The View From 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 D Bracket - 2021 Sectionals

 

Quarterfinals - Tuesday, March 23rd

(2) Sherman 73, (7) Forestville 37

(3) Franklinville 63, (6) Panama 45

 

Semifinals - Thursday, March 25th

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

(2) Sherman 66, (3) Franklinville 36

 

Final - Saturday, March 27th

(1) Clymer 53, (2) Sherman 40

 

2021 Section VI Class D Champions - Clymer Pirates

 

-centercourt

The 2020 All-Centercourt Team: The Best in WNY

 

The 2020 CC MVP

JaVaughn Jones - Health Sciences, Junior

20.6 PPG / 7.4 RPG / 7.3 APG / 4.9 SPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- Section VI Class A Champion

- MVP of the Section VI Class A2 Tournament

- MVP of the St. Francis Christmas Tournament

- Canisius College Tip-Off All-Tournament Team

- Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic

- Scored a career-high 32 points in a win over Tapestry

- Scored over 20 points in 12 games

- Dished over 10 dimes in 10 games

- Recorded 13 double-doubles 

- Recorded 6 triple-doubles 

- Recorded 2 quadruple-doubles 

- Two-time All-Centercourt Defender

- Has scored 857 career points

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

First Team All-Centercourt

Dewayne Vass - Canisius, Senior

16.5 PPG / 7.8 RPG / 4.7 APG / 2.5 SPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- Manhattan Cup Champion

- Player of the Year in the MMA

- MVP of the Manhattan Cup

- MVP of the St. Pius Christmas Tournament

- Scored a career-high 28 points in a win over McQuaid

- Matched career-high 28 pts in a win over Cardinal Gibbons

- Scored over 20 points in 8 games

- Recorded 8 double-doubles

- Hauled in a career-high 14 boards vs Holy Cross

- Grabbed over 10 rebounds in 8 games

- Team leader in points, boards, dimes, & steals

- Member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Scored 863 career points

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

Tyler Hind - Randolph, Senior

25.0 PPG / 6.1 APG / 5.3 RPG / 2.8 SPG 

- Four-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- Section VI Class C2 Champion

- Four-time Player of the Year in CCAA I East 

- MVP of the Section VI Class C2 Tournament

- Tully Tip-Off Tournament MVP

- Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic

- Scored a season-high 38 points in a win over Tapestry

- Scored over 30 points in 8 games

- Scored over 20 points in 21 games

- Team leader in assists with 147

- Led WNY in 3-pointers made with 105

- WNY record 400 career 3-pointers

- Scored 2,244 career points (8th all-time in WNY)

(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)

 

Roddy Gayle - Lew-Port, Sophomore

25.6 PPG / 9.0 RPG / 3.0 APG / 2.3 SPG / 1.3 BPG

- Three-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- Player of the Year in the NFL

- Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic

- Game MVP at the BSN Sports NFL/ECIC Challenge

- Scored a career-high 38 points twice in 2020

- Scored over 30 points in five games

- Scored over 20 points in 14 of 17 games

- Hauled in 20 rebounds vs. South Park

- Recorded 7 double-doubles

- Two-time member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Career 1,000 point scorer

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

Jalen Bradberry - Park, Junior

19.7 PPG / 3.2 APG / 3.1 RPG / 1.4 SPG

- Four-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- MVP of Brooklyn Post Invitational

- Scored a season-high 35 points vs Brooklyn Collegiate

- Scored over 30 points in 2 games

- Scored over 20 points in 10 games

- Scored 15 in the 4Q vs. Brooklyn Collegiate

- Had the game-winning board & score vs Health Sciences

- Connected from 3-point range 50 times

- Two-time member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Has scored 1,780 career points

(Photo: Larry Scheur)

 

Jamond Jones - Middle College, Senior

22.7 PPG / 4.8 APG / 4.0 RPG / 2.9 SPG / 0.8 BPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- Section VI Class C Champion

- Player of the Year in Yale Cup I

- MVP of the Section VI Class C1 Tournament

- Scored a career-high 44 points in Class C1 Semis

- Made a school record 9 treys in Class C1 Semis

- Scored over 30 points in 5 games

- Averaged 30.3 PPG in the postseason

- Scored in double figures in all 23 games

- Connected from 3-point range 81 times

- Scored 1,247 career points

(Photo: Shawn Turri) 

 

Second Team All-Centercourt

Jaemon Turner - Niagara Falls, Senior

21.1 PPG / 6.2 APG / 4.7 RPG / 2.9 SPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- First Team Niagara Frontier League

- Game MVP in the Cataract Classic vs Amherst

- Game MVP in the Cataract Classic vs O'Hara

- Game MVP in the Bishop Kearney Showcase

- Scored a career-high 39 points in a win over O'Hara

- Scored 22 pts in the 3Q & hit 7 treys vs O'Hara

- Scored over 25 points in 5 games

- Scored over 20 points in 12 games

- Scored 1,118 career points

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

Jamyier Patton - Timon, Junior

22.1 PPG / 3.2 RPG / 2.7 APG / 2.7 SPG 

- Woj Cup Champion

- MVP of the Woj Cup

- First Team All-Catholic

- Scored a career-high 38 points vs. Canisius

- Scored a game-high 27 in a win over Canisius

- Scored 27 & 8 boards in the Woj Cup Final

- Scored over 30 points in 3 games

- Scored over 20 points in 16 games

- Connected from 3-point range 59 times

(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)

 

 

 

Jaden Slaughter - St. Joe's, Junior

18.1 PPG / 5.3 RPG / 2.7 APG / 1.2 SPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- First Team All-Catholic

- Scored a season-high 33 points in a win at Aquinas

- Recorded a triple-double at Aquinas (14 boards & 10 dimes)

- Scored 27 points on 10/12 shooting with 9 boards vs Timon

- Scored 24 points on 10/11 shooting in a win over N. Falls

- Scored over 20 points in 8 games

- Shot 58% from the field on the season

- Recorded 3 double-doubles

- Has scored 1,327 career points

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

Jaylen Stewart - Amherst, Senior

20.7 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 3.5 APG / 1.9 SPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- Section VI Class A2 Finalist

- Player of the Year for All-ECIC

- Player of the Year in ECIC II

- Section VI Class A2 All-Tournament Team

- Game MVP at the Cataract Classic

- Scored a career-high 33 points in a win over WSE

- Scored 32 points in a comeback win at Falls

- Scored over 30 points in 3 games

- Scored over 20 points in 11 games

- Two-time member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Scored 1,048 career points

(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)

 

Avion Harris - Cardinal O'Hara, Senior

17.7 PPG / 5.1 APG / 4.7 RPG / 3.7 SPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- Player of the Year in the Monsignor Martin Association

- Scored a career-high 41 points with 10 boards vs Timon

- Had 30 points, 9 boards, 7 steals, & 6 dimes vs Nichols

- Scored over 20 points in 11 games

- Recorded a triple-double in a win at Timon

- Reached 3 straight MMA Championship games

- Finishes career with 282 steals

- Three-time All-Centercourt Defender

- Scored 1,017 career points

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

Third Team All-Centercourt

Daciare Riley - Health Sciences, Senior

15.1 PPG / 8.3 RPG / 3.6 SPG / 2.3 SPG / 2.2 BPG

- Section VI Class A Champion

- Section VI Class A2 All-Tournament Team

- MVP of the Canisius College Tip-Off Tournament

- St. Francis Christmas All-Tournament Team

- Scored a season-high 24 points in a win over St. Francis

- Scored over 20 points in 5 games

- Hauled in a career-high 14 boards in a win over Lackawanna

- Recorded 8 double-doubles 

- Member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Has scored 542 career points

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

John Orogun - Park, Senior

14.4 PPG / 13.1 RPG / 1.6 BPG / 0.4 SPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- Scored a career-high 24 points in a win at OP

- Scored over 20 points in 6 games

- Grabbed a career-high 24 boards with 23 pts vs Mt. Zion

- Had over 10 rebounds in 17 games

- Recorded 14 double-doubles 

- Was 1 point or rebound shy of double-double in 5 games

- Member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- All-Centercourt Defender

(Photo: Larry Scheur)

 

 

Covi James - Olean, Senior

19.9 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 3.2 APG / 2.6 SPG

- Section VI Class B Champion

- First Team CCAA I West

- MVP of the Section VI Class B1 Tournament

- MVP of the Olean Tip-Off Tournament

- Joe DeCerbo Memorial All-Tournament Team

- Scored a career-high 47 points in a win over Jamestown

- Scored 34 points & 10 boards in a win over Depew

- Made game-winning '3' at the buzzer vs. Jamestown

- Made game-winning '3' at the buzzer vs. All-Limestone

- Scored over 20 points in 12 games

- Recorded 3 double-doubles

- Had at least 5 steals in 5 games

(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)

 

Cam Barmore - Panama, Senior

28.9 PPG / 14.3 RPG / 3.1 BPG / 2.9 APG / 2.1 SPG

- Player of the Year in CCAA II West

- WNY's scoring leader in 2020

- Scored a career-high 47 points in a win over Forestville

- Hauled in a career-high 20 boards in a win over Forestville

- Scored over 40 points in 2 games

- Scored over 30 points in 8 games

- Scored over 20 points in 19 games

- Recorded 19 double-doubles

- Two-time member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Scored 1,404 career points, with 884 boards & 198 blks

(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)

 

Anthony Mack - South Park, Senior

20.7 PPG / 7.3 SPG / 6.7 APG / 4.1 RPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- First Team Yale Cup I

- Clarence Holiday All-Tournament Team

- Scored a career-high 30 points at Tapestry

- Matched career-high 30 in playoffs at Lew-Port

- Scored 23 of 30 pts in the 2nd half at Lew-Port

- Scored over 20 points in 13 games

- Had over 10 steals in 7 games

- Dishes over 10 assists in 5 games

- Recorded 5 triple-doubles & 2 double-doubles

- Three-time All-Centercourt Defender

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

Fourth Team All-Centercourt

Demarri Jones - Jamestown, Junior

17.2 PPG / 10.3 RPG / 1.3 APG / 1.3 SPG 

- Player of the Year in ECIC I

- First Team All-ECIC

- Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic

- MVP of the United Way Tournament

- Olean Tip-Off All-Tournament Team

- Scored a career-high 28 pts & 14 boards in a win over OP

- Had 25 points & 19 boards vs. Olean

- Recorded 11 double-doubles

- Member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

 

Michael DiGiulio - Williamsville South, Senior

25.0 PPG / 4.0 RPG / 3.7 SPG / 2.8 APG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- First Team All-ECIC

- First Team ECIC II

- Game MVP at the Cataract Classic

- Game MVP at the BSN Sports NFL/ECIC Challenge

- Scored a career-high 34 points in a win over Starpoint

- Scored over 30 points in 4 games

- Scored over 25 points in 13 games

- Scored over 20 points in 20 games

- Scored 16 points in the 4Q of a sectional comeback win

- Had 8 steals vs Maritime & 7 games with 5 or more steals

- Scored 984 career points

(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)

 

Cal Shifflet - Williamsville East, Senior

19.1 PPG / 8.7 RPG / 3.7 APG / 2.3 SPG / 1.4 BPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- First Team All-ECIC

- First Team ECIC II

- MVP of the Five Guys Tournyament

- MVP of the Lockport Rotary Tournament

- Scored a season-high 32 points in a win over North

- Scored over 30 points in 2 games 

- Scored over 20 points in 13 games

- Recorded 11 double-doubles

- Connected from 3-point range 50 times

- Member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Scored 1,216 career points with 673 boards

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

Trey Kleitz - Iroquois, Sophomore

20.7 PPG / 7.5 APG / 5.7 SPG / 2.8 RPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- Player of the Year in ECIC III

- First Team All-ECIC

- Greg Martin Memorial All-Tournament Team

- Scored a season-high 37 points in a win over N-W

- Scored over 30 points in 5 games

- Scored over 30 points in 3 straight games

- Scored over 20 points in 13 games

- Set a school record with a 20-point quarter

- Recorded 9 double-doubles

- Has scored 735 career points

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

Casey Curran - Allegany-Limestone, Senior

12.6 PPG / 11.2 RPG / 4.6 APG / 1.6 BPG / 1.5 SPG

- Section VI Class B2 Champion

- Player of the Year in CCAA I West

- MVP of the Section VI Class B2 Tournament

- Scored a season-high 22 points in a win over Dunkirk

- Hauled in a career-high 18 boards in a win over Pioneer

- Matched a career-high 18 boards in a win over Fredonia

- Grabbed over 15 rebounds in 7 games

- Recorded 12 double-doubles & 1 triple-double

- Banged the game-winning '3' in the Class B2 semis

- Scored 833 career points

(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)

 

Fifth Team All-Centercourt

Joe Harrington - Lancaster, Sophomore

15.8 PPG / 8.4 RPG / 2.0 BPG / 1.7 SPG / 1.3 APG

- Section VI Class AA Champion 

- All-ECIC selection

- MVP of the Elmira Tournament

- Scored a career-high 27 points in a win over North

- Scored 19 pts, 10 boards, & 8 blks in AA semi vs Falls

- Scored over 20 points in 6 games

- Scored in double figures in 19 games

- Recorded 9 double-doubles

- Team leader in points, boards, blocks, & FG%

(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)

 

Breht Swiech - Williamsville North, Senior

18.0 PPG / 5.3 RPG / 2.1 APG / 1.7 SPG

- All-ECIC Selection

- First Team ECIC I

- Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic

- Game MVP at the Cataract Classic

- Five Guys All-Tournament Team

- Scored a career-high 39 points vs OP

- Scored over 30 points in 2 games

- Scored over 20 points in 9 games

- Connected from 3-point range 59 times

- Shot 52% from the field on the season

- Scored 822 career points

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

Danny Carter - East, Senior

18.2 PPG / 5.0 RPG / 4.0 APG / 2.7 SPG 

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- First Team Yale Cup I

- Section VI Class A2 All-Tournament Team

- Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic

- Game MVP at the Cataract Classic

- Scored a career-high 39 points vs O'Hara

- Scored over 30 points in 2 games

- Scored over 20 points in 9 games

- Scored in double figures in 20 games

- Team leader in points, assists, & steals

- Scored 939 career points

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

Tariq Eubanks, Tapestry, Junior

13.3 PPG / 7.3 APG / 5.0 SPG / 3.6 RPG

- Three-Time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- Class C1 Finalist

- First Team All-Charter

- Olean Tip-Off All-Tournament Team

- Scored a season-high 30 points in a win at Medina

- Scored over 20 points in 3 games

- Dished a season-high 17 dimes in a win vs South Park

- Scored 12 of 20 points in the 4Q/OT of win vs CSAT

- Three-time All-Centercourt Defender

- Has scored 894 career points

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

Dante Moultrie - North Tonawanda, Senior

14.5 PPG / 4.9 RPG / 3.4 APG / 2.0 SPG

- Section VI Class A1 Champion 

- First Team Niagara Frontier League

- MVP of the Section VI Class A1 Tournament

- Scored a career-high 31 points in a win over Lockport

- Scored 28 points in the Class A1 Championship

- Shot 10/14 & 4/4 from '3' in Class A1 Championship

- Scored 763 career points

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

 

 

 

** At the time he played his last game at Nichols this season, Aidan Horan was on pace for All-Centercourt honors.  It's unknown how things would have turned out or exactly which team he would have landed on, and I didn't want to take someone else's spot in the top 25.....however, the season he had through 15 games warranted recognition, which he is getting here in his own space.  His game had improved tremendously this season.  He was a four-year varsity player making all the right basketball plays without forcing anything and became a true team leader with exceptional body language on and off the court, which translated into his talents & 6-5 athletic frame reaching their true potential.  Even his attitude after learning his season had ended, could not have displayed more positively. **

Aidan Horan - Nichols, Senior

21.7 PPG / 7.4 RPG / 2.5 APG / 1.5 SPG / 1.2 BPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

- First Team All-Catholic

- Kiski Showcase All-Tournament Team

- Scored a season-high 30 points vs. Tapestry

- Scored 28 points vs. Timon

- Scored over 20 points in 10 of 15 games

- Recorded 4 double-doubles

- Career 1,000 point scorer

(Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

 

 

Honorable Mention 

Lavarde Mance - Global Concepts, Senior

28.3 PPG / 11.7 RPG / 2.3 SPG / 2.0 APG / 0.7 BPG - Scored a WNY season-high 51 points at Bishop Kearney

 

Xaier Mitchell - Maryvale, Senior

18.9 PPG / 12.0 RPG / 3.3 APG / 3.0 SPG - First Team ECIC III

 

Caron Marshall - Cleveland Hill, Senior

18.3 PPG / 5.7 RPG / 3.5 SPG / 1.4 APG - Player of the Year in ECIC IV

 

Tyler Robinson - North Collins, Senior

17.4 PPG / 11.9 RPG / 4.3 BPG / 2.1 APG / 2.0 SPG - Player of the Year in CCAA II East

 

Nick O'Neil - Amherst, Senior

17.3 PPG / 4.9 RPG / 2.9 APG / 2.6 SPG - First Team ECIC II

 

Nate Ryniec - West Seneca West, Senior

16.7 PPG / 4.8 RPG / 2.9 APG / 2.2 SPG / 1.3 BPG - First Team ECIC I

 

Garrett Srock - Newfane, Senior

16.4 PPG / 10.3 RPG / 2.6 SPG / 2.1 APG / 2.1 BPG - Player of the Year in the N-O

 

Tino Mancabelli - Orchard Park, Senior

16.0 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 3.5 APG / 1.3 SPG - First Team ECIC I

 

Marciano Lamar - Olmsted, Senior

15.8 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 4.0 APG / 2.7 SPG - Player of the Year in Yale Cup II

 

Jordan Cutter - North Tonawanda, Senior

15.7 PPG / 4.1 RPG / 2.5 SPG / 1.1 APG - Scored over 20 in 9 games & hit 56 treys

 

Trent Cordone - West Seneca East, Senior

15.5 PPG / 4.7 RPG / 3.0 APG / 2.2 SPG - First Team All-ECIC II

 

Devonte Prince, Middle College, Senior

15.0 PPG / 3.3 APG / 2.4 RPG / 2.0 SPG - First Team Yale Cup I

 

Daesean Ashley - St. Joe's, Senior

13.7 PPG / 4.9 RPG / 3.7 APG / 1.6 SPG - First Team All-Catholic

 

Jon Nellis - Holland, Senior

13.3 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 2.7 SPG / 1.5 APG - First Team ECIC IV

 

Gus Napoleon - Allegany-Limestone, Senior

13.3 PPG / 3.2 RPG / 1.3 SPG / 1.1 APG - First Team CCAA I West

 

Jabari Spencer - Health Sciences, Senior

13.2 PPG / 5.1 RPG / 3.0 APG / 2.8 SPG / 1.1 BPG - All-Centercourt Defender

 

Tyler Smith - Health Sciences, Senior

12.7 PPG / 6.8 RPG / 2.9 SPG / 2.1 APG / 1.9 BPG - Centercourt #BOOM Squad

 

Kaleb Steward - Randolph, Senior

10.7 PPG / 5.6 APG / 5.2 RPG / 3.1 SPG - First Team CCAA I East

 

Zach Ianello - Clarence, Junior

16.8 PPG / 4.0 APG / 2.0 SPG / 72 Made 3-pointers - First Team ECIC I

 

Tyler Putney, Fredonia, Junior

15.9 PPG / 8.0 RPG / 2.0 BPG / 1.8 APG / 1.1 SPG - First Team CCAA I West

 

Peyton Consigli - St. Francis, Junior

14.6 PPG / 7.2 RPG / 1.7 APG / 1.4 SPG / 0.8 BPG - First Team All-Catholic

 

Keonjay Carter - Park, Junior

14.3 PPG / 4.5 APG / 4.3 RPG / 1.0 SPG - Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection

 

Joe Ciocca - Canisius, Junior

11.8 PPG / 1.9 RPG / 1.8 APG / 1.0 SPG - First Team All-Catholic

 

Max Dowling - Canisius, Junior

11.0 PPG / 5.0 RPG / 0.9 SPG / 0.7 BPG - First Team All-Catholic

 

TJ Robinson - Niagara Wheatfield, Sophomore

21.0 PPG / 4.3 RPG / 2.4 APG / 2.0 SPG - First Team Niagara Frontier League

 

Trevin Boling - Tonawanda, Sophomore

20.6 PPG / 2.3 RPG / 1.8 SPG / 1.6 APG - First Team ECIC IV

 

Max Schneider - Williamsville East, Sophomore

16.5 PPG / 7.0 APG / 3.1 SPG / 2.3 RPG -  First Team ECIC II

 

Kamar Goudelock - Timon, Sophomore

16.3 PPG / 4.3 RPG / 2.8 APG / 2.8 SPG - First Team All-Catholic

 

Massai Graham - Tapestry, Sophomore

14.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 2.9 BPG / 1.6 APG / 1.4 SPG - Centercourt #BOOM Squad

 

Josh Haskell - St. Joe's, Sophomore

12.9 PPG / 3.8 RPG / 1.8 APG / 0.7 SPG - Shot 44% on 70 made 3-pointers

 

Gabe McCoy - Randolph, Sophomore

11.8 PPG / 9.1 RPG / 3.5 BPG / 1.8 SPG / 1.1 APG - First Team CCAA I East

 

Justin Glover - St. Joe's, Sophomore

10.7 PPG / 4.0 APG / 2.9 RPG / 1.4 SPG - Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

 

Jalen Duff - Lew-Port, Freshman

17.5 PPG / 3.9 APG / 3.4 RPG / 1.5 SPG - First Team Niagara Frontier League

 

Shane Cercone - Canisius, Freshman

9.0 PPG / 5.7 RPG / 1.1 APG / 1.0 SPG - All-Centercourt Defender

 

Greg Brooks - Maritime, 7th Grade

14.1 PPG / 3.2 APG / 1.9 SPG / 1.6 RPG - First Team Charter Cup

 

Sixth Man of the Year

Eric Kegler - Canisius, Senior

7.4 PPG / 5.9 RPG / 2.4 APG / 1.1 SPG / 0.7 BPG

Kegs was so good coming off the bench to boost the Canisius lineup that head coach Kyle Husband couldn't keep him out of the starting lineup at season's end when the Crusaders were securing another Manhattan Cup.  An all-around talent with a smooth jumper from mid range and a beast on the boards with five games over nine rebounds, he saved some of his best performances for the toughest opponents.  Against Niagara Falls, Kegs scored a season-high 18 points with five boards and four steals, while banging three big shots from downtown.  Against Health Sciences, he scored a team-high 15 points and took Game MVP honors at the Centercourt Classic.  In a Valentine's Day rivalry game, he scored 13 points and pounded the glass for a career-high 15 rebounds to help put St. Joe's down.  And in a drubbing of Aquinas, he was the maestro, dishing out nine dimes in the game while continuing to clean the glass for 12 boards.

 

All-Centercourt Defenders

First Team

Avion Harris - Cardinal O'Hara, Senior

Shane Cercone - Canisius, Freshman

JaVaughn Jones - Health Sciences, Junior

Daesean Ashley - St. Joe's, Senior

Tariq Eubanks - Tapestry, Junior

 

Second Team

Jabari Spencer - Health Sciences, Senior

Keyunte Jones - Middle College, Senior

John Orogun - Park, Senior

Noah Fox - North Tonawanda, Senior

Kaleb Steward - Randolph, Senior

 

Third Team

Keith Brown - Middle College, Senior

Ben Giardini - Allegany-Limestone, Senior

Anthony Mack - South Park, Senior

Gabe McCoy - Randolph, Sophomore

Kaleb Rybij - Fredonia, Senior

 

Centercourt #BOOM Squad

Massai Graham - Tapestry, Sophomore

Roddy Gayle - Lew-Port, Sophomore

Cam Barmore - Panama, Senior

Anthony Smith - Middle College, Junior

Nick Whitfield - Fredonia, Sophomore

John Orogun - Park, Senior

Jalen Bradberry - Park, Junior

Daciare Riley - Health Sciences, Senior

Deshaun Brown - Health Sciences, Senior

Tyler Smith - Health Sciences, Senior

Dewayne Vass - Canisius, Senior

Demarri Jones - Jamestown, Junior

Jaylen Stewart - Amherst, Senior

Cal Shifflet - Williamsville East, Senior

Jamond Jones - Middle college, Senior

 

Coach of the Year

John Otto, Lancaster

An offseason shoulder surgery caused him many sleepless nights to think about an upcoming season that had a lot potential, but would also present a lot of challenges.  But those were challenges you could project, like how ultra-competitive the league in ECIC I would be, or how big bad Niagara Falls was always waiting there in Class AA, or how another extended championship football season would once again delay truly getting down to business on the hardwood.  And while in and out of restless sleep, he dreamed of this being the team that would end a 61 year Section VI title drought, but never dreamed of all that he'd have to overcome to get it.

On January 16, 2020, Otto learned that his brother had died unexpectedly.  One night later, he was on the bench coaching his team at Williamsville North.  Lancaster saw its seven-game win streak end that night.  Two more losses would follow over the next five games.  The team would ultimately finish the regular season tied for third place in league play and entered the postseason as the #5 seed, meaning they'd be on the road in the playoffs.  The place they'd need to win to keep fighting was Williamsville North.

Trailing by nine points in the second half, the Legends dug in and gutted out a win in a hard-hitting battle to avenge the earlier road defeat, win the rubber-match over the Spartans, and advance to the Class AA Semifinals at Buff State.  Their prize?  A date with top-seeded Niagara Falls - the four-time defending champion.

Trailing the Wolverines, who came in as the 5th ranked large school in WNY, by four points entering the final frame, the unranked Legends would outscore the #1 seed 20-8 over the final eight minutes to claim a 65-57 victory.  It would be Otto's second trip to Championship Saturday in four seasons, as Lancaster advanced to the Class AA Final to face Orchard Park - the last team that had defeated Lancaster less than three weeks prior.  

In a classic slugfest, before a spectacular afternoon crowd on the big stage at Buff State, Lancaster once again trailed during the second half and well into the fourth quarter.  But in a season of overcoming obstacles, this was just one last opportunity to come together as a team and make some history.  As the final minutes of the game unfolded, Lancaster completely turned the momentum in its favor and pulled away, allowing the coach and the team just enough time to absorb before the final buzzer sounded, the magnitude of the moment.  That #5 seed who stuck together through some very difficult moments turned out to be a team of destiny.  The streak was over.  The Legends were Section VI basketball champions in Class AA!

As with any overcoming any long drought, the celebration was special.  It was emotional.  It was inspirational.  The sense of true team accomplishment was never more evident to me as it all unfolded.  And the man who is incredibly beloved by his players for reasons that extend well past basketball and into the sense of family he instilled with that group, is the man who has earned this year's honor.  Lancaster's John Otto is the 2020 Centercourt Coach of the Year.  

 

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All-League Teams - 2020

 

MONSIGNOR MARTIN ASSOCIATION

Class A

Player of the Year:

Dewayne Vass - Canisius

 

All-Catholic

Max Dowling - Canisius

Joe Ciocca - Canisius

Jaden Slaughter - St. Joe's

Daesean Ashley - St. Joe's

Peyton Consigli - St. Francis

 

Class B

Player of the Year:

Avion Harris - Cardinal o'Hara

 

All-Catholic

Jamyier Patton - Timon

Kamar Goudelock - Timon

Aidan Horan - Nichols

Hugh Purks - Nichols

Luke Szablewski - St. Mary's

 

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

 

Charter Cup

Player of the Year:

JaVaughn Jones - Health Sciences

 

First Team

JaVaughn Jones - Health Sciences

Tariq Eubanks - Tapestry

Greg Brooks - Maritime

Daciare Riley - Health Sciences

Massai Graham - Tapestry

 

Second Team 

Jaylen Hearon - Maritime

Lavardi Mance - Global Concepts

Jabari Spencer - Health Sciences

Romeo Bell - Tapestry

Tyler Smith - Health Sciences

 

Third Team

Yeshua Lee - Health Sciences

Jesus Alvarez - Global Concepts

Carl Johnson - Tapestry

John Washington - Maritime

Deshaun Brown - Health Sciences

 

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

 

YALE CUP I

Player of the Year:

Jamond Jones - Middle College, 12

 

First Team

Anthony Mack - South Park, 12

Devonte Prince - Middle College, 12

Danny Carter - East - 12

David Hughes - East - 12

Bush Rieang - McKinley, 11

 

Second Team

Jeremy McKitchen - East - 12

Kevion Taylor - City Honors, 12

Jayson Armstead - South Park, 12

Martin Espinal - Hutch-Tech, 11

Jaiden Cottman - Middle College, 12

 

Third Team

Kenneth Jacobs - Hutch-Tech, 11

Jaiden Green - East, 11

Koran Askia - McKinley, 11

Anthony Smith - Middle College, 11

Trevaughn Jackson - Emerson, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Middle College:  Keith Brown 12, Keyunte Jones 12, Malik Meadows 12

South Park:  Davon White 12, Chris Coleman 11

East:  Dontaye Miller 12, Anthony Oberlander 11

McKinley:  Jahmal Lewis 12, Jesse Snow 12, Jahodd Martin 10

City Honors:  Jeremiah Chapman 12, Caleb Chapman 10

Hutch-Tech:  Aric Mott 12, Oliver Ngarikiyintwari 11

Emerson:  Daron Loder 12, Lawrence Russell 11

 

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

 

YALE CUP II

Player of the Year:

Marciano Lamar - Olmsted, 12

 

First Team

Damario James - Bennett, 11

Nolan Shephard - IPrep, 12

Jerrold Skillon - Bennett, 11

Jok Jok - IPrep, 12

DeVante Simmons - MST Seneca, 12

 

Second Team

Charles Slobert Buffalo Arts, 12

Bryant Rosa, Riverside, 10

Davon Scott - Bennett, 12

Renard Siders - Olmsted, 12

Dan Maku - Riverside, 10

 

Third Team

Lafario Ross - Burgard, 11

Kevin Maysonet - Lafayette, 12

Kane Gilliam - IPrep, 12

Damone McClain - Bennett, 11

DeVotie Pompey - MST Seneca, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Bennett:  Jacob Pullins 11

Olmsted:  Lawrence Jackson 12

IPrep:  Naesiah Woods 11

MST Seneca:  Terrell Craig 11

Buffalo Arts:  Jordan Rodgers 9

Lafayette:  Kevin Calderon, 11

 

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

 

All-ECIC

 

Player of the Year:

Jaylen Stewart - Amherst, 12

 

First Team

Jaylen Stewart - Amherst, 12

Demarri Jones - Jamestown, Junior

Cal Shifflet - Williamsville East, Senior

Trey Kleitz - Iroquois, Sophomore

Michael DiGiulio - Williamsville South, Senior

 

Second Team

Breht Swiech - Williamsville North, Senior

Tino Mancabelli - Orchard Park, Senior

Caron Marshall - Cleveland Hill, Senior

Joe Harrington - Lancaster, Sophomore

Nick O'Neil - Amhrest, Senior

 

Honorable Mention

Nate Ryniec - West Seneca West, Senior

Christian Pagano - Depew, Junior

Xaier Mitchell - Maryvale, Senior

Zach Ianello - Clarence, Junior

Max Schneider - Williamsville East, Sophomore

 

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

 

ECIC I

Player of the Year:

Demarri Jones - Jamestown, 11

 

First Team

Tino Mancabelli - Orchard Park, 12

Breht Swiech - Williamsville North, 12

Zach Ianello - Clarence, 11

Joe Harrington - Lancaster, 10

Nate Ryniec - West Seneca West, 12

 

Second Team

Scott Hopkins - Williamsville North, 12

Elijah Rojas - Jamestown, 11

Brad Fowler - Orchard Park, 12

Conor Foley - Frontier, 11

David Bass - Williamsville North, 12

Nate Hoellig - Frontier, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Lancaster:  GianLuca Fulciniti 12, Jackson Jerebko 11, Trevor Reformat 12

Orchard Park:  Ethan Swiatek 12, Chase Klein 12

West Seneca West:  Connor Schermerhorn 12, Zach Fahey 12

Frontier:  Brandon Okie 11

 

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

 

ECIC II

Player of the Year:

Jaylen Stewart - Amherst, 12

 

First Team

Cal Shifflet - Williamsville East, 12

Mike Digiulio - Williamsville South, 12

Nick O'Neil - Amherst, 12

Max Schneifer - Williamsville East, 10

Trent Cordone - West Seneca East, 12

 

Second Team

DaeQuan Hill - Sweet Home, 12

Jaiden Lewis - West Seneca East, 8

CJ Bradley - Starpoint, 12

Nate Severson - Hamburg, 12

Jamel Lucas - Sweet Home, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Amherst - Myles Cooper 12, Nick Moore 9

Williamsville East - Kevin Early 12

Williamsville South - Nicco DiGiulio 9

Hamburg - Max Haney 12

Starpoint - Dexter Brooks 11, Sam Walters 11, Joe Dell'Oso 12

 

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

 

ECIC III

Player of the Year:

Trey Kleitz - Iroquois, 10

 

First Team

Christian Pagano - Depew, 11

Xaier Mitchell - Maryvale, 12

Nevada Eldridge - Cheektowaga, 11

Will Covington - East Aurora, 12

Zach Evans - Lake Shore,12

Matt Matla - Iroquois, 12

 

Second Team

Austin Boies - Springville, 11

Matteo Duennebacke - East Aurora, 12

Nathan Kulesz - Depew, 12

Noah Herzog - Lake Shore, 11

Gavyn Mason - Pioneer, 12

Andrew Dockery - Maryvale, 11

Nick Bowen - Iroquois, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Depew:  PJ Burns 12, Davion March 12

Lake Shore:  Keith White 13

East Aurora:  Ian Moog 11, Dom Phillips 10

Cheektowaga:  Keonte Brown 11

Maryvale:  Deondre Rice 12

Pioneer:  Kaleb Phillips 12

 

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

 

ECIC IV

Player of the Year:

Caron Marshall - Cleveland Hill, 12

 

First Team

Trevin Boling - Tonawanda, 10

De'Marion Johnson - Lackawanna, 12

Jon Nellis - Holland, 12

Alan Suarez - JFK, 12

Kenny Avery - JFK, 12

 

Second Team

Hunter Stetz - Eden, 11

Matt Hay - Alden, 11

Noah Kirsch - Holland, 12

Charlie Meredith - Cleveland Hill, 11

JJ Velazquez - Tonawanda, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Holland:  Nolan Perry 12, Tyler Scheffler 12, Josh Ostrowski 12

JFK:  Josh Knox 11

Tonawanda:  David Perry 12

Eden:  Brandon Hallick 12

Lackawanna:  Jeremi'yhi Presley 11, AJ Turner 10

Cleveland Hill:  Jayden Krueger 12

 

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

 

Niagara Frontier League

Player of the Year:

Roddy Gayle - Lew-Port, 10

 

First Team

Jaemon Turner - Niagara Falls, 12

TJ Robinson - Niagara Wheatfield, 10

Dante Moultrie - North Tonawanda, 12

Jalen Duff  - Lew-Port, 9

Ceion McDowell - Lockport, 12

 

Second Team

Zac Boyes - Ken West, 12

Jordan Cutter - North Tonawanda, 12

Amari Gordon - Ken East, 12

Faybion Prather - Niagara Falls, 12

Xavier Alvarez - CSAT, 12

 

Third Team

Amir Morris - CSAT, 12

Noah Fox-Stoddard - North Tonawanda, 12

Logan Sionko - Grand Island, 11

Xander Fletcher - Niagara Wheatfield, 9

Pierre Gabart - CSAT, 12

 

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

 

Niagara-Orleans League

Player of the Year:

Garrett Srock - Newfane, 12

 

First Team

Luke Bradley - Wilson, 12

Adam Mietz - Akron, 11

Nate Sherman - Medina, 12

Deyonci Farley - Albion, 12

 

Second Team

Kevin Hillman - Albion, 12

Josh Everett - Newfane, 12

Tom Ragonese - Roy-Hart, 11

Tyler Chinn - Medina, 11

Sam Capen - Newfane, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Newfane:  Connor MacEvoy 12, Michael Carmer 11

Albion:  Liam Ward 12, Bailey Blanchard 11

Wilson:  Alex Martinez 12, Mike Miller 11, Brayden Thompson 12

Medina:  Brian Fry 11, Jarin Rhim 10

Akron:  Mitchell Holtz 11, Gage Willis 12, Jake Mazza 11

Roy-Hart: Rhett Goodwin 11, Gavyn Boyle 10, Reed Albee 12

Barker:  Joseph Brandt 11

 

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

 

CCAA I West

Player of the Year:

Casey Curran - Allegany-Limestone, 12

 

First Team

Covi James - Olean, 12

Jason Brooks - Olean, 11

Gus Napoleon - Allegany-Limestone, 12

Tyler Putney - Fredonia, 11

Nick Whitfield - Fredonia, 10

 

Second Team

Nate Adams - Chautauqua Lake, 12

Ben Giardini - Allegany-Limestone, 12

Aidan Kennedy - Southwestern 10

Kaleb Rybij - Fredonia, 12

Michael Wolfgang - Allegany-Limestone, 12

 

Honorable Mention 

Allegany-Limestone:  Tyler Curran 10

Fredonia:  Alec Schrader 12, Dominic Gullo 11

Olean:  Jah'Karee McClain 12, Dan Klein 12, Zion James 10

Southwestern:  Nate Johnson 11, Calvin Ricker 11

Dunkirk:  Christian Ortiz 11, A'Marion Tell 10

Chautauqua Lake:  Luke Waters 11

 

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

 

CCAA I East

Player of the Year:

Tyler Hind - Randolph, 12

 

First Team

Gabe McCoy - Randolph, 10

Jarod White - Salamanca 11

Kaleb Steward - Randolph, 12

Aaron George - Salamanca, 12

Dom Jamison - Silver Creek, 12

 

Second Team

Daslton Tabola  -Portville, 12

Lucas Brown - Salamanca, 8

Jeremy Wilcox - Silver Creek, 12

Jeremy Harford - Silver Creek, 12

Ashton Bushey - Randolph, 11

 

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

 

CCAA II West

Player of the Year:

Cam Barmore - Panama, 12

 

First Team

Ryan Jafarjian - Westfield, 12

Michael Johnson - Westfield, 12

Brad Nelson - Frewsburg, 12

Peter Auer - Maple Grove, 12

John Swabik - Sherman, 11

 

Second Team

Aaron Hair - Frewsburg, 12

Nathan Culbreth - Westfield, 12

Darius Jones - Maple Grove, 12

Justiss Hannold - Sherman, 12

Hunter Wassink - Clymer, 11

 

Honorable Mention 

Westfield:  Dylan Scriven 12, Darien Swanson 10

Panama:  Gerritt Hinsdale 12, Braden Cook 12, Connor Cooper 11

Maple Grove:  Tyler McPherson 12, Ayden Reagle 12

Sherman:  Keith Gormley 11, Gerald Carris 10

Frewsburg:  Peyton Hayes 12, Jameson Sposato 12

Cassadaga Valley:  Wyatt Harrington 10, Braden Lebaron 9

Brocton:  Michael Steward 12

 

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

 

CCAA II East

Player of the Year:

Tyler Robinson - North Collins, 12

 

First Team

Gavin Christian - Forestville, 12

Lief Jimerson - Ellicottville, 11

Clayton Rowland - Ellicottville, 11

Javier West - Forestville, 11

Logan Frank - Franklinville, 11

 

Second Team

Wyatt Chudy - Ellicottville, 11

Wayne Libby - Pine Valley, 10

Blake Frank - Franklinville, 10

Zach Wolfer - Franklinville, 12

Kordell Oakes - Cattaraugua-Little Valley, 10

 

Honorable Mention

Ellicottville:  Jordan Grinols 12, Logan Grinols 10, Niklas Logel 12

Forestville:  Jake Smith 12, Dalton Hastings 12

Franklinville:  Tyler Clear 12, Matt Peters 11

North Collins:  Chris Smith 10, Mitchell Warsaw 11, Matthew Sweet 9, Christian Loretto 12

Pine Valley:  Bryce Sercu 10, Cameron Hayes 11

Cattaraugua-Little Valley:  Josh Halterman 10, Gage Furl 10

 

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Sectiov VI 2020 All-Tournament Teams

(Covi James led Olean to its 12th Section VI title in 14 years / Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)

 

 

Class AA

Most Valuable Player

GianLuca Fulciniti - Lancaster

 

Jason Mansell - Lancaster

Tino Mancabelli - Orchard Park

Ethan Swiatek - Orchard Park

Demarri Jones - Jamestown

Faybion Prather - Niagara Falls

 

Class A1

Most Valuable Player

Dante Moultrie - North Tonawanda

 

Luke Granto - North Tonawanda

Nate Ryniec - West Seneca West

Zach Fahey - West Seneca West

Max Schneider - Williamsville East

Bush Rieang - McKinley

 

Class A2

Most Valuable Player

JaVaughn Jones - Health Sciences - MVP

 

Daciare Riley - Health Sciences

Jaylen Stewart - Amherst

Nick O'Neil - Amherst

Anthony Mack - South Park

Danny Carter - East

 

Class B1

Most Valuable Player

Covi James - Olean

 

Zion James - Olean

Dom Phillips - East Aurora

Tage Hoeg - East Aurora

Rashard Perry - Bennett 

PJ Burns - Depew 

 

 

Class B2

Most Valuable Player

Casey Curran - Allegany-Limestone

 

Ben Giardini - Allegany-Limestone

Garrett Srock - Newfane

Sam Capen - Newfane

Kaleb Rybij - Fredonia

Marciano Lamar - Olmsted

 

 

Class C1

Most Valuable Player

Jamond Jones - Middle College

 

Davonte Prince - Middle College

Tariq Eubanks - Tapestry

Massai Graham - Tapestry

Nate Adams - Chautauqua Lake

Dom Jamison - Silver Creek

 

Class C2

Most Valuable Player

Tyler Hind - Randolph 

 

Kaleb Steward - Randolph

Jon Nellis - Holland

Tyler Scheffler - Holland

Jarod White - Salamanca

Clayton Rowland - Ellicottville

 

Class D

Most Valuable Player

Justiss Hannold - Sherman

 

John Swabik - Sherman

Tyler Robinson - North Collins

Dominic Fricano - North Collins

Cam Barmore - Panama

Gavin Christian - Forestville

 

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Class D Bracket - 2020 Sectionals

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 28th at 7 pm

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

(3) Sherman 66, (6) Clymer 36

 

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

 

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

AT JCC - 8:15 pm

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

(3) Sherman 44, (2) Forestville 31

 

Final - Friday, March 6th

AT JCC - 5:15 pm

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

 

2020 Section VI Class D Champions - Sherman Wildcats

 

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Class D Bracket - 2018 Sectionals

 

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 21st

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

(5) Frewsburg 84, (12) Brocton 37

 

(7) Westfield 60, (10) Clymer 43

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

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 23rd

(1) East 79, (9) Forestville 34

(4) Ellicottville 63, (5) Frewsburg 36

 

(2) Sherman 68, (7) Westfield 53

(3) Franklinville 81, (6) Panama 48

 

Semifinals - Tuesday, February 27th 

AT JCC - 6 & 7:45 pm

 (1) East 62, (4) Ellicottville 61

(3) Franklinville 61, (2) Sherman 45

 

Final - Saturday, March 3rd

AT JCC - 4 pm

(1) East 67, (3) Franklinville 59

 

2018 Section VI Class D Champions - East Panthers 

 

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Class D Bracket - 2016 Sectionals

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 17th

(8) Forestville 47, (9 ) Westfield 43

(7) Clymer 72, (10) North Collins 54

 

 Quarterfinals - Friday, February 19th 

(1) Panama 72, (8) Forestville 42

(4) Sherman 41, (5) Brocton 40

 

(2) Ellicottville 70, (7) Clymer 51

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

 

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

AT JCC - 8:15 pm

 (1) Panama 65, (4) Sherman 44

(2) Ellicottville 72, (3) Franklinville 62

 

 Final - Friday, February 26th

AT JCC - 5:15 pm

(1) Panama 56, (2) Ellicottville 36

 

2016 Section VI Class D Champions - Panama Panthers

 

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Class D Bracket - 2015 Sectionals

 

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 25th

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

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

 

(7) Maple Grove 40, (10) Brocton 30

(6) Westfield 40, (11) Clymer 34

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 27th

(1) I-Prep 64, (8) Pine Valley 33

(4) Panama 72, (5) Ellicottville 24

 

(2) Sherman 58, (7) Maple Grove 46 

(6) Westfield 60, (3) Forestville 42

 

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

AT JCC - 8:15 pm

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

(2) Sherman 75, (6) Westfield 52

 

 Final - Friday, March 6th

AT JCC - 5:30 pm

 (1) I-Prep 68, (2) Sherman 60

 

2015 Section VI Class D Champions:

I-Prep Presidents

 

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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)

 

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Class D Bracket - 2014 Sectionals

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 20th

 (1) Sherman 62, (8) North Collins 23

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

 

(3) Panama 60, (6) Clymer 45

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

 

Semifinals - Wednesday, February 26th

AT JCC - 6 pm & 7:30 pm

 (1) Sherman 55, (4) Ellicottville 22

(3) Panama 67, (2) Forestville 59 

 

Final - Friday, February 28th

AT JCC - 5:30 pm

 (1) Sherman 67, (3) Panama 50

 

2014 Section VI Class D Champions - Sherman Wildcats

 

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@centercourt42

Class D Bracket - 2013 Sectionals

Pre-Quarterfinals  - Wednesday, February 20th

(8) Pine Valley 55, (9) Forestville 43 

(10) West Valley 63, Panama 62

(6) Global Concepts 73, (11) Ripley 61

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 22nd

(1) Brocton 48, (8) Pine Valley 31

(5) Ellicottville 42, (4) North Collins 40

 

(2) Sherman 67, (10) West Valley 28

(3) Clymer 70, (6) Global Concepts 52

 

Semifinals - Monday, February 25th

AT JCC - 6 & 7:45 pm

 (1) Brocton 67, (5) Ellicottville 29

(2) Sherman 50, (3) Clymer 30

 

Final - Friday, March 1st

At JCC - 5:30 pm

(2) Sherman 40, (1) Brocton 27

 

2013 Section VI Class D Champions - Sherman Wildcats

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Selection Tuesday - Ranking every team in Section VI

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

 

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

 

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

 

Class AA

1. Niagara Falls

2. Jamestown

3. Williamsville North

4. Clarence

5. Kenmore West

6. Frontier

7. Lockport

8. North Tonawanda

9. Lancaster

10. Niagara Wheatfield

11. West Seneca West

12. Orchard Park

 

Class A1

1. McKinley

2. Williamsville South

3. Sweet Home

4. Hutch-Tech

5. Hamburg

6. Williamsville East

7. Grand Island

8. West Seneca East

9. Kenmore East

 

Class A2

1. Amherst

2. Iroquois

3. South Park

4. Cheektowaga

5. Lake Shore

6. Pioneer

7. Starpoint

8. Lew-Port

9. Riverside

 

Class B1

1. Olean

2. Lackawanna

3. Depew

4. Maryvale

5. Newfane

6. East Aurora

7. Lafayette

8. Burgard

9. Tonawanda

10. Bennett

11. Alden

12. Dunkirk

13. Albion

14. Eden

15. Springville

 

Class B2

1. East

2. Cleveland Hill

3. CSAT

4. Fredonia

5. Roy-Hart

6. Akron

7. City Honors

8. Emerson

9. Southwestern

10. Medina

11. Buffalo Arts

12. JFK

13. Wilson

14. Gowanda

15. Falconer

 

Class C1

1. Oracle Charter

2. Middle College

3. Holland

4. Randolph

5. Salamanca

6. Barker

7. Tapestry Charter

8. Allegany-Limestone

9. Cassadaga Valley

10. Maritime Charter

11. Cattaraugus Little Valley

12. Da Vinci

 

Class C2

1. Silver Creek

2. Maple Grove

3. Portville 

4. MST Seneca

5. I-Prep

6. Olmsted

7. Westfield

8. Frewsburg

9. Chautauqua Lake

10. Health Sciences

11. Franklinville

12. Buffalo Science

 

Class D

1. Brocton

2. Sherman

3. Clymer

4. North Collins

5. Pine Valley

6. Forestville

7. Panama

8. Ellicottville

9. West Valley

10. Ripley

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

Random Smatterings IV

Time in

 

In Middle College's loss to East, the Kats' Keir Anderson was sporting a pair of argyle socks as part of his uniform.

 

During Newfane's loss to Akron, there was a point heading into a timeout situation when an Akron player got frustrated and yelled at a teammate for not coming to the ball.  Newfane's student section, The Blue Zone, then held up a sign for the Akron player that read "You Mad Bro?!?"

 

St. Joe's JV head coach and varsity assistant, Jack Herlan, gets more miles out of one piece of gum than any other coach in this area.

 

Some teams rarely discussed, but worth mentioning this season include North Tonawanda, Lafayette, and Burgard.  North Tonawanda's only losses in the NFL league have come to Niagara Falls and Kenmore West, both top ten large schools from Class AA.  The Jacks are a young team this season, but are quietly putting together a nice season.  Lafayette has just one league loss to date and Burgard has an overall record of 8-3.

 

East big man, Tyree Tyson, has already blocked 64 shots this season.  He probably rejected someone while I was typing this.

 

Speaking of East, the whole "slow start" thing really seems to serve them well.  Here's how they've started and then finished the season the past three seasons:

2012 - Began 0-4, finished season by playing for Class B1 title.

2011 - Began 2-2, finished season by winning overall Class A title.

2010 - Began 1-2, finished season by winning Class A2 title.

** In 2009, East began 3-0.  That was the Dallas Gary/Dominique Jackson season when they were upset by Cheektowaga in the Class A2 quarterfinals.  Good news for the Panthers - they started 0-2 this year.

 

In Barker's 52-40 loss to Roy-Hart, only three Raiders scored in the game (Haight 17, Luckman 13, & Sweeney 10).

 

Darnell Carson of CSAT eclipsed the 1,000 point total for his career in a win over Wilson.  It was just his 51st career game.  Jared Keppel of North Collins also surpassed the 1,000 point total for his career in a loss to Clymer.

 

Since McKinley hasn't been turning out Olympic champions for gymnastic rings, it might want to consider having those rings that hang in the gym raised.  Those rings block at least one 3-pointer a game from the corner in front of the visitors bench.

 

Hinsdale continues to appear in the Buffalo News Scoreboard, even though Section V annexed them last year.  The problem is, their scores never get reported, so we're teased with knowing Hinsdale battled the likes of Scio or Belfast, but never get the results.  Well Bobcat fans, I did some research and can report Hinsdale is 1-10 and set to host Canaseraga tonight. 

 

I don't remember a bigger regular season game in recent years between a pair of MMA Class B schools, than the one tonight between Nichols and St. Mary's.  It should be the biggest game played at Nichols since they defeated Canisius to end the 2010 regular season.  Looking forward to it.

 

If we were going to assemble a basketball Dream Team, using only head varsity coaches in WNY based on their playing ability, which 12 coaches would make the roster?

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

Random Smatterings I

McKinley used a 34-2 third quarter to extend its lead to 85-15, during a 105-22 nonleague demolition of Dunkirk.  Karma is a Mack!

 

Midway through the fourth quarter of Newfane's 78-43 win against Grand Island, the Panthers' student section, known as the Blue Zone, chanted "We're not Wilson".  The Lakemen had lost to Grand Island four days earlier, 54-17.

 

With Section V's Bishop Kearney the favorite to represent Rochester in Class AA, Niagara Falls coach Sal Constantino scheduled two regular season nonleague games with the Kings.  When people would ask me why, I said maybe Sal subscribed to the theory "it's tough to beat a team three times in a season", so he was trying to give Falls an edge at the Far West Regionals.  Then they won in the first meeting.

 

I've only seen Constantino wear a tie twice and it's been good luck both times.  Once was a three-point win against Aquinas in the 2010 Classic and the other was this year's 2012 Classic win against Kearney.  In each game, the dress shirt became completely untucked by early in the third quarter.

 

While tyring to convince the ref that his player's pass had been tipped before it went out of bounds, Batavia coach Buddy Brasky said "Come on, he's not that bad that he'd just throw the ball out the door".

 

While watching the Crusaders dig themselves a huge hole in the first half of their loss to Olean, I thought, "They're playing with no Hart".  It was an illustration to me of just how important Matt Hart was to that team last year.  Canisius will be fine, but they'll have to find a way to compensate for his leadership.   Speaking of Hart, he scored a _{career-high 27 points} in leading Hamilton College to a win earlier this month.  He leads his team in scoring, minutes played, and steals.

 

Bishop Timon/St. Jude's win against Kenmore West on Monday was the schools first victory over a ranked WNY large school since the 2010 season.  

 

Next season, Jamestown versus Olean in a nonleague game. Please.

 

New St. Mary's AD Joe Rera didn't miss a beat in carrying on the AdPro ECIC/MMA Challenge.  Another outstanding three-day, 10-game event.

 

During Jamestown's win over Williamsville South, I asked Keith McShea about the Red Raiders' Quinn Lee Yaw.  I wanted to know if Lee was part of the first or last name.  McShea replied, "Yaw don't know his name?"

 

Jared Keppel of North Collins scored 32 points  & grabbed 12 rebounds in a win against Gowanda on Wednesday.

 

My first poll ballot of the season for the large schools was identical to how the actual poll turned out.  Clearly a smart group of pollsters has been assembled for this season.

 

When Depew and Niagara Catholic played at the Cataract City Classic, both teams wore away jerseys.

 

East has stumbled out of the gates as usual, beginning 1-2, including a 10-point loss to Maple Grove.  It likely doesn't get better when they host Riverside this Friday.  Look for the Panthers to win Class B2 and face Olean in the overall Class B final.

 

At the Cataract City Classic, the game announcer would say something like, "at the end of the 3rd quarter, it's Willaimsville North 39, Batavia 23...you do the math".

 

Middle College junior Bri'an Brown set the early season scoring bar at 38 points, which he scored in a nonleague victory over CSAT Wednesday night.

 

Coaches:  Please teach your players some subbing etiquette.  Don't tap the media table and then stand in front of it so no one can see.  Go to the middle, where the scoreboard operator is, and SIT (just like they do in college & NBA).  He will sound the buzzer at the next whistle and then wait for the officials to wave you in.  That's how it works.  Amazing how many kids have no idea what the rationale is behind checking in at the scorer's table is.

 

-centercourt    

@centercourt42

Classifications for 2013 Season

 

Class AA                                                                      Class D                                                         

Lancaster                                                                         Panama                                                 

Niagara Falls                                                                  Pine Valley                                          

Lockport                                                                          Forestville

Clarence                                                                           Ellicottville

Frontier                                                                            North Collins

Orchard Park                                                                 Brocton

Jamestown                                                                      Sherman

Kenmore West                                                              Clymer

West Seneca West                                                       West Valley

Williamsville North                                                    Ripley

Niagara Wheatfield

 

Class A1                                                                       Class A2

North Tonawanda                                                       West Seneca East

Hamburg                                                                          Starpoint

Sweet Home                                                                    Iroquois

Williamsville East                                                        Riverside

McKinley                                                                         Lake Shore

Kenmore East                                                                South Park

Hutch-Tech                                                                    Amherst

Grand Island                                                                  Pioneer

Williamsville South                                                    Cheektowaga

                                                                                             Lew-Port

 

Class B1                                                                        Class B2

Bennett                                                                             Medina

Maryvale                                                                         Buffalo Arts

Albion                                                                               Buffalo East 

Springville                                                                      Fredonia

East Aurora                                                                   Roy-Hart

Olean                                                                                JFK

Dunkirk                                                                          City Honors

Burgard                                                                          Akron

Depew                                                                             CSAT

Lafayette                                                                       Cleveland Hilll

Alden                                                                               Southwestern

Newfane                                                                        Wilson

Tonawanda                                                                  Emerson

Eden                                                                                Gowanda

Lackawanna                                                                 Falconer

 

Class C1                                                                        Class C2

Salamanca                                                                     Silver Creek

Leonardo da Vinci                                                     Portville

Allegany-Limestone                                                 Buffalo Science

OTC/MEC                                                                    Health Sciences

Cassadaga Valley                                                      MST Prep Seneca

Oracle Charter                                                            I-Prep Grover

Barker                                                                            Frewsburg

Martime Charter                                                      Westfield

Tapestry Charter                                                     Maple Grove

Holland                                                                        Chautauqua Lake

Randolph                                                                    Olmsted

Cattaraugus/Little Valley                                    Franklinville

 

 -centercourt

2012 All-League Teams

 

 

Monsignor Martin Association

Player of the Year:

Reggie Agbeko - St. Joe's, 12

 

First Team

Matt Hart - Canisius, 12

Adam Weir - Canisius, 11

Ryan Whelpley - Archbishop Walsh, 12

Jordan Williams - Timon, 12

Kyle Kobis - Timon, 12

Erik Simmons - St. Mary's, 12

 

Second Team

Devin Redden - St. Mary's, 12

Joe Lowery - Niagara Catholic, 12

DeMilo Gibbs - Timon, 12

Jake Denz - St. Mary's, 12

Matt MacDonald - Canisius, 11

 

 

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

 

YALE CUP I

Player of the Year:

Reyszon Jordan - McKinley, 11

 

First Team

Justice Feggans - Riverside, 11

Marcus Morris - McKinley, 11

Marcus Nelson - Hutch-Tech, 12

Lamont Little - Riverside, 12

Lovell Smith - McKinley, 11

 

Second Team

Denzell Washington - Hutch-Tech, 12

Tim Whitehead - Hutch-Tech, 12

Daquawn Griggs - East, 12

Mike Leonard - Riverside, 12

Daequan Warren - McKinley, 11

 

Third Team

Andrew Strug - Hutch-Tech, 12

Johnathan Lewis - East, 10

Mike Davis - McKinley, 12

Jon Colon - Lafayette, 11

Javon Fogan - Bennett, 12

 

Honorable Mention

East: Rashaan Brown - 12, Jayvon Vanoy - 12

Bennett: Ed Bishop - 12

Burgard: Justin Jennings - 12, Arzell Kaigler - 11

South Park: Zachary Kaczor - 10

Lafayette: Anthony Rodgers - 12

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

Riverside: Willie Smith - 10, Walter Pryor - 10

McKinley: Deonte Bell - 11, Samuel Smith - 11

 

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

 

YALE CUP II

Player of the Year:

Cordell Torres - OTC/MEC, 12

 

First Team

Aaron Frasier - MST Seneca, 12

Jamaal Carter - City Honors, 12

Maurice Cheatom - I-Prep, 12

Khalid Brown - OTC/MEC, 12

DeVonte Harper - OTC/MEC, 12

 

Second Team

Marquel Massey - City Honors, 12

Lenny Dowell - Emerson, 11

Bri'an Browm - OTC/MEC, 10

Devonte Witsett - I-Prep, 12

Kevin Reese - OTC/MEC, 10

 

Third Team

Jaleyn Pierson - MST Seneca, 12

Johnny Linton - Buffalo Arts, 12

Howard Washington - City Honors, 8

Keir Anderson - OTC/MEC, 11

Ameer Franklin - Emerson, 12

 

Honorable Mention

MST Seneca: Marquis Shaw - 12

City Honors: Matt Cieslik - 9

Buffalo Arts: Derek Simpson - 9

I-Prep: Duryll Anderson - 10

Emerson: Demetrius Hodge - 12

OTC/MEC: TJ Scott - 10

 

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

 

ALL ECIC 

Player of the Year:

Stan Wier - East Aurora, 12

 

First Team

Sterling Taplin - Williamsville North, 10

Connor Keenan - Williamsville East, 12

Tommy Campion - Jamestown, 11

Jesse Lalka - Tonawanda, 12

Jordan Farrant - Holland, 12

 

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

 

ECIC I

Co-Players of the Year:

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

 

First Team

Matt McCormick - Orchard Park, 12

Matt Taylor - Frontier, 12

Stephen Hughes - Clarence, 12

Alex Warren - Frontier, 12

Adam Cecchini - Jamestown, 12

 

Second Team

Kareem Walker - Jamestown, 12

Neal Farrell - Orchard Park, 12

Jayson Moore - Sweet Home, 12

Sean Murray - Lancaster, 11

Justin Bangert - Willaimsville North, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Williamsville North: David Berkun - 11

West Seneca West: Nick Clancy - 10

Clarence: Bryan Jost - 10

Frontier: Remington Heil - 12

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

Lancaster: Danny Emma - 10

 

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

 

ECIC II

Player of the Year:

Connor Keenan - Williamsville East, 12

 

First Team

Chaquiel Nettles - Williamsville South, 11

Nick Benningfield - Hamburg, 12

Michael Kyarunts - Williamsville East, 12

Nate Wilkinson - Iroquois, 12

 

Second Team

Madison Wesolowski - Iroquois, 12

Jim Caputi - Williamsville South, 12

Isaiah Kaudeyr - Williamsville East, XX

Damien Powers - Williamsville South, 11

Eric Moscato - Hamburg, 12

 

Honorable Mention

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

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

Starpoint: Andrew Rankie - XX

Hamburg: Jeremiah Bill - XX, Kyle Violanti - XX

Iroquois: Ben Wutz - XX

 

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

 

ECIC III

Player of the Year:

Stan Wier - East Aurora, 12

 

First Team

Jonathan Belton - Amherst, 11

Sean Weisansal - Maryvale, 11

Glenn Belton - Amherst, 12

Jonathon Gemerek - Depew, 12

Marquel Jackson - Cheektowaga, 11

Jaden Cotton - Depew, 12

 

Second Team

Brendan Cox - East Aurora, 10

Alex Turecki - Amherst, 11

Zak Ciezki - Cheektowaga, 9

Derek Clyburn - Cheektowaga, 11

Aaron Ertel - Depew, 12

 

Honorable Mention

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

Springville: Hunter Berry - 12

Amherst: Jonah Heim - 11, Dion Lewis - 11

East Aurora: Ian Allen - 11

 

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

 

ECIC IV

Player of the Year:

Jordan Farrant - Holland, 12

 

First Team

Jesse Lalka - Tonawanda, 12

Daryl Spencer - Cleveland Hill, 12

Clayton Hess - Tonawanda, 11

Miles Barker - Cleveland Hill, 12

Paul Matuszak - Alden, 12

 

Second Team

Zak Stone - Alden, 12

Shaquille Brooks - Lackawanna, 11

Jared Wilkins - Cleveland Hill, 10

Nick Anderson - JFK, 11

Ken Minorczyk - JFK, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Alden: Corey Barczykowski - 11, Ryan Sosnowski - 12

Eden: Joe Slisz - 12, Brad Palmerton - 10

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

JFK: Jimmy Quinn - 12, Ben Zaccagnino - 12

Lackawanna: Norman Sweat - 11, Raytrel Finley - 12

Tonawanda: Jake Spencer - 12, Ben Stitch - 10

 

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

 

NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE

First Team

Jermaine Crumpton - Niagara Falls, 11

Martin Bailey - Kenmore West, 12

Quinton Campbell - Kenmore West, 11

John Dziewit - Lew-Port, 12

Jack Mulcahey - Niagara Wheatfield, 11

 

Second Team

JJ Wilkes - Niagara Falls, 11

Taijay Williams - Niagara Falls, 12

Corey Mis - North Tonawanda, 12

PJ Blanch - Kenmore East, 12

DiAntre Cullens - Lockport, 12

 

Third Team

Quinn Carey - Grand Island, 9

Ryan Bradt - North Tonawanda, 12

Nick DiMartile - Lockport, 12

Jakai Daniels - Kenmore East, 12

Corey Pietkiewicz - North Tonawanda, 12

 

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

 

NIAGARA-ORLEANS LEAGUE

First Team

Darnell Carson - CSAT, 11

Josh Haight - Barker, 12

Tyler Martin - Wilson, 12

Jake Haight - Barker, 10

Brad Bobbit - Roy-Hart, 12

 

Second Team

Connor Sears - Newfane, 11

Sean Seefeldt - Newfane, 12

Scott Kneeland - Newfane, 12

Pat Diez - Wilson, 12

Connor Ladd - Akron, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Newfane: CJ Knight - 12, Bryan Geise - 11

Wilson: Dustin DiLaura - 12, Pat Walch - 12

CSAT: Justin Black - XX

Medina: Lucas Evans - XX

Akron: Austin Mietz, 11

Albion: Nick Santos, 12

 

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

CCAA I

Player of the Year:

Kevin Holmes - Dunkirk, 12

 

First Team

Sam Eckstrom - Olean, 10

 Dylan Meyer - Fredonia, 10

Ryan Nord - Falconer, 12

Zach Harrington - Allegany-Limestone, 12

Kyle Radack - Southwestern, 11

 

Second Team

Wil Bathurst - Olean, 10

Max Portlow - Olean, 10

Mike Donaldson - Dunkirk, 12

Nick Johnston - Fredonia, 10

Nick Huffman - Gowanda, 12

 

Honorable Mention

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

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

Southwestern: Jake Swan - 12, Peter Trathen - 11

Dunkirk: Josh Mleczko - 12, Evan Ahlstrom - 12

Falconer: Brandon DePietro - 11, Nick Conti - 11

Fredonia: John Piper - 9

Gowanda: Alex Sternisha - 12

 

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

 

CCAA II

Player of the Year:

Zeddie Williams - Silver Creek, 11

 

First Team

Dustin Schauman - Cassadaga Valley, 12

Zach Blask - Portville, 11

Jevon Battle - Salamanca, 12

John Morgante - Randolph, 12

Brady Morrison - Randolph, 12

 

Second Team

Steve Marcey - Silver Creek, 11

Kaine Kettle - Silver Creek, 10

Mike Querrieo - Portville, 12

Zach Miles - Portville, 12

Gage Bird - Frewsburg, 12

Jackson John - Salamanca, 12

 

Honorable Mention

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

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

Salamanca: Tanner John - 11, Bryce Stahlman - 12

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

Cattaraugus-Little Valley: Hayden Griffith - 12

Frewsburg: Alex Elderkin - 11, Ian MacFarland - 12

Randolph: Bryce Morrison - 9

 

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

 

CCAA III

Player of the Year:

Alex Grace - Maple Grove, 12

 

First Team

Austin Alonge - Westfield, 12

Jake Reynolds - Franklinville, 12

Skylar Liddell - Maple Grove, 12

Jason McMahon - Chautauqua Lake, 12

John Coe - Westfield, 11

 

Second Team

Nate Stott - Forestville, 12

Ian Clute - Chautauqua Lake, 10

Trey North - Westfield, 12

LucasTrombley - Pine Valley, 11

Colin Lapi - Ellicottville, 12

Joe Frazier - Maple Grove, 12

Jason Pembridge - Maple Grove, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Forestville: Jacob Nosbisch - 10

Chautauqua Lake: Dan Gleason - 12

Ellicottville: Connor Hellwig - 12, Josh Bower - 12

Westfield: Anthony Leone - 12

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

 

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Class D Sectional Bracket

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 22nd

(8) Ellicottville 53, (9) West Valley 43

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th

(1) Panama 70, (8) Ellicottville 41

(5) Brocton 62, (4) Pine Valley 61

 

(2) Sherman 58, (7) Olmsted 54

(3) Clymer 72, (6) North Collins 25

 

Semifinals - Monday, February 25th

AT JCC - 6 & 7:45 pm

(1) Panama 65, (5) Brocton 37

(3) Clymer 40, (2) Sherman 39

 

Section VI Class D Championship - Friday, March 2nd

AT JCC - 5:30 pm 

 (1) Panama 48, (3) Clymer 46

 

2012 Section VI Class D Champions - Panama Panthers 

 

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2011-2012 Season Preview

With high school hoops season now in full swing here in WNY, it's time to see what basketball fans have to look forward to in the upcoming season.

 

WHAT'S NEW THIS SEASON?  

- Yale Cup  games are now scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm instead of 5:30 pm

- East and Burgard will both play in Yale Cup I, the large school division, despite being classified as small schools

- Leonardo DaVinci will field a team in the Yale Cup II and Class C1

- Class C now has 21 teams, meaning there is now a C1 & C2

- Friday, March 2, 2012 will feature three sectional championship games at JCC beginning at 5:30 pm for classes D, C2, & C1

- Crossover Tuesday at Buffalo State on March 6, 2012 will feature three games this year beginning at 5:30 pm with the Class C1/C2 game

- The Far West Regionals are back at Buffalo State this season on March 10, 2012 beginning at 12:00 pm

- Sweet Home will play in ECIC I

- Lake Shore will play in ECIC II

- Forestville and Ellicottville will play in CCAA III

- Brocton and North Collins will play in CCAA IV

- 2011 POY Jaysean Paige will play his senior season at a high school in Kentucky

- Chad Kelly is not playing basketball this season

- Stan Wier returns to East Aurora for his senior season

 

CLASSIFICATION CHANGES

McKinley moves down from AA to A1

Lafayette moves down from A1 to A2

Bennett moves down from A1 to A2

Olean moves down from A2 to B1

East moves down from A2 to B1

Burgard moves down from A2 to B1

Springville moves down from A2 to B1

JFK moves down from B1 to B2

Akron moves down from B1 to B2

Roy-Hart moves down from B1 to B2

Cassadaga Valley moves down from B2 to C1

 

NEW HEAD COACHES

Lancaster - John Otto

West Seneca East - Dan Leutman

Barker - Michael O'Sullivan

Clymer - Dan White

Tapestry Charter - Tony Williams

Nichols - Jim MacKinnon

 

 

 THE PLAYERS

Although I don’t publish a preseason All-Centercourt team, there are four players in WNY this season that are Division 1 talents and worth some early discussion.  Stan Wier will be a UB Bull next year, Jermaine Crumpton has already given Canisius a verbal commitment despite being a junior, Reggie Abeko has yet to decide on the many colleges who have shown interest, and Sterling Taplin will undoubtedly be playing major college ball somewhere…after he finishes his last three years of high school.

 

After bringing some serious raw talent to the Monsignor Martin Association last year, Agbeko has developed into a top prospect in WNY for St. Joe’s.  The buzz all summer was about the 6-7 Agbeko’s dominance in AAU and major strides in the fundamental aspects of his game.  He was a force on the boards last year and had really begun to finish well around the basket (finishing as a Fifth Team All-Centercourt selection), before crashing to the floor with an ankle injury at the Koessler Center during the postseason and missing the Marauders final two games.  His size, coupled with his leaping ability, will give teams fits near the basket this year.

 

Wier returns to WNY for his senior season and will be back with his original alma mater, East Aurora.  As a sophomore, Wier was named Second Team All-WNY as he helped lead Nichols to a Class A New York State Federation championship and then spent his junior campaign at a high school in Indiana.  The Blue Devils are glad to have this inside/outside threat back and will rely on his all-around game this season.  Besides his obvious physical attributes, Wier is a tireless worker who gets in the gym early each morning and takes hundreds of shots.

 

Another inside/outside threat is Crumpton.  The NFHS big man showed some flashes of brilliance as a sophomore and by all accounts, has improved tremendously over the summer.  The Wolverines will ask Crumpton to play a much bigger role this year after graduating a pair of big men who kept him out of the starting lineup last season.

 

Possibly the most talented player in this area is still developing, and that’s a scary thought when you consider just how good Taplin was as a freshman at Williamsville North last year.  In the offseason, Taplin (Third Team All-Centercourt in 2011) added 12 pounds of muscle to his frame and worked hard to improve his outside shot, which was already one of the area’s best.  The Spartans will look for Taplin to attack the rim more this year and take another step forward as an underclassman leader of their team.

 

A player who landed a spot on the Fifth Team All-Centercourt after finishing the season with a flurry, is Holland’s Jordan Farrant.  In back-to-back games during sectionals last February, Farrant scored a combined 76 points against Salamanca and OTC/MEC.

 

The following players return this season after earning All-Centercourt Honorable Mention honors a year ago:

 

Martin Bailey (Kenmore West),  Matt Hart (Canisius), Jordan Williams (Timon), Kyle Kobis (Timon), Taijay Williams (Niagara Falls), Khalid Brown (OTC/MEC), Jamaal Carter (City Honors), Aaron Frasier (MST Seneca), Jesse Lalka (Tonawanda), Josh Haight (Barker), Nick Lenart (Panama), Alex Grace (Maple Grove), Justice Feggans (Riverside), JJ Wilkes (Niagara Falls).

 

 

Some other players that I anticipate having great seasons include Sam Eckstrom (Olean), Adam Weir (Canisius), Conner Keenan (Williamsville East), Tommy Campion (Jamestown), Daryl Spencer (Cleveland Hill), Darnell Carson (CSAT), Zeddy Williams (Silver Creek), Kevin Holmes (Dunkirk), and Clayton Hess (Tonawanda).

 

LEAGUE BY LEAGUE

 

MONSIGNOR MARTIN

 

The Crusaders will be the favorites to repeat, thanks to the return of a very talented group that helped lift Canisius past St. Joe’s last year.  Matt Hart, Adam Weir, Aaron White, and Matt McDonald comprise the most dangerous quartet of shooters in WNY and all have plenty of big game experience as well.  Seniors Tim Schifferle and Brendan Tenney give head coach Kyle Husband some needed size inside.

 

Bishop Timon/St. Jude has four starters back from a year ago: Seniors Jordan Williams and Kyle Kobis, and juniors Ryan Dougherty and Fulton Bryant.  Williams and Kobis are two of the very best shooters in all of WNY, and when the Tigers are clicking on all cylinders, they’re capable being the top team in the area.

 

Following three consecutive appearances in the Catholic Class B state championship and a pair of titles, St. Mary’s once again has the horses to return.  Erik Simmons, Jake Denz, Devin Redden, and Nate Meyers are the key returnees for the Lancers and averaged a collective 36 points per game last season.  Also of note, former standout Joe Cellino joins the coaching staff this season.

 

The Marauders will need Agbeko to dominate the middle on both ends of the floor and open things up for the team’s shooters.  Mark Cerza transfers from Cardinal O’Hara and offers both size and finesse, while Jordan Glover, Kyle Briggs, and Jaylen Morris are all quick, aggressive, and athletic.  Junior Dylan Hall should have a major role for St. Joe’s this season also.

 

St. Francis returns six of its top eight players from last season, with each seeing time in the starting lineup.  Tyler Wagner, a three-year starter, will lead the Red Raiders this season from the guard position.  Both Brian Melisz and Cory Cullen started several games last year on varsity as sophomores.   Also returning are Brett Cawthorn, Matthew Morcio, and big Miles Bartholomew, who takes up a lot of space in the paint.  This very experienced and senior laden team looks to be a factor in a very talented and deep league.

 

Nichols brings back the Noonan brothers, Tommy and Adam, along with Eric Luko, Liam Ryan, and Sam Sendziak.  A quartet of tall and talented freshmen join the Vikings, as Jamar Waters, Cam Lewis, Chris Minor, and Tanner Schmit begin the process of returning Nichols to a power program in WNY.

 

Niagara Catholic has a pair of dynamic guards back in Joe Lowery and Jonathan Jackson and Walsh returns Ryan Whelpley.

 

YALE CUP

 

McKinley is led this season by guard Michael Davis, who saw plenty of action on last season’s AA semifinalist team.  Marcus Morris can shoot from anywhere in the gym, but missed most of last year with a knee injury.  Also back for the Macks are Lovell smith and Stephen Johnson, while Reyjzon Jordan will display his athletic talents on the hardwood as well.

 

Despite repeated success, the East Panthers seem to enter each season flying slightly below the radar.  After losing all five starters off the Section VI Class A regional representative, the same is sure to hold true again this year.  I still expect them to challenge for the Yale Cup in the large school division again this year.  Senior Rashaan Brown and sophomore transfer Tyree Tyson give East a pair of twin towers in the paint, while speedy sophomore Jonathan Lewis will run the point.  Seniors Daquann Griggs and Darnell Carr will also be key pieces this year.

 

Hutch-Tech is ready to make a run at the Yale Cup this year.  The Engineers bring back multiple players from the team that threatened Williamsville South in the A1 semis last year, including Marcus Nelson, Denzell Washington, Andrew Strug, and Tim Whitehead.  Sophomore Aymanuel Radford and junior Jovohn Owens will also be major factors.

 

Riverside features the electrifying Feggans and a much improved Lamont Little, along with returnees Mike Leonard and Mark Anderson. 

 

Bennett brings back 6-6 Derrick Quarles, gridiron start Javon Fogan, and Markei Miller.  The Tigers will also look for solid production out of Ed Bishop, Joe Nelson, Paris White, and Tylon Lynch.

 

OTC/MEC has two of its top players back in Khalid Brown and Cordell Torres, along with Davonte Harper and Kevin Reese.

 

MST Seneca has Jaleyn Pearson and Ben Bolden to go along with top area guard Aaron Frasier.

 

I-Prep returns Maurice Cheatom and Davonte Whitsett from last season's Class C state semifinalist squad.

 

ECIC I

 

The Red Raiders will look to defend both league and back-to-back sectional titles.  Leading the way for Jamestown will be junior Tommy Campion, a vital part of the team’s run to last season’s Class AA state title game.  Seniors Adam Cecchini and Kevin Diaz are also back, and both can light it up from the perimeter.  The future is already looking bright, as this ever re-loading team has three sophomores and two freshman

 

Sweet Home will be lead by junior Kole Gilchrist, who made second team ECIC II last season after averaging 13 points per game as a sophomore.  Senior Jayson Moore will run the point for the Panthers and will have Khalid Barnes, the JV’s leading scorer last year, to dish to.

 

Taplin will lead a Spartans squad that is determined to win ECIC I.  He’ll have help from tough defender Nick Konotopsky and three-point threat David Berkun, along with 6-3 forwards Brett Butler and Justin Bangert.  George Attea, a 6-3 freshman, could be one to keep an eye on as he develops at Williamsville North.

 

Clarence will be lead by a pair of guards in sophomore Bryan Jost and senior Stephen Hughes, Orchard Park welcomes Matt McCormick back, and Frontier has Alex Warren and Matt Taylor.

 

ECIC II

 

Conventional wisdom would have Williamsville South falling off the WNY basketball map after losing its entire starting lineup and fielding a team this season with just one senior.  However, optimism runs high for the Billies and their lone senior, Jim Caputi.  Jack Fitzpatrick takes over point guard duty, while Damien Powers will look to assume Joe Licata’s role as the team’s three-point threat.  South will also get contributions from Chaquiel Nettles, Trent Ferguson, Mike Calandra, Sam Castronova, and a player with a familiar last name…Pat Stasiak.

 

The league’s best player may be senior forward Conner Keenan at Williamsville East.  He, along with point guard Michael Kyarunts, will lead the Flames into battle this year.  Joseph Kleinmann and Mike Altman are back for their senior campaigns, while sophomore Jaleel Battle comes over from Riverside, along with a pair of out-of-state transfers.  Zack Bischel and Michael Spina will look to provide a spark coming off the bench.

 

Lake Shore varsity coach Dan Gerken returns four underclassmen and three seniors as the Eagles look to improve upon last season with experience and leadership.  Ryan Spears will captain the team, while senior guards Josh Sanchez and Mark Kennedy’s athleticism will be relied upon on both ends of the floor.

 

The Spartans will feature a very youthful group, with only two seniors on the team.  Starpoint’s offense will be directed by sophomore guard Julian Mott.  The Spartans also bring back Steve Cooper, Andrew Rankie, and sharp shooter Stan Speaker.

 

ECIC III

 

Maryvale has won league championships in each of the last two seasons, and will look to continue its winning ways.  Sean Weisansal, Tyler Smith, and the always energetic Joe Gabor are back for head coach Mark Kensey’s team, and the Flyers also gain Zack Walkowski fro JFK.  Demetri McCallie, Max Aikin, Ed Smith, and Jayln Putman all join the Flyers from the JV last year.

 

The addition of Wier will help to make East Aurora contenders, but they’re far from a one-man show.  Ian Allen has size and the ability to do things all over the court.  Mike Rhoades is a classic glue player who obviously works very hard, while Chris Bourne and Brendan Cox are both heady players.  Eli Melas and Cam Wier are both capable reserves for the Blue Devils.

 

Depew will occupy the paint with a pair of sturdy big men in 6-5 Jaden Cotton and 6-6 sophomore Mike Lamb.  Aaron Ertel can bomb away from the perimeter, while sophomore point guard Derrick Sekuterski can do a little of everything and continues to improve.  Mike Ballistrea and Jon Gemerek also return to the Wildcats.

 

Amherst will challenge for the ECIC III crown this season, due in large part to the returning contributions of Glenn and Johnathan Belton.  The two guards were leaders for the Tigers last year, as Glenn was the second leading scorer and Johnathan led in assists.  The Tigers also bring back 6-7 junior Alex Turecki to clog the middle, along with Steven Reynolds and Owen Lankes.  Juniors Dion Lewis and Jonah Heim are new to the team, but should see plenty of action.

 

Cheektowaga is led by Kyle McDuffie, Marquel Jackson, and Derek Clyburn.  The Warriors will also start Ernie Vann and freshman Zak Ciezki.

 

At Pioneer, senior Mike Brass returns poised to take a giant leap forward with a full year of starting varsity experience under his belt.  Able to play and guard any position 1-4, his court smarts and poise are his best attributes.  An ECIC III honorable mention as a sophmore, junior Terik Lewis is the leading returning scorer and after a stellar summer, appears ready to take the next step forward.  Team newcomers Dylan Souder and Connor Johnson look to make an immediate impact.

 

ECIC IV

 

Tonawanda enters this season with high hopes.  The defending ECIC IV champs bring back the league’s POY in Jesse Lalka, and also return the well-rounded Clayton Hess.  Completing the Warriors starting lineup should be Jake Spencer, Tyler Hughes, and Andy Smith.

 

Cleveland Hill will seek a third straight trip to Buffalo State this year, led by senior Daryl Spencer.  Despite missing four games at the start of last season, Spencer lead the team in shooting and free throw percentage, points scored (13.9 per game), rebounds (12.7 per game), blocked shots, and steals.  Senior point guard Miles Barker will need to lead his team on the floor and forward DeVonte Davis should be a presence in the paint. The team will also look for sophomore Jared Watkins to contribute on both ends of the court with his quickness.   

 

Lackawanna’s lone returning starter from last season’s Class B1 champ is Raytrel Finley.  The Steelers also bring back Norman Sweat, Admir Merhizic, and TJ Giddens.  Head coach Tim Foley’s group will look to run about ten deep this season and rely on athleticism to help counter a lack of experience as they seek a return trip to Buffalo State.

 

 JFK has Christian Boettcher back in its starting lineup again, and also returns Jimmy Quinn, Ken Minorczyk, Nick Sikora, and Ben Zaccagnino.  Nick Anderson and Joey Burkowski move up to varsity and should see plenty of action.

 

Paul Matuszak is the lone returning starter at Alden, who also welcome back shooting threat Phil Bifulco.  Juniors Corey Barczykowski and Jake McNamara, and sophomore Dylan Dussalt move up from the JV for head coach Andy Smith’s Bulldogs.

 

Holland will look to Jordan Farrant to do a lot of everything and he'll likely be up to that task once again this season.

 

NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE

 

Niagara Falls will once again be the heavy favorite to win in both its league and section, with five players returning that saw quality minutes on a team that lost by just three points in the AA sectional championship to state runner-up Jamestown.  Crumpton will be a force inside, while JJ Wilkes, Taijay Williams, and Jamere Ollison all started games for the Wolverines at guard last season.  Junior Ramir Burton will also be a key contributor at Falls this year.

 

Kenmore West would be the top threat to challenge the Wolverines again this year with Martin Bailey, Marcus Lobdell, and 6-6 junior Quintin Campbell.

 

After much time and effort in his inaugural year at the helm, head coach Nate Beutel will challenge his Vikings to take a big step forward this season.  Junior point guard Nick Soos, senior center Dylan Kelly, and senior forward Jon Voyzey return to Grand Island and are expected to make an impact as starters.  Corey Adamshick and Jordan Jelks move up to varsity and will be relied upon, while freshman Quinn Carey is full of potential to have a strong four years at the varsity level.

 

After finishing third in the NFL last year, Niagara Wheatfield will look to Ryan Elnicki and Jack Mulcahy to keep the wins coming.

 

Lockport has the 6-6 Nick DiMartile along with Ezra Nwachaku.  Lew-Port welcomes St. Joe's transfer guard John Dziewit, who pairs with Nick Mansour to lead the Lancers.  Kenmore East will look to PJ Blanch for much of its scoring, and North Tonawanda will do the same with Corey Mis.

 

 

 NIAGARA-ORLEANS LEAGUE

 

CSAT should be the favorites to win its first ever N-O crown, as the Eagles return some real talent.  Junior guard Darnell Carson leads an Eagles team that also brings back shot-blocking Arzell Kaigler and Justin Black.  After a year at OTC/MEC, Desmond Lamar transferred back to CSAT.

 

Wilson lost most of its starting lineup, but still returns enough talent to make another run at a third straight league title and a sixth straight trip to the B2 semifinals.  Tyler Martin is the court leader for the Lakemen, who also bring back 6-4 forwards Dave Littere and Dustin DiLaura, Pat Walch, Pat Diez, and Zack Moxham.

 

Newfane lost a ton to graduation, with Sean Seefeldt being the lone returning starter.  Scott Kneeland is the only other senior returning, so juniors Connor Sears and Bryan Geise will be relied upon heavily for the Panthers.

 

Over at Akron, Connor Ladd, last year's leading scorer and rebounder is back for his junior season.  Junior Austin Mietz gets a fresh start from football after battling back from a knee injury last winter.  Junior Gowah Abrams will be the big man in the middle after finishing the season strong on varsity last year.  The largest question mark is at the point, as the Tiger's graduated three-year varsity player Jaime Salcedo.

 

Roy-Hart will be improved this season, as the Rams return four starters.  Jake Klietz, Ryan Metz, Chris Luce, and Brad Bobbit return to head coach Mark Rydza’s unit, while Conner Baker will play this season after missing last year due to injury.

 

Barker has a very talented pair back this season in senior Josh Haight and sophomore Jake Haight.

 

Medina will continue to improve with behind Lonnie Taylor and Lucas Evans. 

 

CCAA I

 

Olean will very likely reclaim its dominance in the CCAA this year and with the team moving back to Class B, could be in for a lengthy postseason.  The Huskies return four starters, led by the man in the middle, Sam Eckstrom.  Nick Schmidt averaged 13 points per game as a freshman and will be back prowling the perimeter.  Luke Hennessy, Pat Scholla, Max Portlow, and Neil Shoemaker also return, while an impact should be felt from newcomers Wil Bathurst and Evan Ryan.

 

Dunkirk will try to contend with the Huskies, with Kevin Holmes and Mike Donaldson back from last year’s league champs.

 

Fredonia will be led by Dylan Meyer, Southwestern has Jake Swan back, Falconer returns Ryan Nord, and Zach Harrington will be the main threat for Allegany-Limestone.

 

CCAA II

 

Salamanca will try to capture the league crown behind the talented trio of Jevon Battle, Jackson John, and Tanner John.

 

Randolph has both Brady Morrison and John Morgante back, Cassadaga Valley has Dustin Schauman for one more season, Gage Bird leads Frewsburg, Portville has Zach Blask and Zach Miles, and Silver Creek has a very talented and athletic junior in Zeddy Williams.

 

 CCAA III

 

Senior Austin Alonge will lead the way for Westfield after averaging 15 points as a junior.  The Wolverines also return three other starters: Trey North, Jon Coe, and Anthony Leone.  Junior Dylan MacCubbin was the first man off the bench last year, and senior Brent Morrison returns to Westfield after being a key starter at Chautauqua Lake last year.

 

Maple Grove returns senior guard Alex Grace, along with senior forward Skyler Liddell.

 

Ellicottville has both Colin Lapi and Conner Hellwig returning.

 

Franklinville returns Jake Reynolds, while Jason McMahon will be the senior leader for Chautauqua Lake.

 

CCAA IV

 

Panama has the league’s top player in four-year starter Nick Lenart, along with Zach Lubi returning.

 

David Kelley, Andrew Graham, and Marcus Lindstrom are all back for Sherman.

 

Clymer will be tough with Dan Lictus and Adam Walker in its lineup, Dan Ferguson and Jordan Patterson will lead Brocton, and North Collins returns senior Jared Keppel.

 

PREDICTIONS

LEAGUE CHAMPS:

Yale Cup I - McKinley, Yale Cup II - OTC/MEC, ECIC I - Jamestown, ECIC II - Williamsville South, ECIC III - East Aurora,  ECIC IV - Tonawanda,  NFL - Niagara Falls,  N-O - CSAT,  CCAA I - Olean,  CCAA II - Salamanca,  CCAA III - Maple Grove,  CCAA IV - Panama

 

SECTIONAL CHAMPS:

AA - Niagara Falls, A1 - McKinley, A2 - Riverside, B1 - Olean, B2 - CSAT, C1 - OTC/MEC, C2 - Maple Grove, D - Panama

 

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Quarterfinals are on for tonight

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

 

Rescheduled for Saturday, February 25th

Class B1

Buffalo Arts @ Dunkirk - 2 pm

Class D

Olmstead @ Sherman - 2 pm

North Collins @ Panama - 2 pm

Ellicottville @ Clymer - 2 pm

 

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

 

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

 

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Class D Sectionals

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

 

 

Pre-Quarterfinal

(9) Olmsted 67, (8) West Valley 46

 

Quarterfinals

(1) Sherman 70, (9) Olmsted 55

(4) Pine Valley 75, (5) Forestville 53

 (2) Clymer 59, (7) Ellicottville 33

(3) Panama 63, (6) North Collins 52

 

Semifinals @ JCC

(4) Pine Valley 50, (1) Sherman 47

(2) Clymer 64, (3) Panama 44

 

Class D Championship @ JCC

(2) Clymer vs. (4) Pine Valley

 

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Random Smatterings - Week 4

I already mentioned this on Inside High School Sports, but it's a promotion worth repeating.  Anyone who sends a link for this blog to ten friends will receive free admission to the Pastor-Cooper Tournament next year.

 

 Two teams picked up their first league wins of the season on Tuesday night with identical scores.  Grand Island beat North Tonawanda and Akron beat Barker, each by a score of 39-37.

 

We're into the second week of January and there hasn't been a single comment from a Bulldog fan about the lack of respect his team is getting.  Obviously noone from Alden is aware of this blog.

 

The Williamsville Schools (North, South, & East) are off to a combined start of 21-4, and one of the four losses was South's win against North.

 

Westfield senior Michael Bova posted a triple-double and broke a school record along the way during a win at North Collins on Monday.  Bova scored 26 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, and blocked a Westfield record 19 shots.

 

Newfane junior guard Sean Seefeldt is also the starting quarterback for the football team.  He shoots left-handed on the court and throws right-handed on the field.

 

When Lafayette senior Davon Ferguson missed a dunk against Riverside, he grabbed the miss and dunked it again...all while still hanging on the rim.  He was assessed a technical foul and the dunk did not count.

 

Maryvale has experienced some major struggles in a pair of recent games.  Leading Cleveland Hill by 10 points after three quarters, the Flyers were outscored 15-2 in the fourth and lost 51-48.  A week later, Maryvale was up 35-23 at halftime against Cheektowaga, but were outscored 13-4 in the third and 24-4 in the fourth, to lose 60-43 to the Warriors.

 

Some major props go out to Williamsville North for the defensive game plan against David Hill of Clarence.  Hill, who has scored 40 before and gone over 30 multiple times, was held to one point in the Spartans 60-55 overtime win against the Red Devils.

 

While checking the box scores last week, I saw Roy-Hart 33, Akron 27.  I quickly scrolled back up to the top of the page thinking I had gone too far down into the girl's scores.

 

Tapestry Charter head coach Earl Schunk said of his Thunderhawks game at Grover on Thursday, "we're bringing the green back to Grover".  The Presidents hope when Tapestry leaves, they're blue.

 

During the Prep Talk live chat last week, Patrick Moran of Buffalo Sports Daily said "NOBODY can shoot three for three with Timon, and I'll admit a bit of biased, but that's a fact, Jack.  And while I haven't seen nearly as many games around WNY this year as Mr. McShea I can say with complete confidence that nobody can shoot threes with Timon". 

Bold prediction time  - when Timon visits Williamsville South on February 11th, the Billies will connect on as many or more 3-pointers.

 

In Lackawanna's 46-35 win over Tonawanda last week, only six players made it into the box score...from both teams combined.  Each team got all its scoring from three players.

 

Maple Grove and Westfield had to switch home games.  The Red Dragons played host in their win against Westfield Tuesday night rather than travel there, because one of the Wolverines JV players dunked and shattered the backboard before Westfield left to play at North Collins on Monday night.

 

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Classifications & Leagues

    Class AA                                                                         Class A1

    Niagara Falls - NFL                                                       Hamburg - ECIC II

    Lancaster - ECIC I                                                         Sweet Home - ECIC II

    Lockport - NFL                                                               Williamsville East - ECIC II

    Frontier - ECIC I                                                            Kenmore East - NFL

    Clarence - ECIC I                                                           Hutch-Tech - Yale Cup I

    Orchard Park - ECIC I                                                 Bennett - Yale Cup I

    Jamestown - ECIC I                                                      Grand Island - NFL

    Kenmore West - NFL                                                   Williamsville South - ECIC II

    Williamsville North - ECIC I                                     Lafayette - Yale Cup I

    West Seneca West - ECIC I                                        Iroquois - ECIC II

    North Tonawanda - NFL                                             West Seneca East - ECIC II

    Niagara Wheatfield - NFL                                           Starpoint - ECIC II

    McKinley - Yale Cup I                                                   Lake Shore - ECIC III

 

    Class A2                                                                          Class B1

    Amherst - ECIC III                                                        Tonawanda - ECIC IV

    Riverside - Yale Cup I                                                   Lackawanna - ECIC IV

    Buffalo East - Yale Cup I                                              Newfane - N-O

     Albion - N-O                                                                     Dunkirk - CCAA I

    Lew-Port - NFL                                                                 Alden - ECIC IV

    Cheektowaga - ECIC III                                               Medina - N-O

    Pioneer - ECIC III                                                          Eden - ECIC IV

    Maryvale - ECIC III                                                       JFK - ECIC IV

    Burgard - Yale Cup I                                                      Buffalo Arts - Yale Cup II

    South Park - Yale Cup I                                                Akron - N-O

    Olean - CCAA I                                                                 Roy-Hart - N-O

    East Aurora - ECIC III

    Springville - ECIC III

    Depew - ECIC III

 

    Class B2                                                                      Monsignor Martin

    Fredonia - CCAA I                                                         Canisius - A

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

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

    City Honors - Yale Cup II                                          St. Francis - A

    Southwestern - CCAA I                                               St. Mary's - B

    Wilson - N-O                                                                    Cardinal O'Hara - B

    Gowanda - CCAA I                                                         Nichols - B

    Falconer - CCAA I                                                          Niagara Catholic - B

    Allegany-Limestone - CCAA I                                  Archbishop Walsh - B

    CSAT - N-O

    Cassadaga Valley - CCAA II

 

    Class C                                                                             Class D

    Salamanca - CCAA II                                                   Pine Valley - CCAA III

    Oracle Charter - Independent                                  Brocton - CCAA III

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

    Maritime Charter - Independent                            Ellicottville - CCAA IV

    Holland - ECIC IV                                                         Forestville - CCAA IV

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

    Silver Creek - CCAA II                                                Olmsted - Yale Cup II

    Cattaraugus-Little Valley - CCAA II                      Sherman - CCAA IV

    Tapestry Charter - Independent                             Clymer - CCAA IV

    Randolph - CCAA II                                                      West Valley - CCAA IV

    Frewsburg - CCAA II                                                     Ripley - CCAA IV

    Portville - CCAA II

    Westfield - CCAA III

    Buffalo Science Charter - Independent

    Maple Grove - CCAA III

    MST Prep at  Seneca - Yale Cup II

    Chautauqua Lake - CCAA III

    Franklinville - CCAA III

    Barker - N-O