The View From Centercourt

Class C Bracket - 2022 Sectionals

 

 

First Round - Tuesday, February 22nd

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(9) Cattaraugus-Little Valley 56, (16) Falconer 40

(12)  MST Seneca 66, (13) Chautauqua Lake 52

 

(15) Cassadaga Valley 78, (10) Barker 76 OT

(11) Maple Grove 91, (14) Gowanda 62

 

Second Round - Wednesday, February 23rd

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(8) Global Concepts 64, (9) Cattaraugus-Little Valley 24

(5) Portville 64, (12) MST Seneca 56

 

(7) Wilson 63, (15) Cassadaga Valley 32

(6) Silver Creek 64, (11) Maple Grove 52

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 25th

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(1) Randolph 50, (8) Global Concepts 29

(4) Salamanca 86, (5) Portville 29

 

(2) Holland 54, (7) Wilson 51

(6) Silver Creek 67, (3) Frewsburg 59

 

Semifinals - Monday, February 28th

AT JCC - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

(4) Salamanca 52, (1) Randolph 47

(2) Holland 64, (6) Silver Creek 49

 

Final - Friday, March 4th

AT JCC - 7:45 pm

(4) Salamanca 70, (2) Holland 51

 

2022 Section VI Class C Champions - Salamanca Warriors

 

-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 

 

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Small Schools - CLASS B

Timon - Kevin Thompson

Cardinal O'Hara - Christopher Wright

 Nichols 

 St. Mary's 

 

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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

 

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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 

 

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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 

 

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ECIC II

Amherst -  Nick Moore, Gary Johnson

Williamsville East -  Max Schneider 

Iroquois - Trey Kleitz

Sweet Home - Diar Fleming

Williamsville South  

West Seneca East 

Starpoint 

 

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ECIC III

East Aurora - Ryan Esminger

Pioneer - Jasiah Jerocinski

Cheektowaga 

Lake Shore  

Maryvale 

Depew  

Springville

 

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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 

 

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Niagara-Orleans

Medina -  Jarin Rhim, Joe Checchini

Roy-Hart - Aiden Petrie, Gavyn Boyle

Albion - Jahmeek Riley

Barker -  Brad Cantrell

Newfane 

Akron  

Wilson 

 

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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

 

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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

Brackets Central - 2021

 

Class AA

Class A1

Class A2

Class B1

Class B2

Class B3

Class C1

Class C2

Class D

Manhattan Cup

 

-centercourt

 

Class C2 Bracket - 2021 Sectionals

 

Quarterfinals - Monday, March 22nd

(1) Randolph 70, (8) Holland 28

(4) Frewsburg 64, (5) Silver Creek 45

 

(2) Ellicottville 85, (7) Cassadaga Valley 54

(6) Westfield 70, (3) Maple Grove 52

 

Semifinals - Wednesday, March 24th

(1) Randolph 55, (4) Frewsburg 35

(2) Ellicottville 66, (6) Westfield 52

 

Final - Friday, March 26th

(2) Ellicottville 40, (1) Randolph 38

 

2021 Section VI Class C2 Champions - Ellicottville Eagles

 

-centercourt

Sectional Preview - 2020

 (Allegany-Limestone looks to repeat as Section VI champions)

 

The Section VI postseason begins tonight with six First Round matchups.  The winner moves on to participate in the pre-quarterfinal round on Wednesday night, before 32 quarterfinal games between Friday night and Saturday afternoon decide which teams move on to Buffalo State and JCC for the semifinals.

Below I take a look at some of the best matchups we could potentially see in the pre-quarterfinals, quarterfinals, semifinals, and even the championship games, along with sleepers, some winning streaks, and predictions.

 

Most exciting brackets, top to bottom:

8. D

7. C1

6. B2

5. B1

4. AA

3. A1

2. C2

1. A2

 

Class A2 & Class C2 are the most similar brackets of the postseason in 2020.  Each has a clear favorite, Health Sciences in A2 and Randolph in C2.  But after that, it looks like a battle royal between the remaining teams, with upsets that are sure to come.  In Classes A1, AA, and B1, there are numerous teams that could wind up winning it all and no clear-cut favorites.  Class B2 offers a favorite in Allegany-Limestone, but any of the top five seeds are built to clip the Gators on the big stage.  I'd be very surprised if Class C1 didn't feature a Section VI title game between the top two seeds in the bracket, while I think Class D features #1 vs. #3.

 

Sleepers from each bracket

AA -  Lancaster:  The Legends have only lost five times all season and 15-5 is a very impressive record for a #5 seed.  Among those 15 victories are wins over the #3 and #4 seeds, Orchard Park and Will North.  They lost twice to Jamestown by a combined eight points and they've won big against some quality opponents this season, including a 68-49 triumph over Will North...the #4 seed they visit in the quarterfinals with Buff State on the line.

A1 - Ken West:  Also a #5 seed, the Blue Devils enter the postseason with 10-10 mark after losing four of their last six games.  So why are they the sleeper?  Well I watched them play three times this season, and every game was a dramatic come-from-behind victory after being left for dead.  These guys have serious grit, which has a little something to do with head coach Mike Meetze, who has announced this will be has last season.  The Ken West theme song might as well be a Cypress Hill track -- 'We ain't goin out like that'!

A2 - East High:  I had the Panthers in my preseason Top 10 after joining the large school ranks, up from Class C in 2019.  While their record is just one game above .500 and likely the reason they haven't been receiving votes in the poll recently, you won't find any bad losses on their resume.  What you will find - a pair of double figure wins over South Park and a five-point loss to Health Sciences.  East High has length and talent and can play with anyone in Class A.

B1 - Olean:  The easiest sleeper pick ever.  For starters, it's Olean and the name alone has been known to strike fear into people.  There's only been one time in the last two decades that Olean was in Class B and didn't win a Section VI title.  They have wins this season over the likes of Jamestown, Allegany-Limestome, Depew, and East Aurora and are winners in eight of their last nine games.  The biggest obstacle they will face might be the Saturday afternoon quarterfinal at #2 Iroquois.  Find a way to knock off the Chiefs and suddenly you're at Buff State, where mail is still being sent for Jeff Anastasia, who doesn't even coach Olean anymore.

B2 - Maritime:  The Commodores finished 13-7 on the season and enter as the #5 seed with a date at Newfane on the horizon.  Some of Maritime's signature wins this year include West Seneca West, Williamsville South, Tapestry, and Bennett.  Two of their seven losses came at the hands of Health Sciences, and a third just occured at Orchard Park by two points.  I'll promise you no one is sleeping on these guys, but as the #5 seed, they qualify as a solid sleeper pick.  Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

C - Maple Grove:  The Red Dragons come into the Class C2 bracket as the #7 seed with as good a chance as any other team in that classification to reach the final opposite Randolph.  Despite a 2-4 start to the season, Maple Grove finished 14-6 on the year.  They hit the postseason on an eight-game win streak that includes victories over a pair of teams seeded higher than them in Class C2.  Their last three wins have come by an average margin of 23.3 points.

D - Riverside:  They are the only Buffalo Public School in a seven-team bracket, where the other six teams are all Southern Tier schools.  Facing different competition could benefit the Frointiers and a review of their results from this season shows improvement against every team they faced twice.  

 

Top 10 Pre-Quarterfinal Games (Wednesday, February 26th)

10.  (9) Tonawanda @ (8) Medina

9.  (10) Akron @ (7) JFK

8.  (12) City Honors @ (5) Lackawanna

7. (11) Roy-Hart @ (6) Cleveland Hill

6.  (10) West Seneca East @ (7) Lake Shore 

5.  (12) Starpoint vs. (5) East

4.  (11) Maryvale @ (6) Albion

3.  (9) Hamburg @ (8) Niagara Wheatfield 

2.  (10) Ken East @ (7) Sweet Home 

1.  (9) Cheektowaga @ (8) Williamsville South

 

Top 5 Friday Quarterfinal Games (February 28th)

5.  (6) Frewsburg @ (3) Ellicottville

4.  (7) Maple Grove @ (2) Holland

3.  (5) Ken West @ (4) West Seneca West

2.  (5) Salamanca @ (4) Westfield

1.  (7) Sweet Home @ (2) North Tonawanda 

 

Top 6 Saturday Quarterfinal Games (February 29th)

6.  (6) Albion @ (3) Depew

5.  (5) East @ (4) CSAT

4.  (6) South Park @ (3) Lew-Port

3.  (5) Maritime @ (4) Newfane

2.  (7) Olean @ (2) Iroquois

1.  (5) Lancaster @ (4) Williamsville North 

 

Top 5 Most Exciting Potential Semifinals

5. North Tonawanda vs. McKinley (A1)

4. Health Sciences vs. Lew-Port (A2)

3. East vs. Amherst (A2)

2. Williamssville East vs. West Seneca West (A1)

1. Jamestown vs. Orchard Park (AA)

 

Most Exciting Championship Games

5. Class B2

4. Class C1

3. Class A1

2. Class D

1. Class AA

 

Winning streaks heading into sectionals

Randolph - 17  (and 19 of the last 20)

Maple Grove - 8  (and 9 of the last 10)

Medina - 7  (and 9 of the last 10)

Bennett - 7  (and 11 of the last 12)

Fredonia - 6  (and 10 of the last 11)

Niagara Falls - 5  (and 6 of the last 7)

Salamanca - 5  (and 6 of the last 7)

Cleveland Hill - 5

Olmsted - 5 

Health Sciences - 4  (and 19 of the last 20)

Olean - 4  (and 8 of the last 9)

Allegany-Limestone has won 12 of the last 14

Depew has won 10 of the last 11

Williamsville East has won 9 of the last 10 & 15 of the last 17

Jamestown has won 9 of the last 10

Amherst has won 8 of the last 9

Iroquois has won 7 of the last 8

Frewsburg has won 6 of the last 7

Albion has won 5 of the last 6

Ellicottville has won 5 of the last 6

 

Predictions

AA - Niagara Falls

I picked Jamestown in my Season Preview and feel crazy for going against that now.  But betting against Falls seems equally loco, considering they are the four-time defending champs with a double figure win over Jamestown in hand already this season.

A1 - Williamsville East

The Flames have a standout in Cal Shifflet, a maestro in Max Schneider, and the experience of playing in the Class A1 Final last seasom.

A2 - Health Sciences

I told Ty Parker in early December that I thought this was the best Health team I'd ever seen. 

B1 - Iroquois

The Chiefs were my preseason pick, but haven't even been a ranked small school for most of the season.  And it looks like they'll need to beat Olean just to get to Buff State.  This is a prediction that either makes me look really smart or very stubborn. 

B2 - Allegany-Limestone

Of all the public schools in Section VI Class B, the Gators have looked like the best one to me, with just the right blend of everything.

C1 - Middle College

The Kats brought so much back from the crew that played for a state title last season and didn't disappoint this year, going undefeated in the city for a third straight Yale Cup.

C2 - Randolph

This one comes with a centercourt guarantee.  There are some very tough teams in Class C2 and it's definitely the more talented bracket as a whole compared to the C1 competition, but the Cardinals are on another level in this bracket.

D - Panama

It will not be easy for the Panthers to get past Sherman, who they only beat by three points in both meetings between the two teams during the regular season.  But I'm not betting against a Cam Barmore-led team in a Section VI postseason.

 

-centercourt

Class C1 & C2 Brackets - 2020 Sectionals

 

Class C1

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 28th at 7 pm

(1) Middle College 92, (8) Cattaraugus-Little Valley 21

(5) Chautauqua Lake 71, (4) Portville 56

 

(2) Tapestry 101, (7) Cassadaga Valley 40

(3) Silver Creek 101, (6) Gowanda 50

 

 Semifinals - Monday, March 2nd

AT JCC - 5:15 pm & 6:45 pm

(1) Middle College 89, (5) Chatauqua Lake 57

(2) Tapestry 73, (3) Silver Creek 44

 

 Final - Friday, March 6th

AT JCC - 8:15 pm

(1) Middle College 73, (2) Tapestry 50

 

2020 Section VI Class C1 Champions - Middle College Kats

 

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

 

Class C2

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

(8) Franklinville 50, (9) Global Concepts 43

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 28th at 7 pm

(1) Randolph 49, (8) Franklinville 40

(5) Salamanca 69, (4) Westfield 46

 

(2) Holland 77, (7) Maple Grove 67 in OT

(3) Ellicottville 60, (6) Frewsburg 49

 

Semifinals - Tuesday, March 3rd

AT JCC - 5:15 pm & 6:45 pm

(1) Randolph 59, (5) Salamanca 47

(2) Holland 54, (3) Ellicottville 51

 

Final - Friday, March 6th

AT JCC - 7:00 pm

(1) Randolph 49, (2) Holland 46

 

2020 Section VI Class C2 Champions - Randolph Cardinals

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 12/31/18 - 1/6/19

(Mike DiGiulio and the South Billies host the Game of the Week / Photo: Harry Scull,Buff News)

 

Wednesday, January 2nd 

Hutch Tech @ Grand Island - 6:30 pm

Sweet Home @ Williamsville South - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 3rd

Nichols @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

Williamsville East @ West Seneca East - 6:30 pm

Medina @ Newfane - 6:30 pm

Orchard Park @ Frontier - 7 pm

West Seneca West @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

Jamestown @ Williamsville North - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 4th

McKinley @ South Park - 6 pm

Middle College @ East - 6 pm

Amherst @ Williamsville South - 7:30 pm

Fredonia @ Olean - 7:30 pm

Franklinville @ Ellicottville - 7:30 pm

Silver Creek @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

Westfield @ Panama - 7:30 pm

Maple Grove @ Chautauqua Lake - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 5th

Health Sciences @ Tapestry - 3 pm

Canisius @ Aquinas - 3:30 pm

 

Sunday, January 6th

At Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse)

St. Francis vs. Bishop Ludden - 1:45 pm

Timon vs. Bishop Grimes - 3:30 pm

St. Joe's @ Christian Brothers Academy - 5:15 pm

 

* Game of the Week -  Amherst at Williamsville South on Friday, January 4th

In 2016, Williamsville South and Amherst were top five large schools in WNY and spent the season on a collision course to meet in the overall Class A Final at Buff State.  When the big game finally came to fruition, large student sections from both schools filled the baseline bleachers at the Buff State Sports Arena and infused the place with a little something extra. Not only was the winning team to advance to regionals, but there was also a matter of geographic pride on the line.  Separated by just 2.3 miles on Route 5 in Buffalo, this was dubbed the Battle of Main Street. 

 

Led by the Dolan brothers, the Billies won the big game on the big stage by 10 points over a Tigers squad that boasted TC Brown and Amadi Ikpeze, en route to the team's only trip to Glens Falls in program history.  The following season, divisional realignments in ECIC landed Amherst in the same league as South and the Battle of Main Street became an annual two-game series & an instant rivalry.  

 

In 2017, South gave up its home court advantage to play the first round across the street from the home of the Tigers at Daemen College.  The Billies would score a thrilling win before an overflow crowd that evening.  However in round two, it was Amherst's turn to grant fans the privilege of chanting "We own Main Street", as the Tigers controlled the game and won by 10 points at home.

 

During Greg Dolan's CC MVP campaign in 2018, Williamsville South was a clear cut above a young Amherst team and took a pair of lopsided decisions, to give the Billies a 4-1 advantage in 'The Battle' since 2016. 

 

Early indications from the games played so far in the 2019 season have ECIC II being a battle royale, with several teams having the horses and belief that they can win the league. Amherst and Williamsville South are both once again right in the mix.  The Tigers will enter the game with a 3-1 league record, while the Billies come in 2-1.  Amherst's loss came at the hands of West Seneca East, who Williamsville South defeated.  The Billies league loss was by 10 points to Hamburg, who the Tigers trounced by 30 points. 

 

While it's hard to make sense of those results, it might be harder to find a parking spot and a seat if you get there late on Friday.  It's the first 2019 'Game of the Week', Main Street style!

 

 

-centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings 2019 - Week 1

 

The first state rankings for the 2019 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Niagara Falls #9

Honorable Mention:  Williamsville North & Clarence

 

Class A 

Park #1

St. Francis #11

Canisius #18

Lew-Port #21

Honorable Mention:  Health Sciences, South Park, West Seneca West, Williamsville South 

 

Class B

Olean #3

Cardinal O'Hara #5

Nichols #18

Allegany-Limestone #25

Honorable Mention:  Southwestern, City Honors, Medina

 

Class C 

Middle College #2

Randolph #4

Tapestry #11

Chautauqua Lake #17

Honorable Mention:  East, Maple Grove, Silver Creek

 

Class D

Brocton #13

Honorable Mention:  Panama, Forestville, Sherman

 

******** According to the rankings above........

 

 

- Niagara Falls is the third highest ranked public school in NYS Class AA.  Unfortunately for the Wolverines, McQuaid (Section V) is the second highest ranked public school, so the streak of not getting past regionals since 2009 is projected to continue.  Falls could change that ranking this weekend with a win on Saturday...at McQuaid.

 

- Park's #1 ranking in NYS Class A means the Pioneers are the favorites to win the Fed for a second consecutive season.  If that happens, they would need to rename a portion of Harlem to Clutchins Ave.

 

- Lew-Port is the highest ranked public school from Section VI in NYS Class A.  The Lancers are projected to reach the regional and fall to Pittsford Mendon, the highest ranked Class A public in the state. 

 

- The fine folks who compile the state rankings are projecting the same thing that I spoke of in the season preview.  The Class B rankings show Olean is the highest ranked public school in NYS, while Cardinal O'Hara holds down the same honor among private schools.  That predicts both teams to win state titles and play in the Federation Tournament. 

 

- The highest ranked Section V team in NYS Class B is Wellsville, who Olean has already defeated this year.

 

- Middle College makes its debut at #2 in NYS Class C after moving down to that classification from Class B, where they've been the past two seasons.  The Kats have enjoyed much success at the state level in Class C, playing in four state championship games, while winning two of them since 2010.  Their #2 ranking projects them to play for another this season. 

 

- In Class D, well, it was fun while it lasted. I'm talking about last season when we clearly 'Had The D's'.  Equally enjoyable of course, was the absurd reaction I got from some deep-woods moonshine distillers for saying that.  I was right, as East crushed Section V in the regional and went on to win a state championship.  Section VI finished with three of the top five teams ranked in New York State Class D, while Section V had zero in the top five.  Brocton has debuted as the highest ranked team from Section VI this season at #13, but there are three teams from Section V ranked ahead of them, and I'm currently OK with that.

 

- I'm including Honorable Mentions in this thread this season, which is where I'll also list teams ranked in places that don't currently exist.  What I mean is, every season the rankings get expanded at some point.  So as an example, Class AA would suddenly rank a top 30 instead of 25.  I think that's a watered down & lame approach.  There's currently a top 25 in Class AA, A, & B.  A top 20 in Class C and a top 15 in Class D.  That's what I'm sticking with.  No participation trophies.

 

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

Sectional Preview - 2018

(Niagara Falls is the only team in Section VI going for a three-peat/Photo: Harry Scull,Buffalo News)

 

 The Section VI postseason begins Tuesday night with five First Round matchups.  The winner moves on to participate in the Pre-Quarterfinal round on Wednesday night at 7 pm.  On Friday, 32 Quarterfinal games will decide which teams move on to Buffalo State and JCC for the semifinals.

Below I take a look at some of the best matchups we could potentially see in the pre-quarterfinals, quarterfinals, semifinals, and even the championship games, along with sleepers, some winning streaks, and predtictions.

 

** Please note that many of the games below are based on my predictions of who will win in prior rounds.  I've been wrong before - just ask North Tonawanda

 

Most exciting brackets, top to bottom:

7. AA

6. B2

5. D

4. B1

3. A2

2. A1

1. C

-  How exciting is the Class C bracket this postseason?  So much so that I'm considering my first ever trip to JCC for the semifinals, which would have me missing opening night at Buff State.  The Class C bracket is giving us Silver Creek at Chautauqua Lake and Maple Grove at Randolph for Quarterfinals!!!  In case you missed it, Maple Grove just beat Tapestry.  Tapestry has been the only ranked Class C team all season and Maple Grove is the #8 seed.  If the brackets were to hold out, we'd have (1) Randolph, (2) Allegany-Limestone, (3) Tapestry, and (4) Chautauqua Lake at JCC.  But honestly, who knows?!?  Randolph split games this season with Silver Creek and Allegany-Limestone, losing the more recent meeting by 18.  That Maple Grove team that just beat Tapestry lost three times to Chautauqua Lake this year.  Last year, Class C was split into C1 & C2.  Randolph beat East High to capture C2, before falling to Chautauqua Lake in the crossover.  This year, they threw them all in one bracket and created an all-out royal rumble.  Love the  C bracket!!

 

Sleepers from each bracket

AA - Orchard Park:  The Quakers would have to earn it right from the start, traveling to #2 seed Lockport for the Quarterfinals.  But why can't these guys be the big splash team of the postseason?  They are healthier than when the season began - a season that began with an emphatic win over St. Francis.  They also just beat Clarence and won at Jamestown this year for the first time since Kyle Perla was distributing basketballs.   I know the Lions are a tough & athletic matchup, but OP can take comfort in knowing they hung around twice in 11-point losses with another tough and athletic team from West Seneca West, who no one has beat this year.

A1 - McKinley:  Maybe the easiest sleeper choice ever, considering the Macks are the #6 seed.  No team wants to face them in the playoffs.  While it's been an up & down year at Mack High, they have everything a team needs for success in the postseason.  Coaching, guard play, size inside, defense, and all sorts of experience.  So much so, that McKinley has reached Buff State in every season over the last 18 - the longest streak in Section VI.

A2 - Lew-Port:  In a year where Class A2 is as wide open as this year is, the Lancers are prime candidates to catch you snoozing.  They have the benefit of playing some tough competition in the NFL and showed they could hang with the likes of Niagara Falls and Lockport in losses this season.  Remember a couple years ago when Lew-Port showed up and showed out at Buff State, playing in two of the week's most memorable games?  

B1 - Burgard:  Yes, the Bulldogs are just 9-11 on the season.  But let's take a closer look at some of those losses - Middle College by 5, South Park by 8, East by 7, South Park by 2, McKinley by 2, and Franklinville by 3.  They do have a win over Franklinville this year, along with a 27-point road win at Medina.  Dunkirk hosts a dangerous team on Wednesday night.

B2 - Gowanda:  It's admittedly tough to round up a sleeper in a bracket that has both Health Sciences and Middle College, because let's face it, one of them is winning Class B2.  But I've seen the top eight seeds play this season and the Panthers have a good team with a standout in Nate Brawdy, along with a polished post player in Ture Hassler.  Brawdy has enjoyed a nice career at Gowanda and this is his last shot at taking his squad to Buff State, so the stakes are high.

C - Maple Grove:  I could write a bunch of catchy stuff here, but I'm picking the Red Dragons as the Class C sleeper for one simple reason - they just beat Tapestry by the same margin Health Sciences did and by more than Middle College did.  Zzzzzzzzzz

D -  Panama:  The Panthers have a 6-3 sophomore in Cam Barmore who keeps getting better and they just pushed the #2 seed Sherman in a two-point loss at the end of the season.  Head coach Ed Nelson led Panama to Glens Falls just two seasons ago.

 

Top 10 Pre-Quarterfinal Games (Wednesday, February 21st)

10. Salamanca @ Silver Creek

9.  Kenmore West @ Hamburg

8.  I-Prep @ City Honors

7.  Niagara Wheatfield @ Frontier

6. Fredonia/Alden @ MST Seneca

5. CSAT @ Depew

4. Starpoint @ Iroquois

3.  Kenmore East @ McKinley

2.  Grand Island @ Hutch-Tech

1.  Burgard @ Dunkirk 

 

Top 12 Quarterfinal Games (Friday, February 23rd)

12. North Tonawanda @ Williamsville East

11. Amherst @ South Park

10. Orchard Park @ Lockport

9. MST Seneca @ Newfane

8. Silver Creek @ Chautauqua Lake

7. Burgard/Dunkirk @ Medina

6. Starpoint @ Maryvale

5. CSAT @ Lackawanna

4. Lew-Port @ Lake Shore

3. Clarence @ Jamestown 

2. McKinley @ Sweet Home

1. Maple Grove @ Randolph

 

Most Exciting Potential Semifinals

8. East vs. Ellicottville (D)

7.  Newfane vs. Lackawanna (B1)

6. West Seneca West vs. North Tonawanda (A1)

5.  Lockport vs. Williamsville North (AA)

4.  Cheektowaga vs. South Park (A2)

3.  Randolph vs. Chautauqua Lake (C)

2. Allegany-Limestone vs. Tapestry (C)

1. Middle College vs. Health Sciences (B2)

 

Most Exciting Championship Games

5. Class AA

4. Class A2

3. Class C

2. Class D

1. Class A1

 

Winning streaks heading into sectionals

West Seneca West - 20

Olean 15  (and 19 of last 20)

Williamsville South - 11  (and 16 of last 17)

Sherman - 11  (and 12 of last 13)

Olmsted - 8  

Maryvale - 6  (and 8 of last 9)

Franklinville - 5  (and 12 of last 13)

Middle College - 5  (and 9 of last 10)

Williamsville North - 5

Lackawanna has won 14 of last 15

Niagara Falls has won 12 of last 13

Ellicottville has won 10 of 11

MST Seneca has won 9 of 10

Allegany-Limestone has won 7 of 8

Cheektowaga has won 7 of 8

Newfane has won 7 of 8

 

Predictions

AA - Niagara Falls

A1 - Williamsville South

A2 - Maryvale

B1 - Olean

B2 - Health Sciences

C - Allegany-Limestone

D - Franklinville

 

-centercourt

Brackets Central - 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sectional Preview 2018

Manhattan Cup

Class AA Bracket

Class A1 Bracket

Class A2 Bracket

Class B1 Bracket

Class B2 Bracket

Class C Bracket

Class D Bracket

 

Manhattan Cup Finals

Manhattan Cup Semifinals

Manhattan Cup Play-in games

 Class C Semifinals 

 Section VI 2018 All-Tournament Teams

2018 League Champions

 

Brackets 2017    Brackets 2016     Brackets 2015     Brackets 2014    Brackets 2013     Brackets 2012     Brackets 2011

 

-centercourt

Class C Bracket - 2018 Sectionals

 

 

First Round - Tuesday, February 20th

(12) Salamanca 72, (13) Portville 68

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 21st

(9) BASCS 79, (8) Maple Grove 70

(12) Salamanca 56, (5) Silver Creek 55

 

(7) Lafayatte 48, (10) Global Concepts 47

(6) Holland 78, (11) Cassadaga Valley 62

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 23rd

 (1) Randolph 81, (9) BASCS 52

(4) Chautauqua Lake 60, (12) Salamanca 56

 

(2) Allegany-Limestone 81, (7) Lafayette 35

(3) Tapestry 53, (6) Holland 34

 

 Semifinals - Monday, February 26th

AT JCC - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

 (1) Randolph 74, (4) Chautauqua Lake 59

(3) Tapestry 62, (2) Allegany-Limestone 57

 

Final - Saturday, March 3rd

AT JCC - 6 pm

(3) Tapestry 63, (1) Randolph 54

 

2018 Section VI Class C Champions - Tapestry Thunderhawks 

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 2/12/18 -- 2/18/18

(Newfane's Max Weber penetrates the Wilson defense)

 

Monday, February 12th

Clarence @ Lackawanna - 6:30 pm

Maryvale @ Niagara Wheatfield - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ St. Joe's - 7 pm

 

Tuesday, February 13th

East @ South Park - 6:30 pm

Niagara Catholic @ St. Mary's - 7 pm

Chautauqua Lake @ Southwestern - 7:30 pm

Maple Grove @ Dunkirk - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, February 14th

Lockport @ CSAT - 6:30 pm

North Tonawanda @ Grand Island - 6:30 pm

Kenmore West @ Kenmore East - 6:30 pm

Lake Shore @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ St. Francis - 6:30 pm

Jamestown @ Williamsville North - 7:30 pm

Orchard Park @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

Sweet Home @ Williamsville South - 7:30 pm

JFK @ Depew - 7:30 pm

Gowanda @ Ellicottville - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, February 15th

Newfane @ Wilson - 6 pm

Tapestry @ Maple Grove - 6:30 pm

Niagara Falls vs  Lew-Port *at Niagara Wheatfield - 8 pm

 

Friday, February 16th

Timon @ St. Francis - 6:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ Williamsville North - 7:30 pm

Lackawanna @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, February 17th

JFK @ City Honors - 11 am

Medina @ Orchard Park - 12:30 pm

 

* Game of the Week - Newfane @ Wilson on Thursday, February 15th

Coming off a week that featured a three-part series of 'Game of the Week' because the biggest dogs in WNY were lining up to take swings at one another, I'm looking to wrap up the regular season with a small town battle that has big implications.  Insert Newfane at Wilson.

 Over the years, these two have given gymnasiums packed from wall-to-wall deep in Northern Niagara County, some of the most exciting games a two-dollar ticket can offer.  There have been several sold out games between the Panthers & Lakemen, and the gatherings between these two communities that are all too familiar with each other always result in creative parking spots, narrowed fire exits, and extra game supervision.  It's a night the JV teams get a taste of a varsity atmosphere.  It's what high school basketball is all about.  It's the rivalry that spawned my love of high school basketball.

With no disrespect meant to any teams or remaining matchups this week, I'll boil down where I see the Niagara-Orleans League race heading into this game.  Medina & Newfane are tied for first place with two losses apiece.  Wilson has three losses and sits in second place.  I think Medina wins its two remaining games and Newfane enters its final game at Wilson having kept pace with Medina and needing a win to force a tie for the league title.  I don't think Wilson has a real shot at a share of the league title because I don't see Medina losing another game, but they could certainly play spoiler to Newfane!  Ultimately, Thursday should be a chance for Newfane to earn a co-championship with Medina (even though its two losses came at the hands of Medina).

Newfane pounded Wilson in the first meeting this year, but I don't see the rematch as a foregone conclusion.  Wilson is more than capable of beating the Panthers, just ask Medina.  Both of Medina's losses came at the hands of Wilson.  You can spin the first loss to the Lakemen any way you like, but Wilson's second win over the Mustangs just happened last Tuesday.  Maybe a bad matchup for Medina.  Or maybe Wilson is just that good when they're healthy and inspired to play.  Thursday's game can't help but inspire the Lakemen to win.  The Zipp Gym at Wilson is a big facility and a great place to see a game when it's packed, which it will be for this one.  Wilson will have a rowdy crowd behind them, with a chance to devastate their rivals.  And Medina, who the Lakemen put in this position, is sure to be there in force, passionately rooting on the Wilson squad that clipped them twice.

A long-standing rivalry game with league championship implications played in front of a full house to end the regular season.  It's a light night on the overall hoops schedule in WNY, so maybe it will even draw some casual fans craving an excellent atmosphere and some passionate play on the hardwood.  This game will have it, and it's a great way to conclude 'Game of the Week' for the 2018 season.

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/22/18 -- 1/28/18

(Former St. Francis guard Julian Cunningham scores at Timon in 2017)

 

Monday, January 22nd

Medina @ Newfane - 6:30 pm

Lockport @ CSAT - 6:30 pm

Lake Shore @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Ellicottville @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 23rd

Grand Island @ Wilson - 6 pm

Maritime @ CSAT - 6 pm

Williamsville East @ Iroquois - 6:30 pm

Depew @ Lackawanna - 6:30 pm

MST Seneca @ Riverside - 6:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ Pembroke - 7 pm

McKinley @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

Lockport @ Amherst - 7:30 pm

JFK @ Maryvale - 7:30 pm

Burgard @ Franklinville - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 24th

UPrep @  Cardinal O'Hara - 5 pm

Global Concepts @ MST Seneca - 7 pm

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

 

Thursday, January 25th

Maritime @ Tapestry - 6 pm

Newfane @ Roy-Hart - 6:30 pm

Medina @ Albion - 7 pm

 

Friday, January 26th

St. Francis @ Timon - 4 pm

St. Mary's @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

Niagara Catholic @ Park - 6:30 pm

North Tonawanda @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Grand Island @ CSAT - 6:30 pm

Middle College @ McKinley - 6:30 pm

Burgard @ South Park - 6:30 pm

Riverside @ MST Seneca - 6:30 pm

Lackawanna @ JFK - 7 pm

Amherst @ Williamsville South - 7:30 pm

Williamsville North @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

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

Cheektowaga @ Maryvale - 7:30 pm

Silver Creek @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

Chautauqua Lake @ Maple Grove - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 27th

Niagara Falls @ Aquinas - 1:30 pm

Williamsville East @ Olean - 2:30 pm

Canisius @ Bishop Kearney - 3:30 pm

Tapestry @ Randolph - 5 pm

 

* Game of the Week - St. Francis @ Timon 0n Friday, January 26th

Timon and St. Francis are long-time rivals in the Monsignor Martin and are each in the top seven of the Large School Poll.  St. Francis beat Williamsville South this year, who beat Timon.  That alone makes it the game to be at this week.  But this season, there's a little something extra making this one a highly intriguing contest....

The Juice is loose - in South Buffalo!

Last season, St. Francis swept The Park School and made it all the way to the Manhattan Cup Final, its first appearance since the 2007 season.  The Red Raiders had a special team, led by a pair of underclassmen - Bo Sireika & Julian "Juice" Cunningham.  Sireika is back for his senior season.  Cunningham, who was a sophomore in 2017, did not return to St. Francis.  Instead, he dawned Timon Green and is now the straw that stirs the drink for the rival Tigers.  Cunningham spent two seasons as the starting floor general for St. Francis beginning his freshman year.  He and Sireika had formed quite the one-two punch and had me making trips to Frannies, with pit stops at Hoak's last year.  

Now, Cunningham's slick passes are heading into the paint at Timon, where Master Radford is waiting to finish them off with force at the rim.  Meanwhile, junior Justin Poumpey has taken the reins over at the maestro for the Red Raiders and has delivered beyond expectations.  St. Francis remains a top WNY team this season and the ball still moves like a thing of beauty for Brian Ferris' crew.

Both Timon and St. Francis have four new starters taking the court from last year's versions, but desire to knock each other off will be nothing new once this Friday matinee tips.  Rivalries run deep in the MMA and these two haven't been spotted kissing or making up anywhere in the last few months.  I couldn't bear to watch that anyway.  Game of the Week, South Buffalo-style.  Be there!

 

-centercourt

The Schedule: 2017-2018 Season

(Buffalo State Sports Arena during Championship Week /Photo: Harry Scull,Buffalo News) 

 

Click HERE for the 2019 Schedule

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/3/18 -- 1/7/18

(Jalen Bradberry and Jaemon Turner have helped turn Niagara Catholic into a serious contender)

 

Well, the New Year is not off to the best start with cancellations and a less-than-spectacular lineup of games this week to begin 2018.  However, I always begin this post each year at this time and there's still a game being played this week that's worthy of the title 'Game of the Week'.  So here's a list of what I think are the top games to follow in this shortened week (And don't get too excited for Friday's lineup, I'm sure they all all get cancelled because it's winter):

 

Wednesday, January 3rd

Kenmore West @ North Tonawanda - 6:30 pm

St. Francis @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

Maritime @ Burgard - 6:30 pm

Olmsted @ I-Prep - 6:30 pm

Timon @ Canisius - 7 pm

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

Frontier @ Maryvale - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 4th

Cheektowaga @ South Park - 6 pm

Orchard Park @ West Seneca West - 6:30 pm

Williamsville North @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

Lancaster @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

Dunkirk @ Olean - 7:30 pm

Randolph @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 5th

Williamsville South @ Williamsville East - 6:30 pm

Niagara Wheatfield @ Grand Island - 6:30 pm

Lockport @ CSAT - 6:30 pm

Burgard @ East - 6:30 pm

City Honors @ Olmsted - 6:30 pm

Kenmore West @ Lew-Port - 7 pm

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

Lake Shore @ Maryvale - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 6th

Williamsville North @ Sweet Home - 2 pm

St. Joe's @ Park - 5 pm

Newfane @ Clarence - 6 pm

Tapestry @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

United Way Showcase at Jamestown HS

Southwestern vs. Frewsburg - 12:30 pm

Silver Creek vs. Sherman - 2:15 pm

Maple Grove vs. BASCS - 4 pm

Chautauqua Lake vs. Oracle - 5:45 pm

Jamestown vs. Fredonia - 7:30 pm

 

* Game of the Week *  -   St. Mary's @ Niagara Catholic on Wednesday, January 3rd

The Lancers of St. Mary's entered this season as the defending Manhattan Cup champions in Class B.  Yet coming into this season, I have found myself having to remind people of that on multiple occasions.  When talking with area hoop-heads about a preseason top 10 in the small school ranks or who was the favorite to win the league & Cup, it was as if St. Mary's was just another team in the mix because they always are, rather than the highly regarded team they deserved to be. 

When the first local small school poll of the season came out, St. Mary's was #6 in WNY, behind a team at #5 that didn't reach the final last season and welcomed five new starters - Niagara Catholic, who already had a loss to defending Class D champion Franklinville.  When the first state rankings of the season came out one day later, the Lancers were unranked, while Niagara Catholic sat at #19 in NYS Class B.

It's not like the Lancers graduated several key contributors from last year's squad, but rather they brought back five players who saw time in their rotation, including a 2017 All-Centercourt Honorable Mention selection in Christian Szablewski.  They were a group that I had slept on entering last year with a young, unproven rotation, but came into this year very high on.

On the other hand, Niagara Catholic became what I've called an overnight sensation, reminiscent of the power that Park became in 2014 - its first season in the MMA and one year before winning the NYS Class B Federation championship.  Another 2017 All-Centercourt Honorable Mention selection, Jalen Bradberry, left Niagara Wheatfield after starting there as an 8th grader and enrolled at Niagara Catholic, instantly raising their stock.  But he wasn't the only new addition.  Three other starters for the Patriots are new additions this season and friends of Bradberry, while Jaemon Turner took a big step forward after seeing some minutes at Niagara Catholic as a freshman.

Since the first rankings came out, both teams are unbeaten.  The Lancers ended up leapfrogging Niagara Catholic in both the state and local poll, perhaps on the strength of a season-opening victory over Lancaster.  They also won the Depew & Five Guys Tournaments, which included a victory over Williamsville North.  Niagara Catholic scored a victory over Class AA Clarence and also traveled out of state to win a tournament.

So what this game offers is a lot of contrast and even more talent.  St. Mary's is the veteran team with four seniors in its starting lineup and believes this is their year.  Niagara Catholic starts five underclassmen, none of who started last year for the Patriots, and four are new to the program.  The Patriots believe they are embarking on something special and are eager to earn a statement win that backs up where the polls had them in early December and where they see themselves.  What a way to tip-off the 2018 Monsignor Martin schedule - the defending champion visiting the serious young contender who many already view as the favorite.  Sounds like 'Game of the Week' material to me.

 

-centercourt

ADPRO Challenge 2017 - Night Three

(Kam Briggs of Health Sciences is met by Canisius' Jayce Johnson)

 

Canisius 67, Health Sciences 56

 

Canisius     16 - 14 - 14 - 23 = 67

Health Sci  12 - 19 - 10 - 15 = 56

 

Point Totals

Canisius:  Ryan Bradley 15, Austin James 15, Nick MacDonald 15, Jayce Johnson 11, Joe Jamison 4, Dewayne Vass 3, Brendan Trapper 2, Jon Evans 2

Health Sciences:  Davonte Gaines 20, Kam Briggs 16, Josiah Haygood 7, Javaughn Jones 6, Donovan Miller 3, Tysheen Lott 3, Kyjuan Inabinett 1

 

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

 

Williamsville South 55, Timon 45

 

South   21 - 18 - 5 - 11 = 55

Timon  7 - 13 - 14 - 11 = 45

 

Point Totals

South:  Greg Dolan 31, Devin Degree 9, Robert Richards 9, Cody Sanford 6

Timon:  Tahron Goudelock 17, Master Radford 14, Alero World 8, Julian Cunningham 6

 

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

 

St. Francis 67, Medina 27

 

St. Francis  16 - 20 - 11 - 20 = 67

Medina         8 -  4 -   9   -  6 = 27

 

Point Totals

St. Francis:  Bo Sireika 9, Dorian Ivey 9, Ryan Lacki 7, Lucas Theisen 6, Owen Woyshner 5, Jack Bickerstaff 4, David Bartholomew 4, Justin Poumpey 4, Nicholas Reeb 4, Elijah Williams 3, Amiel Collins 2, Josh Palmer 2

Medina:  Jalin Cooper 10, Tyler Chinn 5, Nate Sherman 4, Alex Allis 3, Izaiah Rhim 3, Brendan Luthart 2

 

******        ******        *****

 

Maple Grove 74, CCA 59

 

MG   17 - 15 - 23 - 19 = 74

CCA  8 - 23 - 14 - 14 = 59

 

Point Totals

Maple Grove:   Peter Auer 18, Zach Fischer 16, Truman Purslow 13, Tyler McPherson 13, Carson Christ 10, Jack Eimiller 2, Simon Olson 2

CCA:  Josh Tyson 12, Zach Miller 11, Daniel Tyson 10, Alex Fink 7, Kyle Gold 7, Ben Lekeuneu 6, Jared Moser 3, Patrick Opferbeck 3

 

-centercourt

All-League Teams 2017

 

 

MONSIGNOR MARTIN ASSOCIATION

Class A

Player of the Year:

Davion Warren - Timon, 12

 

All-Catholic

Joe Harrison - Timon, 12

Joe Jones - Park, 11

Bo Sireika - St. Francis, 11

Julian Cunningham - St. Francis, 10

Dan Scott - Park, 10

 

Class B

Player of the Year:

Tavien Kemp - Walsh, 12

 

All-Catholic

Will Johnson - Nichols, 12

Daquan Hunt - St. Mary's, 12

Christian Szablewski - St. Mary's, 11

Latrell Butler-Kemp - Walsh, 11

Justin Hemphill - Cardinal O'Hara, 10

 

 

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

 

YALE CUP I

Player of the Year:

Shakur Harris - South Park, 12

 

First Team

Willard Anderson - East, 11

Ray Mushat - South Park, 11

Hakeem Dobbins - Middle College, 11

Nakye Booze - McKinley, 12

Tyreek Edwards - Emerson, 12

 

Second Team

Deamontae Riley - Burgard, 11

Justin Allen - East, 11

Davonti Wardlaw - McKinley, 12

Deon Spencer - McKinley, 11

Anthony Mack - South Park, 9

  

Third Team

Derrick Bishop - Middle College, 12

Nader Kompany - Middle College, 11

Kavon Rogers - McKinley, 11

Elijah Lewis - South Park, 10

Gerald Bratton - Riverside, 12

 

Honorable Mention

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

East:  Waunya Shaw - 11, Jahahd Maryon - 11

McKinley:  Emir Evans - 11, Joe Johnson - 12

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

Burgard:  DeJuan Williams - 10

Riverside:  Hak Douth - 11

Hutch-Tech:  Anthony Whitfield - 11

Emerson:  Anthony Hunter - 12

 

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

 

YALE CUP II

Co-Players of the Year:

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

 

First Team

Earl Howard - MST Seneca, 10

Naseem Baynes - Olmsted, 12

Dom Prince - MST Seneca, 12

Carlos Rosa - Lafayette, 11

Amir Radford - City Honors, 10

 

 Second Team

Alijay Clark - I-Prep, 12

Takeylo Burts - Lafayette, 12

Javaughn Johnson - Buffalo Arts, 12

Jason Chapman - MST Seneca, 10

Austin Parham - Olmsted, 12

 

Third Team

Jeffrey Felix - Lafayette, 12

Talon Moody - City Honors, 12

Dreqwan Johnson - Buffalo Arts, 12

Greg Ngoma - I-Prep, 12

EB Lewis - DaVinci, 9

 

Honorable Mention  

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

Lafayatte:  Austin Grimes - 11

Buffalo Arts:  Charles Slobert - 9

DaVinci: Mykel Hardgrove - 12

 

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

 

ALL-ECIC

Player of the Year:

Dominick Welch, Cheektowaga, 12

 

First Team

Dominick Welch, Cheektowaga, 12

Greg Dolan, Williamsville South, 11

James Rojas - Jamestown, 12

Marcellus Cooper - Amherst, 12

Nick Montgomery - East Aurora, 12

 

Second Team

Vito Fulciniti - Lancaster, 12

Mason Goodridge - Springville, 10

Ray Blackwell - Maryvale, 11

Da'Shawn Hines - Amherst, 12

Josh Denz - East Aurora, 12

 

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

 

ECIC I

Player of the Year:

James Rojas - Jamestown, 12

 

First Team

Vito Fulciniti - Lancaster, 12

LG Castillo - Lancaster, 12

Alec Tamburri - Lancaster, 11

Dylan Anderson - Orchard Park, 11

Jairus Huggins - Williamsville North, 12

 

Second Team

Jesse Wayland - West Seneca West, 11

Dan Anderson - Orchard Park, 12

Noah Speyer - Lancaster, 12

Marcus Rojas - Jamestown, 10

River Reinhardt - Clarence, 10

Jacob Belote - Williamsville North, 10

 

Honorable Mention

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

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

Clarence:  Jack Putney - 10

Jamestown:  Matt Hill - 11

 

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

 

ECIC II

Player of the Year:

Greg Dolan - Williamsville South, 11

 

First Team

Marcellus Cooper - Amherst, 12

Dakota Wiley - Williamsville South, 12

Da'Shawn Hines - Amherst, 12

Jake Genzel - Hamburg, 11

Drew Butler - Williamsville East, 12

 

Second Team

Chris Stineman - West Seneca East, 10

Zamari Mitchell - West Seneca East, 10

Evan John - Sweet Home, 10

Dominic Farszmil - West Seneca East, 12

Stephon Trueheart - Sweet Home, 10

 

Honorable Mention

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

Williamsville East:  Matthew Gelder, 12

Iroquois:  Matthew Whalen, 12

Amherst:  Daesean Ashley, 9

Hamburg:  Patrick Hart, 12

 

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

 

ECIC III

Player of the Year:

Dominick Welch - Cheektowaga, 12

 

First Team

Nick Montgomery- East Aurora, 12

Josh Denz - East Aurora, 12

Ray Blackwell - Maryvale, 11

John Park - Lake Shore, 11

Chad Biersbach - Depew, 11

 

Second Team

Derek Clemons - Starpoint, 12

Cal McTigue - East Aurora, 12

Kyle Burley - Pioneer, 11

Vaughn Burdette - Cheektowaga, 12

Justin Mott - Starpoint, 10

Rudy Bragg - Cheektowaga, 11

Honorable Mention

Maryvale:  Brian Sullivan - 12

Lake Shore:  Jay Brueckl - 11

Starpoint:  Adam Lasal - 12

Cheektowaga:  Alex Bryant - 11

Depew:  Tyler Biersbach, 12

East Aurora:  Joe Montgomery - 12

 

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

 

ECIC IV

Player of the Year:

Mason Goodridge - Springville, 10

 

First Team

Paul Woodward - Cleveland Hill, 12

Coan Relyea - Holland, 12

Noah Grabar - Lackawanna, 10

Marcus James - Springville, 12

Christian Snell - Alden, 11

 

Second Team

Andy Bialy - Eden, 12

London Smith - Lackawanna, 11

Jacob Braniecki - JFK, 11

Tyler Phillips - Cleveland Hill, 12

Jordan Pacillo - Lackawanna, 12

Trey Lilly - Tonawanda, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Lackawanna:  Harris Bekric - 10, Noble Smith - 11

Tonawanda:  Charlie Moore - 12, Nick Bitter - 12

Holland:  Jordan Kolbmann, Pierce Gardon

JFK:  Thomas Isbrandt - 12

Alden:  Conrad Boucher - 12

Cleveland Hill:  J'Son James - 12

Eden:  Jason Porter

 

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

 

NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE

 

First  Team

Tyler Aquilina - Kenmore West, 12

Trevor Book - North Tonawanda, 11 

Tavon Chambers - Lockport, 12

Tal James - Kenmore West, 12

Cam Sionko - Grand Island, 10

 

Second Team

Syquan Ralands - Niagara Falls, 11

Kyle LaPlante - Kenmore West, 12

Kyle Brown - Lockport, 12

Mario Wright - Grand Island, 12

Malik Brooks - Lockport, 10

 

Third Team

Jalen Bradberry - Niagara Wheatfield, 8

Tazaun Rose - Niagara Falls, 11

Alex Quinn - North Tonawanda, 12

JB Wilkes - Grand Island, 12

Charles Lamar - Niagara Falls, 12

 

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

 

NIAGARA-ORLEANS

 

First Team

Jalin Cooper - Medina, 11

Nathan Luckman - Barker, 12

Max Weber - Newfane, 11

Johnny Salone - Medina, 10

Kyle DeVoogel - Newfane, 11

 

Second Team

Justin Daul - Wilson, 12

Izaiah Rhim - Medina, 10

Jacob Bruning - Roy-Hart, 11

Kory Reynolds - Albion, 12

Connor Seeley - Wilson, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Akron:  Mason Schultz - 11, Derek Holtz - 11

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

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

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

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

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

Wilson:  Jonah Miller - 12, Steve Frerichs - 10

 

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

 

CCAA I West

Player of the Year:

Devin Pope - Chautauqua Lake, 11

 

First Team

Monty Shoemaker - Olean, 12

Aaron Swan -  Chautauqua Lake, 12

Darnell Butts - Dunkirk, 11

Lucas Voss - Fredonia, 12

Carson Crist - Maple Grove, 10

 

Second Team

Shamon Stewart - Dunkirk, 12

Mike Schmidt - Olean, 10

Nate Shuart - Fredonia, 10

Tristen Snyder - Olean, 12

Michael Padilla - Maple Grove, 12

 

Honorable Mention

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

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

Falconer:  Brandon Luke - 12, Brandon Crick - 11

Olean:  Matt Droney - 10, Luke Rogers - 12

Southwestern:  Niko Pannes - 12, Alex Card - 10

Chautauqua Lake:  Tyler Meredith - 12

 

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

 

CCAA II WEST

Co-Players of the Year:

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

 

First Team

Justin Svetz - Clymer, 12

Josh Van Earden - Clymer, 12

Dustin Neckers - Clymer, 11

Jared Gleason - Sherman, 11

 

Second Team

David Grayson - Westfield, 12

Tristen Frye - Panama, 12

Brandon Chamberlin - Cassadaga Valley, 12

Johnethen Spicer - Brocton, 12

Shawn Horr - Westfield, 11

 

Honorable Mention

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

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

Clymer:  Dylan Davis - 12

Brocton:  Garrett McFadden - 12

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

Westfield:  Julio Torres - 11

Panama:  Noah Eggleston - 12, Lucas Golden - 12

 

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

 

CCAA I EAST

Co-Players of the Year:

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

 

First Team

Zeus Enriquez - Salamanca, 12

Jarrett Lecceadone - Randolph, 12

Zach Hemphill - Allegany-Limestone, 12

Jake Beaver - Randolph, 12

 

Second Team

Jarmani Benton - Gowanda, 11

Joe Sherlock - Salamanca, 12

Hercules Rasha - Salamanca, 11

Nick Stein - Portville, 12

Sam Flanders - Allegany-Limestone, 10

Brady Woelben - Silver Creek, 10

 

Honorable Mention

Portville:  Colin Kloc - 12, Jaeden Harris - 11

Gowanda:  Matt Kruszka - 12

Randolph:  Kaleb Frink - 12

Salamanca:  Derek McClure - 12, Michael Collins - 12

Allegany-Limestone:  Sean McAffee - 11

Silver Creek:  Chris Williams - 12

 

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

 

CCAA II EAST

Player of the Year:

Elliot Bowen - Ellicottville, 11

 

First Team

Sam Erickson - Franklinville, 11

Dylan Chase - Pine Valley, 12

Griffin Chudy - Ellicottville, 11

Isaac Kopp - Franklinville, 11

Darren Clark - Franklinville, 11

 

 Second Team

Austin Grinols - Ellicottville, 11

Brandon Zielinski - North Collins, 11

Kalvin Stanbro - Forestville, 12

Kellen Martin - Cattaraugus/Little-Valley, 12

Lewis Markham - Forestville, 11

Zach Mansfield, Pine Valley, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Franklinville:  Brock Belcha - 11, Dylan Burton - 11

Ellicottville:  Steven Rowland - 10, Noah Stuve - 11

Pine Valley:  Gilberto Ortiz - 12

Forestville:  Trent Hartloff - 12

Cattaraugus/Little-Valley:  Austin Baker - 11

North Collins:  Zachary Schroeder - 11

 

All-Charter

Player of the Year:

Davonte Gaines - Health Sciences, 11

 

Offensive & Defensive POY:

Davonte Gaines - Health Sciences, 11

 

First Team

Davonte Gaines - Health Sciences, 11

Tyron Lott - Health Sciences, 11

Shakur Bridges - Oracle Charter, 12

Dwight Dilbert - Global Concepts, 12

Paitwan Jenifer - Tapestry, 12

 

-centercourt

Class C1 & C2 Brackets - 2017 Sectionals

 

Class C1

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th

(1) Chautauqua Lake 73, (8) Cassadaga Valley 54

(5) Allegany-Limestone 57, (4) Salamanca 38

 

(2) Cleveland Hill 67, (7) WNY Maritime 54

(6) Portville 66, (3) Tapestry 60

 

 Semifinals - Monday, February 27th

AT JCC - 5:15 pm & 6:45 pm

 (1) Chautauqua Lake 72, (5) Allegany-Limestone 57

(2) Cleveland Hill 46, (6) Portville 35

 

 Final - Friday, March 3rd

AT JCC - 8:15 pm

 (1) Chautauqua Lake 68, (2) Cleveland Hill 62

 

2017 Section VI Class C1 Champions - Chautauqua Lake Thunderbirds

 

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

 

Class C2

Pre-Quarterfinal - Wednesday, February 22nd

(8) Westfield 62, (9) BASCS 59

(7) Global Concepts 56, (10) Silver Creek 48

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th

(1) Randolph 70, (8) Westfield 25

(4) Frewsburg 49, (5) Maple Grove 47

 

(2) East 81, (7) Global Concepts 57

(6) Barker 58, (3) Holland 51

 

Semifinals - Tuesday, February 28th

AT JCC - 5:15 pm & 6:45 pm

 (1) Randolph 51, (4) Frewsburg 37

(2) East 86, (6) Barker 40

 

Final - Friday, March 3rd

AT JCC - 7:00 pm

 (1) Randolph 51, (2) East 42

 

2017 Section VI Class C2 Champions - Randolph Cardinals

 

- centercourt

The Schedule: 2016-2017 Season

CLICK HERE  FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHEDULE

Class C1 & C2 Brackets - 2016 Sectionals

 

Class C1

Pre-Quarterfinal - Wednesday, February 17th

(8) Allegany-Limestone 68, (9) Salamanca 47

(7) WNY Maritime 71, (10) Cassadaga Valley 54

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 19th

(8) Allegany-Limestone 52, (1) Cleveland Hill 39

(4) Chautauqua Lake 48, (5) East 47

 

(2) Olmsted 75, (7) WNY Maritime 32

(3) Tapestry 73, (6) Bennett 65

 

 Semifinals - Tuesday, February 23rd

AT JCC - 5:15 pm & 6:45 pm

(2) Olmsted 70, (3) Tapestry 64

(4) Chautauqua Lake 53, (8) Allegany-Limestone 41

 

 Final - Friday, February 26th

AT JCC - 8:15 pm

 (2) Olmsted 54, (4) Chautauqua Lake 51

 

2016 Section VI Class C1 Champions - Olmsted Owls

 

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

 Class C2

 

Pre-Quarterfinal - Wednesday, February 17th

(9) Global Concepts 79, (8) Buffalo Science 67

(7) Portville 62, (10) Maple Grove 56

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 27th

(1) Middle College 97, (9) Global Concepts 49

(4) Randolph 78, (5) Barker 35

 

(7) Portville 43, (2) Holland 36

(3) Silver Creek 58, (6) Frewsburg 50

 

Semifinals - Monday, February 22nd

AT JCC - 5:15 pm & 6:45 pm

(3) Silver Creek 58, (7) Portville 54

(1) Middle College 57, (4) Randolph 47

 

 Final - Friday, February 26th

AT JCC - 7:00 pm

(1) Middle College 68, (3) Silver Creek 60

 

2016 Section VI Class C2 Champions - Middle College Kats

 

-centercourt

 

2016 United Way Showcase

(Olean's Monty Shoemaker dishes off doe an assist / Photo by Scott Reagle, Post-Journal)

 

  Saturday's Games  -  January 9, 2016

 

Olean 57, Jamestown 49

 Point Totals

Olean:  Ben Eckstrom 16, Elijah Ramadan 14, Monty Shoemaker 11, Jake Cavana 7, Derek Schmidt 7, Mike Schmidt 2

Jamestown:  James Rojas 19, Tyler Hind 9, Zacc Kinsey 7, Luke Kindberg 7, Noah Johnson 4, Matt Hill 3

 

Game MVPs:  Elijah Ramadan (Olean)  &  James Rojas (Jamestown)

 

 

******

 Randolph 62, Sherman 41

 Point Totals

Randolph:  Mason Bosley 31, Jake Beaver 9, Jarrett Lecceadone 4, Sam Jacobi 4, John Ling 4, Tyler Stahley 3, Ryan Shipperd 3

Sherman:  Chris Robson 15, Jared Gleason 8, Kolby Parks 7, Brandon Nickerson 5, Ty Prarom 3, Mike Delcamp 3

 

Game MVPs:  Mason Bosley (Randolph)  &  Chris Robson (Sherman)

 

 

*******

Panama 69, Maple Grove 45

 Point Totals

Panama:  Chris Blose 17, Josh Eddy 15, Josh Odell 12, Jack Payne 12, Nolan Eggleston 8, Jarett Yuchnitz 3, Tristen Frye 1, Anthony Frangione 1

Maple Grove:  Matt Roach 13, Pat Nelson 8, Brad Benson 8, Carson Crist 5, Zach Fischer 5, Frank Zurowski 3, Simon Olson 2, Michael Welsh 1

 

Game MVPs:  Chris Blose (Panama)  &  Matt Roach (Maple Grove)

 

 

*******

Fredonia 44, Silver Creek 34

 Point Totals

Fredonia:  Eric Swoyer 16, Patrick Moore 12, Jarod Burmaster 9, Michael Pucci 5, Jovany Ruiz 2

Silver Creek:  Trevon Thompson 15, Chase Scanlon 8, Bryant Jones 6, Chris Williams 3, Jake Lewis 2

 

Game MVPs:  Eric Swoyer (Fredonia)  &  Trevon Thompson (Sliver Creek)

 

 

********

Dunkirk 63, Bennett 59

Point Totals

Dunkirk:  Isaiah Thomas 17, Evon Hernandez 14, Davonte Grayson 11, Chad Butts 9, Rashad Brown 8, Kobe DeJesus 4, Tyreek Ruiz 2

Bennett:  Brandon Brown 23, Jordan Devers 10, Derrick Bishop 9, John Smith 8, Donte Morris 4, Marcellus Tolliver 3, Jermaine Vance 2

 

Game MVPs:  Isaiah Thomas (Dunkirk)  &  Brandon Brown (Bennett)

 

 

******* 

Friday's Games - January 8, 2016

 

Jamestown 60, Cardinal O'Hara 50

Point Totals

Jamestown:  James Rojas 25, Luke Kindberg 9, Zacc Kinsey 8, Jeremy Lockett 8, Tyler Hind 7, Noah Johnson 3

O'Hara:  Deamontae Riley 22, Charles Debose 11, Nasir Benton 8, Stephen Boyd 2, Michon Dudley 2, Justin Hemphill 2, PJ Parker 2, Mike Clark 1

 

Game MVPs:  James Rojas (Jamestown)  &  Deamontae Riley (Cardinal O'Hara)

 

 

*******

Tapestry 54, Randolph 53

Point Totals

Tapestry:  Fogan 16, Jenifer 13, Arrington 11, McDuffie 9, Cunningham 2, Curry 2, Russell 1

Randolph:  Bosley 23, Stahley 13, Lecceadone 12, Frink 3, Beaver 2

 

Game MVPs:  JaQuoine Fogan (Tapestry)  &  Mason Bosley (Randolph)

 

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The Polls

 

Links to every poll since the 2011 season:

 

2016 Season

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Final Poll

 

2015 Season

Getting warmed up

Merry Christmas

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5 

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Final Poll

 

2014 Season

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4 

Week 5 

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Final Poll

 

2013 Season

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4 

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Final Poll

 

2012 Season

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Final Poll

 

2011 Season

Week 1 

Week 2 

Week 3 

Week 4 

Week 5 

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Final Poll 

 

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The 2015 All-Centercourt Team: The Best in WNY

 

First Team All-Centercourt

LaTerrance Reed - Canisius, Senior

16.7 PPG  /  3.0 RPG  /  3.0 APG  /  2.0 SPG

Moves up from the 2014 All-Centercourt Honorable Mention.  Exuded passion and pride for both the game of basketball and his school.  Sharp-shooter from the perimeter that heats up in a flash.  Quick and decisive with the ball.  Attacks the basket aggressively and finishes.  Delivers in the clutch.  Intense man-to-man defender.  Guided Canisius to an undefeated regular season in the Monsignor Martin, where he was named league Player of the Year in Class A.  Took the top-seeded Crusaders to a Manhattan Cup Championship.  Led Canisius to its first CHSAA State Championship in Class A, where he was named MVP after his 28 point performance.  Named MVP of the NYS Class A Federation Tournament after leading his team to the championship. Scored over 20 points 12 times, with eight of those coming after February 1st.  Shot 60% from 3-point land in the postseason.  The 2015 CC MVP.  (Photo by James McCoy)

 

Zack Panebianco - Jamestown, Senior

21.2 PPG  /  3.9 APG  /  3.0 RPG  /  2.2 SPG

A 1st Team All-Centercourt selection for the second consecutive season.  There was no player in WNY that played bigger, better, or more consistently in the clutch.  Always even-keeled, regardless of the circumstances.  Strong going to the basket, deadly on mid range jumpers, and seemingly in range from everywhere on the court.  Thrived against defenses designed specifically to stop him and always made it rain threes.  Led the Red Raiders to a third straight Class AA title and the #2 large school ranking in WNY.  Was named All-ECIC Player of the Year and repeated as ECIC I Player of the Year.  Selected as MVP of the Section VI Class AA tournament.  Awarded game MVP following Jamestown's win over Olean in the United Way Showcase.  Scored over 25 eight times, but was always at his best in big games - scored 33 vs Class A2 finalist Amherst, scored 31 on the road against the top two teams in Rochester (Greece Athena & Aquinas), and scored a game-high 26 vs. Canisius.  Jamestown's all-time 3-point leader (178) and is third all-time in scoring & assists.  Career 1,000 point scorer.  (Photo by Cameron Hurst)

 

Stafford Trueheart - Canisius, Junior

 16.5 PPG  /  10.0 RPG  /  2.8 BPG  /  1.0 APG

Moves up from the 2014 All-Centercourt Second Team.  Athletic and agile big man that soars.  Excellent in transition.  Fundamentally sound and very aggressive inside.  Controls opponents' inside game with his shot blocking. WNY's most frequent dunker.  Led Canisius to the top seed in the Manhattan Cup playoffs after an unbeaten regular season in the Monsignor Martin.  Was voted All-Catholic in Class A.  Selected as Second Team All-Centercourt Defender.  First Team Centercourt #BOOM Squad.  Manhattan Cup Champion.  Advanced Canisius to the CHSAA state championship game after scoring 28 points and grabbing 13 boards vs. Chaminade in the CHSAA state semifinal.  Scored 19 points for the state champion Crusaders in a win over Scotia-Glenville to snap its 53-game winning streak in the Class A Federation semifinals.  NYS Class A Federation champion, where he was named to the All-Tournament team.  Scored over 20 points 11 times.  Logged 15 double-doubles, including a 24 point, 21 rebound performance in a win over Bishop Kearney.  Career 1,000 point scorer. (Photo by Buffalo News)

Percy Bryant - East, Senior

22.2 PPG  /  3.5 SPG  /  3.5 RPG  /  2.8 APG

Moves up from the 2014 All-Centercourt Fourth Team.  Has the ability to move with the ball faster than most move without it.  Fearlessly attacks the rim and finishes in traffic using his right or left.  Added a consistent perimeter shot to his repertoire that made him near impossible to defend.  His quickness, toughness, and endurance were unparalleled.  Played at an elite level despite battling injury.  Led East to a third straight Section VI title and its first regional appearance since 2011.  Was voted Yale Cup I Player of the Year.  Chosen as MVP of the Section VI Class B2 Tournament.  Named to the Aquinas All-Tournament Team and was Player of the Game at the Pastor-Cooper Showcase.  Selected as Second Team All-Centercourt Defender.  Scored a career-high 34 points on two separate occasions and went over 30 points seven times on the year.  Career 1,000 point scorer. (Photo by Buffalo News)

 

 Jordan Nwora - Park, Junior

21.5 PPG /6.5 RPG / 2.4 SPG / 1.4 APG

A sniper from long range that gets his shot off extremely quick.  Scores in bunches.  Uses his size (6-7) to shoot unaltered over defenders.  Moves very well without the ball.  Runs the floor in transition as well as any big man in WNY.  Can put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim.  Led Park to the NYS Class B Federation Championship and the CHSAA Class B State Championship.  Selected as Federation Tournament MVP.  Led Park to the Class B Manhattan Cup.  Earned Player of the Year honors in the Monsignor Martin's Class B.  Selected as MVP of the Class B Manhattan Cup playoffs.  Game MVP at Cataract City Classic.  Led WNY in 3-pointers made with 89.  Scored a career-high 33 points in a win over Niagara Catholic.  Scored over 20 points in 12 games and had 25 or more in seven games. (Photo by James McCoy)

 

*****

 

Second Team All-Centercourt

Dom Welch - Cheektowaga, Sophomore

21.6 PPG/12.5 RPG/2.7 BPG /2.6 APG/1.7 SPG

Moves up from the 2014 All-Centercourt Fifth Team.  The most Division 1-ready sophomore WNY has seen since Will Regan, thanks to his combination of size, coordination, and skill set.  Soars above the rim nightly to deliver highlight dunks.  Relentless rebounder and shot blocker.  Handles the ball well in transition and can knock it down from the perimeter.  Led the Warriors back to Buff State in Class A2.  Selected to the Section VI Class A2 All-Tournament Team.  Voted to both First Team All-ECIC and First Team ECIC III.  First Team Centercourt #BOOM Squad.  Scored a career-high 34 points in a win at I-Prep.  Collected a season-high 21 boards against Amherst.  Logged 17 double-doubles.  Scored over 25 points seven times, and grabbed 15 or more rebounds seven times.  Was the All-Bee POY.  Career 1,000 point scorer - a milestone reached in just his sophomore season.  (Photo by Nick LoVerde)

 

Bill Brooks - Silver Creek, Senior

21.0 PPG /10.1 RPG /5.9 BPG/4.2 APG  /3.0 SPG

Moves up from the 2014 All-Centercourt Third Team.  A selfless 6-8 big man with the coordination of a skilled point guard.   Mastered the lost art of using the backboard.  Can bring the ball up against the press and shoot the '3' when not dominating the post.  Has some of the best court vision and passing of any player in WNY.  Led Silver Creek to the league title in CCAA I East, the top seed in Class C1, and a fourth consecutive Section VI title game.  Voted CCAA I East Player of the Year.  Selected to the Section VI Class C1 All-Tournament Team.  Scored a season-high 36 points as part of a triple-double performance in a win over O'Hara and had 23 rebounds in a win over Maple Grove.  Scored over 28 points four times, had at least 15 rebounds in nine games, blocked seven or more shots in nine games, and had at least five steals in four games.  Career 1,000 point scorer. (Photo by Expressed Images)

 

Devin Morris - McKinley, Senior

19.0 PPG /9.0 RPG  /4.0 APG  /3.0 SPG  

Moves up from the 2014 All-Centercourt Fifth Team.  Took his game to another level after already establishing himself as the go-to scorer for the Macks.  Deep shooting range and very accurate from the perimeter even when guarded.  Mastered the floater in the lane.  Got to the basket with ease and could hang in the air until he was able to finish.  Wanted the ball in his hands in crunch time. Solid defender with very good instincts.  Led the Macks to an undefeated record in the city and brought the Yale Cup back to Mack High.  Voted Player of the Year in Yale Cup I.  Helped advance McKinley to Buff State for a 16th consecutive season and was selected to the Section VI All-Tournament Team in Class A1.  MVP of the McKinley Tournament.  Scored a career-high 33 points in a win over East and had 30 against East Aurora.  Went over 20 points in 12 games, including a game-high 26 against Canisius.  Recorded 15 double-doubles and was the team-high scorer in 15 of 21 games for the Macks.  (Photo by Buffalo News)

 

Chris Miner - Nichols, Senior

14.8 PPG/11.7 PPG /1.5 APG /1.5 BPG /0.7 SPG

Moves up from the 2014 All-Centercourt Third Team.  Led the massive Vikings' front line in rebounding for a third straight season and was second in scoring.  The most consistent player on a talented Nichols team.  A true post player that always used his size as an advantage.  Helped lead the Vikings back to the Manhattan Cup Final.  Voted All-Catholic in Class A. Scored a season-high 27 points in a win over Tapestry.  Recorded 16 double-doubles and scored over 20 points seven times.  Career 1,000 point scorer. (Photo by Buffalo News)

 

Cam Lewis - Nichols, Senior

15.7 PPG/8.8 RPG/1.2 APG/1.0 SPG /0.7 BPG

 Moves up from the 2014 All-Centercourt Third Team.  The leading scorer and second leading rebounder for the Vikings.  Wants the ball in his hands.  Can take an entry pass in the paint or come out for the ball and work his way back inside.  Improved his perimeter shooting and became a legitimate 3-point threat.  A good ball handler who used length to his advantage shielding defenders.  Helped lead Nichols back to the Manhattan Cup Final.  Voted All-Catholic in Class A.   Scored a season-high 26 points against Canisius.  Recorded 17 double-doubles and scored over 20 points six times.  Career 1,000 point scorer. (Photo by Buffalo News)

 

 *****

 Third Team All-Centercourt

TC Brown - Amherst, Junior

20.1 PPG  /  6.2 RPG  /  4.3 APG  /  3.0 SPG

Moves up from the 2014 All-Centercourt Fifth Team.  Great instincts and skill set makes him one the most well-rounded players in WNY.  Can drive, pull up from mid-range, or hit the trey.  Can create his own shot.  Excellent court vision.  Tremendous free throw shooter.  Scored the game-winner against Cheektowaga twice this season, including a drive to advance the tigers to the Class A2 Final.  Led Amherst to a third ECIC III title and sectional final in as many varsity seasons.  Voted 1st Team All-ECIC and POY in ECIC III.  Selected to the Section VI Class A2 All-Tournament Team.  Chosen for Jolly Boys All-Tournament Team.  Selected as MVP of the Bob Hettler Tip-Off Classic. (Photo by Harry Scull)

 

Gary Foster - Middle College, Junior

18.3 PPG  /  11.7 RPG  /  3.0 BPG  /  2.8 APG  /  2.4 SPG 

Explosive leaper with the most powerful finishes in WNY.  May shatter a backboard before his prep days are over.  Relentless rebounder.  Shows a soft touch around the basket.  Uses his elevation and touch to drain mid-range jumpers.  Led Middle College to the top seed in Class C2, where they advanced to the Far West Regionals in Class C after the Kats won the overall Class C title in Section VI.  Voted to 1st Team in Yale Cup I.  Selected as MVP of the Section VI Tournament in Class C2. First Team Centercourt #BOOM Squad.  (Photo by Harry Scull)

 

Takal Molson - St. Mary's, Junior

19.2 PPG  /  7.1 RPG  /  2.3 APG  /  2.2 SPG  /  1.1 BPG

The do-it-all leader of the Lancers who makes it all look easy and effortless.  Showed off the area's most deadly mid-range game.  Knows when to assert himself and is very difficult to stop when he looks to score.  Accurate from the perimeter, but equally effective driving to the basket and finishing.  Explosive leaper with some spectacular rim-rocking finishes.  Led St. Mary's to the Manhattan Cup championship game in Class B.  Voted to All-Catholic in Class B.  Named game MVP at the Pastor-Cooper Showcase.  Awarded MVP of the Depew Tournament.  Made the Five Guys All-Tournament Team.  Second Team Centercourt #BOOM Squad.  Scored a career-high 38 points against both Nichols and Cardinal O'Hara.  Had four games with over 30 points.  Registered eight double-doubles.  Team leader in scoring, steals, & blocks, and second in rebounding.  (Photo by Buffalo News)

 

Greg Dolan - Williamsville South, Freshman

13.0 PPG  /  5.2 APG  /  4.0 RPG  /  3.4 SPG  

The best pure point guard in WNY.  A savvy floor general who was trusted with the majority of play calling as a freshman.  His one of the highest basketball IQs of any player in WNY, regardless of age.  A pass-first facilitator that made his teammates better.   Demonstrates good body control when going to the basket.  Excellent defender who commonly strips his opponent and heads the other way for two.  Had 10 steals in a win at Iroquois.  Recorded a triple-double in a win over Lake Shore.  Had just 38 turnovers all season (24 starts).  Led the Billies to the outright title in ECIC II.  Was selected to the Section VI Class A1 All-Tournament Team after leading South to a sectional title.  Guided his team to an overall Section VI Class A title and to the Far West Regionals.  Voted 1st Team ECIC II.  Already has a Division I scholarship offer from Canisius College. (Photo by Buffalo News)

 

Josh Huffman - Canisius, Senior

10.0 PPG / 3.0 APG  /  4.0 RPG  /  3.0 SPG  

The 2014 Centercourt Sixth Man of the Year became an invaluable piece of the championship puzzle for Canisius this season.  A lock down defender and the very best one in WNY.  Tough as nails, both physically and mentally.  Smart and patient facilitator on offense.  Lights out with his jumper from mid range.  Able to get to the basket and was good at drawing contact once there.  Selected as First Team All-Centercourt Defender.  Helped Canisius to an undefeated regular season in the Monsignor Martin.  Tom Keenan Memorial tournament MVP.  Chosen as MVP following the Crusaders' Manhattan Cup Championship.  CHSAA State Champion.  Named to the All-Tournament team following Canisius' Class A NYS Federation Championship. Averaged 14.6 points in Canisius' final five contests, all elimination championship games. (Photo by James McCoy)

 

*****

F0urth Team All-Centercourt

Derek Cheatom - Park, Senior

 10.7 PPG  /  6.2 RPG  /  3.0 APG  /  2.2 SPG  /  1.3 BPG

Moves up from 2014 All-Centercourt Team's Honorable Mention.  The quiet team leader of the Pioneers and the ultimate glue guy.  One of the area's most selfless players who always put team success first.  A high-motor player that was always focused on the court.  Has a college basketball skill set and is capable of doing everything.  A very active zone defender and a lock down man defender.  Helped lead Park to the Class B Manhattan Cup, the Class B CHSAA State Championship, and the NYS Class B Federation Championship.  Earned All-Tournament Team honors following the Federation title.  Selected to 1st Team All-Catholic in Class B.  Selected as First Team All-Centercourt Defender.  Had three double-doubles. (Photo by James McCoy)

 

Chris Woodard - North Tonawanda, Senior

13.5 PPG  /  9.7 RPG  /  4.5 SPG  /  3.5 APG  /  1.9 BPG

Athletic big man (6-4) who keyed the best zone defense in Section VI.  Beat defenders around the basket with a combination of strength and finesse.  Enjoyed one of the best seasons ever turned by a player at North Tonawanda.  Winner of the 2015 Niagara PAL Male Athlete of the Year.  Voted 1st Team NFL after receiving the top vote from five of seven opposing coaches.  Led the Jacks to a share of the NFL title and the top seed in Class A1.  Selected to the Section VI All-Tournament Team in Class A1.  Selected as First Team All-Centercourt Defender.  Led his team in scoring (shooting 55%), assists, rebounds, steals, and deflections (131).  His 100 steals broke the school record and he finishes his career as North Tonawanda 2nd in steals, 4th in rebounding, and 9th in scoring.  (Photo by Harry Scull)

 

Stephen Carlson - Jamestown, Senior

14.3 PPG  /  8.4 RPG  /  1.4 BPG  /  1.4 SPG

Followed up his Connolly Cup award as WNY's top football player with an exceptional hoops season.  The most improved player in WNY from last season.  Strong presence in the paint that routinely outworked his opponents.  Led the Red Raiders in rebounding and blocked shots.  Added a polished set of post moves to his game this season.  Regularly threw down dunks when the lob play was run for him.  Voted 1st Team ECIC I and 2nd Team All-ECIC.  Helped lead Jamestown to an undefeated ECIC I championship, the top seed in Class AA and a third sectional title in as many seasons.  Selected to the Section VI Class AA All-Tournament Team.  Awarded Game MVP in both of Jamestown's Untied Way Showcase contests.  Second Team Centercourt #BOOM Squad. Had nine double-doubles on the season, including both games against league rival Williamsville North.  Scored a season-high 23 points in a double-double winning performance over Olean.  Finishes career with 456 rebounds. (Photo by Harry Scull)

 

Sam Castronova - Williamsville South, Senior

15.5 PPG  /  5.1 RPG  /  3.3 APG  /  1.9 SPG  /  0.8 BPG

Moves up from the 2014 All-Centercourt Honorable Mention.  A classic team leader with an outstanding court demeanor.  Deceptively athletic and strong.  Smooth in transition.  Excellent perimeter shooter that always provided the Billies with timely scoring.  Improved his defense considerably from last season.  Guided South to a league title in ECIC II and was voted 1st Team A-ECIC and 1st Team ECIC I.  Led South to the Far West Regionals after winning the overall Class A championship.  Was selected as MVP of the Section VI Class A1 Tournament.  Made the Jolly Boys All-Tournament Team.  Career 1,000 point scorer. (Photo by Buffalo News)

 

Xavier Maye - I-Prep, Senior  

 18.3 PPG  /  10.0 RPG  /  1.0 BPG  /  0.5 SPG  

A dominant force inside the paint for the Presidents.  Grabs every rebound in his vicinity.  Goes up strong with the ball and stays with the play until his team scores.  Can step out and hit from the perimeter.  Runs the floor well and finishes on the break.  Guided the Presidents to the league title in Yale Cup II.  Voted Yale Cup II Player of the Year.  Helped his team earn the top seed in Class D.  Led I-Prep to the Section VI Class D title.  Was selected as MVP of the Section VI Class D Tournament.  Was chosen by the Buffalo News as the MVP of Championship Week, after his 27 points and 15 boards in the final.  Followed that up with 20 points and 15 rebounds in a Far West Regional victory to advance his squad to Glens Falls.  (Photo by Post Star)

 

*****

 Fifth Team All-Centercourt

Kordell Holness-Lightbody - St. Francis, Senior

22.5 PPG  /  4.9 RPG  /  3.1 APG  /  1.7 SPG  / 0.5 BPG

Moves up from the 2014 All-Centercourt Honorable Mention.  A dynamic scorer who can hurt you in a variety of ways from all over the court.  Excellent passer adept at locating the open man when the double team came.  Thrived despite being the focus of every opposing defense he faced.  Led the Red Raiders in scoring, assists, deflections, and steals.  Scored a career-high 40 points against West Seneca East.  Scored over 30 points on five different occasions and went over 20 points in nine games.  The leading scorer in the Monsignor Martin's Class A while shooting 47 % from the field.  An All-Catholic selection in Class A.   Was the Hamburg Sun POY.  Career 1,000 point scorer in just two varsity seasons.  (Photo by Gerald Gorczyca)

 

Kyle Bradley - Wilson, Senior

21.6 PPG  /  7.8 RPG  /  1.9 SPG  /  1.4 APG  /  1.0 BPG

A classic scorer with a sound fundamental style.  A throw back player who will pull up and beat you from mid range and could use the glass.  Displayed strong moves to work his way into and through the paint.  Could create his own shot and made contested shots from the perimeter.  Voted 1st Team N-O, leading player voting in that league.  Led Wilson to the N-O league crown.  Selected to the Section VI Class B2 All-Tournament Team.  Scored over 20 points in 12 games and reached 30 points in three games, including the 'Kyle Bradley Show' against Fredonia, where 21 of his points came in the 2nd half of the Class B2 semifinal.  Was the Niagara Gazette and Lockport Star POY. (Photo by Ed Goodnight)

 

Dylan Lambert - Williamsville North, Senior

20.2 PPG  /  4.6 RPG  /  2.1 APG  /  1.9 SPG  /  0.5 BPG

 A natural 3-point shooter with a quick release.  Very good with the show & go, slashing through a defense on his way to the hole.  Can transition from scorer to passer.  Handled the ball well and showed good court sense.  A high-riser who could put it down on the break.  Became a team leader for the Spartans this season.  Led Williamsville North to a top 10 large school ranking all season and an appearance at Buff State in Class AA.  Chosen as team MVP after leading the Spartans in scoring & blocks and finishing second in assists & steals.  Selected as the MVP of the Five Guys Tournament.  Scored over 20 points nine times, including three games over 30 points, while shooting 58%.

 

Randy Golda - Park, Senior

12.5 PPG  /  8.2 RPG  /  2.2 APG  /  1.9 SPG  /  1.5 BPG  

A well-rounded player who was dominant in the paint.  Aggressive rebounder on both ends.  Attacked interior defenses as well as any player in WNY.  Masterful at taking the ball in the high post and knifing through the defenses to get to the basket.  Very good post defender.  All-Catholic Selection in Class B.  Preserved the Pioneers Federation semifinal win over Westhill by blocking the potential game-winning shot.  Helped lead Park to a NYS Federation title in Class B, where he was named to the All-Tournament team. (Photo by James McCoy)

 

Zak Ciezki - Cheektowaga, Senior

16.0 PPG  /  6.3 RPG  /  3.1 APG 

 Combines a non-chalant demeanor with a flashy brand of basketball that made him a fan favorite at Cheektowaga.  Very athletic and strong.  Can run the point or play on the wing and does many things well.  Sees the floor better than most and finds the open man.  Seems to have an innate feel for the game and has excellent body control.  An unorthodoxed but very effective 3-point shooter, who never met an off-balance 3-pointer he didn't like, while rarely spotting up.  One of the area's best at creating his own shot.  Voted 1st Team ECIC III  and 2nd Team All-ECIC.  Helped lead the Warriors back to Buff State in Class A2.  Finishes his career with the school-record for 3-pointers made with 172, putting him in WNY's top 10.  Career 1,000 point scorer.  (Photo by Harry Scull)

 

*****

 Honorable Mention

Donel Cathcart - Cardinal O'Hara, Senior

22.6 PPG  /  8.1 RPG  /  2.6 SPG  /  1.9 APG  /  0.7 BPG  -  All Catholic selection in Class B

 

Jay Bergmann - Frontier, Senior

21.8 PPG  /  6.0 APG  /  5.0 RPG  /  2.0 SPG  -  1st Team ECIC I

 

Clay Lewis - Holland, Senior

 21.6 PPG  /  6.3 RPG  /  3.3 APG  /  3.1 SPG  -  Player of the Year - ECIC IV  -  1st Team All ECIC

 

Cody Johnson - Cassadaga Valley, Senior

 21.5 PPG  /  12.8 RPG  /  2.4 BPG  /  1.5 SPG  - 1st Team CCAA I West - 39 pts & 20 reb vs Falconer

 

Fred Searles - Global Concepts, Senior

20.8 PPG  /  9.7 RPG  /  3.1 SPG  /  2.5 APG  -  Player of the Year in Charter Schools

 

Nick Parucki - West Seneca East, Senior

20.8 PPG  /  10.1 RPG  /  2.5 BPG  /  1.7 APG  -  Player of the Year in ECIC II - 1st Team All-ECIC

 

Matt Cieslik - City Honors, Senior

19.7 PPG  /  5.8 RPG  /  2.3 SPG  /  2.1 APG  -  1st Team Yale Cup II

 

DeJuan Owens - Tapestry, Senior

19.3 PPG  /  7.0 RPG  /  1.8 SPG  / 1.0 BPG  - 1st Team All-Charter- Class C1 All-Tournament Team

 

Nicholas Clough - Williamsville East, Senior

19.1 PPG  /  6.4 RPG  /  1.9 APG  /  1.9 SPG  -  2nd Team ECIC II

 

Joey Braniecki - JFK, Senior

19.1 PPG  /  7.9 RPG  /  3.8 BPG  /  1.3 APG  /  1.0 SPG  -  1st Team ECIC IV 

 

Craig Paige - Lew-Port, Senior

19.0 PPG  /  8.0 RPG  /  3.0 SPG  -  1st Team NFL - Career high 39 points vs. Ken West

 

Bryce Morrison - Randolph, Senior

 19.0 PPG  /  6.0 RPG  /  5.0 APG  /  2.9 SPG  /  2.3 BPG  -  1st Team CCAA I East

 

John Piper - Fredonia, Senior

18.5 PPG  /  3.1 RPG  /  1.7 APG  /  1.7 SPG -   Player of the Year in CCAA I West

 

Dylan Granger - Pine Valley, Senior

18.1 PPG  /  7.1 RPG  /  3.5 APG  /  2.5 SPG  /  0.5 BPG  -  CCAA II East Player of the Year

 

Graham Soffel - Maple Grove, Senior

16.8 PPG  /  7.3 RPG  /  3.6 SPG  /  3.4 APG  /  0.3 BPG  -  Player of the Year in CCAA II West

 

Cort Williams - Williamsville East, Senior

16.6 PPG  /  9.7 RPG  /  2.3 APG  /  1.5 SPG  /  1.0 BPG  -  1st Team ECIC II - 2nd Team All-ECIC

 

Terrance James - I-Prep, Senior

16.0 PPG  /  5.2 APG  /  1.0 SPG  /  0.5 BPG  -  1st Team Yale Cup II 

 

Derick Simpson - Timon, Senior

 14.0 PPG  /  10.1 RPG  /  2.0 SPG  /  1.5 BPG  /  1.2 APG  -  All Catholic selection in Class A

 

 Tanner Schmit - Nichols, Senior

13.4 PPG  /  7.6 RPG  /  2.0 BPG  /  0.8 APG  /  0.7 SPG  -  Commited to D1 Central Arkansas 

 

Cam Voss - Fredonia, Senior

13.0 PPG  /  9.4 RPG  /  2.4 SPG  /  1.4 APG  /  1.3 BPG   -  1st Team CCAA I West

 

Chucky Martin - Olean, Senior

12.3 PPG  /  7.3 RPG  /  1.4 SPG  /  1.0 APG  -  1st Team CCAA I West

 

Juwan Tolliver - McKinley, Senior

 10.0 PPG  /  5.0 APG  /  4.0 RPG  /  1.0 BPG  -  1st Team Yale Cup I

 

Jermaine Hairston - Cleveland Hill, Senior

12.3 PPG  /  7.9 RPG  /  1.6 SPG  /  1.3 APG  -  1st Team ECIC IV - Class B2 All-Tournament Team

 

Marcell Davis - St. Joe's, Senior

11.6 PPG  /  7.3 RPG  /  2.2 SPG  /  1.2 BPG  /  0.7 APG  -  All-Catholic selection in Class A

 

Dorian Billups - Amherst, Senior

10.3 PPG  /  6.8 RPG  /  3.7 APG  /  2.8 SPG  -  1st Team ECIC III

 

Maceo Jack - Williamsville North, Junior

18.7 PPG  /  6.2 RPG  /  1.6 APG  /  1.1 SPG  -  1st Team ECIC I  -  Class AA All-Tournament Team

 

Jojo Staton - Middle College, Junior

17.2 PPG  /  1.9 APG  /  1.7 SPG  /  1.7 RPG  -  1st Team Yale Cup I - Class C2 All-Tournament Team

 

Terrell Ford - Kenmore West, Junior

16.7 PPG  /  7.8 RPG  /  2.9 SPG  /  2.0 APG  -  1st Team NFL  - Career-High 32 pts vs Lew-Port

 

JaQuoine Fogan - Tapestry, Junior

16.2 PPG  /  2.9 SPG  /  1.7 RPG  /  1.7 APG  -  MVP of Section VI Class C1 Tournament

 

Christian Nodine - Starpoint, Junior

15.4 PPG  /  9.0 RPG  /  2.9 APG  /  1.5 SPG  /  0.9 BPG   - 1st Team ECIC II - Class A2 All-Tournament Team

 

Davon Gant - I-Prep, Junior

15.0 PPG  /  10.3 RPG  /  3.2 BPG  /  2.7 APG  /  1.2 SPG  -  27 pts, 19 reb, 9 blks at regionals

 

Brock Kroening - Starpoint, Junior

14.4 PPG  /  9.7 RPG  /  1.3 APG  /  1.0 SPG  /  0.8 BPG  -  2nd Team ECIC II - 11 double-doubles

 

Kyle Harris - Park, Junior

10.6 PPG  /  3.6 APG  /  3.1 RPG  /  1.4 SPG  -  Started for NYS Class B Federation Champion

 

Hunter Anderson - Park, Junior

9.6 PPG  /  5.5 RPG  /  1.6 APG  /  1.5 SPG  -  Started for NYS Class B Federation Champion

 

Justin Jones - Canisius, Junior 

8.0 PPG  /  6.0 RPG  /  2.0 APG  /  2.0 SPG  -  Started for NYS Class A Federation Champion

 

*******

 

Coach of the Year 

Kyle Husband, Canisius

 

Sixth Man of the Year

Myles Hall, Williamsville South

 

All-Centercourt Defenders

First Team

Josh Huffman - Canisius, Senior

Chris Woodard - North Tonawanda, Senior

Graham Dolan - Williamsville South, Junior

Derek Cheatom - Park, Senior

Shaquan Jones - McKinley, Junior

 

Second Team 

Breon Harris - Niagara Falls, Junior

Percy Bryant - East, Senior

Stafford Trueheart - Canisius, Junior

Devon Camel - Cheektowaga, Senior

Terrell Ford - Kenmore West, Junior

 

*******

 

Centercourt #BOOM Squad

First Team

Dominick Welch - Cheektowaga, Sophomore

Stafford Trueheart - Canisius, Junior

Fred Foster - Middle College, Junior

Isaac Hilyer - Portville, Senior

Joey Branecki - JFK, Senior

 

Second Team

Takal Molson - St. Mary's, Junior

Maceo Jack - Williamsville North, Junior

Derick Simpson - Timon, Senior

Tanner Schmit - Nichols, Senior

Stephen Carlson - Jamestown, Senior

 

 

 -centercourt

All-League Teams - 2015

 

 

MONSIGNOR MARTIN ASSOCIATION

Class A

Player of the Year:

LaTerrance Reed - Canisius, 12

 

All-Catholic

Stafford Trueheart - Canisius, 11

Chris Miner - Nichols, 12

Cam Lewis - Nichols, 12

Marcell Davis - St. Joe's, 12

Kordell Holness-Lightbody, St. Francis, 12

Derick Simpson - Timon, 12

 

Class B

Player of the Year:

Jordan Nwora - Park, 11

 

All-Catholic

Takal Molson - St. Mary's, 11

Derek Cheatom - Park, 12

Randy Golda - Park, 12

Buzz Watson - Walsh, 12

Tavien Kemp - Walsh, 10

Donel Cathcart - Cardinal O'Hara, 12

Sean Wilson - St. Mary's, 12

 

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

 

YALE CUP I

Co-Players of the Year:

Percy Bryant - East, 12 / Devin Morris - McKinley, 12

 

First Team

Juwan Tolliver - McKinley, 12

Shaquan Jones - McKinley, 11

Fred Foster - Middle College, 11

JoJo Staton - Middle College, 11

 

Second Team

Damone Brown - East, 12

Amir Jemes - Middle College, 11

Brian Johnson - Middle College, 11

Isaiah Jamison - Burgard, 11

Jovell Littlejohn - East, 12

 

Third Team

Keyshawn Ridgeway - McKinley, 12

Dion Morrison - East, 12

Shakur Harris - South Park, 10

Jaylen Hall - Burgard, 12

Dante Campbell - Hutch-Tech, 12

 

Honorable Mention

 McKinley:  Bruce Booker - 11, Keyon Johnson - 11, Kesean Fisher - 11, Jaylen Prophet - 11

East:  Willard Anderson - 9, Malik Doughty - 12, Jamil Reynolds - 12, Daquan Williams - 12

Middle College:  Isaiah Jenkins - 12, Billy Rivera - 11, Lorenzo Truitt - 11

Burgard:  Rodderick Morrow - 12, Emmanuel Moss - 12

South Park:  James Baker - 11

Riverside:  Alexander Johnson - 11, Damone McNamee - 12

Bennett:  Jose Rivera - 11, Alex Lofton - 12

Hutch-Tech:  Josh Bonilla - 12, Jaylen Rose - 11

 

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

 

YALE CUP II

Player of the Year:

Xavier Maye - I-Prep, 12

 

First Team

Terrance James - I-Prep, 12

Michael Simpson - Emerson, 11

Aaron Woods - Buffalo Arts, 12

Matt Cieslik - City Honors, 12

Brandon Roach - Olmsted, 11

Kyle Davis - DaVinci, 12

 

Second Team

Davon Gant - I-Prep, 11

JeQuan Wilson - MST Seneca, 11

Dominic Prince - MST Seneca, 10

Demetrius Brown - Buffalo Arts, 11

Jason Dowell - Emerson, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Lafayatte:  Julio Muriel - 12

MST Seneca:  Alfonse Oyoyo - 11, David Anderson - 10

Emerson:  Justin Acker - 11

Olmsted:  Dan Reid - 10

City Honors:  Jordahn Summers - 12, Ryan Langhorne - 11, Amir Radford - 8

DaVinci:  Mike Horton - 10, Devonte Robinson - 12

 

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

 

ALL-ECIC

Player of the Year:

Zack Panebianco - Jamestown, 12

 

First Team

Zack Panebianco - Jamestown, 12

TC Brown - Amherst, 11

Dominick Welch - Cheektowaga, 10

Clay Lewis - Holland, 12

Sam Castronova - Williamsville South, 12

Nick Parucki - West Seneca East, 12

 

Second Team

Greg Dolan - Williamsville South, 9

Dylan Lambert - Williamsville North, 12

Zak Ciezki - Cheektowaga, 12

Cort Williams - Williamsville East, 12

Stephen Carlson - Jamestown, 12

Maceo Jack - Williamsville North, 11

 

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

 

ECIC I

Player of the Year:

Zack Panebianco - Jamestown, 12

 

First Team

Stephen Carlson - Jamestown, 12

Dylan Lambert - Williamsville North, 12

Maceo Jack - Williamsville North, 12

Jay Bergmann - Frontier, 12

Matt Sadowy - Clarence, 12

 

Second Team

Tyler Lis - Lancaster, 12

Alex Konst - Lancaster - 11

Frank Borzillieri - West Seneca West, 12

Sean Hill - Williamsville North, 11

Bryan Pulli - Clarence, 12

 

 Honorable Mention

Frontier:  David Estrada - 12, Jake Gleason - 12

Orchard Park:  Dan Freilicher - 11

Jamestown:  Zacc Kinsey - 11

 

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

 

ECIC II

Player of the Year:

Nick Parucki - West Seneca East 12

 

First Team

Greg Dolan - Williamsville South, 9

Sam Castronova - Williamsville South, 12

Christian Nodine - Starpoint, 11

Cort Williams - Williamsville East, 12

 

Second Team

Nicholas Clough - Williamsville East, 12

Brock Kroening - Starpoint, 11

Jordan Heine - Sweet Home, 12

Ben Walters - Starpoint, 11

Brendan Ryan - Hamburg, 11

 

 Honorable Mention

Williamsville South:  Graham Dolan - 11, Matt Foster - 11

Sweet Home:  Brandon Smiley - 12

Hamburg:  Caleb Wood - 12

West Seneca East:  Ed Radka - 11, Matt Kumro - 12

Iroquois:  Zach Emer - 12, Lucas Tait - 12

 

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

 

ECIC III

Player of the Year:

TC Brown - Amherst, 11

 

First Team

Zak Cieszki - Cheektowaga, 12

Dominik Welch - Cheektowaga, 10

Dorian Billups - Amherst, 12

Darien Lowe - Amherst, 12

Collin Gemerek - Depew, 12

 

Second Team

Noah Thompson - East Aurora, 11

Amadi Ikpeze - Amherst, 11

Mike Kelleher - Maryvale, 12

Vince Nourse - Pioneer, 12

Kyle Warner - Springville, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Depew:  Tyler Anna - 12, Dylan Sekuterski - 12, Chad Biersbach - 9

Cheektowaga:  Patrick Plummer - 12, Devon Camel - 12

East Aurora:  Mike Coatsworth - 12

Maryvale:  Ray Blackwell - 9

 

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

 

ECIC IV

Player of the Year:

Clay Lewis - Holland, 12

 

First Team

Jeremiah Jones - Lackawanna, 12

Joe Braniecki - JFK, 12

Anthony Sullivan - Cleveland Hill, 12

Larry Fields - Lackawanna, 12

Jermaine Hairston - Cleveland Hill, 12

Tristan Boling - Tonawanda, 12

 

Second Team

Rodney White - Cleveland Hill, 11

Jordan Stockweather - Alden, 11

Christian Snell - Alden, 9

Cale Byczkowski - JFK, 12

AJ Perlino - Holland, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Alden:  Dylan Riddoch - 11

Holland:  Matt Farrant - 12, EJ Staniszewski - 11

JFK:  Brendan Fox - 12

Lackawanna:  Jaelin Watson - 11, Darius Cleveland - 12

Tonawanda:  Cody Diaz - 11, Larenz Jefferson - 12

 

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

 

NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE

First  Team

Chris Woodard - North Tonawanda, 12

Craig Paige - Lew-Port, 12

Jenard Jackson - Lew-Port, 11

Terrell Ford - Kenmore West, 11

Kelly Brown - Lockport, 11

 

Second Team

Breon Harris - Niagara Falls, 11

Nathan Nielson - Niagara Wheatfield, 11

Joe Kulikowski - Grand Island, 11

Qeyion Williams - Niagara Falls, 11

Ryan Gilbert - North Tonawanda, 11

 

Third Team

Mikey Bermudez - Niagara Falls, 12

Colin Carrey - Grand Island, 12

Trent White - Kenmore West, 12

Nathan Williams - Niagara Wheatfield, 12

Adam McNeill - North Tonawanda, 12

 

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

 

NIAGARA-ORLEANS

First Team

Kyle Bradley - Wilson, 12

Jason Hellwig - Medina, 12

Dylanta Carson - CSAT, 12

Andy Xaspos - Roy-Hart, 11

Gates Abrams - Akron, 11

 

Second Team

Evan Shank - Wilson, 12

Chris Sweeney - Barker, 12

Clayton Stanton - Albion, 12

Kyle Burdick - Newfane, 12

Justin Morgan - Medina, 11

 

 Honorable Mention

Albion:  Desmond Blackmon - 12, Manny Thompson - 12, Austin Lloyd - 12, Alex Bison - 12, Tommy Mattison - 10

Barker:  Nate Luckman - 10, Tom Callaghan - 12

Roy-Hart:  Chris Anderson - 11, Nelson Andrade - 12

 

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

 

CCAA I WEST

Player of the Year:

John Piper - Fredonia, 12

 

First Team

Cam Voss - Fredonia, 12

Cody Johnson - Cassadaga Valley, 12

Patrick Moore - Fredonia, 11

Chucky Martin - Olean, 12

Isaiah Thomas - Dunkirk, 11

 

Second Team

Elijah Ramadhan - Olean, 11

Jake Cavana - Olean, 11

Ben Eckstrom - Olean, 10

Shamon Stewart - Dunkirk, 10

Ben Burk - Southwestern, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Chautauqua Lake:  Carter Davidson - 11, Aaron Swan - 10

Fredonia:  Jarod Burmaster - 11

Olean:  Connor Prizel - 12

Falconer:  Sean Nord - 11, Ryan DePietro - 11

Dunkirk:  Rashad Brown - 11, Richard Pickens - 12

 

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

 

CCAA II WEST

Player of the Year:

Graham Soffel - Maple Grove, 12

 

First Team

Jake Card - Sherman, 12

Nathan Ottaway - Sherman, 12

Liam Tennies - Westfield, 12

Josh Eddy - Panama, 11

Chris Robson - Sherman, 10

 

Second Team

Tanner Dahl - Westfield, 12

Matt Hair - Frewsburg, 11

Jake Card - Sherman, 11

Chris Blose - Panama, 11

Cordell O'Brien - Frewsburg, 10

Josh Odell - Panama, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Panama:  Jack Payne - 11

Sherman:  Jeremy Cole - 12, Stephen Walczak - 12, Kolby Parks - 10

Clymer:  Adam Honey - 11, Josh Summers - 11, Jared Dunnewold - 12, Dylan Neckers - 11, Evan Legters - 12

Brocton:  Aaron Rifigiato - 10, Bryan Graves - 12

Frewsburg:  Kole Brink - 11

Westfield:  Trevor North - 11

Maple Grove:  Pat Nelson - 11

 

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

 

CCAA I EAST

Player of the Year:

 Bill Brooks - Silver Creek, 11

 

First Team

Bryce Morrison - Randolph, 12

Trevon Thompson - Silver Creek, 11

Isaac Hilyer  - Portville, 12

Jared Fish - Salamanca, 12

Tyler Siperek - Salamanca, 12

Cole Davis - Allegany-Limestone, 11

 

Second Team

Mason Bosley - Randolph, 12

Connor Gates - Silver Creek, 11

Andy Crandall - Salamanca, 12

Nate Brawdy - Gowanda, 9

Randy Jimerson - Gowanda, 12

Dominic Conroy - Allegany-Limestone, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Portville:  Zach Ewings - 12, Andrew Sarber - 12

Cattaraugus/Little Valley:  Darnell Pritchard - 12

Silver Creek:  Sherman Williams - 12

Gowanda:  Les Young - 12

Randolph:  Derek Young - 12

Salamanca:  Austin Elliott - 12

Allegany-Limestone:  Bailey Higby - 11

 

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

 

CCAA II EAST

Player of the Year:

Dylan Granger - Pine Valley, 12

 

First Team

Phalla Musall - Ellicottville, 12

Logan Youngberg - Forestville, 12

Caleb Makuch - Forestville, 12

Elliott Bowen - Ellicottville, 9

Ben Erickson - Franklinville, 12

Dylan Granger - Pine Valley, 12

 

Second Team

Dylan Szumigala - Forestville, 11

Dawson Bielecki - Franklinville, 11

Jordan Milks - Franklinville, 11

Kilian Abers - PineValley, 11

Austin Grinols - Ellicottville, 9

Emil Erlandson - West Valley, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Forestville:  Ryan Forbes - 12, Jeff Van Vlack - 12

Franklinville:  Isaac Kopp - 9, Drew Jackson - 10, Wil Bays - 11, 

Ellicottville:  Jonas Hurlburt - 11, Cole Lapi - 11, Griffin Chudy - 9

Pine Valley:  Russell Hayes - 12

West Valley:  Patrick Enser - 12. Jared Ras - 12, Justin Summers - 11, Chad Boldt - 10

 

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

 

Charter Schools

Player of the Year:

Fred Searles - Global Concepts, 12

 

First Team

DeJuan Owens - Tapestry, 12

Tyrin Lott - Health Sciences, 9

Kenny White - Oracle, 11

Damon Glenn - Maritime, 12

Jordan Maxey - Tapestry, 12

 

Second Team

JaQuoine Fogan - Tapestry, 11

Kam Rashada - Health Sciences, 11

Naz Flood - Health Sciences, 12

Andre Bragg - Tapestry, 12

Fabian Pierce - Global Concepts, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Buffalo Science:  David Harris - 12

Oracle:  Shaundez Davis - 12, Shakur Bridges - 10

Global Concepts:  Dwight Dilbert - 10

Health Sciences:  Amarri Funderburk - 11

 

-centercourt

Brackets Central - 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below are links to each bracket, along with some other postseason-related content:

 

Brackets Central 2014   Brackets Central 2013   Brackets Central 2012    Brackets Central 2011

 

 Manhattan Cup Playoffs

Class AA Bracket

Class A1 Bracket

Class A2 Bracket

Class B1 Bracket

Class B2 Bracket

Class C1 Bracket

Class C2 Bracket

Class D Bracket 

 

Far West Regional - 2015

Section VI All-Tournament Teams

All-League from every league - 2015

Schedule of remaining postseason games

Crossover Tuesday at Buff State

Championship Saturday - 2015 (with video)

JCC Friday - 2015

Crusaders advance to the CHSAA state championship

Canisius wins the Manhattan Cup

Park wins Class B Manhattan Cup

Amherst & Olean win Class A2 semifinals, will meet up in final

Class A1 semifinals: South & NT advance

Buff State Tuesday: East, Fredonia, & Jamestown march on

Buff State Week Viewing Guide

Manhattan Cup Semifinals Recap

Sectional Preview

Manhattan Cup Play-in games

Maryvale advances

Cheektowaga is going back to Buff State

My Poll Ballots heading into championship week

 Final regular season standings

WHO DESERVES A SPOT ON ALL-CENTERCOURT?

 

-centercourt

Sectional Preview - 2015

(It's that time of year again - High School basketball sectionals / Photo by Dave DeLuca)

 

The Section VI postseason begins tonight with first round games, and the winners move on to participate in the pre-quarterfinal games played on Wednesday.  Friday night is when the action really kicks up, as 32 quarterfinal games will decide which teams move on to Buffalo State and JCC for the semifinals. 

 

Below I take a look at some of the best matchups we could potentially see in the pre-quarterfinals, quarterfinals, semifinals, and even the championship games, along with sleepers, some winning streaks, and predictions.

 

** Please note that many of the games below are based on my predictions of who will win in prior rounds 

 

Teams who opted out of sectionals:

- Falconer

- Cattaraugus Little Valley

 

Most exciting bracket

Class A2

 

Sleepers for each bracket:

Class AA - Kenmore West

Class A1 - Williamsville East

Class A2 - Lew-Port

Class B1 - East Aurora

Class B2 - Emerson

Class C1 - Chautauqua Lake

Class C2 - Global Concepts

Class D - Maple Grove

 

 

Top 10 Pre-Quarterfinal Games (Wednesday, 2/25)

10. Niagara Wheatfield @ Clarence

9. Orchard Park @ Kenmore West

8. Akron vs. CSAT

7. Buffalo Science @ Olmsted

6. Southwestern vs. East

5. Bennett @ Buffalo Arts

4. JFK @ Lackawanna

3. Maryvale @ City Honors

2. DaVinci vs. Emerson 

1. Riverside @ West Seneca East

 

Top 10 Quarterfinal Games (Friday, 2/27) 

10. Williamsville East @ Sweet Home

9. Lockport @ Lancaster

8. Frontier @ Niagara Falls

7. Maryvale @ Depew

6. East Aurora @ Albion

5. Maple Grove @ Sherman

4. Kenmore West @ Williamsville North

3. Emerson @ Wilson

2. East vs. Health Sciences *at Nichols

1. Lew-Port @ Cheektowaga

 

Most Exciting Potential Semifinals

6. Tapestry vs. Salamanca

5. East/Health Sciences vs. Cleveland Hill

4. Niagara Falls vs. Williamsville North

3. Starpoint vs. Olean

2. Lew-Port/Cheektowaga vs. Amherst

1. McKinley vs. Williamsville South

 

Most Exciting Potential Championship Games

5. Class AA Final

4. Class B2 Final

3. Class C1 Final

2. Class D Final

1. Class A2 Final

 

Win Streaks heading into sectionals

Sherman 19 

Health Sciences 12 

Fredonia 11 

Silver Creek 10

Cleveland Hill 8 

Cheektowaga 8

McKinley 7

Amherst 7

Jamestown 6

 

Predictions

Class AA - Jamestown

Class A1 - McKinley

Class A2 - Amherst

Class B1 - Depew

Class B2 - Fredonia

Class C1 - Silver Creek

Class C2 - Middle College

Class D - Sherman

 

-centercourt

Class D Bracket - 2015 Sectionals

 

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 25th

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

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

 

(7) Maple Grove 40, (10) Brocton 30

(6) Westfield 40, (11) Clymer 34

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 27th

(1) I-Prep 64, (8) Pine Valley 33

(4) Panama 72, (5) Ellicottville 24

 

(2) Sherman 58, (7) Maple Grove 46 

(6) Westfield 60, (3) Forestville 42

 

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

AT JCC - 8:15 pm

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

(2) Sherman 75, (6) Westfield 52

 

 Final - Friday, March 6th

AT JCC - 5:30 pm

 (1) I-Prep 68, (2) Sherman 60

 

2015 Section VI Class D Champions:

I-Prep Presidents

 

-centercourt

Top games of the week ending 2/15/15

(Trevon Thompson & Silver Creek are eager for Salamanca's visit on Thursday)

 

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

 

Monday, February 9th

Cheektowaga @ I-Prep - 5:30 pm

Randolph @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, February 10th

McKinley @ East - 5:30 pm

Wilson @ Medina - 6:30 pm

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

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

Lockport @ Niagara Falls - 6:30 pm

Niagara Wheatfield @ Lew-Port - 6:30 pm

North Tonawanda @ Kenmore West - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ Aquinas - 7 pm

Cleveland Hill @ JFK - 7 pm

West Seneca East @ Williamsville East - 7:30 pm

Maple Grove @ Sherman - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, February 11th

Bishop Kearney @ St. Joe's - 7 pm

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

 

Thursday, February 12th

Park @ Nichols - 6 pm

Salamanca @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, February 13th

Niagara Catholic @ Walsh - 6:30 pm

Kenmore West @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Niagara Falls @ Lew-Port - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ Timon - 6:30 pm

Williamsville East @ Starpoint - 7:30 pm

Lancaster @ Williamsville North - 7:30 pm

Tapestry @ Health Sciences - 7:30 pm

 

Sunday, February 15th

Timon @ Park - 2 pm

Cardinal O'Hara @ Walsh - 2 pm

St. Francis @ Nichols - 3:30 pm

Niagara Catholic @ St. Joe's - 3:30 pm 

St. Mary's @ Canisius - 4 pm

 

Game of the Week - Salamanca @ Silver Creek on Thursday, February 12th

- Since the start of the season, I've been beating the drum for CCAA I East, saying how competitive the league would be this year.  After Thursday night's big game, we should know who will emerge as the this year's division champs.  As of today, Salamanca & Silver Creek have identical 8-1 records in CCAA I East.

The two teams have plenty in common.  Both are class C1 schools that expect to contend for a sectional title this season, after both reached the sectional semifinals last year (Silver Creek went a game farther, reaching the sectional final).  Each team is led by a young, enthusiastic coach.  The two best big men in the CCAA leagues play for these two:  Bill Brooks of Silver Creek & Jared Fish of Salamanca.  Brooks was a 2014 All-Centercourt 3rd Team selection, while Fish was HM in '14.  And both teams have won this season, despite missing a key starter due to injury.  Fish missed a few weeks with an ankle injury, while the Black Knights were without second leading scorer, Trevon Thompson, for several games.  Both are healthy now and should start on Thursday.

Silver Creek's lone league loss came at Salamanca on January 16th, by 13 points. Both Fish and Thompson missed that game.  Salamanca's league loss came at Randolph on January 13th, a team the Black Knights have already swept.  Prior to arriving at Silver Creek on Thursday, the Warriors will try to avenge the loss at Randolph when they host the Cardinals on Monday night.  Even if Salamanca losses a second time to Randolph, a win at Silver Creek would keep them tied for first place.  But if Silver Creek wins on Thursday, they are alone at the top of CCAA I East.

Neither team is lacking for confidence coming in to this game, and both feel they are the better squad and this is their year.  On Thusday we will find out if the recent success Silver Creek is enjoying is due to them taking the next step, or if Salamanca really does have the Black Knights' number and are a cut above the competitive CCAA I East.  

 

-centercourt

2015 WNY postseason schedule

  

 

Monday, February 23, 2015

MMA #4 seed vs. #5 seed play-in games at a neutral HS

Class B - 6 pm

Class A - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Sectionals - Round One

 

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Sectionals - Round Two

 

Friday, February 27, 2015

Sectionals - Quarterfinals

 

Sunday, March 1, 2015

MMA semifinals @ Canisius College

Class B - 9:30 am & 11:15 am

Class A - 1 pm & 2:45 pm

 

Monday, March 2, 2015

Class A1 Semifinals @ Buff State - 6 & 7:45 pm

Class C1 Semifinals @ JCC - 5:15 & 6:45 pm

Class D Semifinal @ JCC - 8:15 pm

 

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Class B2 Semifinals @ Buff State - 5:15 & 6:45 pm

Class AA Semifinal @ Buff State - 8:15 pm

Class C2 Semifinals @ JCC - 5:15 & 6:45 pm

Class D Semifinal @ JCC - 8:15 pm

 

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Class B Manhattan Cup Final @ Canisius College -6 pm

Class A Manhattan Cup Final @ Canisius College - 7:45 pm

Class B1 Semifinals @ Buff State - 5:15 & 6:45 pm

Class AA Semifinal @ Buff State - 8:15 pm

 

 Thursday, March 5, 2015

Class A2 Semifinals @ Buff State - 6 & 7:45 pm

 

Friday, March 6, 2015

Section VI Championships @ JCC

Class D - 5:15 pm

Class C2 - 6:45 pm

Class C1 - 8:15 pm

 

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Section VI Championships @ Buff State

Class B2 - 12 pm

Class B1 - 1:45 pm

Class A2 - 3:30 pm

Class A1 - 6:30 pm

Class AA - 8:15 pm

 

Sunday, March 8, 2015

CHSAA Class A state semifinal @ Niagara University - 1 pm

 

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Regional Qualifiers @ Buff State

Class C1 vs. C2 - 5:15 pm

Class B1 vs B2 - 6:45 pm

Class A1 vs. A2 - 8:15 pm

 

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Far West Regionals (Section VI vs. Section V) - Site TBD in Rochester

Class D - 12 pm

Class C - 1:45 pm

Class B - 3:30 pm

Class A - 6:30 pm

Class AA - 8:15 pm

 

-centercourt

Top games of the week ending 2/1/15

(Jamestown faces Athena in a rematch of last year's Class AA regional. Photo by Scott Kindberg)

 

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

 

Monday, January 26th

Niagara Falls @ Timon - 6:30 pm

Park @ Walsh - 6:30 pm

Maple Grove @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 27th

North Tonawanda @ Niagara Falls - 6:30 pm

Amherst @ Jamestown - 7 pm

Lew-Port @ Niagara Catholic - 7 pm

 

Wednesday, January 28th

Grand Island @ Tapestry - 6 pm

Timon @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Park @ St. Joe's - 7 pm

JFL @ West Seneca West - 7:30 pm

Randolph @ Portville - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 29th

Middle College @ McKinley - 6 pm

Canisius @ Walsh - 6:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 30th

Lockport @ North Tonawanda - 6:30 pm

Williamsville North @ Bennett - 6:30 pm

Sweet Home @ Starpoint - 7 pm

JFK @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

Depew @ Maryvale - 7:30 pm

Panama @ Maple Grove - 7:30 pm

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

 

Saturday, January 31st

St. Joe's vs. Canisius - 1 pm **at Canisius College

Randolph @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

RAP Showcase at Aquinas

Cardinal O'Hara vs. Charlotte - 12 pm

Jamestown vs. Greece Athena - 6:45 pm

 

Game of the Week - Middle College at McKinley on Thursday, January 29th

This game was originally supposed to be played on January 9th, but was postponed.

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

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

Once again this season, the two programs are considered elite in both the city and in their respective classifications in the section.  The two games played between these annual powers will likely determine this year's Yale Cup champion just like a season ago.  The Kats  have already faced East twice and split with them.  The Macks defeated East in their first meeting with the Panthers and will enter the game unbeaten in the city.  A win on Thursday for the Kats is crucial to their chances of repeating as Yale Cup champions, as they will enter a game behind McKinley in Yale Cup I.  A win for McKinley would have them well on their way to a returning to the status of Yale Cup Champs, and re-establish them as the city's top program.

As of now, McKinley is the #2 ranked large school in WNY, while Middle College is ranked #3 among WNY small schools.

 

Since the above game is a repeat from weeks earlier:

 

Game of the Week II - Jamestown vs. Greece Athena on Sat., January 31st

- Last season, Greece Athena spent the season as the favorite to win Class AA in Section V, and were also viewed as the team that would advance to Glens Falls to represent the Far West Region (Sections V & VI).  The Trojans did capture the Class AA crown in Rochester, but Jamestown had other plans for who would be making the trip to Glens.

In a memorable championship game performance, Zack Panebianco took over for the Red Raiders and put the team on his back, enroute to a 34-point performance that helped advance his team all the way to the Class AA state title game.

This year, both teams from that regional game brought back four starters and are once again favorites to win their respective sections.  One big change, Greece Athena is now in Class A, meaning there is no chance of the two meeting up in the postseason.  Luckily, good teams get invited to showcases like the one held at Aquinas, and we'll get to see these two go at it once more.  A rematch of last year's Class AA regional with eight of ten starters back?  That's gotta be 'Game of the Week' material.

 

-centercourt

Top games of the week ending 1/18/15

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

 

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

 

Monday, January 12th

Walsh @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

Sherman @ Maple Grove - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 13th

Park @ Canisius - 6:30 pm

Medina @ Wilson - 6:30 pm

Niagara Falls @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Williamsville South @ Sweet Home - 6:30 pm

Kenmore West @ North Tonawanda - 7 pm

Williamsville East @ West Seneca East - 7:30 pm

Portville @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 14th

Timon @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

St. Joe's @ Starpoint - 7 pm

 

Thursday, January 15th

Tapestry @ Randolph - 7 pm

Clymer @ Sherman - 7:30 pm

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

 

Friday, January 16th

Lew-Port @ Niagara Falls - 6:30 pm

Lockport @ Kenmore West - 6:30 pm

Nichols @ St. Joe's - 7 pm

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

Starpoint @ Williamsville East - 7:30 pm

Iroquois @ West Seneca East - 7:30 pm

Williamsville North @ Lancaster - 7:30 pm

Silver Creek @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

MLK Classic **at City Honors

City Honors vs. Health Sciences - 4:30 pm

I-Prep vs. Maritime - 6 pm

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

 

Saturday, January 17th

MLK Classic **at City Honors

Olmsted vs. Sherman - 11 am

Riverside vs. East Aurora - 12:30 pm

Hutch-Tech vs. Sweet Home - 2 pm

McKinley vs. Canisius - 5:15 pm

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

-centercourt

Scores from the United Way Showcase

 

Below are the scores and Game MVPs from the United Way Showcase held at Jamestown High School:

 

 Friday, January 2, 2015

Jamestown 58, Olean 43

Stephen Carlson scored a game-high 23 points and Zack Panebianco added 13 points as the Red Raiders went on a 9-2 run to close the first half and begin pulling away from the Huskies.  It was the first time the big dogs of the Southern Tier faced off since Jamestown topped Olean in the 2009 IAABO Tournament at St. Bonaventure.  The loss snapped Olean's 50-game winning streak against Section VI competition, which began during the 2011-2012 season.  Connor Prizel led the Huskies in scoring with 11 points.

Game MVPs:

Jamestown - Stephen Carlson & Zack Panebianco

Olean - Chucky Martin

 

Randolph 42, Panama 37

Game MVPs:

Randolph - Bryce Morrison

Panama - Ricky Eddy

 

Silver Creek 61, Maple Grove 51

Game MVPs:

Silver Creek - Trevon Thompson

Maple Grove - Graham Soffel

 

***

 

Saturday, January 3rd

Jamestown 57, St. Joe's 41

Game MVPs:

Jamestown - Stephen Carlson

St. Joe's - Grant Beyer

 

Randolph 46, Maple Grove 37

Game MVPs:

Randolph - Bryce Morrison

Maple Grove - Graham Soffel

 

Fredonia 55, Bennett 46

Game MVPs:

Fredonia - John Piper

Bennett - Jose Rivera

 

Sherman 58, Olmsted 52

Game MVPs:

Sherman - Stephen Walczak

Olmsted - Dan Reid

 

Click here to read an article on Jamestown's two victories from the Showcase.

 

-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

Who deserves to make All-Centercourt?

 

You think it's easy to come up a top 25?  Give it shot. Five teams, with five players on each team.

 

In about four weeks, the 4th Annual All-Centercourt team will be announced, honoring the top 60 seasons turned in by high school players this year.  The selections are broken down into a first, second, third, fourth, & fifth team, with five players on each, along with 35 honorable mention selections.  There are also both Player & Coach of the Year selections, along with an award for the sixth man of the year.

 

The top 60 may sound like a lot, but when you start putting names down on paper, the list fills quickly and inevitably some very good players get left off the list.  The main criteria I focus on is the 2013-2014 season, not what you did in the past, and not where you're going in the future...it's all about honoring the top 60 from this season.

 

Use the comments section below to tell us what your 5 teams would look like and maybe even why.  If you're really ambitious, try coming up with the entire team including the HM selections.  

 

Please keep all commentary appropriate when discussing high school athletes, and remember, it is lame to say someone does not belong on a team, without offering up who should be on one.  It might be even more lame to give only one or two teams.  Show us you've paid attention this season and provide all five teams.

 

-centercourt

Section VI All-Tournament Teams 2014

  

 

Section VI All-Tournament Teams are selected based on games played during the semifinal and championship rounds of sectionals, and do not include crossover or quarterfinal rounds.

 

Click here to see All-Tournament Teams from other sections, or to view the playoff brackets fro every section in NYS.  You will also find the teams listed below while you are there.  This is a great site during the postseason for keeping track of things across the state.  I highly recommend bookmarking it or saving it to your favorites.

 

Class AA  

Zack Panebianco - Jamestown

Colin Dougherty - Lockport

Ryan Funk - Clarence

Bryan Jost - Clarence

Sterling Taplin - Williamsville North

 

MVP - Quinn Lee Yaw - Jamestown

 

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

 

Class A1

Varin Lenard - McKinley

Matt Macomber - Williamsville South

Sam Castronova - Williamsville South

Brandon Pierce - Hamburg

Nehemiah Stone - North Tonawanda

 

MVP - Devin Morris - McKinley

 

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

 

Class A2

Dominik Welch - Cheektowaga

Jordan Nwora - Amherst

TC Brown - Amherst

Logan Jung - Maryvale

Craig Paige - Lew-Port

 

MVP - Zak Ciezki - Cheektowaga

 

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

 

Class B1

Sam Eckstrom - Olean

Luke Hennessy - Olean

Dylan Meyer - Fredonia

Cam Voss - Fredonia

Tristan Boling - Tonawanda

 

MVP - Wil Bathurst - Olean

 

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

 

Class B2

Percy Bryant - East

Jared Watkins - Cleveland Hill

Aaron Phillips - Cleveland Hill

Damien Taylor - Salamanca

Allen Wright Jr - Health Sciences

 

MVP - Johnathon Lewis - East

 

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

 

Class C1

Billy Brooks - Silver Creek

Kevin Briggs - Middle College

Andrew John - Silver Creek

Jake Haight - Barker

Dom Saglimben - Allegany-Limestone

 

MVP - Bri'an Brown - Middle College

 

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

 

Class C2

Mitchell Maycock - Randolph

Graham Soffel - Maple Grove

Corey Wefing - Maple Grove

Brandon Roach - Olmsted

Damon Boykin - I-Prep

 

MVP - Bryce Morrison - Randolph

 

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

 

Class D

Andrew Graham - Sherman

Jake Card - Sherman

Dillon Mescall - Panama

Greg Delahoy - Panama

Jacob Nosbisch - Forestville

 

MVP - Ryan Robson - Sherman

 

 

-centercourt

 

Class C1 & C2 Brackets - 2014 Sectionals

 

Class C1

 

Pre-Quarterfinal - Wednesday, February 19th

(9) Portville 62, (8) WNY Maritime 34

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 21st

(1) Barker 77, (9) Portville 38

(4) Silver Creek 64, (5) Tapestry 60 

 

(2) Middle College 81, (7) Cassadaga Valley 44

(6) Allegany-Limestone @ (3) Holland 

 

Semifinals - Monday, February 24th

AT JCC - 6 pm & 7:30 pm

(4) Silver Creek 62,  (1) Barker 48

(2) Middle College 72, (6) Allegany-Limestone 48

 

Final - Friday, February 28th

AT JCC - 8:30 pm

 (2) Middle College 64, (4) Silver Creek 51

 

2014 Section VI Class C1 Champions - Middle College Kats

 

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

 

Class C2

 

Pre-Quarterfinal - Wednesday, February 19th

(8) Chautauqua Lake 55, (9) Global Concepts 52

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 21st

(1) I-Prep 81, (8) Chautauqua Lake 39 

4) Maple Grove 84, (5) Franklinville 44

 

(2) Olmsted 63, (7) MST Seneca 55

(3) Randolph 62, (6) Westfield 45

 

Semifinals - Tuesday, February 25th

AT JCC - 6 pm & 7:30 pm

(4) Maple Grove 75,  (1) I-Prep 66

 (3) Randolph 56,  (2) Olmsted 43

 

Final - Friday, February 28th

AT JCC - 7:00 pm

 (3) Randolph 50, (4) Maple Grove 44

 

2014 Section VI Class C2 Champions - Randolph Cardinals

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Sectional Preview - 2014

 

The Section VI postseason begins tonight with first round games, and the winners move on to participate in the pre-quarterfinal games played on Wednesday.  Friday night is when the action really kicks up, as 32 quarterfinal games will decide which teams move on to Buffalo State and JCC for the semifinals. 

 

Below I take a look at some of the best matchups we could potentially see in the pre-quarterfinals, quarterfinals, semifinals, and even the championship games.  There's also my thoughts on the biggest favorite and the most competitive brackets, along with some winning streaks and predictions.

 

** Please note that many of the games below are based on my predictions of who will win in prior rounds 

 

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

10. City Honors @ Depew

9. Burgard @ Falconer/Frewsburg

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

7. WNY Maritime @ Portville

6. Springville @ South Park

5. Starpoint @ Hamburg

4. West Seneca West @ Frontier

3. Grand Island @ Hutch-Tech

2. Riverside @ Lake Shore

1. Alden vs. Lafayette ** at City Honors

 

Top 13 Quarterfinal Games (Friday, 2/21) 

13. MST Seneca @ Olmsted

12. Allegany-Limestone @ Holland 

11. Portville @ Barker

10. Lackawanna @ Cleveland Hill

9. Lafayette @ Tonawanda

8. Hutch-Tech @ Williamsville South

7. Lancaster @ Clarence

6. Tapestry @ Silver Creek

5. Sweet Home @ North Tonawanda

4. Hamburg @ Iroquois

3. East Aurora @ Lew-Port

2. Williamsville East @ McKinley

1. Lockport @ Kenmore West

 

Most Exciting Potential Semifinals

5. Salamanca vs. Cleveland Hill

4. Lockport/Kenmore West vs. Jamestown

3. North Tonawanda vs. Williamsville South

2. McKinley vs. Iroquois

1. Clarence vs. Williamsville North

 

Most Exciting Potential Championship Games

5. Class C2 Final

4. Class A2 Final

3. Class A1 Final

2. Class AA Final

1. Olean vs. East in the crossover

 

Win Streaks heading into sectionals

Barker 18 games

I-Prep 12 games

Kenmore West 7 games

Sherman 6 games

 

Predictions

Class AA - Jamestown

Class A1 - McKinley

Class A2 - Amherst

Class B1 - Olean 

Class B2 - East

Class C1 - Middle College

Class C2 - Randolph

Class D - Sherman

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Final League Standings for 2014

 

 

Yale Cup I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Yale Cup II

I-Prep.....................12-0  

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

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

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

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

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

Emerson................3-9   

 

ECIC I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

ECIC II

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

ECIC III

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

Cheektowaga.....11-3   

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

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

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

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

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

Pioneer...............2-12   

 

ECIC IV

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Niagara Frontier League

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Niagara-Orleans

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

CCAA West I

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

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

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

Falconer/Frewsburg.....4-6

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

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

 

CCAA East I

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

CCAA West II

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

CCAA East II

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Charter Schools

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

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

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

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

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

 

Independent

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

 

 

Monsignor Martin - Large Schools

Canisius......................12-0   

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

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

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

 

Monsignor Martin - Small Schools

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

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

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

Niagara Catholic...........2-12    

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

Cardinal O'Hara............2-12   

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

 

Top games of the week ending 2/9/14

 

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

 

Monday, February 3rd

Niagara Catholic @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

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

Olean @ Timon - 7 pm

Jamestown @ Lancaster - 7:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ Depew - 7:30 pm

Lake Shore @ East Aurora - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, February 4th

Williamsville East @ Iroquois - 6:30 pm

Medina @ Barker - 6:30 pm

Kenmore West @ Niagara Falls - 6:30 pm

St. Mary's @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

Aquinas @ Canisius - 7 pm

Cleveland Hill @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

Randolph @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, February 5th

Middle College @ McKinley - 6 pm

Amherst @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Timon @ St. Joe's - 7 pm

 

Thursday, February 6th

Cardinal O'Hara @ Holland - 6:30 pm

Cleveland Hill @ Tonawanda - 6:30 pm

Depew @ Maryvale - 7:30 pm

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

Hamburg @ Williamsville South - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, February 7th 

Middle College @ East - 6 pm

Niagara Falls @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Alden @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

Fredonia @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

Portville @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

Bishop Kearney @ Olean - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, February 8th

UPrep @ CSAT - 1:30 pm

Iroquois @ Hamburg - 1:30 pm

Depew @ East Aurora - 2:30 pm

Cathedral Prep @ Canisius - 3 pm

Nichols @ St. Mary's - 3:30 pm

Silver Creek @ Randolph - 6:30 pm

Middle College @ McKinley - 6:30 pm

 

 Sunday, February 9th 

Bishop Kearney @ Timon - 3 pm

Williamsville South @ St. Joe's - 4:30 pm

 

Game of the Week - Williamsville East @ Iroquois on Tuesday, February 4th

- One of, if not the most competitive league in all of WNY this season, ECIC II has produced a compelling league race all season.  Not only did no team make it to the half-way point without a loss, but the first place team in ECIC II has two losses.

Iroquois is the team currently sitting atop the ECIC II standings, while Williamsville East is a spot behind in second place, locked in a tie with Sweet Home, Williamsville South, & Hamburg.  All the teams in second place in ECIC II have three league losses.

In the first meeting between the two, the Flames scored a nine-point home win over the Chiefs to account for one of the Iroquois losses.  The Chiefs later dropped a tight one at Williamsville South, but Iroquois has yet to lose on its home court this season.

A win for Williamsville East would force a five-way tie in the race for the ECIC II crown and make it more complicated than a three-legged burlap sack picnic race.  A win for the Chiefs over Williamsville East would all but ensure at least a share of the ECIC II title, while winning out would give Iroquois the title outright.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Top games of the week ending 2/2/14

 

 

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

 

Monday, January 27th 

Alden @ Holland - 6:30 pm

St. Francis @ Lake Shore - 6:30 pm

Timon @ Canisius - 7 pm

East @ Middle College - 7 pm

Williamsville East @ Sweet Home - 7 pm

Cheektowaga @ Amherst - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 28th

Niagara Falls @ Kenmore West - 6:30 pm

Lockport @ Batavia - 7 pm

Clymer @ Westfield - 7:30 pm

Maple Grove @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

Park @ Nichols - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 29th

Park @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

Olean @ Timon - 7 pm

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

 

Friday, January 31st

Alden @ Cleveland Hill - 6:30 pm

North Tonawanda @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Lake Shore @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Williamsville North @ Sweet Home - 6:30 pm

McKinley @ Middle College - 7 pm

MST Seneca @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

Cardinal O'Hara @ Nichols - 7:30 pm

Salamanca @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

Sherman @ Cassadaga Valley - 7:30 pm

Panama @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

Amherst @ East Aurora - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, February 1st

McKinley @ Clarence - 10:30 am

Silver Creek @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

RAP CLASSIC @ East High School in Rochester

Canisius vs. Webster Schroeder - 5:15 pm

Olean vs. Greece Athena - 7:00 pm

Jamestown vs East (Rochester) - 8:45 pm

 

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

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

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

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

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

 

Top games of the week ending 1/26/14

 

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

 

Monday, January 20th

East vs. Frankiln (Sec V) @ Monroe CC - 2:45 pm

St. Mary's @ Nichols - 3 pm

 

Tuesday, January 21st

Amherst @ Lake Shore - 6:30 pm

Tonawanda @ Cleveland Hill - 6:30 pm

North Tonawanda @ Kenmore West - 6:30 pm

Park @ Timon - 7 pm

St. Francis @ Lancaster - 7 pm

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

Clarence @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

Williamsville South @ Williamsville East - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 22nd

Silver Creek @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

Maryvale @ Depew - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 23rd

St. Mary's @ Cleveland Hill - 6:30 pm

Hamburg @ Iroquois - 6:30 pm

Holland @ Alden - 7 pm

 

Friday, January 24th

Kenmore West @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

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

Hutch-Tech vs. Middle College @ ECC - 7 pm

Jamestown @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

Silver Creek @ Maple Grove - 7:30 pm

Amherst @ Maryvale - 7:30 pm

Williamsville South @ Olean - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 25th

Nichols @ Canisius - 3:30 pm

 

Game of the Week - Kenmore West @ Lockport on Friday, January 24th

- The Niagara Falls Wolverines have dominated the Niagara Frontier League since becoming a team in 2001.  With the exception of 2005 & 2006 when Niagara Falls played an independent schedule, the Wolverines won the league (shared title with North Tonawanda in 2010 & Kenmore West in 2012) in every season they've competed for it.  However this season, that streak will come to an end, and for the first time since the Niagara Falls/LaSalle merger, someone will earn the distinction of being the first to beat out the Wolverines in the NFL.  Friday night's game will likely decide who makes history.

Kenmore West and Lockport currently sit in first and second place in the NFL, respectively.  At the midway point of league action, the Blue Devils are undefeated in league, having beaten every team once already.  For the Lions, their only defeat in the league this season was a three-point loss at Kenmore West on December 17th.  

While the winner of this game isn't guaranteed anything, the result of the contest is likely pivotal in deciding the champion.  The Blue Devils first face North Tonawanda on Tuesday, but even if they lost to the Jacks, a win over Lockport on Friday would keep them in first place.  For Lockport, winning out would ensure at least a share of the title, and the biggest step towards that process would be winning before what is sure to be a huge home crowd on Friday.  

 

-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)

 

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

 

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

Where we left off: A look back at 2013

 

- After going undefeated in the Yale Cup, McKinley went on to win the NYSPHAA Class A state championship.

 

- Canisius, who defeated McKinley by 18 in January, went unbeaten in the MMA, won a third straight Manhattan Cup, lost in the CHSAA state championship game to Nazereth, and finished at the top of the Buffalo News large school poll.   The Crusaders saw two of its players, Adam Weir (POY) & Matt MacDonald (Third Team All-Centercourt), move on to the D1 ranks.

 

- Silver Creek won 23 straight games, before falling in the Class C state semifinal after letting a late lead slip away.

 

- Olean lost the Far West Regional to Batavia in stunning fashion at the buzzer, suspending its state title hopes.

 

- Amherst won 19 straight games, including of of its ECIC III contests, before falling to eventual state champion McKinley in an instant classic at Buffalo State

 

- Oracle Charter won 19 straight games, including the most epic victory by any Section VI team in the regular season over eventual Class A state champion McKinley, before bowing out in the Class C1 title game to Middle College.

 

- St. Mary's defeated Nichols to end the regular season, and again in the Manhattan Cup playoffs to earn a trip to the CHSAA Class B state title game, where they would fall short.

 

- Jamestown won its third Section VI Class AA crown in four years.

 

- Portville ended Maple Grove's 17-game winning streak in the Class C2 semifinals in a 28-point rout.

 

- CSAT became the first team to finish unbeaten in the N-O in over a decade.

 

- Cleveland Hill ran the table in ECIC IV, before running into Class B2 champ, East.

 

-Lew-Port made it to Buffalo State. You can check the programs.

 

- Sherman held top seeded Brocton to just 27 points in the Class D final, as they advanced to the Far West Regionals.

 

- Bishop Kearney of Section V, who Niagara Falls and Canisius beat during the regular season, put it all together in the end and won the NYSPHAA Class AA state title.

 

- First Team All-Centercourt in 2013: Adam Weir (Canisius), Jermaine Crumpton (Niagara Falls), Lovell Smith (McKinley), Marcus Morris (McKinley), Sterling Taplin (Williamsville North)

 

- Sixth Man of the Year:  Max Portlow (Olean)

 

- Coach of the Year:  Zaire Dorsey (McKinley)

 

- Centercourt All-Defensive Team:  JJ Wilkes (Niagara Falls), Aaron White (Canisius), Reyzjon Jordan (McKinley), Tyree Tyson (East), Zed Williams (Silver Creek)

 

- See you all soon!

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Who should make the All-Centercourt teams?

 

In about three weeks, the 3rd Annual All-Centercourt team will be announced, honoring the top 60 seasons turned in by high school players this year.  The selections are broken down into a first, second, third, fourth, & fifth team, with five players on each, along with 35 honorable mention selections.  There are also both Player & Coach of the Year selections.

 

The top 60 may sound like a lot, but when you start putting names down on paper, the list fills quickly and inevitably some very good players get left off the list.  The main criteria I focus on is the 2012-2013 season, not what you did in the past, and not where you're going in the future...it's all about honoring the top 60 from this season.

 

Use the comments section below to tell us what your teams would look like and maybe even why.  If you're really ambitious, try coming up with the entire team including the HM selections.

 

Please keep all commentary appropriate when discussing high school athletes, and remember, it is lame to say someone does not belong on a team, without offering up who should be on one.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Five teams advance to sectional finals

 

Class A2

Amherst 68, South Park 52

The Tigers jumped out to an early 11-2 lead, but soon found themselves in a battle.  The Sparks came roaring back in the second quarter and took a three-point lead, before Alex Turecki canned the last four points of the half to give Amherst a 23-22 lead at the break. 

Amherst blew the doors off the Buffalo State Sports Arena in the third, outscoring South Park 26-10, and never looking back, as they reserved a place in the Class A2 final for a second straight season.  Turecki and Steven Reynolds each scored a team-high 17 points for the Tigers, while Johnny Belton finished with 15 points.

Tyrell Mitchell finished his high school career with a game-high 23 points to lead South Park.

 

Iroquois 58, Lew-Port 48

Nate Wilkinson scored a game-high 24 points, while point guard Phil Bowen had an excellent all-around game and netted 18 points for the Chiefs, who advanced to the Class A2 final against Amherst on Saturday.  Iroquois trailed after one quarter, but took an eight-point lead to intermission after finishing the first half on an 8-0 run.  Though the Chiefs never trailed in the second half, the Lancers did tie things up in the third and were as close as four points in the last quarter, before the Chiefs pulled away.

Nick Mansour scored a team-high 22 points for Lew-Port in the loss.

 

Class B2

East  50, Cleveland Hill 45

After falling behind, 11-0, to begin the game, the Panthers made adjustments and got right back into the game, before pulling ahead in the third quarter after holding the Eagles to just six points.  East took a seven-point lead into the final stanza and never allowed the Eagles to get closer than four points the rest of the way.  Panther big man Tyree Tyson was the biggest factor in the game, leading his team with 20 points, grabbing numerous rebounds, and drastically altering what the Eagles could do near the basket.  Johnathan Lewis scored 11 points for East, while Percy Bryant added 10 points.

Sophomore Jermaine Hairston had 13 points while senior Richard Sotero had 11 points for Cleveland Hill, who fell in the Class B2 semifinals for a third straight season after running the table in ECIC IV.

 

Class C2

Silver Creek 75, MST Seneca 49

Sophomore Bill Brooks scored 24 points, ripped 18 boards, and swatted seven shots, as Silver Creek raced past MST Seneca.  The Black Knights remain the lone undefeated team from WNY and earned a second straight trip to the Class C2 title game, along with a third contest against CCAA II counterpart, Portville. Last season, Silver Creek needed a '3' to force overtime, and eventually ended Portville's season in a second OT of the Class C2 semifinals.  Although Maple Grove was regarded as the toughest path to a sectional title, Silver Creek head coach Rob Genco has stated all season that it was Portville who most concerned him, and they were a team he had hoped to avoid for a third time.

WNY's top stat stuffer, Zed Williams, finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds,  & 11 assists.  Stephen Marcey scored 16 points and dropped four 3-pointers, while sophomore Brennan White added 11 points in the win.

 

Portville 67, Maple Grove 39

Zach Blask scored 20 points to reach 1,000 for his career, as the Panthers dismantled Maple Grove and snapped its 17-game win streak into pieces.  At times, Blask single-handedly broke the Red Dragons pressure, and did whatever was neccessary to facilitate the Portville offense.  Maple Grove's 39 points were just two more than its season low of 37, which Olean held them to in December.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

2013 Poll Ballots - Week 10

As a pollster for the Buffalo News, I'm asked to send in my weekly ballots ranking the top ten large and small schools.  The polls are based on games played through Sunday of each week.  Here's a look at how I see them and some of the rationale used to get there.

Large Schools

1. Canisius (MMA) - Crusaders seem to have turned it up another notch, not unlike a certain Nichols team did around this time back in 2010. Hmmm.

2. Niagara Falls (AA) - The injury to jumior guard Vinzell Watkins is a major setback for the Wolverines, but the same cast minus Taijay Williams was good enough to win Class AA last season.

3. Jamestown (AA) - The Red Raiders are eyeing a third sectional title in four years, a prospect that seems even more attainable with the news of the Watkins injury. An equally large hurdle to winning AA will be Clarence, who Jamestown must beat for a third time to reach the title game.

4. Timon/St. Jude (MMA) - Hello. The Tiger dropped to tenth on my ballot for a couple of weeks, but belong ahead of the Marauders now, after beating them when it counts the most and snapping the seven-game skid. Snap another seven-game skid this Wednesday night, and you'll be all the buzz in WNY basketball.

5. St. Joe's (MMA) - Will keep them here for now until we see how the Macks postseason plays out, since they did win in their gym at the buzzer back in December.

6. McKinley (A1) - After two straight seasons without a loss in the Yale Cup, it's time for the Macks make some postseason history as well.  Last regional appearance was in 2009 and the last regional win was in 2007.

7. Clarence (AA) - Funk & Schmit these guys are good. The Red Devils as dangerous a lower seed in these sectionals as you'll find, and eager to end a 12-game losing streak against Jamestown dating back to 2007.

8. Amherst (A2) - No pressure, but the Tigers are considered massive favorites in Class A2. They face high-scoring Tyrell Mitchell and the Sparks of South Park on Tuesday - a team McKinley disposed of by 63 points a month ago.

9. Kenmore West (AA) - Hello, part two. The Blue Devils get bounced from the  poll after a late season swoon that included league losses to North Tonawanda and Lockport, and then return as the sixth seed in the Class AA quarterfinals and end the season of Williamsville North.

10. Williamsville North (AA) - Ironic that the Spartans won at Ken West as the sixth seed last year and lose to them this season at home as the third seed. A good year with a disappointing finish should have North hungrier than ever for Sterling Taplin's swan song next year.

Small Schools

1. Olean (B1) - They've been waiting for this part of the season since dropping the state semifinal last year.  State championship or bust begins tonight against Maryvale.

2. Silver Creek (C2) - Threw 93 points on the board against Olmsted, with 38 of those coming from Zed Williams. Next up, another Yale Cup opponent in MST Seneca.

3. Oracle Charter (C1) - One of the questions that gets posed to me all the time is "Who's better, Oracle or Middle College"?

4. Middle College (C1) - The answer is I'm dying to know myself, and Friday can't get here soon enough. (Sorry Randolph & Barker).

5. St. Mary's (MMA) - I don't think the performance from last night is indicative of where the Lancers are at. It was a credit to Canisius and a game that St. Mary's was never in.  Time to refocus on extending the season through March 23rd.

6. Nichols (MMA) - The Vikings definitely came to play in the quarterfinals. The problem for them, so did the Lancers. Great game, but someone had to lose.

7. Cleveland Hill (B2) - Still ranked ahead of East, who they face tomorrow night, because they deserve to be after sweeping Lackawanna this year. But beating the Panthers at Buffalo State is a whole different story.

8. Maple Grove (C2) - If the Red Dragons are able to get past Zach Blask and Portville, they may get a rematch of last season's thrilling C2 final with Silver Creek.

9. East (B2) - No team in Class B2 was happy to see East move down this year.  With an imposing big man, a talented backcourt, and a surrounding cast that has come into their own, they'll be as dangerous as any lower seeded team.

10. Lackwanna (B1) - It really speaks to the strength of the small schools in WNY this season when I'm voting a team as good as the Steelers to only the tenth spot. This year's group may be the best they've had since 2007, when Marcus Rivers was a senior.

-centercourt

@centercourt42

CC Top 25 - Pre-Playoffs

Whether private or public, large or small, and regardless of the league you play in, here's my stab at ranking the Top 25 basketball teams from WNY in order, before they begin postseason play this week.  When the smoke clears and the champions have been crowned, there'll be a final top 25 to compare it to.

 

1. Olean (B1)

2. Canisius (MMA)

3. Niagara Falls (AA)

4. Jamestown (AA) 

5. St. Joe's (MMA) 

6. Williamsville North (AA) 

7. Silver Creek (C2)

8. Oracle Charter (C1)

9. McKinley (A1)

10. Clarence (AA)

11. Amherst (A2)

12. St. Mary's (MMA)

13. Middle College (C1)

14. East (B2)

15. Timon/St. Jude (MMA)

16. Nichols (MMA)

17. Maple Grove (C2)

18. Cleveland Hill (B2)

19. Williamsville South (A1)

20. Sweet Home (A1)

21. Kenmore West (AA)

22. Lackawanna (B1)

23. CSAT (B2)

24. Hutch-Tech (A1)

25. Iroquois (A2)

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

Sectional Preview - 2013

 

The Section VI postseason begins tonight with first round games, and the winners move on to participate in the pre-quarterfinal games played on Wednesday.  Friday night is when the action really kicks up, as 32 quarterfinal games will decide which teams move on to Buffalo State and JCC for the semifinals. 

 

Below I take a look at some of the best matchups we could potentially see in the pre-quarterfinals, quarterfinals, semifinals, and even the championship games.  There's also my thoughts on the biggest favorite and the most competitive brackets, along with some winning streaks and predictions.

 

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

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

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

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

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

2. Class C1 Allegany-Limestone @ Salamanca

1. Class AA Lancaster @ North Tonawanda

 

Top 6 Quarterfinal Games (Fri. 2/22)

6. Class B2 Roy-Hart @ Cleveland Hill

5. Class B2 Akron @ Fredonia

4. Class AA Kenmore West @ Williamsville North

3. Class AA Lockport @ Clarence

2. Class B1 Newfane @ Maryvale

1. Class B1 Depew @ Lackawanna 

 

Most likely Quarterfinal upsets

Class A1

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

Class A2

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

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

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

Class C1

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

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

 

Biggest Favorites to win a Sectional

3. Class A1 - McKinley

2. Class A2 - Amherst

1. Class B1 - Olean

 

Most likely to avance to Glens Falls

Class B - Olean

 

Best Brackets top-to-bottom

Class AA & Class B2

 

Most exciting potential semifinal matchups

4. Class A1 - Williamsville South vs. McKinley

3. Class AA - Clarence vs. Jamestown

2. Class AA - Williamsville North vs. Niagara Falls

1. Class B2 - East vs. Cleveland Hill

 

Most exciting potential championship matchups

Class D - Brocton vs. Sherman

Class C2 - Maple Grove vs. Silver Creek

Class C1 - Oracle Charter vs. Middle College

Class AA -  Niagara Falls vs. Jamestown

 

Winning Streaks heading into Sectionals

Class C2  Silver Creek - 18 games

Class C1 Oracle Charter - 17 games

Class C2 Maple Grove - 16 games

Class A2 Amherst - 16 games

Class B2 CSAT - 13 games

Class D Brocton - 11 games

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

 

Predictions

Class AA - Niagara Falls

Class A1 - McKinley

Class A2 - Amherst

Class B1 - Olean

Class B2 - East

Class C1 - Oracle Charter

Class C2 - Silver Creek

Class D - Sherman

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

2013 Poll Ballots - Week 9

As a pollster for the Buffalo News, I'm asked to send in my weekly ballots ranking the top ten large and small schools.  The polls are based on games played through Sunday of each week.  Here's a look at how I see them and some of the rationale used to get there.

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius (MMA) - They've already made history by running the table in the MMA during the regular season. The next step for the Crusaders is punching their ticket for a fifth straight Manhattan Cup championship game appearance.

2. Niagara Falls (AA) - Wolverines are eager for their second season to start after their first season (the four nonleague games) didn't go all that great (1-3).

3. Jamestown (AA) - Will need a third victory this season over Frontier in the quarterfinals to ensure the annual trip up north to Buff State.

4. St. Joe's (MMA) - Hung tough with Canisius for most of the game, but still a step behind.  They're hoping for one last chance to crack the code.

5. Williamsville North (AA) - What difference does a year make? It changed the location of North's quarterfinal with Kenmore West.  Now the Spartans host the Blue Devils, in hopes of setting up a date with Falls.

6. McKinley (A1) - The Macks are eager to finish what they started last year, beginning with a visit from Grand Island on Friday. It's a great matchup on paper...during football season.

7. Clarence (AA) - Those who have been following Lockport are talking upset, as the Lions appear in line for a visit to Clarence on Friday.  I've followed Clarence some this season, and I'm not talking upset. The Red Devils are for real.

8. Amherst (A2) - The Tigers have waited an entire year to get back to this spot. Now they await the winner of Starpoint/Riverside to begin their quest for a Section VI title.

9. Timon/St. Jude (MMA) - Despite a rough finish to the season with a blowout loss at Canisius, Timon is two wins away from the Manhattan Cup championship game.  To get there, they'll have to get the monkey off their backs and beat St. Joe's.  When they finally do that, look out.

10. Williamsville South (A1) - Peeking at just the right time. Sectionals begin with a cross-town rivalry game against ECIC II foe, Williamsville East, who ended the Billies season last year.

 

Small Schools

1. Olean (B1) - The only thing that exceeds the expectations on the Huskies is the talent in their rotation.

2. Silver Creek (C2) - The Black Knights will likely be looking on during the I-Prep/Olmsted game to see which city team gets to come to Silver Creek and run with them.

3. Oracle Charter (C1) - The Phoenix will be glad to get back in action after finishing their regular season on February 9th. Their opponents will not be glad to face them.

4. Cleveland Hill (B2) - Only loss this season was a 2-point defeat to Nichols in the season opener.  They get a great sectional prep game tonight at St. Mary's.

5. St. Mary's (MMA) - Unbelievable energy from the Lancers in their victory against Nichols on Friday. They'll need it again tonight against a balanced Eagles team, and then again on Thursday night for a third round with the Vikings.

6. Nichols (MMA) - Came crashing back to earth at the hands of the Lancers on Friday.  It may be just what they needed, heading into a rematch with those Lancers this Thursday.

7. Middle College (C1) - Keir Anderson willed the Kats to victory at East last week.  Now Middle College will attempt to get back to the place they finished last year - Glens Falls.

8. Maple Grove (C2) - Head coach Curt Fischer just keeps piling up the career wins down in Bemus Point.  He's hoping for at least three more this year.

9. East (B2) - Dropped the Panthers down for falling at home to the Kats after falling apart late at McKinley two weeks ago, and moved the teams that own victories against them, ahead of them.

10. Lackawanna (B1) - A very good Steelers team with no bad losses all season. Their reward: being in the same bracket as Olean and drawing Depew in the quarterfinals. I offer them my most sarcastic congratulations.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42