a grueling independent regular season schedule and finished by defeating the top Class D teams in the state. 

Well I'm not sure how many noticed, but Maple Grove opened its season by going on the road and defeating the defending four-time overall Class B champion Olean Huskies, 50-43.   Go ahead and tell me Olean is down this year...my response...Olean is Olean and they are a Class A2 school.

 

Tremmell Fisher was awesome in his 34 point effort against OTC Middle College, leading his East High Panthers back from a 10-point halftime deficit.  He plays strong inside, handles the ball well, shoots the three, and is very good defender.  Look for a big-time season from Fisher.

 

Davon Alexander gets most of the hype at OTC Middle College and he was very effective in the Kats first two games.  But OTC has several weapons on the team hoping to repeat as Class C champs.  Junior Khalid Brown has averaged 17 points in the first two games, Emmit Middlebrooks came off the bench to score a team-high 20 points in the loss to East, and Curtis Harper is solid player running the point.

 

Looking for this year's version of Clarence, a team that surprises many with its vast improvement?  Well it just may be the Williamsville East Flames, who interestingly enough started the season with a double-digit win over Clarence and won the Amherst tournament. 

 

Tomorrow the Buffalo News high school basketball preview is out.  Check out these team previews from the Niagara Gazette: Niagara Falls, Grand Island, Lew-Port, Niagara Wheatfield, Lockport, and Niagara  Catholic.

 

A player who is primed for a breakout season is Connor Rehbaum from St. Joe's.  He has all the tools to be one of the top guards in WNY and is coming off a solid performance in the Empire State Games this summer.  I heard that new Marauder Reggie Agbeko turned heads with a nasty baseline dunk on Friday night, as St. Joe's beat host Lockport, 60-43. 

 

The Barker Raiders got a pair of double-doubles from a pair of underclassmen in their 67-44 victory over Section V's Byron Bergen.  What makes it more interesting is that the pair are brothers.  Junior Josh Haight scored 28 points and grabbed 10 boards, while freshman Jake Haight netted 18 points and 13 rebounds. 

 

Kenmore East defeated Alden and host Iroquois to win the Greg D. Martin Tipoff Tournament.

 

Lackawanna opened its season with a one-point victory over St. Francis, while Frontier cruised past Hamburg in the first round of the Hamburg Lions Tournament. 

Starpoint lost a hard fought battle at Lew-Port on Saturday night.  The Spartans started freashnman Julian Mott at point guard after the former starter, senior Lucas Smith, left the team.

 

I found this pretty interesting: Section V's CG Finney is back is Class D after playing up in B2 last year.  On Saturday night, Finney defeated McQuaid, a Class AA school, 63-58.  McQuaid will be in Buffalo on December 17th to play Canisius and December 18th to play St. Mary's as part of the Tom Keenan Memorial Tournament.  Finney opened its season by winning the Allegany IAABO Tournament.  In the championship game, Finney beat Portville (Section VI Class C) by five - the same margin as the win over McQuaid.  Portville held an early 10-point lead in that contest.

 

Hinsdale has joined Section V and will compete in Class D2 there.

 

* Tomorrow night, I'll be at St. Mary's to watch the Lancers take on the Newfane Panthers.  It should be a very good game.  If you can't make it out, I'll have a post on the game.

 

By the way, there's a comments section on this blog.  Pick a name, use an email address, and say something.  It's that easy - no registration required.  

 

-centercourt

Tonight's games at Daemen postponed, other postponements, two games still on

Tonight's consolation matchups at Daemen College have been postponed due to weather cancelling school for all four teams.  It is a strong possibility that the same thing could happen tomorrow night.

 

As of right now, a decision on a makeup date and time has not been made, but tournament officials and coaches are looking into options for making games up on Saturday. 

 

UPDATE - A tentative plan is in place for making up the boys consolation games.  The games are currently rescheduled for Saturday morning, begining at 9:30 am.   However, that plan is contingent on the Buffalo Public Schools being plowed out and back in class tomorrow.  If the Buffalo Schools are closed again tomorrow, the championship games would also be postponed...which could wind up changing everything.

 

FINAL UPDATE 12/3/10 

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

The Greg D. Martin Tipoff Tournament at Iroquois (Alden, Kenmore East, East Aurora, Iroquois) has been postponed.

 

The Town of Hamburg Lions Tipoff tournament at Frontier (St. Francis, Lackawanna, Hamburg, Frontier) has been postponed.

 

The James Walker Tournament at Lew-Port (Lafayette, Starpoint, Lew-Port) has postponed the first game between Lafayette and Lew-Port.  ** This is a round robin tournament format with only three teams.  Friday's game between Lafayette and Starpoint will be contingent on whether the Buffalo Public Schools are in session.  Saturday night's contest between Starpoint and Lew-Port will take place @ 7 pm.

 

Cheektowaga @ Emerson has been postponed.

 

Clymer @ Pine Valley and Falconer @ Cassadaga Valley are both still being played this evening at 7:30 pm.

 

-centercourt

The 2010-2011 preview is out

Following an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday weekend, it's finally time for some high school basketball.  I've completed a preview for the upcoming 2010-2011 season, which is available in its entirety at the Prep Talk blog. 

 

Portions of the preview will be featured here as posts in the coming days, beginning tomorrow.

 

I did my best to include as many schools as possible in the preview, but unfortunately I wasn't able to touch on every school in WNY.  My apologies to anyone left out.  Also, only returning varsity players were featured.  If you know of any impact players who are new to the varsity level, please tell us about them on the main event post.

 

My favorite part of writing a preview is making preseason predictions and putting them in print.  In a post tomorrow, we will take a look back at how the predictions from the 2009-2010 preview went.

 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, after you've finished reading the new preview at Prep Talk.

 

-centercourt