The View From Centercourt

Sectional Preview - 2023

 

The Section VI postseason begins Monday afternoon with a First Round matchup in Class B2 as Medina heads to the Southern Tier to face Southwestern.  The winner moves on to participate in the Pre-Quarterfinal Round, which begins on Tuesday night at 7 pm.  Between Friday & Saturday, 28 Quarterfinal games will decide which teams move on to Buffalo State and JCC for the semifinals.  See all the postseason matchups with dates, times, & locations, along with updated results at Brackets Central - 2023

 

Below I take a look at some of the best matchups we could potentially see in the Pre-Quarterfinals, Quarterfinals, & Semifinals, and project the classifications with the best championship game, along with sleepers, some winning streaks, & predictions.

 

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

 

Most exciting brackets, top to bottom:

7. Class A2

6. Class A1

5. Class D

4. Class C

3. Class AA

2. Class B1

1. Class B2

-  How exciting is the Class B2 bracket this postseason?   Well for starters, the defending champions from Allegany-Limestone are up to their old tricks again, arriving as the #6 seed just to make things interesting.  This is a team that waxed both Depew & Pioneer (the #2 & #3 seeds in Class B1) by 20+ points each, knocked off Randolph, and erased a 16-point halftime deficit at Salamanca in near record time.  They only have three loses on the season and all came without the services of Andrew Giardini, who is back after missing all of January.

- Remember when Bennett won Class B1 in 2021 during the 7-week season coming out of the pandemic and no one really saw it coming?  Well, I'm the only guy talking about the Tigers this season - the only pollster on the Buffalo News that's voting for them.  I'll bet you my seat at Buff State that they are playing there on Thursday, March 2nd when the Class B2 Semifinals tip at 6 pm and the top-seeded Salamanca Warriors have plenty to do to get ready for that game, trust me! 

- Speaking of the Warriors, yeah, those guys who played in Glens Falls last season in Class C.  They have a legitimate shot at returning there in Class B this season.  They went undefeated in what is hands down the toughest small school league in Section VI to earn the #1 seed and have special talent in the school's all-time leading scorer Lucus Brown, who looked at home balling out at Buff State last season & turning heads as a sophomore.

- The Warriors aren't the only undefeated league champion from that bracket - there's still TWO more!  Newfane rolled through the N-O & Cleveland Hill did the same in ECIC IV and both teams are good.  Cleveland Hill just ended its season with a win at Depew and hasn't lost a game since December.  The only game the Panthers have lost in 2023 was against North Tonawanda and as someone who lives in the district & sees a few games in multiple counties each season, I will vouch for the strength of this team and the program as a whole.

- Still aren't convinced the B2 Bracket rules?  I will submit Fredonia as further evidence.  The Hillbillies have been ranked in the Top 10 for most of the season, walloped the likes of MST Seneca & Westfield, won at Allegany-Limestone, beat East Aurora, and swept Southwestern.  They are the #10 seed for crying out loud. 

- You want a sleeper for this bracket?  Not yet!  You'll have to read further.  But for now, I will toss out that Southwestern has to win a Play-In game on Monday afternoon as the #16 seed.  So they've been a little rocky road this season, but let's highlight a couple of the streets they found to be well-paved in the Southern Tier - the Trojans shot down the Randolph Cardinals in their own gym in a 55-37 win and took a broom to Olean, sweeping the Huskies!  The have a stud in Matthew Pannes who has a pair of 40+ point eruptions on the year.

- I know, this is getting long-winded, so I'll wrap it up by pointing out that I've already highlighted 7 of the teams in a 17-team playoff and there are still another five squads from the bracket I haven't even mentioned with double-digit wins on the season:  Tapestry (14), Roy-Hart (13), Springville (12), Olmsted (12), & Akron (11).

 

Sleepers from each bracket

AA - Clarence:  For a second straight season, the Red Devils head into the postseason with an 11-9 record and were never a ranked large school this season.  Three of their losses happened consecutively to begin the year, so they are 11-6 in their last 17.  They won by 20 points on the same court at Lew-Port where Niagara Falls lost three weeks after.  They fell behind on the road at McKinley by 18 points in the opening quarter and nearly came back to win the game, and two more of the losses that came after the 0-3 start were at the hands of the top-seed Jamestown Red Raiders, with the second loss coming at the buzzer.  Another happened against Health Sciences, after trailing the Falcons by just two points after three quarters, without the services of point guard Sean Gilmartin, who is averaging 12.6 PPG & 4.8 APG.  Clarence might have the best big man in WNY in Grayson White and if they get past Frontier in the 8/9 game, they would head back to Jamestown to face the Red Raiders for a third time.  The coffee is ready, wake up.

A1 - North Tonawanda: I get all jacked-up just thinking about teams sleeping on these guys!  How could you?  They have the best coach in NT history, officially now, as Ryan Mountain has surpassed Greg Ross as the program's all-time wins leader.  Patrick McNeill is a talent and about as underrated as using attack crows to break up a hostage situation (tell me training those creeping squawkers to harass the bad guys wouldn't work).  The only losses on the season for the Jacks have come to ranked teams - Falls, Niagara Wheatfield, & Lockport all twice, along with at Lew-Port.  Buckets don't so easy in the postseason & the Jacks are as good a zone squad as there is - they are the only team in Class A1 holding opponents under 50 PPG on the season.  You start sawing logs on the Lumberjacks, I'll send in the attack crows!

A2 - CSAT:  Tough to find any teams in this bracket that make you feel like someone slipped a Benadryl in your Monster drink, but if there's a team that fits the bill based on past performance, I'll fly with these Eagles.  Just two seasons ago, they went into Amherst and knocked off a Tiger squad that had just rolled Lew-Port by 33 points after hanging 92 on them in the quarterfinal.  Then, they went to double overtime in the Class A2 Final at Cheektowaga, losing a heartbreaker.  Last year, CSAT faced eventual Class A Regional champion Amherst in the semifinals at Buff State and gave them all they could handle for 32 minutes, before bowing out in a 5-point loss.  They are an 11-win team on the season and if Starpoint tries slamming that Monster drink for a little extra pep before tip-off, they just might start getting heavy eyes by the third quarter.

B1 - Olean:  Can you remember the last time we entered the postseason and no one was talking about Olean?  I see you all value beauty rest.  Well, I remember.  In 2020, the defending B1 champion Huskies lost three league games and entered the postseason as the #7 seed in Class B1.  The team waiting to host them in the quarterfinals that year was Iroquois, and the Huskies rolled past the #2 seed, 78-56.  They went on that season to win the overall Class B championship.  Well, look at what the bracket holds this season…a win over Maryvale would earn a quarterfinal trip to Iroquois.  They were my sleeper pick in that 2020 Sectional Preview also.  Did I mention that Olean is the defending Class B1 champions?  Go grab some mouthwash for your morning breath.

B2 - Fredonia:  If you were expecting to see Southwestern here, well, I guess I fooled you.  And please don’t even suggest that Allegany-Limestone could be the sleeper with the #6 seed.  There is not a chance that any opponent of the Gators moving forward is anything less than terrified at the prospect of facing the defending champs.  Anyone pretending to sleep on them is like that dog that keeps raising one eye open.  My sleeper here is a team that beat those Gators for one of its 13 wins on the season.  The Hillbillies have been outstanding all season, beating every team in their league, with the exception of Salamanca.  They have four players averaging over double figures in scoring, with three of them already grabbing over 100 rebounds on the year, and the other knocking down 62 three-point bombs entering the playoffs.  That fiddle 'dem boys play is like a sweet lullaby.  

C - East:  Only five wins all season and two of those were recorded after a week of play in December.  They must be terrible.  I bet that Hall of Fame coach of theirs with over 400 wins forgot how to coach… I mean it’s been five years since he was able to manage a fourth state championship.  They aren’t even the best Yale Cup team in the bracket.  The #2 seed from MST Seneca already beat the Panthers during their 9-game win streak.  By one point.  There is no way a team with three victories since December 9th earns three wins in a row to reach the final four at JCC.   I’m going to go lay down, just for 20 minutes or so.

D -  Sherman:  The Wildcats, who were finalists in Class D a year ago, need a win against Forestville just for a shot at the top seed from Ellicottville, who ran the table in CCAA II East.  They are only the #8 seed.  But, they are the same team that won its most recent meetings with both Westfield and Panama, two teams that defeated Ellicottville this year.  A win in the quarterfinals would likely get them a game at JCC against one of the two teams they recently defeated.  And when they last played their rivals from Clymer, who projects to win the whole thing, they only lost by seven points.  Can you imagine if Sherman came in as the #8 seed and went on to win the whole zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

 

Top 7 Pre-Quarterfinal Games 

7.  City Honors @ Albion (B1)

6.  Bennett @ Springville (B2)

5.  Southwestern @ Tapestry (B2)

4.  Middle College @ Cheektowaga (B1)

3.  East @ Global Concepts (C)

2.  Frontier @ Clarence (AA)

1.  Olean @ Iroquois (B1)  

 

Top 12 Quarterfinal Games 

12.  Silver Creek @ Holland (C)

11.  Lockport @ Williamsville North (AA)

10.  Sherman @ Ellicottville (D)

9.  East @ Frewsburg (C) 

8.  North Tonawanda @ Williamsville East (A1)

7.  Westfield @ Panama (D)

6.  Lackawanna @ Olean (B1)

5.  Cheektowaga @ Pioneer (B1)

4.  Clarence @ Jamestown (AA)

3.  East Aurora @ Depew (B1)

2.  Fredonia @ Cleveland Hill (B2)

1.  Allegany-Limestone @ Newfane (B2)

 

Most Exciting Potential Semifinals

8.  North Tonawanda vs McKinley (A1)

7.  South Park vs Williamsville South (A2)

6.  Allegany-Limestone vs. Fredonia (B2)

5.  Niagara Wheatfield vs I-Prep (A1)

4.  Bennett vs Salamanca (B2)

3.  Pioneer vs. Depew (B1)

2.  Lockport vs. Jamestown  (AA)

1.  Health Sciences vs Niagara Falls (AA)

 

Most Exciting Championship Games

5. Class D

4. Class A1

3. Class B1

2. Class B2

1. Class AA

 

Winning streaks heading into sectionals

Health Sciences:  18

Salamanca:  12  &  15 of the last 16

Cleveland Hill:  12

Newfane:  11  &  15 of the last 16

MST Seneca:  9

Clymer:  7  &  16 of the last 17

Ellicottville:  7  &  11 of the last 12

Niagara Falls:  7

Amherst:  12 of the last 13

Lew-Port:  9 of the last 10

Jamestown:  8 of the last 9

Allegany-Limestone:  8 of the last 9

Williamsville South:  8 of the last 9

McKinley:  8 of the last 9

Frewsburg:  7 of the last 8

 

Predictions

AA - Health Sciences

A1 - McKinley

A2 - Amherst

B1 - Lew-Port

B2 - Salamanca

C - Randolph

D - Clymer

 

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Brackets Central - 2023

 

Class AA

Class A1

Class A2

Class B1

Class B2

Class C

Class D

Manhattan Cup Playoffs

 

Section VI All-Tournament Teams

2023 Sectional Preview

Buff State Week Viewing Guide

Key Postseason Dates

 

Top 10 Rankings Heading into Buff State Week

2023 League Champions

 

 

2022 Brackets

2021 Brackets

2020 Brackets

2018 Brackets

2017 Brackets

2016 Brackets

2015 Brackets

2014 Brackets

2013 Brackets

2012 Brackets

2011 Brackets

 

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Class AA Bracket - 2023 Sectionals

Pre-Quarterfinal - Thursday, February 23rd

AT Higher Seed - 7 pm

(8) Clarence 42, (9) Frontier 39

 

Quarterfinals - Saturday, February 25th

At Higher Seed - 12 pm

(1) Jamestown 55, (8) Clarence 39

(5) Lockport 67, (4) Williamsville North 60

 

(2) Health Sciences 74, (7) Orchard Park 62

(3) Niagara Falls 86, (6) Lancaster 46

 

Semifinals - Tuesday & Wednesday, February 28th & March 1st

AT BUFF STATE - 8:15 pm

(1) Jamestown 69,  (5) Lockport 64

(3) Niagara Falls 66, (2) Health Sciences 60

 

Final - Saturday, March 4th 

AT BUFF STATE - 3:30pm

(3) Niagara Falls 53, (1) Jamestown 52

 

2023 Section VI Class AA Champions - Niagara Falls Wolverines

 

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Class A1 & A2 Bracket - 2023 Sectionals

Class A1

 

Pre-Quarterfonals - Wednesday, February 22nd

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(8) Hutch Tech 65, (9) West Seneca West 55

(10) Sweet Home 56, (7) Ken West

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(1) McKinley 82, (8) Hutch Tech 41

(4) Williamsville East 82, (5) North Tonawanda 76

 

(2) Niagara Wheatfield 88, (10) Sweet Home 46

(3) I-Prep 48, (6) Hamburg 46

 

Semifinals - Monday, February 27th

AT BUFF STATE - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

(1) McKinley 76, (4) Williamsville East 74

(2) Niagara Wheatfield 68, (3) I-Prep 39

 

Final - Saturday, March 4th

AT BUFF STATE - 8:30 pm

(1) McKinley 60, (2) Niagara Wheatfield 56

 

2023 Section VI Class A1 Champions - McKinley Macks

 

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

 

Class A2

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 22nd

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(8) Grand Island 42, (9) Ken East 36

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(1) Amherst 70, (8) Grand Island 34

(4) Starpoint 53, (5) CSAT 51

 

(2) Williamsville South vs (7) Emerson

(3) South Park 72, (6) West Seneca East 44

 

Semifinals - Tuesday, February 28th

AT BUFF STATE - 5:15 pm 6:45 pm 

(1) Amherst 66,  (4) Starpoint 38

(2) Williamsville South 68, (3) South Park 56

 

Final - Saturday, March 4th

AT BUFF STATE - 7 pm

(1) Amherst 58, (2) Williamsville South 56

 

2023 Section VI Class A2 Champions - Amherst Tigers

 

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Class B1 & B2 Bracket - 2023 Sectionals

Class B1

First Round - Tuesday, February 21st 

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(9) City Honors 63, (16) Tonawanda 38

(12) Olean 96, (13) Maryvale 52

 

(15) Dunkirk 64, (10) Alden 48

(11) Middle College 65, (14) Lake Shore 46 

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Thursday, February 23rd

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(8) Albion 65,  (9) City Honors 58

(5) Iroquois 57,  (12) Olean 48

 

(7) East Aurora 78,  (15) Dunkirk 70

(6) Cheektowaga 79,  (11) Middle College 71

 

Quarterfinals - Saturday, February 25th

At Higher Seed - 2 pm

(1) Lew-Port 85,  (8) Albion 58

(4) Lackawanna 53,  (5) Iroquois 52

 

(7) East Aurora 59, (2) Depew 47

(6) Cheektowaga 54, (3) Pioneer  50

 

Semifinals - Wednesday, March 1st

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

(1) Lew-Port 65,  (4) Lackawanna 46

(6) Cheektowaga 67,  (7) East Aurora 59

 

Final - Saturday, March 4th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 1:45 pm

(1) Lew-Port 91, (6) Cheektowaga 66

 

2023 Section VI Class B1 Champions - Lew-Port Lancers

 

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

 

Class B2

Play-In Game - Monday, February 20th

At Higher Seed - 12 pm

(16) Southwestern 70, (17) Medina 30

 

First Round - Tuesday, February 21st

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(16) Southwestern 62, (9) Roy-Hart 46

(12) Bennett 90, (13) Buffalo Arts 50

 

(10) Fredonia 74, (15) Akron 52

(11) Falconer 64, (14) Eden 52

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Thursday, February 23rd

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(16) Southwestern 63, (8) Tapestry 53

(12) Bennett 61, (5) Springville 54

 

(10) Fredonia 73, (7) Burgard 58

(6) Allegany-Limestone 80, (11) Falconer 39

 

Quarterfinals - Saturday, February 25th

At Higher Seed - 12 pm 

(1) Salamanca 61,  (16) Southwestern 37

(12) Bennett 60, (4) Olmsted 48

 

(10) Fredonia 55, (2) Cleveland Hill 52

(3) Newfane 56, (6) Allegany-Limestone 55

 

Semifinals - Thursday, March 2nd

AT BUFF STATE - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

(1) Salamanca 74, (12) Bennett 55

(3) Newfane  vs  (10) Fredonia 

 

Final - Saturday, March 4th

AT BUFF STATE - 12 pm

(10) Fredonia 58, (1) Salamanca 54

 

2023 Section VI Class B2 Champions - Fredonia Hillbillies

 

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Class C Bracket - 2023 Sectionals

First Round - Tuesday, February 21st

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(9) Maritime Forfeits  (16) Cattaraugus-Little Valley --->

(12) JFK 68, (13) Gowanda 57

 

(10) Portville 66, (15) BASCS 39

(11) East 89, (14) Cassadaga Valley 41

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Thursday, February 23rd

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(8) Chautauqua Lake 83, (16) Cattaraugus-Little Valley 39

(5) Silver Creek 69,  (12) JFK 51

 

(7) Wilson 47,  (10) Portville 38

(11) East 70, (6) Global Concepts 47

 

Quarterfinals - Saturday, February 25th

At Higher Seed - 12 pm

(1) Randolph 71,  (8) Chautauqua Lake 46

(4) Holland 72,  (5) Silver Creek 64

 

(2) MST Seneca 67,  (7) Wilson 51

(3) Frewsburg 70,  (11) East 63

 

Semifinals - Tuesday, February 28th

AT JCC - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

(1) Randolph 59, (4) Holland 42

(3) Frewsburg 86, (2) MST Seneca 59

 

Final - Friday, March 3rd

AT JCC - 7:45 pm

(1) Randolph 70, (3) Frewsburg 47

 

2023 Section VI Class C Champions - Randolph Cardinals

 

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Class D Bracket - 2023 Sectionals

 

Pre-quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 22nd at 7 pm

At Higher Seed

(8) Sherman 68, (9) Forestville 39

(5) Westfield 55, (12) Brocton 29

 

(10) Barker 74, (7) Pine Valley 65

(6) Franklinville 64, (11) Maple Grove 55

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th at 7 pm

At Higher Seed

(1) Ellicottville 38, (8) Sherman 32

(4) Panama 63,  (5) Westfield 38

 

(2) Clymer 60, (10) Barker 42

(3) North Collins 73,  (6) Franklinville 64

 

Semifinals - Monday, February 27th

At JCC - 6 pm & 7:45 pm 

(4) Panama 47, (1) Ellicottville 36

(2) Clymer 61, (3) North Collins 35

 

Final - Friday, March 3rd

At JCC - 6 pm

(4) Panama 41, (2) Clymer 37

 

2023 Section VI Class D Champions - Panama Panthers

 

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Postseason Dates for 2023

 

Below is a basic schedule outlining the key dates of postseason games for both the MMA & Section VI teams. 

 

For specific matchups, please refer to Brackets Central 2023 (to be published on Saturday, February 18th) where you will find links to each individual bracket for the Manhattan Cup Playoffs & the 7 classifications of Sectionals for Section VI

 

Sunday, February 19th

Manhattan Cup Play-In Games at St. Francis HS 

Park vs St. Mary's - 4 pm

Cardinal O'Hara vs St. Francis - 6 pm

 

Monday, February 20th

Section VI Class B2 Play-In Game

 

Tuesday, February 21st

Section VI First Round - Class B1, B2, C

Manhattan Cup Playoffs at St. Joe's

St. Mary's / Park vs St. Joe's - 5:30 pm

O'Hara / St. Francis vs Nichols - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, February 22nd

Section VI Pre-Quarterfinals - Class A1, A2, D

 

Thursday, February 23rd

Section VI Pre-Quarterfinals - Class AA, B1, B2, C

Manhattan Cup Semifinals at Canisius College

O'Hara / St. Francis / Nichols vs Timon - 5:30 pm

St. Mary's / Park / St. Joe's vs Canisius - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, February 24th

Section VI Quarterfinals - Class A1, A2, D

 

Saturday, February 25th

Section VI Quarterfinals - Class AA, B1, B2, C

 

Sunday, February 26th

Manhattan Cup Championship at Canisius College - 6 pm

 

Monday, February 27th

Section VI Semifinals at Buff State - Class A1

Section VI Semifinals at JCC - Class D

 

Tuesday, February 28th

Section VI Semifinals at Buff State - Class A2, Class AA

Section VI Semifinals at JCC - Class C

 

Wednesday, March 1st

Section VI Semifinals at Buff State - B1, Class AA

 

Thursday, March 2nd

Section VI Semifinals at Buff State - Class B2

 

Friday, March 3rd

Section VI Finals at JCC - Class D, C

 

Saturday, March 4th

Section VI Finals at Buff State - Class B2, B1, AA, A2, A1

CHSAA Class A State Semifinal at Hilbert

Manhattan Cup Champion vs TBD - 3:pm

 

Tuesday, March 7th

Section VI Crossovers - Class B, A

 

Saturday, March 11th

Far West Regionals at Gates Chili

Class C - 11 am

Class B - 1:15 pm

Class A - 3:30 pm

Far West Regionals at Rush Henrietta

Class D - 5:30 pm

Class AA - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, March 17th

NYSPHAA State Semifinals at Glens Falls

Class C - 9:30 am & 11:15 am

Class AA - 1 pm & 2:45 pm

Class A - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

 

Saturday, March 18th

NYSPHAA State Semifinals at Glens Falls

Class B - 9 am & 10:45 am

Class D - 12:30 pm & 2:30 pm

NYSPHAA State Championships at Glens Falls

Class C - 5:15 pm

Class AA - 7 pm

Class A - 8:45 pm

 

Sunday, March 19th

NYSPHAA State Championships at Glens Falls

Class B - 1 pm

Class D - 3 pm

 

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Manhattan Cup Playoffs - 2023

 

Play-In Games - Sunday, February 19th

AT St. Francis - 4 pm & 6 pm

(6) St. Mary's 81, (7) Park 48

(5) St. Francis 61, (8) Cardinal O’Hara 44

 

Quarterfinals - Tuesday, February 21st

AT St. Joe's - 5:30 pm & 7:30 p

(3) St. Joe's 86,(6) St. Mary's 65

 (5) St. Francis 69, (4) Nichols 68

 

Semifinals - Thursday, February 23rd

AT Canisius College Koessler Center

5:30 pm & 7:30 pm

(1) Timon 66,  (5) St. Francis 59

(2) Canisius 75, (3) St. Joe's 56

 

Manhattan Cup Final - Sunday, February 26th

AT Canisius College Koessler Center - 6 pm

(1) Timon 72,  (2) Canisius 57

 

2023 Manhattan Cup Champions - Timon Tigers

 

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League Champions - 2023

Below are the Champions from the 13 leagues in WNY for the 2023 Season

 

MMA - Timon 12-2

ECIC I - Jamestown 12-0

ECIC II - Amherst 14-0

ECIC III - Pioneer & Depew 9-3

ECIC IV - Cleveland Hill 12-0

CCAA I West - Salamanca 10-0

CCAA I East - Randolph 12-0

CCAA II West - Clymer 12-0

CCAA II East - Ellicottville 10-0

NFL - Niagara Falls 11-1

N-O - Newfane 12-0

Yale Cup I - McKinley 11-1

Yale Cup II - MST Seneca 10-2

 

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NYSSWA State Rankings 2023 - Week 9

 

The ninth set of state rankings for the 2023 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Niagara Falls #10

Health Sciences #11

Jamestown #21

 

Class A

Canisius #8

Amherst #17

St. Joe's 30

 

Class B

Timon #3

Lew-Port #10

Salamanca #12

Nichols #18

Allegany-Limestone #26

 

Class C

Randolph #14

Frewsburg #23

 

Class D

Clymer #9

Westfield #20

 

According to the rankings...

 

- We remain on schedule for a final Championship Saturday showdown at Buff State between Falls & Jamestown.  The Red Raiders currently have the top seed locally in Class AA and Falls is projected by the rankings in the state as the team to make it out of Section VI and reach Glens Falls.  The local rankings and state rankings disagree on which team reaches the final, as locally, Health Sciences is ranked ahead of Niagara Falls.

 

- I mentioned last week, no teams from Section V are represented in NYS Class AA.  I had an opportunity to watch Victor play last week when I took a trip east, and from my vantage point, they look like the kind of team that would absolutely present a real challenge to any of our representatives in the Far West Regional.  Deep, balanced, strong around the basket, and a had a floor general.

 

- Canisius wins the Manhattan Cup, but the ranking say that will be the end of the road for them.  Un the CHSAA, there is both a team from Long Island and a team from NYC ranked ahead of the Crusaders, which projects them losing in the state semifinals.

- Amherst losess in the Far West Regional to Rochester East after cruising past the competition in Buffalo. 

- St. Joe’s coach, Gabe Michael, who has several hobbies including card tricks, has made some magic happen for the Marauders.  They crash into the state rankings this week at the coveted #30 spot.

- Timon winning three of the four games they played last week were enough to sway the panel to promote them one spot in NYS Class B to #3, a very solid ranking for a team with zero shot at advancing in that state classification.

 

- Gabe Michael's cape, worn during his most advanced card tricks, came up missing early last week.  It was later recovered on Five Mile Road in Cattaraugus County, raising suspicion that Allegany-Limestone coach Glenn Anderson managed to take possession of Michael’s cape and used it to create a little of his own magic for the Gators, now appearing in the Top 26 of NYS Class B.  Investigation is pending.

 

- Frewsburg's 8-point loss to Randolph last week was enough to cover.  The Bears jump up two spots in NYS Class C to #23.

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

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Ranking top Top 10 Large & Small: 2023 Season - Week 10

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius (A) - After a 33-point win over St. Mary’s, the Crusaders made it 12 of their last 13 after dishing Timon a 12-point loss in South Buffalo. Canisius has now defeated the top four public schools in WNY and swept Timon.  They wrap up their regular season with games against Cardinal O’Hara and Park. 

2. Health Sciences (AA) - The longest win streak in the area extended to 17 games after a big fourth quarter produced a 20-point victory at Clarence last week.  The Falcons visit UPrep out of Section V on Monday.

3. Niagara Falls (AA) - The Wolverines insured a game in the NFL championship with an 11-point win at Niagara Wheatfield on Saturday.  They to travel to Grand Island where they will face Lew-Port on Thursday night for the league chip, and then put a bow on the regular season with a fun nonleague game at Nichols on Saturday.

4. St. Joe's (A) - Wins over Cardinal O’Hara, and Park made it six victories in their last seven games.  They will have chocolates and a card waiting for Timon on Tuesday night before heading to Nichols on Thursday.

5. Amherst (A2) - Left the senior night festivities at Iroquois with a 30-point victory and finish up this Tuesday at home against West Seneca East. 

6. Jamestown (AA) - Played both games against Lancaster in the same week, winning the pair by combined 51 points.  On Thursday night, they escaped Williamsville North with a one-point win after Sean page came through with some late-game heroics for the second time this season, scoring at the buzzer.  The Red Raiders host Orchard Park on Monday.

7. St. Francis (A) - The other Red Raiders bounced back from losses to McQuaid and Nichols by knocking off Cardinal O’Hara for a second time. Tuesday they head to Lancaster, where they were face St. Mary’s, and finish up with a home game against rival Timon on Thursday. 

8. Lockport (AA) - Followed up a great comeback win against Niagara Wheatfield on Tuesday night with a sound 14-point victory at North Tonawanda.  The Lions welcome in Grand Island this Wednesday.

9. Niagara Wheatfield (A1) - Dropped their rematch at Lockport on Tuesday night and then fell to Niagara Falls on Saturday without the services of Xander Fletcher.  On Wednesday they host CSAT . 

10. Williamsville South (A2) - A 10-point win over Starpoint and a quadruple overtime victory at Williamsville East gave the Billies their 13th victory in 14 games.  Tuesday they draw Iroquois before a Friday night regular season finale at district rival Williamsville North.

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B) - Three big victories this week included a 28-point win over O’Hara and a 29-point win against Maritime, along with hanging 102 points on Park in a 33-point win.  The Tigers look to refocus from a 12-point loss to Canisius in their gym on Friday with road trips to St. Joe’s and St. Francis this week.

2. Lew-Port (B1) - Routs over Riverside and Kenmore East, along with a 21-point win at CSAT made it nine straight victories for the Lancers.  On Thursday night, they have a chance to win the NFL championship outright if they can sweep Niagara Falls.

3. Salamanca (B2) - After a seven-point win at Olean on Monday, the Warriors whipped Southwestern by 32 on the road Thursday night for a 10th consecutive victory.  Monday they host Dunkirk, before the rivalry finale with Randolph, while looking to raise money in the fight against Cystic Fibrosis. 

4. Nichols (B) - Three straight double-digit victories for the Vikings last week against South Park, St. Francis, and St. Mary’s.  Tuesday they are at Park and then come home for the last two games of the regular season with St. Joe’s on Thursday and Niagara Falls Saturday afternoon

5. Allegany-Limestone (B2) -  Took it to Dunkirk by 26 on Monday and earned a tough road victory at Fredonia on Friday night.  The Gators hope to take care of business Monday when Southwestern visits and make the trip to Wellsville on Wednesday.

6. Fredonia (B2) -  In a game that came down to the end, the Hillbillies knocked off visiting Southwestern by three on Monday, but fell to Allegany-Limestone Friday night.  They make the trip to Olean on Monday.

7. Randolph (C) - An eight-point win at Frewsburg made it wins in seven of their last eight games.  On Monday, Gowanda comes to town and Wednesday night, they will play in front of a packed house in Salamanca, hoping to duplicate their best win of this season.

8. Newfane (B2) - A 28-point win against Emerson was followed by a 20-point win over City Honors last week.  Then, the Panthers made it nine straight wins by knocking off Albion.  The league schedule wraps up with a visit from Akron on Tuesday and a trip to Medina Thursday night. 

9. Bennett (B2) - The Tigers are winners in eight of their last 10 games, most recently defeating East and Hutch Tech.  The only losses during that 10 game stretch came at the hands of I-Prep and McKinley.  Tuesday is their rematch with the Macks, and Thursday they host City Honors.

10. Southwestern (B2) - Following a tough three-point lost in Fredonia on Monday, the Trojans got rolled by Salamanca on Thursday.  They are at Allegany-Limestone Monday night and wrap it up with a trip to Clymer on Thursday.

 

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Top Games of the Week: 2/13/23 - 2/18/23

 

Monday, February 13th

Southwestern @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

Orchard Park @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

Fredonia @ Olean - 7:30 pm

Health Sciences @ UPrep - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, February 14th

I-Prep @ South Park - 6 pm

Bennett @ McKinley - 6 pm

Nichols @ Park - 6:30 pm

Holland @ Eden - 6:30 pm

Barker @ Roy-Hart - 6:30 pm

Timon @ St. Joe's - 7 pm

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

Iroquois @ Williamsville South - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, February 15th

CSAT @ Niagara Wheatfield - 6:30 pm

Depew @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

East Aurora @ Pioneer - 7 pm

Lancaster @ Frontier - 7 pm

Randolph @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm  ** Beat Cystic Fibrosis Night **

Clarence @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

Frewsburg @ Panama - 7:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Wellsville - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, February 16th

St. Joe's @ Nichols - 6 pm

Timon @ St. Francis - 7 pm

Southwestern @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

NFL Championship Game at Grand Island

Niagara Falls vs Lew-Port - 7 pm

 

Friday, February 17th

Cleveland Hill @ Depew - 7 pm

Iroquois @ East Aurora - 7 pm

Lancaster @ North Tonawanda - 7 pm

Williamsville South @ Williamsville North - 7 pm

South Park @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

Frontier @ McKinley - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, February 18th

Niagara Falls @ Nichols - 2:30 pm

 

-centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings 2023 - Week 8

 

The eighth set of state rankings for the 2023 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Niagara Falls #10

Health Sciences #11

Jamestown #23

 

Class A

Canisius #9

Amherst #17

 

Class B

Timon #4

Lew-Port #10

Salamanca #12

Nichols #21

Fredonia #29

 

Class C

Randolph #14

Frewsburg #25

 

Class D

Clymer #10

Panama #17

 

According to the rankings...

 

- Falls has risen to #10 in NYS Class AA and Health, who's lone loss is to Canisius (a team Falls also lost to) is one spot behind them.  Both teams are as big favorites from the Far West Region of the state and are currently on a collision course to dance in the Section VI Class AA Semifinals at Buff State.  A Section VI loss in the Class AA Regional would be considered a massive upset, but a loss in the state semi in Glens Falls to Baldwin is projected.

 

- Jamestown slips to #23 in NYS Class AA from #16, following its loss to NYS Class B #4 Timon, a seven-spot drop.  My strict record-keeping of the NYSSWA committee's handling of such a circumstance (a state-ranked Class AA losing to a state-ranked Class B) suggests they forgot their own precedence from a couple weeks ago.   When at the time NYS Class B #16 Lew-Port beat Falls, the Wolverines only moved back two spots in the Class AA rankings.  But two weeks later, the #4 team in Class B (Timon) beats a Class AA team (Jamestown) and the Red Raiders fall seven spots from #16 to #23.  I guess you are better off losing to a lower ranked team than one in the Top 10....

 

- Unless you Nichols, that is.  The Vikings (last week #11 in NYS Class B) fall way back to #21 in NYS Class B after being clipped by Randolph in overtime.  Randolph entered that matchup ranked #15 in NYS Class C.

 

- Canisius moves up to #9 in NYS Class A, following a loss to unranked St. Joe's, a 2-point win over St. Francis, and a 9-point win against Amherst.  I do recall pointing out a couple weeks back that I never remembered a time when there were zero teams state ranked in Class A from the MMA.  That experiment in exclusion was very short-lived.

 

- Lew-Port reaches the NYSPHAA Class B state championship game, but lose to Catholic Central (you know, one of those catholic public schools).

 

- Nichols wins the CHSAA Class B state championship, if they can just manage to finish under .500 in league play.

 

- Hocus pocus, Fredonia is #29 in NYS Class B.

 

- Randolph's win over Nichols at the Centercourt Classic only earned them a one-spot promotion in the NYS Class C rankings from #15 to #14, but there was really no place else for them to move up without leap-frogging teams that didn't lose last week.

 

- Randolph's game at Frewsburg on Thursday night is a battle of state-ranked teams in NYS Class C.  The Bears crashed the rankings party on Sunday night and debuted today at #25.

 

- Clymer continues to hold down the #10 spot in NYS Class D, but also continues to watch the defending state champions from Avoca/Prattsburgh hold down the top spot in the state, while waiting to introduce themselves to the Pirates at Rush Henrietta HS on Saturday, March 11th in the Far West Regional.

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

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Ranking the Top 10 Large & Small: 2023 Season - Week 9

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius (A) - Key wins:  Timon, Health Sciences, Amherst, at Jamestown, Niagara Falls, St. Francis x 2, at Nichols, St. Mary's  Local losses:  St. Joe's x 2, Nichols

2. Health Sciences (AA) - Key wins: St. Joe's, at St. Francis, Nichols, South Park, St. Mary's, Lancaster  Local losses:  at Canisius

3. Niagara Falls (AA) - Key wins:  at St. Joe's, Niagara Wheatfield, Lockport x 2, North Tonawanda x 2  Local losses:  Canisius, Lew-Port

4. St. Joe's (A) -  Key wins:  Canisius x 2, St. Francis, Nichols, Orchard Park, St. Mary's  Local losses:  at Timon, Health Sciences, Niagara Falls, at St. Francis

5. Amherst (A2) - Key wins:  Lockport, Williamsville South  Local losses:  Canisius

6. Jamestown (AA) -  Key wins:  Clarence x 2, at Orchard Park, Williamsville North  Local losses:  Canisius, Timon

7. St. Francis (A) - Key wins:  St. Joe's, Nichols, McKinley, Williamsville North,  St. Mary's  Local losses:  Canisius x 2, Health Sciences, @ Timon

8. McKinley (A1) - Key wins:  Clarence, I-Prep,  Williamsville North, at South Park  Local losses:  Timon, St. Francis, at East Aurora

9. Niagara Wheatfield (A1) - Key wins:  Lew-Port, Lockport, North Tonawanda x 2, Orchard Park  Local losses:  at Niagara Falls, at Salamanca, at Depew

10. Lockport (AA) - Key wins:  at Clarence, at Lancaster, Williamsville North,   Local losses:  at Timon, Niagara Falls x 2, Amherst, at Niagara Wheatfield, Lew-Port, Nichols

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B) - Key wins:  St. Joe's, Jamestown, St. Francis, Nichols x 2, at McKinley, Lockport, Southwestern, St. Mary's x 2, South Park  Local losses:  at Canisius

2. Lew-Port (B1) - Key wins:  Niagara Falls, at Lockport, North Tonawanda, Orchard Park, Newfane, CSAT  Local losses:  at Niagara Wheatfield, Clarence

3. Salamanca (B2) - Key wins:  Niagara Wheatfield, Fredonia x 2, Allegany-Limestone, at Depew, Southwestern, Olean, Lackawanna, Clymer  Local losses:  at Randolph

4. Nichols (B) - Key wins:  at Canisius, at Lockport, at St. Mary's  Local losses:  Canisius, at Timon, Health Sciences, St. Joe's, at St. Francis, Randolph

5. Fredonia (B2) - Key wins:  at Allegany-Limestone, at Southwestern, Olean, East Aurora, MST Seneca, Westfield  Local losses:  Salamanca x 2, at Clarence, Frontier

6. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - Key wins:  Randolph, Depew, Southwestern, East, Olean x 2, Pioneer, Holland  Local losses:  Salamanca x 2, Fredonia

7. Randolph (C) -  Key wins:  Salamanca, Nichols  Local losses:  at Allegany-Limestone, Southwestern

8. Depew (B1) - Key wins:  Niagara Wheatfield, at Olean, East Aurora, St. Mary's, Pioneer, at Cheektowaga, Lackawanna, at Cleveland Hill  Local losses:  Salamanca, Allegany-Limestone, North Tonawanda, Cheektowaga. 

9. Southwestern (B2) - Key wins:  at Randolph, Olean x 2, Clymer, Westfield  Local losses:  at Timon, at Salamanca, Allegany-Limestone, Fredonia, Cheektowaga

10. Newfane (B2) - Key wins:  Starpoint, Roy-Hart x 2, Barker x 2  Local losses:  Lew-Port, North Tonawanda, Williamsville North, East

 

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Top Games of the Week: 2/6/23 - 2/12/23

 

Monday, February 6th

South Park @ Nichols - 6 pm

Pioneer  @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Salamanca @ Olean - 7:30 pm

Southwestern @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

Panama @ Sherman - 7:30 pm

St. Francis @ McQuaid - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, February 7th

McKinley @ I-Prep - 6 pm

East @ Bennett - 6 pm

Niagara Wheatfield @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Depew @ East Aurora - 7 pm

Health Sciences @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, February 8th

St. Francis @ Nichols - 6 pm

Burgard @ MST Seneca - 6 pm

 

Thursday, February 9th

I-Prep @ East - 6 pm

Randolph @ Frewsburg - 6 pm

South Park @ McKinley - 6 pm

Tapestry @ Global Concepts - 6 :30 pm

Cheektowaga @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

Westfield @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

Salamanca @ Southwestern - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, February 10th

St. Mary's @ Nichols - 6 pm

Lew-Port @ CSAT - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ Timon - 7 pm

Lockport @ North Tonawanda - 7 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, February 11th

Starpoint @ Roy-Hart - 11:30 am

Niagara Falls @ Niagara Wheatfield - 12:30 pm

McKinley @ East - 12:30 pm

Depew @ Pioneer - 1 pm

 

-centercourt

10 Reasons to attend the Centercourt Classic

 

10.  It's Senior Night in Hamburg 

It’s a great night to be a Bulldog, especially on the Friday night of the classic!  With a varsity boys and girls doubleheader against rival Frontier, all the graduating seniors in the Hamburg basketball program will be honored on the same evening.

 

9.  It's the best event of the Regular Season

It’s not biased, it’s just facts.  I have attended multiple regular season events every year for well over a decade, and while I certainly drew the inspiration for the Centercourt Classic from many stops along the way, the one held this weekend at Hamburg High School has truly become the marquee event of the regular season.  Featuring 6 of the Top 10 Large Schools, the Top 2 Small Schools, 7 state ranked teams, & 10 players from the Top 60 in 2022.

 

8.  The ONLY way to watch is Live 

The Centercourt Classic will not be streamed or available on pay-per-view.  Updates on Twitter will be less informative and less frequent on the days of the event.  And this weekend is specifically chosen to not compete with other basketball events, or the NFL.  Just a great day to take in some live high school basketball.

 

7.  As always, FREE Parking

There's not too many things left in this world they are handing out for free, but the parking spaces at Hamburg High School are there for you at no charge.  The price of admission on either day is $5.  If you come for the day on Saturday, it’s literally a dollar a game… You can’t make two scrambled eggs at home for that kind of money anymore, literally!  The Classic did not succumb to inflation.

 

6.  The Experience

You won’t find a better one at a high school basketball game this season.  Music is played during all game stoppages.  Hot pizza and other refreshments are always available during the Classic.  There are 50-50 and basket raffles.  Game MVPs are awarded to one player from each team, following the game.  Shirts and pizza are provided to all players courtesy of Empire Electric.  CC on the mic.  Cauley large & in charge. 

 

5.  The Rematch

The ending to Championship Saturday in the 2022 season was so epic, we wanted to start the Classic off with it on Saturday.  In a rematch of last season’s Class A1 Final, #9 ranked large school, Niagara Wheatfield will take on Williamsville East.

 

4.  Health Sciences  vs  St. Joe's

The Inaugural Centercourt Classic featured the head coaches of these two teams squaring off in the headline game, when Williamsville South led by Gabe Michael, defeated Health Sciences, led by Ty Parker in 2018.  These are the only two coaches that have appeared in all five Classics, and this year both are leading outstanding squads once again.  Health vs Joe’s is a battle between the #4 and #6 ranked large school in WNY.

 

3.  Nichols  vs  Randolph

It’s the #11 ranked team in NYS Class B taking on the #15 ranked team  NYS Class C.  It’s rare for many of the Buffalo fans to get a live look at one of the small Southern Tier schools they always read about.  Randolph coach Kevin Hind has over 300 wins in his career and Nichols Coach Matt Bradshaw has one victory over a Southern Tier small school on his resume.

 

2.  Jamestown  vs  Timon

The #3 Large, School in WNY takes on the #1 Small School in WNY.  The teams share two common opponents, Canisius and Park.  The Crusaders defeated both teams, Jamestown by 3 and Timon by 4.  Jamestown beat Park by 29 points, Timon beat them by 24 points.  Jamestown is currently 11-2. while Timon’s record is 13-2.  

 

1.  The Big Game -- Amherst  vs  Canisius

It doesn’t really set up much better than this, #1 vs #2 in WNY… #10 in NYS vs #12 in NYS.  We’ve never seen the Tigers and the Crusaders on the hardwood together before.

Canisius has wins over 3 of the top 4 public schools, defeating Jamestown, Health Sciences, & Niagara Falls already this season.  They've also beaten the #1 & #2 Small Schools in WNY, Timon & Nichols.  That leaves Amherst.

Amherst just played Lockport on Saturday, the first time they've faced a locally ranked team all season, and won by 24 points.  The Tigers have won their 12 local games by an average margin of 33 points and all by double figures. 

Public  vs  Private

#1  vs  #2

Amherst  vs  Canisius

Don't miss it!!

 

Hamburg High School, 4111 Legion Drive in Hamburg, NY 

 

Friday, February 3rd

Hamburg (Girls) vs. Frontier (Girls) - 6 pm

Hamburg (Boys) vs. Frontier (Boys) - 7:45 pm

 

Saturday, February 4th

Williamsville East vs. Niagara Wheatfield - 12 pm

St. Joe's vs. Health Sciences - 1:45 pm

Nichols vs. Randolph - 3:30 pm

Timon vs. Jamestown - 5:15 pm

Canisius vs. Amherst - 7 pm

 

-centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings 2023 - Week 7

 

The seventh set of state rankings for the 2023 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Niagara Falls #14

Health Sciences #15

Jamestown #16

 

Class A

Amherst #10

Canisius #12

 

Class B

Timon #4

Nichols #11

Lew-Port #12

Salamanca #16

 

Class C

Randolph #15

 

Class D

Clymer #10

Panama #17

 

According to the rankings...  ( It was a week of very minimal change, so this will be a light week of the 'According to' )

 

- There will be 7 state ranked teams featured in the 2023 Centercourt Classic at Hamburg on Saturday.  Three of the games will have state ranked teams playing each other:

Class A #10 Amherst  vs  Class A #12 Canisius - 7 pm

Class AA #16 Jamestown  vs  Class B #4 Timon - 5:15 pm

Class B #11  vs  Class C #15 Randolph - 3:30 pm

 

- Jalen Duff's former squad (Nichols) and the team he is leading (Lew-Port) now side-by-side in NYS Class B, at #11 & #12.

 

- Randolph's 18-point home loss to Southwestern (unranked in NYS Class B) was no biggie, as the Cardinals slipped just one spot to #15 in NYS Class C.  However, Holland's 6-point home loss to Eden (unranked in NYS Class B) was enough to make the committee show the Dutchmen the door.  Holland goes from #16 in NYS Class C to unranked.

 

- The most head-scratching thing I found was in Class D.  And it's not even Westfield getting bounced from the rankings for its 3-point road loss at Sherman, after climbing to #12 in NYS Class D last week.  What made me mess my hair up while head scratching was Clymer dropping from #9 to #10 in NYS Class D.  The Pirates only game was an 8-point road win at Class C Chautauqua Lake.  Apparently the folks on the NYSSWA ranking panel were expecting a real dismantling when Clymer headed over to Chautauqua Lake last week.

 

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

Ranking the Top 10 Large & Small: 2023 Season - Week 8

 

 

Large Schools

1. Amherst (A2) - After 36 & 35 point wins against Starpoint and Hamburg, the Tigers made it nine straight victories with a 78–54 win against Lockport on Saturday.  Wednesday night, they head to Williamsville East for a rematch with the Flames, who they defeated by 25 earlier this season.  Then on Saturday night, we finally get a little WNY basketball history, as the Tigers will finally face Canisius on the hardwood in the main event of the Centercourt Classic at Hamburg.  Literally #1 vs #2 in WNY, just wow!

2. Canisius (A) - Passed one of the toughest tests in WNY, picking up a road win in Jamestown on Monday night, in an ultra-competitive game that came down to the buzzer.  Without time to plan or prepare, they blitzed Park the very next night by 37 points and capped off the week with a 24 point win at Nichols, scoring 94 and 81 points in consecutive games.  That sets up the gauntlet week of the regular season: three ranked opponents include a rivalry game against St. Joe’s on Tuesday, a trip to St. Francis on Thursday, and then the epic inaugural battle between the Crusaders and Amherst at the Centercourt Classic on Saturday night.  The only way to see it is to be there.

3. Jamestown (AA) - After dropping a heartbreaker in the final second of the game against Canisius on Monday, the Red Raiders held consecutive opponents to 41 points, dismantling Park & West Seneca West.  They will play away from home for three straight games this week, at Frontier on Tuesday, and at Clarence on Thursday, before a fascinating battle with the top small school in WNY, when they take on Timon in the Centercourt Classic at Hamburg on Saturday.

4. Health Sciences (AA) - The Falcons have been piling up wins like a city loader after a snowstorm.  Maritime and Tapestry were the latest victims of Big Health last week.  They will enjoy the comfort of their home gym, while looking to pile up a couple more W’s when BASCS and Global Concepts come in during the week, ahead of their annual battle with St. Joe’s, this year part of the big event on Saturday in Hamburg at the Centercourt Classic.

5. Niagara Falls (AA) - Improved to 13–2 with a strong finish at North Tonawanda in a 14-point victory.  They’ll visit Kenmore West on Tuesday and host Lockport to finish up the week.

6. St. Joe's (A) - Improved to 10–7 during a productive week that included 14-point wins over both Nichols and Frannies.   The Marauders have been hot lately, winning six of their last seven games heading into the rematch on Tuesday at rival Canisius.  Thursday, they visit Park School and then on Saturday, the only two coaches that have appeared in every Centercourt Classic will square off as Gabe Michael leads his squad against Ty Parker and Big Health.  That game is a 1:45 tip at Hamburg on Saturday.  Michael coached against Parker in the Inaugural Centercourt Classic in 2018 when he was at Will South, leading the Billies led by Greg Dolan, past a Health that featured the Ticket, Davonte Gaines.

7. St. Francis (A) - Coming off a tough week that included double figure losses at Timon and Joe’s, the Red Raiders have both their games against Park, coming up in the same week, with a home date on Thursday against the Crusaders sandwiched between.

8. McKinley (A1) - Used to 22–4 start to overcome a tough Clarence team who came back strong in the Macks' 68–65 win on Tuesday.  This week, McKinley will host Maritime on Tuesday and visit East at week’s end.  

9. Niagara Wheatfield (A1) - Kept themselves atop the NFL standings with Tuesday’s win at Grand Island and hung on Friday night for a tough win over Frontier behind a career-high 39-point outing by Xander Fletcher.  An important league game awaits on Tuesday night at the Lumberyard in NT, along with a game against Ken West.  The Falcons finish their week with a return trip to the Centercourt Classic on Saturday at Hamburg, for a rematch of last season's epic Class A1 championship against Williamsville East.

10. Lockport (AA) - After picking up a 24-point win at Ken West on Tuesday night, the Lions lost by the same margin to the number one team in WNY from Amherst on Saturday. Two more big tests are on the schedule for Lockport this week and both are on the road against Class, AA opponents, Lancaster and Niagara Falls. 

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B) - In their only game last week, the Tigers took care of business against visiting St. Francis.  This week, they travel to St. Mary’s on Tuesday and host Nichols Thursday night, before a big battle in the Centercourt Classic on Saturday night at Hamburg against the Jamestown Red Raiders.

2. Nichols (B) - Dropped both of their games last week against St. Joe’s & Canisius, by 14 and 24 points.  They head to O'Hara on Tuesday night and then take on Timon for a second time this season on Thursday.  The week wraps up on Saturday afternoon against one of the top small schools from the Southern Tier, when Class C favorite Randolph meets the Vikings at Hamburg High School on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 in the Centercourt Classic. 

3. Lew-Port (B1) -  The Lancers earned a third straight victory over a Class AA opponent when they knocked off Orchard Park at home on Tuesday night.  It was a special evening as Jalen Duff achieved a major career milestone, eclipsing the 2,000 career point total.  This week, they have a home game against Grand Island and a road trip to CSAT.

4. Salamanca (B2) - Just one game last week, a win at Dunkirk, gave the Warriors time to be ready for the huge week ahead.  Two important league games, starting with a road trip to Fredonia on Monday, and then the rematch with a Allegany-Limestone in their gym on Thursday night.

5. Fredonia (B2) - Two more wins for the Hillbillies after blowing the doors off Springville on Tuesday and then defeating Olean at home on Friday night.  Fredonia can move into a tie for first place in the league with the win on Monday night when they host Salamanca.  Thursday night is a rivalry trip down 60 to see the boys from Dunkirk. 

6. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - Back on the winning track after defeating Wellsville on Tuesday and then avenging an earlier loss with the road win at Southwestern Friday night. This week brings important rematches against league opponents, first a trip to Olean, and then a big one on Thursday night at first place Salamanca.

7. Depew (B1) - Took firm control of ECIC III with a 21-point win against Lackawanna Tuesday night, but came out on the wrong side against visiting North Tonawanda on Friday night, ending a five-game win streak.  This coming Friday, the Wildcats are at Lake Shore. 

8. Bennett (B2) - All rested up after a week off, the Tigers host Middle College Wednesday night and City Honors over the weekend.

9. Newfane (B2) - Stayed perfect in the N-O with a 30-point win against Medina on Tuesday and a second victory this season over Barker Friday night.  They visit Roy-Hart on Tuesday night and then wait for their rivals from Wilson to sail in on Thursday.

10. Southwestern (B2) - Went into Randolph and put one on the Cardinals on Tuesday night to earn this last spot.  The Trojans are at Dunkirk on Monday and looking for a sweep of Olean on Thursday night.

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/30/23 - 2/5/23

Monday, January 30th

Salamanca @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

Silver Creek @ Frewsburg - 7:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Olean - 7:30 pm

Clymer @ Sherman - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 31st

Newfane @ Roy-Hart - 6:30 pm

St. Joe's @ Canisius - 7 pm

Cheektowaga @ East Aurora - 7 pm

Lockport @ Lancaster - 7 pm

Niagara Wheatfield @ North Tonawanda - 7 pm

Orchard Park @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, February 1st

East @ South Park - 6 pm

Cleveland Hill @ Holland - 6:30 pm

 

Thursday, February 2nd

Nichols @ Timon - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ St. Francis - 7 pm

Jamestown @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

Panama @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

Olean @ Southwestern - 7:30 pm

East Aurora @ Williamsville South - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, February 3rd

5th Annual Centercourt Classic at Hamburg HS

Hamburg (Girls) vs. Frontier (Girls) - 6 pm

Hamburg (Boys) vs. Frontier (Boys) - 7:45 pm

 

Saturday, February 4th

5th Annual Centercourt Classic at Hamburg HS

Williamsville East vs. Niagara Wheatfield - 12 pm

St. Joe's vs. Health Sciences - 1:45 pm

Nichols vs. Randolph - 3:30 pm

Timon vs. Jamestown - 5:15 pm

Canisius vs. Amherst - 7 pm

 

-centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings 2023 - Week 6

 

The sixth set of state rankings for the 2023 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Niagara Falls #14

Jamestown #15

Health Sciences #17

 

Class A

Amherst #11

Canisius #20

 

Class B

Timon #4

Nichols #9

Lew-Port #12

Salamanca #17

 

Class C

Randolph #14

Holland #16

 

Class D

Clymer #9

Westfield #12

Panama #19

 

 

According to the rankings...

 

Section VI has three teams better than Section V in NYS Class AA.  Health Sciences has crept all the way up to #17 in NYS Class AA and gave Aquinas (the most heralded of the Section V Class AA teams) directions to the magic show. 

 

Jamestown inched up one more spot in NYS Class AA to #15, now just one spot behind Niagara Falls who held steady at #14 despite losing to Canisius, who entered that game ranked #27 in NYS Class A.  It will be very interesting to see if the panel grants Jamestown that same level of forgiveness -- the Red Raiders lost to NYS Class A #20 Canisius last night, the same Canisius team that beat Falls one day after last week's rankings came out, just a much higher ranked version of Canisius.

 

Amherst has a new opponent in the NYS Class A Far West Regional at Gates Chili on Saturday, March 11th.  East High of Rochester is now sitting at #17 in NYS Class A and projected to face the Tigers.

 

Wins over St. Mary's & Park were not enough to keep Nichols from sliding back two spots to #9 in NYS Class B after losing to Taylor Allderdice last Monday.

 

Lew-Port is looking into places to stay in Glens Falls.  The Lancers are the highest ranked NYS Class B team (#12) from the Far West Region, one spot ahead of its projected opponent from Batavia.

 

Salamanca is the new Class B2 champ, moving up to #17 in NYS Class B after wins in 8 of its last 9 games that included victories against three of the best from that classification locally:  Fredonia, Allegany-Limestone, & Southwestern.

 

The panel reviewed Holland's 27-point loss to Allegany-Limestone on Sunday at JCC and were impressed enough by the close margin to boost the Dutchmen up one spot in NYS Class C to #16.  They now sit just two spots behind #14 Randolph, who lost at Allegany-Limestone by 9.

 

Westfield flipped the script on Panama and added some scenes in the rematch with the Panthers last week, knocking them off by 22 points after losing at the buzzer in Panama earlier in the month.  The win allowed the Wolverines to shoot up the NYS Class D rankings to #12, three spots behind their opponent on JCC Friday from Clymer, ranked #9 in the state.

 

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

Top 10 Rankings: 2023 Season - Week 7

 

Large Schools

1. Amherst (A2) - After a 30-point win over West Seneca East on Tuesday, the Tigers won their first relatively close local game at Williamsville South on Friday night by 10 points. Monday they host Starpoint and visit Hamburg on Thursday, before finally facing a local Top 10 on Saturday afternoon when they play Lockport at the BSN Sports Challenge hosted by Depew. 

2. Jamestown (AA) - Still rolling along with no local losses after winning by 17 at Orchard Park on Thursday night.  The Red Raiders also picked up in 11-point win over Elmira on Saturday afternoon.  They will be put to the test in a big way on Monday night, when Canisius makes their first trip to Jamestown. 

3. Health Sciences (AA) - Kept their win streak going (now 12 games) with a 13-point victory at Lackawanna on Friday night.  The Falcons will travel to Maritime on Monday and host Tapestry on Wednesday in Round Two of the rivalry series.

4. Canisius (A) - So Shane Cercone is pretty good and so are the Crusaders when you back them up against the wall.  Monday’s comeback victory against Niagara Falls was a most impressive one.  Can’t wait to watch them against another Class AA power when they head to Jamestown on Monday night.  The Crusaders host Park on Tuesday and then head to Nichols on Friday night with a little revenge in mind.

5. Niagara Falls (AA) -  After leading for over 31 minutes on Monday, Falls stumbled for a second time this season, losing to Canisius.  A 37-point win over Grand Island followed.  The week ahead is a light one for the Wolverines, but the opponent is not, as they head to the Lumberyard to take on North Tonawanda this Tuesday night.

6. St. Francis (A) - A strong second-half by the Red Raiders earned them a 9-point win against McKinley on Monday, and a pair of victories by large margins followed that when they knocked off O’Hara & St. Mary’s.  This Friday they will head to Kenmore Avenue to take on St. Joe’s, who they’ve already knocked off once this season.

7. St. Joe's (A) - Suffered a tough loss at Timon on Friday night after one of the more exciting games I’ve seen this season.  The Marauders knocked off Park and Orchard Park to begin the week.  Two top opponents from the Association loom for Joe’s, with Nichols and St. Francis visiting this week.

8. McKinley (A1) - The Macks were knocked off by St. Francis on Monday, but bounced back for 31 and 32 point victories over Hutch Tech and Middle College later in the week.  They have a tough opponent coming in on Tuesday night when Clarence visits for a nonleague tilt.

9. Niagara Wheatfield (A1) - Winners in six of their last seven games, following a pair of double figure victories over Hamburg and CSAT last week.  The Falcons head to Grand Island on Tuesday and then take on Frontier in the opening game of the BSN Sports Challenge at Depew on Friday.

10. Lockport (AA) - Despite leading for most of the night, the Lions fell victim to a Lew-Port comeback on Tuesday, taking a three-point loss.  They came right back with a 27 point win in Grand Island on Friday.  This Tuesday, Lockport is at Ken West and then they face the top team in WNY from Amherst in the finale of Saturday’s BSN Sports Challenge at Depew on Saturday. 

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B) - The Tigers picked up three more wins this past week, despite playing without the services of Jacob Humphrey.  They were challenged by South Park at home, made quick work of Middle College on Wednesday, and came out on top of a thriller against St. Joe’s thanks to some last-minute heroics from Jaiden Harrison.  On Tuesday they welcome rival Saint Francis to town, before heading off to O’Hara on Friday.

2. Nichols (B) - Took on a team from PA called Taylor Allderdice on Monday, but rolled snake eyes in a 31-point loss.  The Vikings came back to register a pair of double figure victories in league wins over St. Mary’s and Park.  Junior Jakye Rainey eclipsed 1,000 points scored during the week, while teammate Parker Rey exploded for a career-high 48 points.  On Tuesday they take on St. Joe’s for the first time this season, and then host Canisius in a rematch of an earlier overtime victory by Nichols.

3. Lew-Port (B1) - The Lancers followed up their attention grabbing win from the week prior, by hanging in against Lockport and owning the fourth quarter in a comeback win, and they followed that with a 13-point victory over Ken West.  This Wednesday Orchard Park makes the long trip to Niagara County to play at Lew-Port and on Saturday the team is matched up against Sweet Home in the BSN Sports Challenge at Depew.

4. Salamanca (B2) - Stayed unbeaten in CCAA I West with a 27-point win over Olean on Tuesday, and added wins over Southwestern & Clymer to end the week.  The Warriors are at Dunkirk this Friday.

5. Fredonia (B2) - Hello Hillbillies!  While I’ve been trying to figure this team out, they knew exactly who they were right along.  They earned an impressive 21-point win at Southwestern on Tuesday and kept the momentum going with a huge overtime victory at a Allegany-Limestone Friday night, followed by a win against Frewsburg on Sunday.  Fredonia has a pair of home games coming this week against Springville and Olean.

6. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - Following wins at Dunkirk & Riverside last week, the Gators were tripped up at home by Fredonia.  On Sunday afternoon, they rolled past Holland, 69-42, in the CCAA Showcase at JCC.  The remainder of the regular season schedule looks like a grind as it always is for this team, beginning this week with a visit from Wellsville and then a trip to Southwestern on Friday. 

7. Depew (B1) - The Wildcats allowed 35 and 34 points respectively in wins against Maryvale and Pioneer last week, keeping them in a tie for first place in ECIC III with Lackawanna, who visits the team on Tuesday with sole possession of first place on the line.  North Tonawanda comes in to take on Depew in the second game of the BSN Sports Challenge Friday night.

8. Randolph (C) - Averaged 80 points in a pair of wins last week against Gowanda & Cassadaga Valley, while allowing just 28 points to the latter.  They’ll see a tough opponent at their place when Southwestern comes in on Tuesday and then travel to Silver Creek Friday night.

9. Bennett (B2) - The Tigers split in two league games last week, losing at I-Prep by five and then defeating South Park by five.  The team is idle this week.

10. Newfane (B2) - Improved to 5-0 in the N-O with double figure wins against Albion and at Akron last week.  Medina travels to Newfane on Tuesday, followed by a rematch with Barker on Friday night.

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/23/23 - 1/29/23

 

Monday, January 23rd

Canisius @ Jamestown - 6 pm

 

Tuesday, January 24th

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

St. Francis @ Timon - 6:30 pm

Clarence @ McKinley - 6:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ Pembroke - 6:30 pm

Lackawanna @ Depew - 7 pm

Niagara Falls @ North Tonawanda - 7 pm

Southwestern @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

Wellsville @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 25th

Tapestry @ Health Sciences - 6:30 pm

Orchard Park @ Lew-Port - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 27th

Canisius @ Nichols - 6 pm

Barker @ Newfane - 6:30 pm

Global Concepts @ CSAT - 6:30 pm

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

Lackawanna @ East Aurora - 7 pm

Clarence @ Williamsville North - 7 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Southwestern - 7:30 pm

Randolph @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

Olean @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

Panama @ Frewsburg - 7:30 pm

BSN Sports ECIC vs NFL Challenge at Depew

Frontier vs Niagara Wheatfield - 6 pm

Depew vs North Tonawanda - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 28th

BSN Sports ECIC vs NFL Challenge at Depew

West Seneca East vs Kenmore East - 12 pm

Sweet Home vs Lew-Port - 1:30 pm

Orchard Park vs Kenmore West - 3 pm

Amherst vs Lockport - 4:30 pm

 

-centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings 2023 - Week 5

 

The fifth set of state rankings for the 2023 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Niagara Falls #14

Jamestown #16

Health Sciences #22

 

Class A

Amherst #11

Canisius #27

 

Class B

Timon #4

Nichols #7

Lew-Port #14

Allegany-Limestone #19

Salamanca #24

 

Class C

Randolph #14

Holland #17

 

Class D

Clymer #10

Panama #13

Westfield #19

 

According to the rankings...

 

- The committee is up to some shenanigans in Class AA & Class B regarding their handling of the Niagara Falls loss at Lew-Port on Friday.  In Class AA, they're trying to make Carlos mad at me.  The Wolverines fall just two spots from #12 to #14 in NYS Class AA for their loss to the Class B Lancers, while I slid them three spots down in my local rankings.  I can almost hear the universal snickering in the room as they plotted my demise in the Cataract City.  More on the shenanigans in a moment.

 

- That last Buff State dance between Falls & Jamestown scheduled on Saturday, March 4th at 3:30 will also serve as the real Class AA Far West Regional.  Aquinas, the highest ranked Class AA team from Section V, has fallen behind the Red Raiders in the state rankings.

 

- Health Sciences is official.  They've been added to the Top 25 in NYS Class AA, after being left to linger at a magic show the last couple weeks in spots 30 & 27.  

 

- Amherst will begin sending assistant coach Mark Kensy and his camcorder to Tappan Zee games.  The Tigers are now projected to play for a state title in NYS Class A against the Dutchmen and coach Kensy has never faced an opponent he didn't want to lace up his work boots and go record.

 

- Following a week of no MMA teams ranked in NYS Class A (blasphemy), Canisius will now spend a week practicing disappearing card tricks at the #27 spot before cracking the Top 25 once again next week.

 

- Nichols moves up two spots in NYS Class B , from #9 to #7, despite the 'St. Francis incident'.  That's because the Vikings are the only team to defeat Aquinas this season and they've done so twice.  As a point of reference, Canisius, St. Francis, & St. Joe's have all lost to AQ this season.

 

- Getting back to the committee shenanigans.  After Lew-Port knocks off at the time undefeated #12 NYS Class AA Niagara Falls, the Lancers are moving up in the NYS Class B rankings.  How far you ask?  Just two spots.  So Falls is #14 in NYS Class AA and Lew-Port is #14 in NYS Class B.  This is an overt attempt to get the fans in Youngstown all revved up!  Not smart...those fans are literally a machine.

 

- After Allegany-Limestone lost its first game of the season to fellow Class B squad Salamanca, they started started free falling like a Petty tune.  From #5 in the state to #19.  For its efforts in the win, Salamanca was rewarded with a six-spot boost in the NYS Class B rankings from #30 Houdini to #24.  I would like to offer this all up as supporting evidence of shenanigans.  Class B knocks off Class B, punishable by 14 spots.  Class B knocks off Class AA, we'll slide them down two spots.  Now you're coming after the Gators too?  Again, not smart...every year people vanish in the swamp.

 

- Not looking good for us in Class C.  Both of the Section VI teams ranked in Class C took loses last week, with Holland dropping to #17 from #8 after a loss to Cleveland Hill and Randolph going from #3 to #14.  The Cardinals loss came at the hands of York, who wasn't a ranked team in NYS Class C despite its 9-1 record coming in.  York (now ranked #13) had to hop a bus and go win at Randolph by 15 points just to get a little respect.  Crazy considering they used to have a steakhouse named after them!

 

- Clymer faces defending state champion Avoca/Prattsburgh (no longer the hyphens) in the NYS Class D Far West Regional.  Rather than speculate on Clymer's chances, I will defer to my buddy Tracy and his anticipated contribution to the comments section regarding this matter.

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

Top 10 Rankings: 2023 Season - Week 6

 

Large Schools

1. Amherst (A2) - The Tigers are now one of two Top 10 large schools that have yet to lose to another area team, after adding wins over Sweet Home and Iroquois last week.  In fact, a 25-point went over Williamsville East is the closest game they’ve had in WNY.  Look for the winning ways to continue this week with road games at West Seneca East and Williamsville South.

2. Jamestown (AA) - The other Top 10 large school with no local losses.  The Red Raiders knocked off Williamsville North on Saturday in their only action of last week.  They will look to stay unbeaten in league play when they visit Orchard Park on Thursday. Jamestown finishes off the week with a nonleague home game against Elmira.

3. Health Sciences (AA) - Came away with a 43-point win from their trip to Tapestry last week and collected two more victories over Maritime and BASCS.  The lone loss on the season for the Falcons was at Canisius in the season opener at the start of December.  Friday night they head to Lackawanna.

4. Niagara Falls (AA) - The mighty Wolverines finally dropped a game after 11 straight victories to begin the year.  While I still view this team very highly, the loss at Lew-Port on Friday night reinforces to me that this season, anyone can be had.  And the response from the team to this loss will be a fascinating one, considering their next opponent is Canisius.

5. Canisius (A) - Knocked off St. Francis on Tuesday and St. Mary’s on Thursday, for the team's third straight victory.  On Monday they will lace 'em up against Niagara Falls, a team they last faced in 2020 and defeated narrowly at home.  The season prior in 2019, Niagara Falls bested the Crusaders at the Centercourt Classic.  A fascinating match up and I can’t wait to see how it turns out. 

6. St. Francis (A) - The Red Raiders rebounded nicely from a loss at Canisius on Tuesday by throttling Nichols and holding them to a season low in points.  They have league games coming up this week at O’Hara on Wednesday and against St. Mary’s on Friday, but the week begins against the top squad in the Yale Cup from McKinley

7. McKinley (A1) - The Macks stayed undefeated in city play with a pair of road victories over two of the top teams in their league, South Park and Bennett.  Saturday in the MLK Classic, the team stood toe-to-toe with Timon for three quarters, before the Tigers pulled away in the final frame.  I love the schedule they played last week, and this week starts big again with a battle against Frannies.  The week rounds out with games against Hutch Tech and at Middle College. 

8. St. Joe's (A) - The Marauders evened to their season record to .500 with wins at St. Mary’s and against Cardinal O’Hara last week.  Joe’s will look to win away from home with three road trips coming this week, at Park on Wednesday and at Timon on Friday night, after taking on Orchard Park at Hilbert College on Monday.

9. Niagara Wheatfield (A1) - The Falcons sent Lew-Port home with a 13-point loss on Tuesday night in their only action last week in a game they were in control of throughout.  They take on Hamburg and visit CSAT this coming week.

10. Lockport (AA) - The Lions host Lew-Port on Tuesday and visit Grand Island Friday night, coming off wins over CSAT and Ken East last week.  The only losses on the season for Lockport came to Timon, Nichols, Niagara Wheatfield, and a three-point loss to Niagara Falls.

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B) - Three more wins for the Tigers last week and they were notable - Nichols, Park, and McKinley.  South Park & St. Joe’s visit South Buffalo this coming week, along with a trip to face Middle College.

2. Nichols (B) - Came storming back on Tuesday night against Timon after falling behind big and got within a point, before running out of gas.  Then on Thursday night, the tank reached empty when they got to St. Francis.  It didn’t take the Vikings long to fill back up, earning their second win of the season against Aquinas on Saturday, the team considered the top squad in Class AA from Rochester.  Nichols will play Allderdice (PA) and Park this week, along with an away game at St. Mary’s.

3. Lew-Port (B1) - Reeling from a loss at Niagara Wheatfield, the Lancers got everybody’s attention with a stunning win over the top-ranked large school from Niagara Falls that came in undefeated.  That victory shows they can play with anybody, and they will need that same energy on Tuesday night at Lockport and again on Friday when Ken West visits. 

4. Salamanca (B2) - A heck of a week for the Warriors as they earn two double-digit victories over league opponents, Fredonia and Allegany-Limestone.  The latter win put the first blemish of the season on the host Gators, and put Salamanca in first place tie in league play.  To be in sole possession of first, they will need to pass a pair of tests coming this week in their gym when Olean and Southwestern visit.

5. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - After jumping out to a 17–2 lead against visiting Olean on Tuesday, the Gators cruised to a win.  However, Friday night against Salamanca, the team didn’t start as fast and failed to match the intensity of the visiting Warriors, which resulted in their first loss of the season.  They have another tough league game in their gym this coming Friday against Fredonia, after road games against Dunkirk and Riverside to begin the week.

6. Randolph (C) - After handling Frewsburg earlier in the week, the Cardinals took one on the chin against visiting York from Section V on Saturday, losing every quarter.  Randolph hopes to get back on track at Gowanda and against Cassadaga Valley this week.

7. Depew (B1) - Logan Shipley's deep three-pointer as time expired gave the Wildcats an exciting victory over East Aurora on Saturday, the second win of the week for the team after beating Lake Shore on Monday.  Tuesday night they head to Maryvale and then host Pioneer on Saturday afternoon.

8. Bennett (B2) - Coming off of 37-point win against Hutch Tech on Tuesday, the Tigers took a pounding at the hands of the defending Yale Cup champions from McKinley on Thursday night.  The next two opponents for Bennett are are going to be tough ones, with league games at I-Prep and against South Park.

9. Newfane (B2) - The Panthers were tied with North Tonawanda in the fourth quarter on Friday night before taking a tough loss at home. They remained undefeated in league play after beating Wilson last week, and will look to keep the good times rolling against Albion on Tuesday and at Akron Thursday night.

10. Southwestern (B2) - The Trojans won a pair of league games by double digits last week, first knocking off Dunkirk and then beating Olean by 14.  Senior Matthew Pannes broke the school record for points in a game in the first win, dropping 43.  Then on Friday night, he broke his own record with a 47-point outing in the win over the Huskies.  Some impressive water these boys in Western New York are drinking this season, I will say that!  Pannes and his squad have a tough week ahead with Fredonia coming in on Tuesday and visit to Salamanca this Friday 

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/16/23 - 1/22/23

 

Monday, January 16th

South Park @ Timon - 4 pm

Tapestry @ Nichols - 5:30 pm

Coaches vs Cancer Showcase at Hilbert

Niagara Wheatfield vs Hamburg - 1 pm

St. Francis vs McKinley - 3 pm

Niagara Falls vs Canisius - 5 pm

St. Joe's vs Orchard Park 7 pm

 

Tuesday, January 17th

Williamsville South @ Iroquois - 6:30 pm

Lew-Port @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

CSAT @ North Tonawanda - 7 pm

Olean @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

Fredonia @ Southwestern - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 18th 

Bennett @ I-Prep - 6 pm

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

Lackawanna @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Nichols @ St. Mary's - 7 pm

 

Thursday, January 19th

Cheektowaga @ Pioneer - 7 pm

Jamestown @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 20th

South Park @ Bennett - 6 pm

Niagara Wheatfield @ CSAT - 6:30 pm

Ken West @ Lew-Port - 6:30 pm

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

Health Sciences @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

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

Nichols @ Park - 7:30 pm

Fredonia @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

Southwestern @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

Panama @ Westfield - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 21st

Pioneer @ Depew - 1:30 pm

Elmira @ Jamestown - 1:45 pm

East Aurora @ Batavia - 3 pm

 

Sunday, January 22nd

CCAA Showcase at JCC

Silver Creek vs Ellicottville - 11 am

Allegany-Limestone vs Holland - 12:45 pm

Salamanca vs Clymer - 2:30 pm

Fredonia vs Frewsburg - 4:15 pm

 

-centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings 2023 - Week 4

 

The fourth set of state rankings for the 2023 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Niagara Falls #12

Jamestown #16

Health Sciences #27

 

Class A

Amherst #13

 

Class B

Timon #4

Allegany-Limestone #5

Nichols #9

Lew-Port #16

Salamanca #30

 

Class C

Randolph #3

Holland #8

 

Class D

Clymer #12

Panama #15

Westfield #17

 

According to the rankings...

 

- Not much has changed in the Class AA landscape, but all three teams acknowledged by the state (Falls, Jamestown, & Health) are inching up.  As of today, Falls is projected to be a state final four team, but two publics remain ahead of them.  Meanwhile, Health is eyeing the legit Top 25 for next week instead of this magical #27 stuff and a look at the week ahead suggests they'll pile up three more wins.

 

- One thing did change in Class AA, sort of.  In a sneaky move by the Amherst Jungle, they reclaimed their reservation at the Queensbury in Glens Falls...something they had seemingly been generous enough to transfer to the NFHS Pep Band just one week ago when it seemed they were no longer invited to states.  However, the Tigers shot back up the state rankings from #18 to #13 and are once again the highest ranked Class A team in the Far West Region.  As of now, the percussion section of the band has reserved some rooms at the Northway Inn, which has some really lousy online reviews.  They are checking daily to see if rooms open at the Queensbury so the whole band can be together.  Stay tuned, literally.

 

- A side note or an observation as to how losses are handled by the fine folks who meet each week to assemble these rankings.  When Amherst lost to unranked Pittsford Mendon by 15 points, the Tigers had entered that contest ranked #9 in NYS Class A.  The loss dropped Amherst nine spots to #18 and Irondequoit (Section V) moved up to the #9 ranking with an undefeated record.  However, when Irondequoit lost its first game of the season (a road loss at Greece Athena) they fell all the way to #27 in NYS Class A.  Greece Athena is now ranked #26.  It's like Section VI was graded on a curve for its loss.  Not complaining, but definitely something I noticed.  

 

- The MMA is out!  Unless you're a team classified as a small school.  That means of the three Class A private schools in Buffalo (Canisius, St. Francis, & St. Joe's), none are ranked.  Not even through the magic of 30 teams.  No Top 25 private schools in Class A from WNY.  Not sure I've ever seen such a thing.

 

- Timon slips back two spots in NYS Class B to #4 following its loss to Syracuse CBA.  According to the rankings, they still win the CHSAA Class B state title.  According to the rankings, the 2nd best team in CHSAA Class B is Nichols, ranked #9 in NYS Class B.  And according to the new postseason structure in the MMA, neither should have any shot at that title.  They've made it so only sub .500 teams should have the opportunity to play for a state championship.

 

- Allegany-Limestone's week off didn't change its ranking, still #5 in NYS Class B.  However, the Gators are now one of the top two public schools in the NYS Class B rankings and that would put them in the state championship game.

 

- Salamanca's loss to Avon (3rd highest-ranked Class C team from Section V) on Saturday evening was sure to drop them from the NYS Class B rankings.  But the team wisely blasted Abracadabra by the Steve Miller Band on repeat & at full volume all the way back to Salamanca.  Surely the bus driver wanted to disappear before the bus even made it to Cattaraugus County, but for the Warriors it was just the touch of magic they needed...the NYSSWA magically expanded the rankings in Class B to 30 teams and awarded the coveted #30 slot to them.

 

- Randolph now sits at #3 in NYS Class C, but that's still not good enough to reach Glens Falls with Section V Lyons looking down at them from #2.

 

- Clymer is now our regional representative in Class D after dishing Panama its first loss last week.  The Pirates have two losses on the season, but both came at the hands of Class B teams from the powerful CCAA I West (Salamanca & Southwestern).

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

 

The fourth set of state rankings for the 2023 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Niagara Falls #12

Jamestown #16

Health Sciences #27

 

Class A

Amherst #13

 

Class B

Timon #4

Allegany-Limestone #5

Nichols #9

Lew-Port #16

Salamanca #30

 

Class C

Randolph #3

Holland #8

 

Class D

Clymer #12

Panama #15

Westfield #17

 

According to the rankings...

 

- Not much has changed in the Class AA landscape, but all three teams acknowledged by the state (Falls, Jamestown, & Health) are inching up.  As of today, Falls is projected to be a state final four team, but two publics remain ahead of them.  Meanwhile, Health is eyeing the legit Top 25 for next week instead of this magical #27 stuff and a look at the week ahead suggests they'll pile up three more wins.

 

- One thing did change in Class AA, sort of.  In a sneaky move by the Amherst Jungle, they reclaimed their reservation at the Queensbury in Glens Falls...something they had seemingly been generous enough to transfer to the NFHS Pep Band just one week ago when it seemed they were no longer invited to states.  However, the Tigers shot back up the state rankings from #18 to #13 and are once again the highest ranked Class A team in the Far West Region.  As of now, the percussion section of the band has reserved some rooms at the Northway Inn, which has some really lousy online reviews.  They are checking daily to see if rooms open at the Queensbury so the whole band can be together.  Stay tuned, literally.

 

- A side note or an observation as to how losses are handled by the fine folks who meet each week to assemble these rankings.  When Amherst lost to unranked Pittsford Mendon by 15 points, the Tigers had entered that contest ranked #9 in NYS Class A.  The loss dropped Amherst nine spots to #18 and Irondequoit (Section V) moved up to the #9 ranking with an undefeated record.  However, when Irondequoit lost its first game of the season (a road loss at Greece Athena) they fell all the way to #27 in NYS Class A.  Greece Athena is now ranked #26.  It's like Section VI was graded on a curve for its loss.  Not complaining, but definitely something I noticed.  

 

- The MMA is out!  Unless you're a team classified as a small school.  That means of the three Class A private schools in Buffalo (Canisius, St. Francis, & St. Joe's), none are ranked.  Not even through the magic of 30 teams.  No Top 25 private schools in Class A from WNY.  Not sure I've ever seen such a thing.

 

- Timon slips back two spots in NYS Class B to #4 following its loss to Syracuse CBA.  According to the rankings, they still win the CHSAA Class B state title.  According to the rankings, the 2nd best team in CHSAA Class B is Nichols, ranked #9 in NYS Class B.  And according to the new postseason structure in the MMA, neither should have any shot at that title.  They've made it so only sub .500 teams should have the opportunity to play for a state championship.

 

- Allegany-Limestone's week off didn't change its ranking, still #5 in NYS Class B.  However, the Gators are now one of the top two public schools in the NYS Class B rankings and that would put them in the state championship game.

 

- Salamanca's loss to Avon (3rd highest-ranked Class C team from Section V) on Saturday evening was sure to drop them from the NYS Class B rankings.  But the team wisely blasted Abracadabra by the Steve Miller Band on repeat & at full volume all the way back to Salamanca.  Surely the bus driver wanted to disappear before the bus even made it to Cattaraugus County, but for the Warriors it was just the touch of magic they needed...the NYSSWA magically expanded the rankings in Class B to 30 teams and awarded the coveted #30 slot to them.

 

- Randolph now sits at #3 in NYS Class C, but that's still not good enough to reach Glens Falls with Section V Lyons looking down at them from #2.

 

- Clymer is now our regional representative in Class D after dishing Panama its first loss last week.  The Pirates have two losses on the season, but both came at the hands of Class B teams from the powerful CCAA I West (Salamanca & Southwestern).

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

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Top 10 Rankings: 2023 Season - Week 5

 

Large Schools

1. Niagara Falls (AA) -  Halfway through their regular season, the Wolverines remain unblemished following a 36-point thumping of CSAT and a 24-point victory over the defending league champs from Niagara Wheatfield.  Falls will look to add another pair of victories to the résumé with games against Kenmore East, and Lew-Port this week.

2. Amherst (A2) - The Tigers slide down the 290 for a game at Sweet Home on Tuesday and host Iroquois Friday night, following two more league routs last week over Hamburg and Williamsville East.

3. Jamestown (AA) -  Took down Clarence in their only action last week and will wait until Saturday to play again, another league opponent, when Williamsville North makes the trip south.

4. Health Sciences (AA) -  Seven straight victories for the Falcons after knocking off Global Concepts and then Nichols on Saturday afternoon.  Monday night is the first of two rivalries games against Tapestry, along with games against Maritime and BASCS later in the week.

5. Canisius (A) - Finished in third place at the BK Classic, picking up a victory over host school Cathedral Prep on Saturday.  The Crusaders began their week with a pair of high-scoring losses, one in an epic double overtime thriller (93-92) on Delaware Avenue and the other in the first round of the BK Classic against Lincoln Park (86-78).  On Tuesday, their buddies from St. Francis come to town and then they’ll head over to Lancaster to dance with St. Mary’s on Thursday. 

6. St. Francis (A) -  Knocked off one of the two state ranked opponents they played last week by beating St. Joe’s ahead of a loss on Saturday to visiting Bishop Grimes.  The Red Raiders' grueling schedule picks right back up where it left off this week with a trip to Canisius and then a game against Nichols. 

7. St. Joe's (A) -  A tough week for the Marauders after a 1-point loss at St. Francis and then taking a big early lead in Aquinas, only to see that slip away on Saturday.  They'll look to bounce back at St. Mary’s on Tuesday and then again when Cardinal O’Hara visits on Thursday.

8. McKinley (A1) - The battle in the Yale Cup was a decent game until the fourth quarter when the Macks opened up a can and finish the game on the 34–6 run against I-Prep.  Their toughest week of the regular season is here, with a trip to South Park on Tuesday, a visit from Bennett on Thursday, and the Timon Tigers in the feature game of the MLK Classic on Saturday afternoon. 

9. South Park (A2) - The Sparks will fight for first place in the Yale Cup against McKinley on Tuesday night and then take a trip to I-Prep on Thursday, before finishing the week off with an MLK Classic game at McKinley against Global Concepts on Friday evening.  The Sparks have been off since December 21st and should be eager to see the ball tip on Tuesday. 

10. Niagara Wheatfield (A1) - The Falcons' win over Ken East last week was the 22nd straight in NFL play, but that streak finally came to an end against a powerful Niagara Falls team on Saturday afternoon.  Niagara Wheatfield hopes to get back into the win column on Tuesday night against Lew-Port.

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B) - Knocked off Cardinal O’Hara by 30 and hung 102 points on St. Mary's in a 27-point win, before suffering their second loss of the season at home to Syracuse CBA by 14.  An interesting week ahead with a big one on Tuesday night at Nichols, a visit from Park on Thursday, and then a trip to Elmwood Avenue to face McKinley at Mack High in the MLK Classic.

2. Nichols (B) - The Vikings were victorious in the best game I’ve watched all season when they handed Canisius a loss after two overtimes, courtesy of the biggest scoring outburst we’ve seen this season by Jakye Rainey (51 points).  They also earned a win over O’Hara before falling to Health Sciences on Saturday afternoon.   Nichols has definitely made a strong case for the top spot among the small schools after winning in the gym that Timon lost at and also for being the only team that knocked off Aquinas, a Class AA team ranked higher in the state than the CBA squad that just knocked off Timon.  However, instead of flip-flopping the teams this week, I’m leaving things where they are and where I think they'll be, but  Tuesday answers the question.  Frannies is waiting for the Vikings this Thursday night and Aquinas has a score to settle on Saturday afternoon.

3. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - The Gators had last week off to prepare for a pair of big ones in their gym coming up this week… Olean on Tuesday and Salamanca on Friday.

4. Lew-Port (B1) - The Lancers made quick work of Wilson last week, but the task at hand gets larger in the days ahead.  They’ll visit Niagara Wheatfield on Tuesday night and then host WNY’s top squad from the Falls on Friday.

5. Randolph (C) - Defeated Portville 88–23 last week.  Frewsburg comes to to Randolph this week, and then they head out to York from Section V on Saturday.

6. Bennett (B2) - I took the Tigers from unranked, all the way to the spot after watching them on Friday evening in a win at East.  I had seen them in the beginning of December, the same weekend their football squad was winning a state title.  My, how things have changed since then!  With their full complement of players, these guys are legit, and should only improve as the season goes on.  Tuesday night they face Hutch Tech and then McKinley comes in on Thursday in what you be a good one.

7. Salamanca (B2) - The Warriors dropped a low-scoring affair in Avon on Saturday, a loss they will need to rebound from quickly with Fredonia coming in this week ahead of a big one on Friday night at Allegany-Limestone.

8. Holland (C) - Dealt visiting Olmsted a 78–47 defeat and also won at Tonawanda last week.  They’ll make a trip to Cleveland Hill for a league game this week and also face MST Seneca at McKinley on Saturday afternoon in the MLK Classic.

9. Depew (B1) -  Suffered a setback against Cheektowaga in a close ECIC III game last week.  The Wildcats take on Lake Shore on Monday night and East Aurora comes in on Saturday.

10. East Aurora (B1) - After a rough start to the season, the Blue Devils flipped the switch shortly before Christmas and have the lights shining brightly right now.  Their last three wins have come against McKinley, Lackawanna, and most recently, Cheektowaga…a game I had the pleasure of watching.  Between what I saw in person and the strength of opponent in those last three wins, I felt they deserved to have their name here.  They will be right back here and then some if they win at Depew next week.

 

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Top Games of the Week: 1/9/23 - 1/15/23

 

Monday, January 9th

Health Sciences @ Tapestry - 6 pm

Pioneer @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

Orchard Park @ Lancaster - 7 pm

Lake Shore @ Depew - 7 pm

Williamsville North @ Frontier - 7 pm

 

Tuesday, January 10th

Timon @ Nichols - 6 pm

McKinley @ South Park - 6 pm

East @ I-Prep - 6 pm

Newfane @ Wilson - 6 pm

Holland @ Cleveland Hill - 6:30 pm

CSAT @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Lew-Port @ Niagara Wheatfield - 6:30 pm

St. Francis @ Canisius - 7 pm

Olean @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

Sherman @ Panama - 7:30 pm

Fredonia @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 11th

Riverside @ Olmsted - 6 pm

Williamsville North @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 12th

South Park @ I-Prep - 6 pm

McKinley @ Bennett - 6 pm

Nichols @ St. Francis - 7 pm

Clarence @ Ken West - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 13th

Burgard @ I-Prep - 6 pm

Niagara Falls @ Lew-Port - 6:30 pm

North Tonawanda @ Newfane - 6:30 pm

Orchard Park @ Frontier - 7 pm

Salamanca @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

Clymer @ Westfield - 7:30 pm

MLK Classic at McKinley

South Park vs Global Concepts - 5:15 pm

Hutch Tech vs Tapestry - 6:45 pm

 

Saturday, January 14th

Williamsville South @ Cheektowaga - 11:30 pm

Nichols @ Aquinas - 1:30 pm

East Aurora @ Depew - 2 pm

Rochester East @ Park - 6:30 pm

MLK Classic at McKinley

City Honors vs CCA - 11:30 am

MST Seneca vs Holland - 1 pm

Middle College vs Clarence - 2:45 pm

McKinley vs Timon - 4:15 pm

 

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NYSSWA State Rankings 2023 - Week 3

 

The second set of state rankings for the 2023 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Niagara Falls #14

Jamestown #18

Health Sciences #30

 

Class A

Amherst #18

St. Joe's #21

Canisius #22

 

Class B

Timon #2

Allegany-Limestone #5

Nichols #10

Salamanca #15

Lew-Port #19

Depew #23

 

Class C

Randolph #4

Holland #10

 

Class D

Panama #10

Clymer #14

Westfield #17

 

According to the rankings...

 

- The NFHS Pep Band can now look into booking a place in Glens Falls.  Ranked #23 in NYS Class AA just one week ago, the Wolverines are grooving like George Jefferson, now at #14 and ahead of Jamestown who dropped from #16 to #18 following its loss to St. Michael's. Rankings assure us we still get Falls/Jamestown at Buff State for a final hurrah.

 

- Aquinas is the team waiting to lose to Falls in the Class AA Far West Regional.  The Lil Irish are now just two spots behind Falls in the state at #16 in Class AA.  They own wins over Canisius & St. Francis this season, but not Nichols -- the only team to defeat AQ this season.  Kind of makes you wonder how Nichols would fare against Canisius.  Anyone know when they play?

 

- I'm pretty sure they were 'Big Health' before they were even moved up to Class AA.  But now, Health Sciences is ranked among the big boys, debuting at the Big 3-0, as in #30 in NYS Class AA.  

 

- The Pep Band might see if the Jungle will transfer its reservation at The Queensbury.  Amherst's loss to unranked Pittsford Mendon over break was a punishable offense indeed, to the tune of 9 spots, dropping from #9 to #18 in NYS Class A this week.  Still the highest ranked team from WNY in that classification, but no longer in the Far West Region.  Unbeaten Irondequoit now owns the #9 ranking.

 

- St. Francis has a chance to communicate via megaphone with the committee this week, as the Red Raiders play a pair of teams ranked in NYS Class A - #20 St. Joe's & #24 Bishop Grimes.  After the way they battled with Health over the weekend, Frannies could seize an opportunity to turn some heads.

 

- Timon, Allegany-Limestone, & Nichols are all Top 10 squads in NYS Class B.

 

- Allegany-Limestone & Batavia will play first to score 40 points in March.

 

- The Holland Dutchmen are a Top 10 team in NYS!  First time in my time that it's happened.  The team didn't even crack the final state rankings last season, despite reaching the Section VI Class C Final at JCC.  They've come back with a vengeance in 2023 and return to action tonight for the first time in 18 days when they take on Olmsted.

 

- Saturday night features a rematch of the 2022 NYSPHAA Class C Far West Regional when Salamanca visits Avon, ranked #18 in NYS Class C.  The Warriors will enter the game ranked #15 in NYS Class B.

 

- Just in time for Wednesday night, the NYSSWA has created a matchup of ranked teams in NYS Class D.  It took a little magic tough...they magically expanded the Class D rankings from 15 to 20 teams this week, so Westfield now has a place at the table, coming in at #17.  The Wolverines visit NYS Class D #10 Panama for the first of two meetings this season in CCAA II West.

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

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Top 10 Rankings: 2023 Season - Week 4

 

Large Schools

1. Niagara Falls (AA) - The Wolverines made it out to a tournament over the break and improved their record to 8–0 with a championship that included wins over Rome Free Academy and Green Tech. They will visit CSAT on Tuesday and then host the defending league champions from Niagara Wheatfield on Saturday afternoon. 

2. Amherst (A2) - After earning a huge 14-point victory over the New Hartford team that ended their season in Glens Falls last year, the Tigers returned to Rochester the following night for a rematch against the Pittsford Mendon squad they knocked off in last year’s regional to advance to Glens Falls and were handed at 15-point defeat. They face Hamburg this week ahead of a Friday night battle with Williamsville East.

3. Jamestown (AA) - Came away with two wins in three nights at the Elmira tournament, defeating Bishop McDevitt and Geneva, while losing to St. Michaels.  It was the first loss of the season for the Red Raiders, who host Clarence this week.

4. St. Joe's (A) - After defeating Union Grove Christian in a holiday tournament, the Marauders came up short after three extra sessions against North Hills Christian.  They have a big game on Tuesday night at St. Francis and a Saturday evening trip to Rochester, where they will face Aquinas.

5. Canisius (A) - The Crusaders have been idle since a loss to Aquinas prior to break.  They host Nichols on Tuesday night, before heading out to Erie over the weekend for the Burger King Classic.  On Friday night they will go up against one of the top five sophomores in the country who is being recruited by Duke and Kentucky.  He plays Lincoln Park and if Canisius can knock them off, I will be crawling in my skin.

6. Health Sciences (AA) - The Falcons won the Live Like Luca Tournament, hosted by St. Francis, defeating Lancaster and the host Red Raiders on consecutive nights.  Xavier Benton was outstanding in the final, and took tournaments MVP honors.  Games with Global Concepts and Nichols are on tap this week.

7. St. Francis (A) - Knocked off Williamsville East by 20 points, before falling the following afternoon in a battle against Health Sciences.  They’ll host St. Joe’s on Tuesday night and then welcome in Bishop Grimes on Saturday afternoon.  

8. McKinley (A1) - The Macks are 5-1 and 4-0 in the Yale Cup with I-Prep coming in this Friday night.

9. Williamsville North (AA) - After earning a big win over St. Mary’s prior to break, the Spartans are 5–2 on the season with their only loss is coming at St. Francis and against McKinley.  Wednesday they will travel to Lockport and then host Lancaster on Friday evening.

10. South Park (A2) - The Sparks raced out to a 7–1 start on the season that included a 31-point victory over Burgard.  They will enjoy a second straight week off with no games on the schedule coming up.

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B) - The 4-1 Tigers are all shoveled out and ready to resume action. They have three games scheduled this week against Cardinal O’Hara, St. Mary’s and Syracuse CBA.

2. Nichols (B) - One month into the season, the Vikings have only gotten four games in, but they were all victories.  They will put that unblemished record on the line Tuesday night at Canisius, then finish the week off with a game against Cardinal O’Hara and a visit to Health Sciences.

3. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - The Gators are 6-0, winning by an average margin of 19 points with no game closer than 9 points.  Those wins include Randolph, Depew, Pioneer, & East.  They have straight dominated teams since the postseason began last year and here's a reminder of how that postseason went:  Beat defending Class B1 champ Bennett by 30, beat Olmsted 70-19, held Newfane & Tapestry to 36 & 44 points respectively at Buff State, beat Olean by 11 points, and then held Newark to 30 points in a 15-point regional win before losing to the NYS Class B champion in Glens Falls.  I told them to take the week off and think about how they've been acting.

4. Lew-Port (B1) - Suffered their first loss of the season by 20 points at the hands of visiting Clarence prior to break.  Back in action this week against North Tonawanda on Tuesday and Wilson on Thursday.

5. Randolph (C) - The Cardinals improved their record to 6–1 on the season, claiming the Tully Tournament championship over break.  Their record includes win over Salamanca, a game I’m not sure a lot of people know took place based on a recent poll I read.

6. Salamanca (B2) - Big wins over Warren and Otto-Eldrid now have the Warriors sitting at 6–1 on the season.  On Saturday night, they’ll travel out to Avon for a rematch of last season's NYS Class C Regional.

7. Depew (B1) - Back in action on Tuesday against Cheektowaga.  The Wildcats are 5–2 on the season and their only losses have come to Allegany-Limestone and Salamanca.

8. Holland (C) - Got out to a 6-0 start to the season by December 16th and haven’t played since.  The Dutchman return to the hardwood on Tuesday when they host Olmsted and then visit Tonawanda on Friday.

9. St. Mary's (B) - Following a week off, the Lancers will travel to Timon on Wednesday night and then face Syracuse Academy of Science on Saturday afternoon at St. Francis.

10. Fredonia (B2) - Prior to break, the Hillbillies walloped Westfield by 31 points.  They’ll jump from Class D all the way up to the big boys in Class AA, drawing a pair of opponents from the largest classification this week when they travel to Clarence on Tuesday and then host Frontier on Friday  

 

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Top Games of the Week: 1/2/23 - 1/8/23

 

Tuesday, January 3rd

Nichols @ Canisius - 6:30 pm

St Mary’s @ Park - 6:30 pm

Newfane @ Barker - 6:30 pm

Niagara Falls @ CSAT - 6:30 pm

Olmsted @ Holland - 6:30 pm

North Tonawanda @ Lew-Port - 6:30 pm

Wilson @ Roy-Hart - 6:30 pm

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

Cheektowaga @ Depew - 7 pm

Olean @ Pioneer - 7 pm

Fredonia @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 4th

CSAT @ I-Prep - 6 pm

Williamsville North @ Lockport - 7 pm

Westfield @ Panama - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 5th

East Aurora @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

 

Friday, January 6th

Canisius vs Lincoln Park at BK Classic in Erie - 6 pm

Tapestry @ CSAT - 6 pm

Bennett @ East - 6 pm

I-Prep @ McKinley - 6 pm

Roy-Hart @ Newfane - 6:30 pm

Frontier @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

Clarence @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

Lancaster @ Williamsville North - 7:30 pm

Williamsville East @ Amherst - 7:30 pm

Clymer @ Panama - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 7th

Syracuse Academy of Science vs St. Mary's *at St. Francis* - 12 pm

Niagara Wheatfield @ Niagara Falls - 12:30 pm

Bishop Ludden vs Cardinal O'Hara *at Park* - 1 pm

Bishop Grimes @ St. Francis - 1:30 pm

Syracuse CBA @ Timon  - 1:30 pm

OnTech Charter @ Park - 2:30 pm

Southwestern @ Batavia - 3 pm

Nichols @ Health Sciences - 4 pm

Salamanca @ Avon - 6 pm

 

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NYSSWA State Rankings 2023: Week 2

 

 

The second set of state rankings for the 2023 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Jamestown #16

Niagara Falls #23

 

Class A

Amherst #9

St. Joe's #21

Canisius #22

 

Class B

Timon #2

Allegany-Limestone #5

Nichols #11

Salamanca #18

Lew-Port #22

Depew #24

 

Class C

Randolph #4

Holland #10

 

Class D

Panama #10

Clymer #15

 

According to the rankings...

 

- We will get that farewell Section VI Class AA Final between Jamestown & Falls this season before a sixth classification is added and Falls goes up to Class AAA next season.  Both squads moved up three spots in the rankings this week, with Falls being an official Top 25 team now, instead of a "magically" ranked team...who ranks 30 teams instead of a Top 25?

 

- Allegany-Limestone vs Salamanca in the Section VI Class B2 Final is the real overall Section VI Class B Final, with no team from Class B1 ranked ahead of the two Class B2 powers from the Southern Tier.

 

- The Southern Tier still has the best public school in 4 out of 5 WNY classifications -- there are no Class A teams in the Southern Tier from Section VI.

 

- Randolph went from winning a state championship last week, to not even reaching Glens Falls, as Lyons (Section V) slides one spot ahead of them.  Randolph dropped from #1 to #4 because of a loss at Allegany-Limestone, the team ranked #5 in NYS Class B.  Does the NYSSWA expect the #1 team in NYS Class C to be better than the #5 team in NYS Class B?  I'll hang up and listen.

 

- The Section VI Class D Final at JCC is now between Panama and Clymer after Westfield dropped from the NYS Class D rankings.  Although, if it were a Top 25, they'd likely still be ranked (NYSSWA only ranks 15 teams in Class D) and would definitely make the cut it was a Magical Top 30.

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

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Top 10 Rankings: 2023 Season - Week 3

 

Large Schools

1. Niagara Falls (AA)  

2. Amherst (A2) 

3. Jamestown (AA) 

4. St. Joe's (A) 

5. Canisius (A)  

6. Health Sciences (AA) 

7. Lancaster (AA)  

8. St. Francis (A)  

9. McKinley (A1)  

10. Niagara Wheatfield (A1)  

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B)  

2. Nichols (B) 

3. Allegany-Limestone (B2) 

4. Lew-Port (B1)  

5. Randolph (C) 

6. Salamanca (B2)  

7. Depew (B1) 

8. St. Mary's (B) 

9. Holland (C)  

10. Fredonia (B2) 

 

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NYSSWA State Rankings 2023 - Week 1

 

The first state rankings for the 2023 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Jamestown #19

Niagara Falls #26

 

Class A

Amherst #10

St. Joe's #14

Canisius #16

 

Class B

Timon #2

Allegany-Limestone #7

Nichols #12

Lew-Port #15

Salamanca #21

Depew #25

 

Class C

Randolph #1

Holland #10

 

Class D

Panama #11

Westfield #14

 

According to the rankings...

 

- Jamestown returns to Glens Falls in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history.  No teams from Section V even cracked the 'already expanded to 30 teams' Class AA rankings.  I say that because they always start out ranking 25 teams and magically expand the number of teams they rank at some point.  Do we really need to rank 30 teams?  The Top 25 just sounds better, but I know, less trophies for everyone if you only rank 25 teams.  Hey, Falls got to see its name because of the early expansion, coming in at #26.  

 

- Amherst also returns to Glens Falls.  The Tigers open as the third highest ranked public school, coming in at #10 in the Class A rankings.  

 

- Timon wins a CHSAA Class B state championship...f they stay below .500 in the MMA regular season and fall short of the Manhattan Cup Final.  They are currently #2 in NYS Class B and below .500 in the MMA with a league mark of 0-1.

 

- Your Class B1 & Class B2 Finals on Championship Saturday will feature Salamanca taking on Allegany-Limestone for a third time this season, followed by Lew-Port vs. Depew.

 

- Allegany-Limestone plays for a NYSPHAA state championship in Class B.  The Gators only have two public schools ranked ahead of them and both hail from Section II, so only one makes it to Glens Falls. 

 

- Randolph wins a NYSPHAA state championship in Class C.  The Cardinals open as the #1 ranked squad in NYS after falling short of the Section VI Class C Final in 2022.  Someone in the state must have noticed that Randolph defeated Salamanca on Friday night -- fairly impressive, considering local pollsters in WNY collaborated on the first Buffalo News poll and the consensus was that Randolph win was a bunch of hooey.  Salamanca is locally ranked ahead of Randolph by the Buff News poll, despite Friday's loss.

 

- Westfield's reign as Class D champions ends at the hands of Panama in March.  The Wolverines open at #14 in Class D, three spots behind the Panthers at #11.

 

For complete NYSSWA state rankings, click HERE

 

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Top 10 Rankings: 2023 Season - Week 2

(Coach O'Bryan wishes everybody a Merry Christmas 🎅🏻🎄🎁)

 

Large Schools

1. Niagara Falls (AA) - Moved to 5-0 on the season with a 96-48 thrashing of Ken West, followed by a tough road win against rival Lockport on Saturday.  On Tuesday night, they'll head to Kenmore Avenue for a date with a St. Joe's squad that knocked off Canisius on the same court a week earlier.  Then on Friday morning defending league champion Niagara Wheatfield comes in to the Falls for a gift exchange.

2. Amherst (A2) - So far my 'Tigers win ECIC II' prediction looks pretty safe.  They just handed Will South a 31-point loss and made them take the backroads home on Friday night, after a 49-point win over Sweet Home a week earlier.  Best of luck to Starpoint on Thursday night with the way Amherst is playing right now and something tells me they'll be even better in a few weeks...

3. St. Joe's (A) - Turned in a thoroughly impressive performance against Canisius on Tuesday night, making more plays and playing tougher than the defending state champs.  Then on Friday, the Marauders were shorthanded against visiting McQuaid, but found a way to get it done and pull out a victory in double overtime.  One week after knocking off #1 in WNY, Joe’s gets a chance to do it all over again versus new #1 Niagara Falls.

4. Canisius (A) - The Crusaders really turned things around from Tuesday night to Friday night.  After starting off the Monsignor Martin regular season with a league loss at rival St. Joe’s, Canisius found itself trailing by eight points midway through the final frame against Timon, before digging out with a gritty comeback spearheaded by Shane Cercone.  This Thursday, they will try to make it two wins in-a-row when they head to Aquinas.

5. Jamestown (AA) - The Red Raiders began this season 2-0 with an average win margin of 39 points and I drop them from #2 to #5.  It has everything to do with big victories by other teams and I promise I’m not holding it against them for postponing the Park game.  Jamestown hosts Frontier on Tuesday. 

6. Health Sciences (AA) - Winners of four straight games, including victories this week over Park, St. Mary’s, & South Park (by 32 points).   The Falcons are off until after Christmas, so that Ty Parker can focus on spreading holiday cheer all week. 

7. St. Francis (A) - Took care of business against visiting Williamsville North on Tuesday, earning a 70–53 win.  Frannies heads to Aquinas on Monday night.

8. Lancaster (AA) - Off to a 4-0 start to the season after most recently defeating Clarence on Thursday.  The Legends put their undefeated record on the line at Orchard Park Tuesday night.

9. McKinley (A1) - The Macks went from a 52-point win over Middle College to a buzzer-beating road loss at unranked small school East Aurora.  Perhaps Wednesday night will give us some clarity on where the team stands when they host East.

10. Lockport (AA) - It was a tough week in the win loss column for the Lions, but those losses came against the top ranked large school & the top ranked small school, Falls & Timon, respectively.  Getting back to the winning ways won’t be easy this week, with a road trip on tap to Niagara Wheatfield, followed by a visit from North Tonawanda.  

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B) - To be the best, you have to beat the best, and that will remain a goal this season for Timon after failing to do so on Friday night in it’s first crack at Canisius.  Three victories this season have come by an average margin of 32 points and the Tigers will try to maintain that average when Southwestern visits Tuesday night. 

2. Nichols (B) - The team improved to 4-0 after a 31-point win at City Honors and will remain undefeated at least until after Christmas, as Matt Bradshaw will join Ty Parker for caroling in the square this week.  

3. Lew-Port (B1) - The Lancers made it through the first quarter of their regular season unblemished and hope to keep the good times rolling this week with a big nonleague game against Clarence looming on Thursday, following a trip first to Kenmore East on Monday 

4. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - The Gators are 3–0, and earned their third victory of at least by at least 24 points when they knocked off Pioneer on Tuesday.  One of the biggest games in the Southern Tier this season could be going down on Tuesday night, when Randolph visits the defending Class B champions.

5. Randolph (C) - The Cardinals came back from 12 points down in the third quarter to defeat the defending Class C champions from Salamanca on Friday.  This was after pulling away in the fourth quarter against Silver Creek earlier in the week.  Should be a great defensive battle on Tuesday at Allegany-Limestone.

6. Depew (B1) - All they do is beat defending champs!  Took down Niagara Wheatfield on Thursday, and then outlasted St. Mary's in three overtimes as the flakes were flying, to win the Wildcat Holiday Tournament.  Depew will take one more swing at a defending champ before Christmas on Wednesday night when Salamanca comes to town.

7. Salamanca (B2) - Took their first loss of the year at Randolph on Friday night after leading by double figures in the second half.  To avoid losing two in a row, the Warriors will have to win a game at red hot Depew this Wednesday.

8. St. Mary's (B) - The Lancers showed the heart of a champion on Thursday night when they refused to go away down 22 points, and came all the way back to earn a victory against Orchard Park.  The epic win was sandwiched between losses to Health Sciences and Depew.  This week, they draw Tapestry on Monday night and head to Williamsville North on Thursday.

9. Holland (C) - I think they should be called the Flying Dutchmen, because these guys came out soaring this season.  I can’t find another team with more victories this early - Holland is 6–0 already.  I predict they don’t lose another game this year.

10. Fredonia (B2) - The Hillbillies started the season with a win over East Aurora, who just knocked off McKinley.  Their only loss on the season was at Harbor Creek and the only thing I know about those guys is that they don’t play with the shot clock.  Defending Class D champion Westfield visits Fredonia this Friday. 

 

-centercourt 

Top Games of the Week: 12/19/22 - 12/25/22

 

Monday, December 19th

South Park @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Cleveland Hill @ Barker - 6:30 pm

East Aurora @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

St. Francis @ Aquinas - 7 pm

Tapestry @ St. Mary's - 7 pm

Sherman @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, December 20th

Lockport @ Niagara Wheatfield - 6:30 pm

Niagara Falls @ St. Joe's - 6:30 pm

Randolph @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

Williamsville North @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

Frontier @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

Lancaster @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, December 21st

East @ McKinley - 6 pm

Salamanca @ Depew - 7 pm

 

Thursday, December 22nd

Tapestry @ Bennett - 6 pm

North Tonawanda @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ Aquinas - 6:30 pm

St. Mary's @ Williamsville North - 7 pm

Clarence @ Lew-Port - 7:30 pm

Williamsville East @ Olean - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, December 23rd

Niagara Wheatfield @ Niagara Falls - 11:30 am

Westfield @ Fredonia - 6 pm

South Park @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

Pioneer @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

Southwestern @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

 

-centercourt

5th Annual Centercourt Classic

 

The high school hoops season is in full swing here in WNY and we've already been treated to some great action in the month of December.  After you get past Christmas break, league action really heats up...it gets fans thinking about the playoffs and all those postseason-type matchups to come. 

 

Once again, we have an annual event just ahead of the win-or-go home madness that features those playoff-type battles between some of the area's top squads and it will set the tone for late February & March.

 

Announcing the lineup for the 5th Annual Centercourt Classic 

 

Back for a second straight season at Hamburg High School, 4111 Legion Drive in Hamburg, NY 

 

Friday, February 3rd

Hamburg (Girls) vs. Frontier (Girls) - 6 pm

Hamburg (Boys) vs. Frontier (Boys) - 7:45 pm

 

Saturday, February 4th

Williamsville East vs. Niagara Wheatfield - 12 pm

St. Joe's vs. Health Sciences - 1:45 pm

Nichols vs. Randolph - 3:30 pm

Timon vs. Jamestown - 5:15 pm

Canisius vs. Amherst - 7 pm

 

-centercourt

Top 10 Rankings: 2023 Season - Week 1

(Lockport freshman Charlie Croff)

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius (A) - Picking up right where they left off, the defending state champion Crusaders won a 10th consecutive Tom Keenan Tournament over the weekend with wins over Health Sciences & Albany Academy.  Senior Shane Cercone eclipsed 1,000 career points on Saturday, scoring a career-high 34 points in a win.  The St. Joe's rivalry resumes early this season with Round One tipping on Tuesday on Kenmore Avenue.  Friday night is a rematch of the 2022 Manhattan Cup Final on Delaware Avenue when Timon comes to town.

2. Niagara Falls (AA) - A 3-0 start for the Wolverines after two impressive victories at the Cataract Classic over Utica Academy & McQuaid.  They'll look to improve to 3-0 in the NFL with games coming against Ken West & Lockport this week.

3. Jamestown (AA) - Still undefeated on the season...the Red Raiders play their first three games this week with Dunkirk & Park visiting over the coming weekend after heading to West Seneca West on Tuesday.

4. Amherst (A2) - A 2-1 start to the season for the Tigers that includes a 49-point rout over Sweet Home on Friday night.  They host Williamsville South on Friday in Round One of 'The Battle for Main St'.

5. Health Sciences (AA) - Rebounded with a 30-point win on Saturday at the Keenan Tournament after nearly rallying to beat Canisius on Friday, where freshman Amir Moye made his varsity debut with a 28-point performance against the defending state champions and followed it up with 31 points the following day.  Health hosts Park on Monday, visits St. Mary's Tuesday, and hosts South Park on Thursday this week.

6. McKinley (A1) - Quite the start to the season for the Macks - a 4-0 record with a pair of 50-point wins, a 40-point win, and 109 points scored in a game.  They head to East Aurora on Friday night.

7. St. Joe's (A) - The Marauders dropped both weekend games to St. John the Baptist & Holy Trinity after a 56-42 win over Williamsville East to start the season.  The Canisius rivalry game on Tuesday is followed by a visit from McQuaid on Friday.

8. Lockport (AA) - After a lopsided victory over Ken west, the Lions hung on to take a tough win at Clarence on Friday night. The only setback in the early season for Lockport was a loss to Nichols. Two big games coming up as they visit Timon this week, before hosting Falls on Saturday.

9. Williamsville North (AA) - A 3-1 start for the Spartans after a big win at the Cataract Classic on Saturday, with the lone blemish coming in a six-point loss against McKinley.  Tuesday at St. Francis should be a good one. 

10. St. Francis (A) - A pair of losses to Holy Trinity & St John the Baptist over the weekend, following an opening win at Lackawanna without the services of Logan Reaska. 

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B) - I received a text from an area coach over the weekend as Timon was drubbing Utica Academy that said Timon is #1 in WNY, large or small.  Turns out the rubber will meet the road by week's end, as the Tigers have a date at Canisius on Friday night for early season bragging rights and standing.  Ahead of that big game, they host Lockport on Tuesday night on the court where they trounced Lackawanna 97-56 a week earlier.

2. Nichols (B) - Double figure wins over Lockport & Middle College to start the season, followed by an impressive victory against defending Section V Class AA champion Aquinas.  The Vikings visit City Honors this week.

3. Lew-Port (B1) - A 4-0 start to the season for the Lancers with a pair of blowout wins and all double figure victories.  The return of Jalen Duff paired with Bobby Beilein is a lethal duo in Class B, and Vinny Carlo has been a great third scoring option for the team.  They host CSAT on Tuesday night.

4. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - The defending overall Class B champions picked up right where they left off last season, suffocating teams defensively.  In a pair of season-opening wins over Depew & East, the Gators are allowing 36.5 ppg with an average margin of victory at 26.5 points.  Pioneer visits on Tuesday and then they travel to Section V Wellsville on Thursday.

5. Salamanca (B2) - Three impressive wins over Lackawanna, Niagara Wheatfield, and Clymer to begin the season, while getting some exceptional minutes out of Andy Herrick.  Big game in the Southern Tier on Friday night, with a rematch of the Class C Final between the Warriors & Randolph.

6. Randolph (C) - The Cardinals were smart enough to bank on another deep football run and waited to start basketball until this week.  Their season tips with three games coming up against Cassadaga Valley, Silver Creek, & Salamanca.  Silver Creek is the biggest obstacle they'll face in league play and Salamanca is a rival that ended their season in 2022.

7. St. Mary's (B) - The defending state champion Lancers opened the season with a 10-point win over Pembroke and have three games coming this week which will all be tough competition - Health Sciences, Orchard Park, and either Depew or Niagara Wheatfield on Saturday in the Depew Holiday Tournament.

8. Depew (B1) - After losing to Allegany-Limestone in their second game, the Wildcats have posted big wins over Cheektowaga and at Olean in overtime to improve to 3-1.  They begin the Depew Holiday Tournament against Niagara Wheatfield, and then draw either St. Mary's or Orchard Park on Saturday afternoon.

9. Holland (C) - The Dutchmen are off to a 5-0 start, including a Pioneer Motor Sports Tournament championship that came with a big victory over the hosts.  They'll look to make it 6-0 when they face Alden this week.

10. East (C) - Drove to the northern end of WNY on Tuesday for a win at Newfane to begin the year, and then headed to the southern end the following night to face the defending Class B champs from Allegany-Limestone.  On Friday night, head coach Starling Bryant added another milestone to his brilliant coaching career, earning his 400th career win as the Panthers took care of Hutch-Tech.  

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 12/12/22 -- 12/18/22

 

Monday, December 12th

City Honors @ IPrep - 6 pm

Park @ Health Sciences - 7 pm

 

Tuesday, December 13th

South Park @ East - 6 pm

Bennett @ Middle College - 6 pm

Lockport @ Timon - 6:30 pm

Orchard Park @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Roy-Hart @ Cleveland Hill - 6:30 pm

Williamsville East @ Sweet Home - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ St. Joe’s - 7 pm

Health Sciences @ St  Mary’s - 7 pm

Lancaster @ Cardinal O'Hara - 7 pm

Williamsville North @ St. Francis - 7 pm

Pioneer @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

East Aurora @ Olean - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, December 14th

MST Seneca @ Olmsted - 6 pm

Silver Creek @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, December 15th

Clarence @ Lancaster - 7 pm

South Park @ Health Sciences - 7 pm

Westfield @ Southwestern - 7:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Wellsville - 7:30 pm

Depew Holiday Tournament

Orchard Park vs. St. Mary's - 5:30 pm

Depew vs. Niagara Wheatfield - 7 pm

 

Friday, December 16th

Timon @ Canisius - 6:30 pm

Salamanca @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

Hamburg Lions Club Tournament at Frontier

Championship Game - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, December 17th

Niagara Falls @ Lockport - 12 pm

Fredonia @ Global Concepts - 12:30 pm

Park @ Jamestown - 3:30 pm

Depew Holiday Tournament

Consolation Game - 1 pm

Championship Game - 2:30 pm

 

-centercourt

Season Preview: 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2023 Preview contains:

- Commentary

- What's New

- Player Movement

- Returning 2022 All-Centercourt Players

- 20 Players to watch in 2023

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

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

- Coaching Changes

- Classification Changes

- Preseason Top 10 Large & Small Schools

- Predictions

 

Commentary

- The old adage has existed as long as I’ve watched sports - ‘Defense Wins Championships’.  In an era where 3-point shooting has changed the game like never before and players work tirelessly on improving their shot and range, defense remains a controllable constant.  The very first high school game I watched last season had St. Mary’s playing in it and the first words I spoke out loud, assessing anything I had seen was a remark about how active the Lancers looked defensively.  They would end up being state champions.  The stretch run that included a Manhattan Cup and state championship for Canisius was a masters class in execution and defending for 32 minutes.  As I drove to Glens Falls to see the four Section VI teams that all advanced to the state final four, I thought about the common theme to all four of those regional champions (Jamestown, Amherst, Allegany-Limestone, & Salamanca) - all were exceptional defensive programs.  Crowds get bigger and louder in the postseason.  The biggest games are on the college courts with no wall behind the basket and multiple 3-point lines that result in players taking deeper shots.  Intensity ramps up and things can get tense.  Teams that relied on outscoring you suddenly have an off night and just like that, the magical postseason ride is over.  I love a good high-scoring affair as much as anyone, but nothing earns respect like championships.  Defense is where they are won.  'D' Up!

 

- In wrapping my head around the upcoming season, the thing I kept circling back to, and was most excited about, is how absolutely loaded Class B is this year.  You’ll find predictions at the bottom of this preview, but when it comes to that classification, there are so many teams that could win it, it's like throwing darts at a revolving board.  The leading scorer in the MMA from last season, Jalen Duff, is back at Lew-Port.  Cheektowaga, Pioneer, & Iroquois all move down from Class A2.  Salamanca, who made it to Glens Falls in Class C last season, moves up to Class B.  Bennett, who won Class B1 hoops in 2021, has a starting five that just brought a Class AA football title back to Buffalo - they're winners.  Lackawanna started running opponents out of the building last season and won 16 straight on its way to Buff State.  Newfane returns a strong squad after reaching the Class B2 Final Four.  Defending Yale Cup II champion City Honors is in Class B, along with defending N-O champion Roy-Hart, and the team that beat them in last year's postseason - Southwestern.  Tapestry's winning ways in Class C earned them a new home in Class B.  Middle College has played in four Class C state championship games since 2010 - they've now settled into Class B.  Let's see...am I forgetting anyone?  Oh yes, there's that team from Olean that has won 13 Section VI titles in the past 14 seasons they've been classified as a B school.  That should do it.  Haha, just kidding - I saved the overall defending Class B champions for last.  Allegany-Limestone reached Glens Falls in 2022 and will be a force once again in 2023.  There, I think I've made a pretty strong case for Class B being LOADED!  The two schools raising Section VI plaques in the first two games of Championship Saturday from Classes B2 and B1 will have truly earned the title.

 

- Sadly, after this season we will have reached the end of an era.  The NYSPHAA is adding a sixth classification beginning next season, Class AAA.  While this change will come with some impact to all of the classifications as they are currently comprised, the biggest impact will be felt in the new Class AAA.  Based on the BEDS numbers the state will use for the new Class AAA, there will be only two teams from Section VI with BEDS numbers placing them in Class AAA -  Niagara Falls & Lancaster.  Section VI may also classify Health sciences as an AAA, and technically, could move all WNY charter schools to the highest classification if it wanted to, just to create a credible number of teams for a postseason sectional tournament.  While I’m struggling to find anything I like about this coming change for next season, the aspect of it that hits home hardest for a traditionalist like myself is separating Niagara Falls and Jamestown.  Since 2004, those two teams have combined to win 17 Class AA titles, with Niagara Falls winning 11 of them.  Something I’ve almost come to expect and look forward to is the annual Falls vs. Jamestown game at Buff State.  The two teams have played each other 11 times under the bright lights since 2006, and eight of those games have been Class AA Finals on Championship Saturday.  At the very least, I'm hoping the two teams begin scheduling each other annually in a nonleague tilt starting in 2023, because Falls/Jamestown is tradition.  So when the NFHS Pep Band is playing at 3:15 pm on Championship Saturday, March 4th at Buff State, and Falls & Jamestown are warming up for a 12th Buff State battle since 2006, take it all in and thanks for all the memories!

 

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

 

What's New ??

 

- The Centercourt Classic is back at Hamburg High School on February 3rd & 4th.  However, this season, the annual event will feature boys/girls double-header between the host Bulldogs & Frontier on night one.  The Saturday lineup is loaded with five great matchups.

- Regionals are hosted by Section V this season on Saturday, March 11th.  The venue has not yet been announced.

- The Manhattan Cup is staying with its single tournament format with one champion.  The winner represents our area in the CHSAA Class A state playoffs.  However, this season, any team that finishes the MMA regular season in the top four with 8 or more league wins is only eligible for the Class A state playoffs.  Any team eliminated in the first round of the Manhattan Cup Tournament will see its season end there.  A  Class B representative for the CHSAA state playoffs will also be determined via a Relegation Tournament.  Teams that are designated as a Class B school at the start of the Manhattan Cup Tournament, who finished with 7 or less league wins, and are eliminated beginning in the second round are eligible for that tournament.  

- Hamburg returns ECIC II this season, after a season of competition up in ECIC I.

- Lackawanna & Springville will flip divisions, with the Steelers moving up to play in ECIC III, while the Griffins will slide down to play in ECIC IV.

- Maple Grove & Falconer will also flip divisions in the CCAA, as the Red Dragons head to CCAA II West and Falconer moves into CCAA I East.

- Speaking of the CCAA leagues - they've gone back to calling them CCAA I East and a CCAA II East after changing the names to CCAA Central & CCAA East respectively for one season last year.  

- The NFL is returning to its split division format.  The nine-team league will once again have a Niagara Division (Falls, Lockport, NW, NT, & Ken West) and a Frontier Division (Lew-Port, CSAT, Ken East, & Grand Island).  Teams within a sub-division will play a traditional home & home against each other and then one game against each team from the other sub-division.

- It turns out the IAC was not the place to be.  After three seasons away, The Park School is back in the Monsignor Martin Association, where they will be classified in Class B.  The Pioneers won consecutive CHSAA Class A State Championships in 2018 & 2019 before exiting to become an independent in Class A for two seasons.  Last year, they returned to the IAC, their former home for several years prior to originally joining the MMA in 2013.  

- New events debut this season.  Fredonia College hosted a small school challenge on Saturday, December 3rd, pitting four teams from CCAA against opponents from ECIC.  On MLK weekend there is a second event at SUNY Fredonia with a full slate of games that includes some elite competition from PA with several future Division I players.  There is also a day of games on MLK Day at Hilbert College, a Coaches vs. Cancer event with some marquee matchups.

 

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

 

Player Movement

Key Transfers

Jalen Duff:  Nichols ----> Lew-Port

Jordan Alexander:  Maryvale ---> Amherst

Nakhyi Harris:  Sweet Home ----> Timon

Channing Francis:  Lancaster ---> Nichols

Tre Paulfrey:  Olmsted ---> Nichols

Gionni Zelasko:  Williamsville North ---> St. Joe's

Antwan Threeths:  Global Concepts ---> Lackawanna 

Ka'johni Dickerson:  Global Concepts ---> Lackawanna

 

Early Prep School Departures

Adam Chiacchia - Hamburg

Ahmir Dunn - Amherst

 

Returning Studs

- James Robinson is back at Niagara Falls for his senior season after leaving the area as a freshman prior to the start of that season.  He's a 6-5 difference maker that will quickly become a known commodity on the local hoops scene.  I've seen some preseason highlights...he's gonna be a problem for teams!

- Patrick McNeill is ready for his senior year at North Tonawanda after missing the majority of last season with an injury.  He had four double figure performances, including a 31-point career-high early in his junior season prior to the injury.

 

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

 

Returning All-Centercourt Talent

***  8 of the top 25 players from the 2022 All-Centercourt Team return to the WNY high school hoops scene, along with 10 players that received Honorable Mentions following last season.  

 

Returning First Teamer

Shane Cercone - Canisius, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

19.9 PPG

8.9 RPG

2.3 APG

0.8 SPG

A five-year varsity starter and WNY's most impactful player at both ends, 'Batman' will look to add a third Manhattan Cup championship to his Delaware Avenue resume.

 

 

 

 

 

Returning Second Teamers

Jalen Duff - Lew-Port, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

24.3 PPG

7.5 RPG

6.0 APG

1.7 SPG

Already a four-time All-Centercourt selection, Duff returns home after leading the MMA in scoring & assists, looking to earn the Lancers another Section VI championship like he did as a starter with Lew-Port as an eighth-grader. 

 

 

 

 

Nick Moore - Amherst, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

16.6 PPG

5.7 RPG

5.2 APG

2.9 SPG

After leading Amherst to its greatest season in program history as a junior, Moore and the Tigers are determined to repeat as Section VI champs for just the second time ever and make another run at the state level.

 

 

 

 

 

Returning Third Teamers

Lucus Brown - Salamanca, Junior

Sophomore Season Stats:

21.2 PPG

5.5 RPG

3.9 SPG

2.8 APG

His riveting performances wowed the areas at Buff Sate & Glens Falls as he led Salamanca to its first state final four while earning First Team All-State honors. He's a fierce competitor with a rare skill set, making him the ultimate Warrior.

 

 

 

 

Xander Fletcher - Niagara Wheatfield, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

16.7 PPG

5.1 APG

4.1 RPG

2.0 SPG

 Controlled the offense and his opponent for the Falcons, as this selfless floor general led Niagara Wheatfield to its best season ever with 21 wins, an undefeated NFL title, and a Section VI championship. 

 

 

 

 

 

Jaiden Harrison - Timon, Junior

Sophomore Season Stats

20.8 PPG

4.9 RPG

2.1 APG

1.8 SPG

His first varsity season in the MMA yielded 500 points, giving him over 1,300 in his career entering his junior campaign.  After reaching a Manhattan Cup Final, Harrison is ready to lead the Tigers and add a championship to his resume.

 

 

 

 

Jakye Rainey - Nichols, Junior

Sophomore Season Stats

24.1 PPG

4.6 RPG

2.3 SPG

1.9 APG

After leading WNY in 3-pointers and erupting for a career-high 44 points in a game during his breakout sophomore season, Rainey Buckets is ready to grab the reins at Nichols as the team leader entering his third varsity season.

 

 

 

 

Returning Fifth Teamer

Trey Drake - Jamestown, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

13.8 PPG

5.5 RPG

2.8 APG

2.0 SPG

A proven two-sport champion that picked up a Daemen hoops offer before committing to the gridiron, Drake led the Red Raiders to Glens Falls in Class AA with his combination of leadership, toughness, & intelligence while delivering for them in the clutch.

 

 

 

 

Returning 2022 Honorable Mentions

Bobby Beilein - Lew-Port, Senior

19.2 PPG / 4.5 RPG / 2.8 APG / 1.6 SPG  / 1.0 BPG - as a junior

 

Juilenn Celments - Lackawanna, Senior

17.9 PPG - as a junior

 

Dorian Facen - Williamsville East, Senior

15.1 PPG / 6.0 RPG / 3.7 SPG / 2.3 APG - as a junior

 

Andy Herrick - Salamanca, Senior

12.9 PPG / 3.2 RPG / 2.2 APG / 1.4 SPG - as a junior

 

Xavier Benton - Health Sciences, Senior

12.1 PPG / 6.0 APG / 2.6 SPG / 1.9 RPG - as a junior

 

Luke Granto - Canisius, Senior

6.6 PPG / 4.1 RPG / 3.4 APG / 1.2 SPG - as a junior

 

Ray Cortes - Silver Creek, Junior

25.1 PPG / 12.1 RPG / 3.4 SPG / 2.2 APG / 1.3 BPG - as a sophomore

 

Jordan Alexander - Amherst, Junior

21.8 PPG / 7.8 RPG / 2.8 SPG / 2.5 APG - as a sophomore

 

Drew Hind - Randolph, Freshman

16.4 PPG / 4.4 RPG / 4.3 APG / 2.6 SPG - as a freshman

 

Nakhyi Harris - Timon, Sophomore

13.2 PPG / 5.6 RPG / 2.6 APG / 1.9 SPG / 1.1 BPG - as a freshman

 

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

 

20 Players to Watch

More impact players for 2023 not mentioned above

Chase Welch - Park, Senior

Grayson White - Clarence, Senior

Jack DeRose - Olean, Senior

Nation Howard - Orchard Park, Senior

Omarion Ralands - Niagara Falls, Senior

Javani Rivera - South Park, Senior

Ethan Fry - Fredonia, Senior

Logan Reaska - St. Francis, Senior

Nate Errington - Frontier, Senior

Nasir Starks - St. Mary's, Senior

Anthony DeCapua - Allegany-Limestone, Senior

Evan Myers - Newfane, Senior

Matthew Pannes - Southwestern, Senior

Jaiden Huntington - Randolph, Senior

Sajun Beasley - McKinley, Junior

Parker Rey - Nichols, Junior

Jaymier Goosby - St. Joe's, Sophomore

Carson Swanson - Westfield, Sophomore

Amir Moye - Health Sciences, Freshman

Charlie Croff - Lockport, Freshman

 

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

 

League-By-League:  Returning All-League Talent 

Monsignor Martin Association

Large Schools - CLASS A

Canisius - Shane Cercone - 12, Luke Granto - 12

St. Joe's - Sam Greco - 12

St. Francis - Logan Reaska - 12

 

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

 

Small Schools - CLASS B

Timon - Jaiden Harrison - 11, Jacob Humphrey - 11

Nichols - Jakye Rainey - 11

 St. Mary's - Nasier Starks - 12

The Park School

Cardinal O'Hara 

 

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

 

Section VI

 

YALE CUP I

McKinley - Sajon Beasley - 11, Kevin Borden - 12, Jordan David-Lewis - 12

East - Mohamed Awali - 12, Michael Jackson - 12, Cedric Weatherspoon - 12

Bennett - Rashard Perry - 12, Jayden Lewis - 12, Jahlil Alston - 12

South Park -  Javani Rivera - 12, Antonio Watts - 12, Keyon Dred - 12

I-Prep - Angel Serrano - 12, Versi Hawkins - 12, Omarion Arroyo - 12

Hutch-Tech - Jahleeio Dowell - 12, David Washington - 11

Middle College - Jaykwon Kyle - 10, Adrian Anderson - 12

 

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

 

YALE CUP II

MST Seneca -  Tyeon Sanford - 12, Marcelino Long - 11

Olmsted - Ezekiel Alexander - 11

City Honors - Bith Deng - 12, Charlie Hilway - 12

Emerson - Emanuel Thomas - 12

Riverside - Landon Jaeckle - 11

Buffalo Arts - Jordan Rodgers - 12

Burgard 

 

 ***********************************

 

ECIC I

Jamestown -  Trey Drake -12

Frontier - Nate Errington - 11

Clarence - Grayson White - 12

Orchard Park 

Lancaster 

Williamsville North 

West Seneca West 

 

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

 

ECIC II

Amherst -  Nick Moore - 12, Josh Bugiera - 12, Jordan Alexander - 11

Williamsville East - Dorian Facen - 12, Mason Evans - 11

Iroquois - Justus Kleitz - 9

Sweet Home - Jordan Theodore - 12

Williamsville South - Nicco DiGiulio

Starpoint - Cohen Vogel - 10, Jackson Griesmer - 10

West Seneca East 

Hamburg

 

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

 

ECIC III

Lackawanna -  Julienn Clements - 12

Pioneer - Walker Bekiel - 12, Sam Platt - 10

Depew - Jemery Clarke - 12, Jaden Torres - 11

Cheektowaga - Romel Speaks - 11

East Aurora - Matt Horning - 12

Maryvale - Malachi Ladson - 12

Lake Shore - Max Zelonka - 12

 

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

 

ECIC IV

Cleveland Hill - Zack Phillips - 12, Cameron D'Hilly - 11

Holland - Henry Anderson - 12

Springville - Maximus Perry - 11

Alden

Eden

JFK 

Tonawanda 

 

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

 

Niagara Frontier League

Niagara Division

Niagara Falls 

Niagara Wheatfield - Xander Fletcher - 12

Lockport - Jason Green - 12

North Tonawanda  

Kenmore West 

 

Frontier Division

Lew-Port - Bobby Beilein - 12, Jalen Duff - 12

CSAT 

Kenmore East  

Grand Island 

 

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

 

Niagara-Orleans

Newfane - Evan Myers - 12, Landon Braman - 11, Ben Dickinson -11

Roy-Hart 

Barker 

Wilson 

Akron  

Medina 

Albion 

 

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

 

CCAA I West 

Salamanca - Andy Herrick - 12

Olean - Jack DeRose - 12

Fredonia -  Ethan Fry - 12, Davion White - 11

Allegany-Limestone - Andrew Giardini - 12

Southwestern -  Matt Panes - 12

Dunkirk

 

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

 

CCAA I East

Randolph - Jaiden Huntington - 12, Drew Hind - 10, Carson Conley - 12

Silver Creek - Ray Cortes - 11, Matt Woleben 12

Frewsburg - Connor Murray - 12, Gavin Smith - 11

Falconer - Jase Smith - 12

Portville 

Cassadaga Valley

Gowanda 

 

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

 

CCAA II West 

Panama -  Bryce Hinsdale - 10, Carter Brink - 10, Alex Barmore - 10, Gabe Roth - 12

Clymer - Blake Kopta - 12, Austin White - 12

Westfield - Carson Swanson - 10

Chautauqua Lake - Lawson Ormsby - 12

Sherman 

Maple Grove

Brocton  

 

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

 

CCAA II East 

Ellicottville - Owen Chudy - 11, Caedon Wyatt - 12

North Collins - Matt Sweet - 12, Derek Ebersole - 11

Franklinville - Noah Shenk - 11, Beau Bielecki - 11

Forestville - Brayden Smith - 12

Cattaraugus-Little Valley

Pine Valley

 

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

 

Charter Schools

Health Sciences - Xavier Benton - 12

Global Concepts - Kobe Torres - 11, Antwan Threeths - 12

Tapestry   

Maritime

BASCS

 

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

 

Teams with New Coaches (17)

Medina - Justin Morgan 

Cardinal O'Hara - Bryan Legge

The Park School - Rod Middleton

Lancaster - Tony Watson

Hamburg - Dave Benningfield

Starpoint - Luke Vogel

CSAT - Marques Johnson

Dunkirk - Sixto Rosario

Alden - Mike Borton

Tonawanda - Scott Ackerman

JFK - Lindsey Taylor

Springville - Al Monaco

Portville - Nathan Kloc

Maple Grove - Bill Price

Burgard - Jarryd Austin

BASCS - Paul Kowalski

Maritime - Rinaldo Foye

 

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

 

Classification Changes (16)

Lockport moves up from Class A1 to Class AA

Health Sciences moves up from Class A2 to Class AA

South Park moves down from Class A1 to Class A2

Pioneer moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

Cheektowaga moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

Iroquois moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

Alden moves up from Class B2 to Class B1

Burgard moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Springville moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Salamanca moves up from Class C to Class B2

Springville moves up from Class C1 to Class B2

East moves down from Class B1 to Class C

Maritime moves down from Class B2 to Class C

JFK moves down from Class B2 to Class C

Maple Grove moves down from Class C to Class D

Barker moves down from Class C to Class D

 

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

 

Preseason Rankings

**  Eight of the 10 teams that appeared in the 2022 Preseason Large School Rankings were Top 10 teams when the season ended, and I was 7 of 10 predicting Top 10 small schools in 2021

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius

2. Niagara Falls

3. Jamestown

4. Amherst

5. St. Joe's

6. Health Sciences

7. McKinley

8. Niagara Wheatfield

9. Lockport

10. St. Francis

 

Small Schools

1. Timon

2. Nichols

3. Lew-Port

4. Allegany-Limestone 

5. Salamanca

6. Randolph

7. Lackawanna

8. Park

9. St. Mary's

10. East

 

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

 

Predictions

 

* The 2022 Preview correctly predicted 10 of 13 league champions

 

MMA - Timon

Yale Cup I - McKinley

Yale Cup II - MST Seneca

ECIC I - Jamestown

ECIC II - Amherst

ECIC III - Lackawanna

ECIC IV - Holland

NFL - Niagara Falls

N-O - Newfane

CCAA I West - Allegany-Limestone

CCAA II West - Panama

CCAA I East - Randolph 

CCAA II East - Ellicottville

 

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

 

I went just 2 of 8 predicting these end-of-year champions in the 2022 Preview

 

Manhattan Cup

So...I have now correctly predicted the Manhattan Cup winner just two times in the last 10 years!  That includes years when there were only three teams competing for it.  Pretty pathetic.  Seeing your school below has become the Centercourt curse!  If I just picked Canisius every season, I'd be right more times than not.  But I wouldn't be this season, because the team from South Buffalo is ready to put it all together and win the Manahattan Cup for the first time since 2001.

** Timon **

 

Class AA 

Final Four:  

Health Sciences, Niagara Falls, Jamestown, & Lockport

** Niagara Falls **

 

Class A1 

Final Four:

McKinley, Niagara Wheatfield, Williamsville East, & North Tonawanda

** McKinley **

 

Class A2  

Final Four:  

South Park, Amherst, Williamsville South, & CSAT

** Amherst **

 

Class B1 

Final Four:  

Olean, Lackawanna, Lew-Port, & Pioneer

** Lew-Port **

 

Class B2 

Final Four:

Bennett, Allegany-Limestone, Newfane, & Salamanca

** Salamanca **

 

Class C

Final Four:

Randolph, Silver Creek, East, & Holland

** Randolph **

 

Class D

Final Four:  

Panama, Ellicottville, Westfield, & Barker

** Barker **

 

-centercourt

Classifications for 2023

 

Class AA (9 Teams)

Niagara Falls - NFL

Jamestown - ECIC I

Health Sciences - Charter

Lockport - NFL

Frontier - ECIC I

Orchard Park - ECIC I

Williamsville North - ECIC I

Clarence - ECIC I

Lancaster - ECIC I

 

Class A1 (10 Teams)

McKinley - Yale Cup I

Niagara Wheatfield - NFL

Williamsville East - ECIC II

North Tonawanda - NFL

Hutch-Tech - Yale Cup I

Sweet Home - ECIC II

Kenmore West - NFL

West Seneca West - ECIC I

Hamburg - ECIC II

I-Prep - Yale Cup I

 

Class A2 (9 Teams)

Amherst - ECIC II

South Park - Yale Cup I

CSAT - NFL

Williamsville South - ECIC II

West Seneca East - ECIC II

Starpoint - ECIC II

Kenmore East - NFL

Emerson - Yale Cup II

Grand Island - NFL

 

Class B1 (17 Teams)

Lew-Port – NFL

Lackawanna - ECIC III

Olean - CCAA I West

Pioneer - ECIC III

Cheektowaga - ECIC III

Depew - ECIC III

Iroquois - ECIC III

East Aurora - ECIC III

Lake Shore - ECIC III

Dunkirk - CCAA I West

Middle College - Yale Cup I

City Honors - Yale Cup II

Maryvale - ECIC III

Alden - ECIC IV

Albion - N-O

Tonawanda - ECIC IV

Riverside - Yale Cup II

 

Class B2 (17 Teams)

Salamanca - CCAA I West

Allegany-Limestone - CCAA I West

Newfane - N-O

Bennett - Yale Cup I

Fredonia - CCAA I West

Southwestern - CCAA I West

Roy-Hart - N-O

Cleveland Hill - ECIC IV

Tapestry - Charter

Akron - N-O

Olmsted - Yale Cup II

Burgard - Yale Cup II

Medina - N-O

Falconer - CCAA I East

Eden - ECIC IV

Springville - ECIC IV

Buffalo Arts - Yale Cup II

 

Class C (16 Teams)                                                    

Randolph - CCAA I East

East - Yale Cup I

Silver Creek - CCAA I East

Holland - ECIC IV

Wilson - N-O

MST Seneca - Yale Cup II

Chautauqua Lake - CCAA II West

Frewsburg - CCAA I East

Cassadaga Valley - CCAA I East

Global Concepts - Charter

Portville - CCAA I East

Cattaraugus/Little Valley - CCAA II East

JFK - ECIC IV

Gowanda - CCAA I East

Maritime - Charter

BASCS - Charter

 

Class D (12 Teams)

Barker - N-O

Panama - CCAA II West

Westfield - CCAA II West

Ellicottville - CCAA II East

Clymer - CCAA II West

Sherman - CCAA II West

North Collins - CCAA II East

Franklinville - CCAA II East

Pine Valley - CCAA II East

Maple Grove - CCAA II West

Forestville - CCAA II East

Brocton - CCAA II West

 

Monsignor Martin Class A

Canisius

St. Joe's

St. Francis

 

Monsignor Martin Class B

Timon

Nichols

The Park School

St. Mary's

Cardinal O'Hara

 

-centercourt

Jordan Nwora Foundation - Elite Basketball Camp 2022

 

Jordan Nwora Foundation

Elite Basketball Camp 2022

 

** For boys & girls ages 7 to 18  **

 

Where: 

Burt Flickinger Athletic Center

21 Oak Street

Buffalo, NY 14203

 

When:

July 5th - July 9th 

Boys / Girls 7-13:  8 am to 12 pm

Boys / Girls 14-18:  12:30 pm to 4:30 pm

 

Why:

An exceptional opportunity to learn from NBA Champion Jordan Nwora of the Milwaukee Bucks, along with the tremendous staff he will have on hand

Jordan is a 2016 graduate of The Park School, where he was a New York State Federation Champion and CHSAA State Champion, earning First Team All-Centercourt honors in consecutive seasons as a junior & senior.  He starred at Louisville and played for Nigeria in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, where he broke Nigeria's single game scoring record with a 36-point outing.  

 

How:

Visit  www.jnworafoundation.com or download the camp brochure and registration form below. 

The application deadline is June 30, 2022

Download PDF Basketball Camp Brochure Spring 22 (7)

 

-centercourt

2022 All-State Large Schools

The New York State Sports Writers Association has honored 29 players from WNY with its 2022 All-State selections in Class AA & Class A

 

Class AA

 

2nd Team

Seth Joba - Orchard Park, Sr.   

 

11th Team

Dominic McKenzie - Niagara Falls, Sr.

 

13th Team  

Trey Drake - Jamestown, Jr.

 

15th Team

Joe Harrington - Lancaster, Sr. 

 

18th Team

Jaylen Butera - Jamestown, Sr.

 

Honorable Mention

Alex Crescente - Orchard Park, Sr.

Jaral Farmer - Jamestown, Sr.

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

NYS Player of the Year

Declan Ryan - Canisius, Sr.  

 

1st Team

Max Schneider - Williamsville East, Sr. 

 

3rd Team

Shane Cercone - Canisius,  Jr.

 

5th Team

Justin Glover - St. Joe's, Sr.  

 

6th Team

Nick Moore - Amherst, Jr.   

 

7th Team

Trey Kleitz - Iroquois, Sr.   

 

8th Team

Teddy McDuffie - Amherst, Sr.

 

9th Team

Xander Fletcher - Niagara Wheatfield, Jr.

 

10th Team

Solomon Jackson - St. Joe's, Sr.  

 

12th Team 

TJ Robinson - Niagara Wheatfield, Sr.  

Nate Parker - CSAT, Sr.    

 

14th Team

TJ Jacobs - Hutch-Tech, Sr.   

 

15th Team

Adam Chiacchia - Hamburg, So. 

 

18thTeam

Jasiah Jarocinski - Pioneer, Sr.

 

Honorable Mention

Dorian Facen Jr. - Williamsville East, Jr.

Brendan Reid - St. Francis, Sr.

Jahodd Martin - McKinley, Sr.

Joshua Schumaker - International Prep, Sr.

 

 

-centercourt

2022 All-State Small Schools

The New York State Sports Writers Association has honored 49 players from WNY with its 2022 All-State selections in Class B, Class C, & Class D

 

Class B

 

1st Team

Kevin Thompson - Timon, Sr.  

 

2nd Team

Massimo Moretti - St. Mary's, Sr.

 

4th Team

Jalen Duff - Nichols, Jr.  

Jakye Rainey - Nichols, So.   

 

5th Team

Bryant Rosa - Riverside, Sr.  

 

7th Team

LaMar Matthews - Tapestry, Sr.   

 

8th Team

Tyler Curran - Allegany-Limestone, Sr.   

 

9th Team

Jaiden Harrison - Timon, So.   

Nick Whitfield - Fredonia, Sr.

 

10th Team

Trevin Boling - Tonawanda, Sr.   

 

15th Team

Romeo Bell - Tapestry, Sr.

 

17th Team

Caleb Chapman - City Honors, Sr.

 

18th Team

Jordan Alexander - Maryvale, So.

 

Honorable Mention

Chris Wright - Cardinal O'Hara, Sr.

Aidan Kennedy - Southwestern, Sr.

Juilenn Clements - Lackawanna, Jr. 

Bobby Beilein - Lew-Port, Jr.

Aiden Petrie - Roy-Hart, Sr.

Daniel Maku - Riverside, Sr.

Anthony Borden - East, Sr.   

 

 

Class C

 

1st Team

Lucus Brown - Salamanca, So.

 

3rd Team

Jake Galley - Holland, Sr.

 

4th Team

Drew Hind - Randolph, Fr.

 

5th Team

Gabe McCoy - Randolph, Sr.

 

6th Team 

Ray Cortes - Silver Creek, So.

 

8th  Team

Hayden Hoag - Salamanca, Sr.

Harley Hoag - Salamanca, Sr.

 

9th Team

Nassir Williams - MST Seneca, Sr.

 

Honorable Mention

Andy Herrick - Salamanca, Jr.

Zach Winters - Frewsburg, Sr.

Tucker Fenton - Maple Grove, Sr.

Jaiden Huntington - Randolph, Jr.

Maxx Yehl - Portville, Sr.

Henry Anderson - Holland, Jr.

Carson Conley - Randolph, Jr.

John Visnesky - Cattaraugus-Little Valley, Sr.

Kobe Torres - Global Concepts, So.

 

 

 

Class D

 

1st Team

Darien Swanson - Westfield, Sr.

 

3rd Team

Wayne Libby - Pine Valley, Sr.

Blake Frank - Franklinville, Sr.

 

4th Team

Gerald Carris - Sherman, Sr.

 

5th Team

Carson Swanson - Westfield, Fr.

 

6th Team

Micah Willink - Clymer, Sr.

 

7th Team

Kordell Oakes - Pine Valley, Sr.

 

Honorable Mention

Logan Grinols - Ellicottville, Sr.

Blake Kopta - Clymer, Jr.

Bryce Sercu - Pine Valley, Sr.

Matt Sweet - North Collins, Jr.

Carter Brink - Panama, Fr.

Bryce Hinsdale - Panama, Fr.

 

 

-centercourt

The 2022 All-Centercourt Team: The Best in WNY

 

The 2022 CC MVP

Declan Ryan

Canisius, Senior

20.6 PPG / 9.3 RPG / 3.1 APG / 0.7 BPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- CHSAA State Champion

- Manhattan Cup Champion

- Monsignor Martin Champion

- Player of the Year for All-Catholic

- MVP of Tom Keenan Memorial Tournament 

- Game MVP of CHSAA State Championship

- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic

- BK Classic All-Tournament

- Career-high 36 pts vs Albany Academy

- Grabbed 18 rebounds vs Albany Academy

- 33 pts, 20 boards, & 7 assists in a win at Timon

- Scored over 30 pts in 4 games

- Recorded 13 double-doubles

 

First Team All-Centercourt

Max Schneider

Williamsville East, Senior

27.1 PPG / 7.2 APG / 4.4 SPG / 2.3 RPG

- Three-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- ECIC II Champion

- Player of the Year for All-ECIC

- Player of the Year in ECIC II

- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic

Section VI Class A1 All-Tournament

- Centercourt Sniper Squad

- Centercourt Dime Dropper

- Led WNY in assists

- Season-high 44 pts in a win vs Lancaster

- Scored over 30 pts in 7 games

- Dished 14 dimes in a win at Iroquois

- Had 7 or more assists in 15 games

- Recorded 5 double-doubles

- Career 1,000 point scorer

 

Shane Cercone

Canisius, Junior

19.9 PPG / 8.9 RPG / 2.3 APG / 0.8 SPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- CHSAA State Champion

- Manhattan Cup Champion

- Monsignor Martin Champion

- First Team All-Catholic

- BK Classic All-Tournament

- St. Pius All-Tournament

- All-Centercourt Defender

- Scored 31 in a win over Cathedral Prep

- Scored 31 in a win over Nichols

- Had 22 pts & 19 boards in a win at Nichols

- Recorded 11 double-doubles

- Double-doubles in 8 of last 10 games

- Career 1,000 point scorer

 

Seth Joba

Orchard Park, Senior

17.2 PPG / 9.9 RPG / 4.0 BPG / 1.0 SPG

- Player of the Year in ECIC I

- First Team All-ECIC

- Section VI Class AA All-Tournament

- All-Centercourt Defender

- Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Led WNY in shot blocks

- Career-high 33 pts in a win at Sweet Home

- Blocked 8 shots in a win over Will North

- Had 16 rebounds vs Falls & Hamburg

- Grabbed 13 or more boards in 6 games

- Recorded 12 double-doubles

 

 

 

Massimo Moretti

St. Mary's, Senior

21.1 PPG / 14.2 RPG / 2.3 BPG / 1.3 APG

- CHSAA Class B State Champion

- First Team All-Catholic

- All-Cencourt Defender

- Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Career-high 34 pts & 28 boards vs Nichols

- Scored 30 pts with 15 boards vs. St. Joe's

- Scored 26 or more pts in 8 games

- Blocked 4 or more shots in 8 games

- Had 15 or more rebounds in 13 games

- Recorded 18 double-doubles

- Shot 44% on 37 made 3-pointers

 

 

 

 

Kevin Thompson

Timon, Senior

20.5 PPG / 7.2 RPG / 2.5 BPG / 2.1 SPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- Manhattan Cup Finalist

- First Team All-Catholic

- All-Centercourt Defender

- Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Career-high 35 pts & 13 boards at St. Joe's

- Scored 24 or more pts in 9 games

- 32 pts, 16 boards, & 8 blks in a win vs Nichols

- Shot 6/9 from downtown in a win at Frannies

- Grabbed 11 or more rebounds in 6 games

- Career 1,000 point scorer

 

 

 

 

Second Team All-Centercourt

Teddy McDuffie

Amherst, Senior

13.6 PPG / 14.2 RPG / 3.2 SPG / 1.7 APG

- Far West Region Class A Champion

- Section VI Class A Champion

- ECIC II Champion

- NYSPHAA Class A All-Tournament

- First Team All-ECIC

- First Team ECIC II

- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic

- Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Led WNY in rebounding

- Career-high 28 pts in a win at Iroquois

- Career-high 26 boards in a win vs Iroquois

- Had 5 games with 20 or more rebounds

- Recorded 18 double-doubles

 

Nick Moore

Amherst, Junior

16.6 / 5.7 RPG / 5.2 APG / 2.9 SPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- Far West Region Class A Champion

- Section VI Class A Champion

- ECIC II Champion

- First Team All-ECIC

- Player of the Year in ECIC II

- Section VI Class A2 Tournament MVP

- Game MVP at the Cataract Classic

- Game MVP at the 290 Classic

- Game MVP at the Jolly Boys Showcase

- Centercourt Sniper Squad

- Centercourt Dime Dropper

- Season-high 26 pts in a win over Iroquois

- Grabbed 7 or more rebounds in 11 games

- Recorded 5 double-doubles

 

Justin Glover

St. Joe's, Senior

18.8 PPG / 5.8 APG / 4.7 RPG / 3.0 SPG

- Three-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- First Team All-Catholic

- All-Centercourt Defender 

- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic

- Centercourt Sniper Squad

- Centercourt Dime Dropper

- Career-high 31 pts in a win at Nichols

- Had 30 pts, 8 reb, & 7 asts in a win vs Tapestry

- Scored 29 pts & 11 asts in a win vs Holy Trinity

- Had 16 pts, 15 boards, & 9 dimes vs O'Hara

- Dished 7 or more assists in 8 games

- Career 1,000 point scorer

 

 

Trey Kleitz

Iroquois, Senior

24.9 PPG / 6.9 RPG / 6.6 APG / 5.9 SPG

- Four-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- First Team All-ECIC

- First Team ECIC II

- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic

- All-Centercourt Defender

- Centercourt Dime Dropper

- Led WNY in steals

- Season-high 39 pts in a win vs Will South

- Grabbed 14 rebounds in a win at Maryvale

- Dished 13 assists in a win vs East Aurora

- Registered 13 steals in a win vs Pioneer

- Triple-double in a win vs Sweet Home

- Recorded 9 double-doubles

- Career 1,000 point scorer

 

Jalen Duff

Nichols, Junior

24.3 PPG / 7.5 RPG / 6.0 APG / 1.7 SPG

- Four-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- First Team All-Catholic

- Centercourt Sniper Squad

- Centercourt Dime Dropper

- Led the MMA in scoring & assists

- Season-high 32 pts in a win vs St. Francis

- Scored over 30 pts in 6 games

- Had 7 or more assists in 7 games

- Grabbed 14 boards at Tapestry

- Triple-double in a win vs Timon

- Registered 4 double-doubles

- Career 1,000 point scorer

 

 

 

Third Team All-Centercourt

Xander Fletcher

Niagara Wheatfield, Junior

16.7 PPG / 5.1 APG / 4.1 RPG / 2.0 SPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- Section VI Class A1 Champion

- NFL Champion

- Player of the Year in NFL

- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic

- Section VI Class A1 All-Tournament

•   - Centercourt Dime Dropper

- Career-high 31 pts in a win at Lockport

- Scored 28 pts in a win at Ken East

- Scored 24 or more pts in 5 games

- Had 6 or more assists in 9 games

- Grabbed 6 or more boards in 8 games

- Career 1,000 point scorer

 

Lucus Brown

Salamanca, Sophomore

21.2 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 3.9 SPG / 2.8 APG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- Far West Region Class C Champion

- Section VI Class C Champion

- NYSPHAA Class C All-Tournament

- Section VI Class C Tournament MVP

- All-Centercourt Defender

- Centercourt Sniper Squad

- Season-high 37 pts in a win vs Portville

- Scored 32 pts & 15 boards in win vs Holland

- Had 5 or more steals in 6 games

- Averaged 29.3 pts over last 3 postseason games

 

 

 

LaMar Matthews

Tapestry, Senior

25.9 PPG / 5.8 RPG / 3.0 SPG / 1.5 APG

- Player of the Year for Charter Schools

- Section VI Class B2 All-Tournament

- Season-high 35 pts in a win over Bennett

- Scored over 30 pts in 7 games

- Scored 34 pts in a win at Sweet Home

- Scored 20 or more pts in 19 games

- Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Career 1,000 point scorer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jaiden Harrison

Timon, Sophomore

20.8 PPG / 4.9 RPG / 2.1 APG / 1.8 SPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- Manhattan Cup Finalist

- Second Team All-Catholic

- Game MVP at the Cataract Classic

- Centercourt Sniper Squad

- Season-high 37 pts vs Orchard Park

- Scored over 30 pts in 6 games

- Career 1,000 point scorer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jakye Rainey

Nichols, Sophomore

24.1 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 2.3 SPG / 1.9 APG

- Second Team All-Catholic

- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic

- Centercourt Sniper Squad

- Led WNY in 3-pointers made (86)

- Career-high 44 pts vs St. Mary's

- Scored 36 pts in a win vs Cathedral Prep

- Scored over 30 pts in 8 games

- Drilled 8 treys vs Cathedral Prep

- Banged 6 or more treys in 6 games

- Shot 64% on 7 made 3's vs Niagara Falls

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth Team All-Centercourt

Solomon Jackson

St. Joe's, Senior

19.2 PPG / 7.9 RPG / 2.1 SPG / 1.5 APG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- Second Team All-Catholic

- Game MVP at the Cataract Classic

- Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Career-high 30 pts in a win vs Nichols

- Scored 29 pts with 10 boards vs Timon 

- Had three games with 15 rebounds

- Recorded 7 double-doubles

 

 

 

 

 

 

TJ Robinson

Niagara Wheatfield, Senior

18.9 PPG / 4.0 RPG / 1.6 APG / 1.6 SPG

- Three-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- Section VI Class A1 Champion

- NFL Champion

- First Team NFL

- Section VI Class A1 Tournament MVP

- Game MVP at the Cataract Classic

- Centercourt Sniper Squad

- Career-high 31 pts in a win at CSAT

- Scored over 30 pts in 2 games

- Had 29 pts & 10 boards at Lew-Port

- Sank 5 or more treys in 6 games

- Banged 74 treys on the season

- Career 1,000 point scorer

 

Tyler Curran

Allegany-Limestone, Senior

18.2 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 4.1 APG / 1.9 SPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- Far West Region Class B Champion

- Section VI Class B Champion

- First Team CCAA I West

- NYSPHAA Class B All-Tournament

- Section VI Class B2 Tournament MVP

- Season-high 34 pts & 13 boards vs Roy-Hart

- Triple-double in a win over Bennett

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trevin Boling

Tonawanda, Senior

33.0 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 2.9 APG / 2.6 SPG

- Player of the Year in ECIC IV

- Centercourt Sniper Squad

- Led WNY in scoring

- Team leader in pts, rebounds, & stls

- Season-high 44 pts in a win vs Eden

- Scored over 40 pts in 4 games

- Scored over 30 pts in 15 games

- Third in WNY with made 82 treys

- Had 7 or more boards in 8 games

- Recorded two double-doubles

- Career 2,000 point scorer

 

 

 

Bryant Rosa

Riverside, Senior

28.5 PPG / 4.3 APG / 4.1 RPG / 2.5 SPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- Player of the Year in Yale Cup II

- Section VI Class B1 All-Tournament

- Season-high 41 pts in Class B1 Semifinal

- Scored over 30 pts in 12 games

- Scored 24 or more pts in 16 games

- Career 1,000 point scorer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fifth Team All-Centercourt

Nate Parker

CSAT, Senior

25.2 PPG / 6.0 RPG / 3.0 APG / 2.9 SPG

- First Team NFL

- Section VI Class A2 All-Tournament

- Career-high 37 pts in a win vs Ken East

- Had 30 pts & 10 boards vs Grand Island

- Scored over 30 pts in 6 games

- Grabbed 7 or more rebounds in 9 games

- Recorded 2 double-doubles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trey Drake

Jamestown, Junior

13.8 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 2.8 APG / 2.0 SPG

- Far West Region Class AA Champion

- Section VI Class AA Champion

- ECIC I Champion

- First Team ECIC I

- Second Team All-ECIC

- Game MVP at Centercourt Classic

- Section VI Class AA All-Tournament

- Centercourt Sniper Squad

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dominic McKenzie

Niagara Falls, Senior

16.3 PPG / 10.7 RPG / 2.2 SPG / 1.2 BPG

- Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection

- First Team NFL

- Game MVP at the Cataract Classic

- Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Season-high 28 pts in a win at Ken East

- Had 26 pts & 22 boards vs Rochester East

- Scored 26 pts or more in 4 games

- Grabbed 12 or more boards in 9 games

- Recorded 13 double-doubles

 

 

 

 

 

TJ Jacobs

Hutch-Tech, Senior

22.3 PPG / 12.2 RPG / 4.6 APG / 3.2 SPG

- Section VI Class A1 All-Tournament

- First Team Yale Cup I

- Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Career-high 40 pts in 3Q vs I-Prep

- Scored 37 pts in a win vs Bennett

- Had 36 pts & 19 boards vs Nichols

- Recorded 12 double-doubles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick Whitfield

Fredonia, Senior

23.1 PPG / 9.3 RPG / 3.7 APG / 2.8 BPG / 1.5 SPG

- Player of the Year in CCAA I West

- Centercourt #BOOM Squad

- Career-high 48 pts in a win at Dunkirk

- Scored over 30 pts in 5 games

- Grabbed 15 boards vs Southwestern

- Blocked 6 shots vs Global Concepts

- Had 5 or more assists in 6 games

- Recorded 11 double-doubles

- Career 1,000 point scorer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honorable Mention

Tapestry's Romeo Bell evolved over his four-year varsity career from a shoot first guard into a team-first baller capable from every position at both ends of the court.  He defended the post, pounded the boards, scored from anywhere, and delivered the slickest assists.  Off to play prep in Texas, Bell's well-rounded skill set has a future in college basketball.

 

 

 

Blake Frank - Franklinville, Senior

* First Team CCAA East

27.8 PPG / 5.3 RPG / 3.9 SPG / 2.3 APG

 

Caleb Chapman - City Honors, Senior

* First Team Yale Cup II

24.2 PPG / No other statistics were provided

 

Jasiah Jarocinski - Pioneer, Senior

* Player of the Year in ECIC III

23.1 PPG / 14.8 RPG / 4.9 APG

 

Jake Galley - Holland, Senior

* First Team ECIC IV

21.5 PPG / 4.4 RPG / 2.9 SPG / 1.7 APG

 

Aidan Kennedy - Southwestern, Senior

* First Team CCAA I West

20.9 PPG / 4.0 RPG / 3.7 APG / 2.7 SPG

 

Wayne Libby - Pine Valley, Senior

* Player of the Year in CCAA East

20.6 PPG / 5.7 RPG / 3.2 SPG / 2.1 APG

 

Darien Swanson - Westfield, Senior

* Player of the Year in CCAA II West

19.1 PPG / 7.0 APG / 6.3 RPG / 4.0 SPG / 1.6 BPG

 

Josh Schumaker - I-Prep, Senior

* First Team Yale Cup I

18.7 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 3.6 APG / 2.9 SPG

 

Aiden Petrie - Roy-Hart, Senior

* Player of the Year in Niagara-Orleans 

18.6 PPG / 8.1 RPG / 1.7 SPG / 1.5 APG / 1.1 BPG

 

Sean Hargrave - Ken West, Senior

* First Team Niagara Frontier League

17.2 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 2.2 APG / 1.5 SPG / 1.4 BPG

 

Romeo Bell - Tapestry, Senior

* First Team All-Charter

16.5 PPG / 7.9 RPG / 5.4 APG / 5.4 SPG

 

Anthony Borden - East, Senior

* First Team Yale Cup I

15.3 PPG / 7.0 RPG / 1.8 SPG / 1.3 APG

 

Chris Wright - Cardinal O'Hara, Senior

* Second Team All-Catholic

15.0 PPG / 12.1 RPG / 4.8 APG / 1.8 BPG / 1.7 SPG

 

Daniel Maku - Riverside, Senior

* First Team Yale Cup II

14.5 / 12.9 RPG / 3.7 APG / 1.7 SPG / 1.4 BPG

 

Joe Harrington - Lancaster, Senior

* First Team ECIC I 

14.5 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 2.1 APG / 1.6 BPG 

 

Gabe McCoy - Randolph, Senior

* Player of the Year in CCAA Central

14.1 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 2.3 BPG / 1.0 SPG

 

Zion James - Olean, Senior

* First Team CCAA I West

13.9 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 3.6 APG / 2.5 SPG

 

Alex Crescente - Orchard Park, Senior

* First Team ECIC I

13.6 PPG / 3.2 APG / 2.5 RPG / 2.5 SPG

 

Jahodd Martin - McKinley, Senior

* Player of the Year in Yale Cup I

13.4 PPG / 1.9 RPG / 1.7 APG / 0.7 SPG

 

Jaylen Butera - Jamestown, Senior

* First Team ECIC I

13.3 PPG / 4.8 RPG / 2.4 SPG / 1.6 APG

 

Kamdyn McClain - Olean, Senior

* MVP of Section VI Class B1 Tournament

12.8 PPG / 5.6 APG / 4.3 RPG / 3.1 SPG

 

Brendan Reid - St. Francis, Senior

* First Team All-Catholic

12.7 PPG / 8.7 RPG / 1.7 APG / 0.7 SPG

 

Jaral Farmer - Jamestown, Senior

* First Team ECIC I

11.3 PPG / 9.8 RPG / 2.1 APG / 1.8 SPG / 1.7 BPG

 

Eddie Cosgrove - Canisius, Senior

* MVP of the Manhattan Cup

8.6 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 2.4 APG / 0.6 SPG

 

Bobby Beilein - Lew-Port, Junior

* First Team Niagara Frontier League

19.2 PPG / 4.5 RPG / 2.8 APG / 1.6 SPG  / 1.0 BPG

 

Juilenn Celments - Lackawanna, Junior

* First Team ECIC IV

17.9 PPG / No other statistics were provided

 

Dorian Facen - Williamsville East, Junior

* First Team ECIC II

15.1 PPG / 6.0 RPG / 3.7 SPG / 2.3 APG

 

Andy Herrick - Salamanca, Junior

* First Team CCAA I West

12.9 PPG / 3.2 RPG / 2.2 APG / 1.4 SPG

 

Xavier Benton - Health Sciences, Junior

* First Team All-Charter

12.1 PPG / 6.0 APG / 2.6 SPG / 1.9 RPG

 

Luke Granto - Canisius, Junior

* First Team All-Catholic

6.6 PPG / 4.1 RPG / 3.4 APG / 1.2 SPG

 

Ray Cortes - Silver Creek, Sophomore

* First Team CCAA Central

25.1 PPG / 12.1 RPG / 3.4 SPG / 2.2 APG / 1.3 BPG

 

Jordan Alexander - Maryvale, Sophomore

* First Team ECIC III

21.8 PPG / 7.8 RPG / 2.8 SPG / 2.5 APG

 

Adam Chiacchia - Hamburg, Sophomore

* First Team ECIC I

 16.9 PPG / 7.7 RPG / 3.6 APG / 2.7 SPG / 1.5 BPG

 

Drew Hind - Randolph, Freshman

* Player of the Year in CCAA Central

16.4 PPG / 4.4 RPG / 4.3 APG / 2.6 SPG

 

Nakhyi Harris - Sweet Home, Freshman

* First Team ECIC II

13.2 PPG / 5.6 RPG / 2.6 APG / 1.9 SPG / 1.1 BPG

 

 

Centercourt 6th Man of the Year

Gary Johnson

Amherst, Senior

Just before Christmas at the Jolly Boys Showcase hosted by Amherst, Gary Johnson delivered one of the top highlights of the 2022 Season.  As he received a pass with three quarters of the court and three defenders already ahead of him, Johnson used a decisive burst of speed to blow past the three transitioning players and without breaking stride, soared above the rim, ripping a nasty two-handed tomahawk #BOOM.  It was an incredibly high-level play that I’ve seen very few times before over the years in a high school game.  The talent and chemistry of the Tigers gave them the luxury of bringing Johnson (9.3 PPG) off the bench and instantly creating mismatches at both ends of the floor.  Besides his ability to play above the rim and alter shots near the basket, Johnson also used his length and quickness to defend the perimeter, where opponents struggled to get a shot off against him.  He also displayed significant range and a soft touch when launching from downtown.  This award began following the 2012 season, which makes Gary Johnson the 11th recipient of of this honor.  Of the 10 players that came before him, none possessed the raw talent that he has.  Amherst basketball enjoyed its finest season in program history.  The role Johnson played helped accomplish that and earned him the 2022 Centercourt 6th Man of the Year.

 

 

All-Centercourt Defenders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Team

Shane Cercone - Canisius, Junior

Trey Kleitz - Iroquois, Senior

Beau Haubeil - Amherst, Senior

Kevin Thompson - Timon, Senior

Justin Glover - St. Joe's, Senior

 

Second Team

Hudson Kwiatkowski - Allegany-Limestone, Senior

Andrew Giardini - Allegany-Limestone, Junior

Luke Granto - Canisius, Junior

Seth Joba - Orchard Park, Senior

Massimo Moretti - St. Mary's

 

Third Team

Connor Schuster - Canisius, Senior

Taron Benton - Health Sciences, Senior

Ahmir Dunn - Amherst, Sophomore

Jaylen Butera - Jamestown, Senior

Jaral Farmer - Jamestown, Senior

 

Fourth Team

Lucus Brown - Salamanca, Sophomore

Carter Krawyczk - Lew-Port, Senior

Rod Brown - Niagara Falls, Senior

Kegan Mancabelli  - Orchard Park, Senior

Isaiah Odom - St. Joe's, Junior

 

 

Centercourt #BOOM Squad

Seth Joba - Orchard Park, Senior

Solomon Jackson - St. Joe's, Senior

TJ Jacobs - Hutch Tech, Senior

Nick Whitfield - Fredonia, Senior

Gary Johnson - Amherst, Senior

Teddy McDuffie - Amherst, Senior

Jordon Rivers - Lackawanna, Senior

Kevin Thompson - Timon, Senior

Garrett White - Clarence, Senior

Elijah Whitehead - McKinley, Senior

Sean Hargrave - Ken West, Senior

Massimo Moretti - St. Mary's, Senior

Dom McKenzie - Niagara Falls, Senior

Andre Stinson - Sweet Home, Senior

LaMar Matthews - Tapestry, Senior

Greg Sanders - CSAT, Senior

Jorden Bynes - CSAT, Senior

Dorian Facen - Williamsville East, Junior

Logan Reaska - St. Francis, Junior

Dylan Evans - Orchard Park, Junior

 

 

Centercourt Sniper Squad '3'

Jakye Rainey - Nichols, Junior

Jack DeRose - Olean, Junior

Trevin Boling - Tonawanda, Senior

Drew Hind - Randolph, Freshman

Nick Mogavero - Iroquois, Senior

TJ Robinson - Niagara Wheatfield, Senior

Bobby Beilein - Lew-Port, Junior

Carson Swanson - Westfield, Freshman

Blake Kopta - Clymer, Junior 

Nick Moore - Amherst, Junior

Lucus Brown - Salamanca, Sophomore

Max Schneider - Williamsville East, Senior

Jalen Duff - Nichols, Junior

Alex Crescente - Orchard Park, Senior

Jake Notaro - Williamsville East, Senior

Trey Drake - Jamestown, Junior

Justin Glover - St. Joe's, Senior

Jaiden Harrison - Timon, Sophomore

Evan Myers - Newfane, Junior

Brendan Reid - St. Francis, Senior

 

 

Centercourt Dime Droppers

Romeo Bell - Tapestry, Senior

Max Schneider - Williamsville East, Senior

Hayden Hoag - Salamanca, Senior

Jalen Duff - Nichols, Junior

Justin Glover - St. Joe's, Senior

Darien Swanson - Westfield, Senior

Trey Kelitz - Iroquois, Senior

Nick Moore - Amherst, Junior

Xander Fletcher - Niagara Wheatfield, Junior

Brady Gleason - Frontier, Senior

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Centercourt Coach of the Year

Erik O'Bryan

Niagara Wheatfield

After the Falcons finished the pandemic-shortened 2021 regular season with a .500 record, they were forced to take to the road as the #5 seed in the Class A1 playoffs.   They began by claiming a win at Sweet Home and then went into undefeated McKinley, where they toppled the classification's top seed to reach the championship game played at host Hamburg.  Despite falling in the final, the sense of accomplishment and optimism both ran high.  The team had a pair of standouts back in Xander Fletcher and TJ Robinson, while the rest of the starting lineup was also comprised of underclassmen.

Right from the start, the 2022 season was different.  O’Bryan only had four nonleague games to work with and believing his group was special, he decided it was time to schedule a Monsignor Martin opponent to challenge his group.  He agreed to play Timon in the Cataract Classic, the team's season opener.  Fletcher began the campaign with a nagging injury that caused him to miss the game.  The Falcons lost handily in that first game.  When I spoke to O’Bryan following the loss, his perspective was right where it needed to be.  It began by acknowledging how good Timon was, without belaboring Fletcher's absence.  He believed facing a quality opponent on a big stage without their point guard forced everyone to step up to play an even bigger role, which would only make them better down the road.  That road ahead would turn out to be fantastic.  

Niagara Wheatfield went on to complete its best season in program history.  This included a pair of double digit win streaks and a pair of double-digit victories over defending league champion Niagara Falls.  They earned their first Niagara Frontier League championship in basketball, going undefeated in the process, while recording over 20 wins for the first time.  The school record 21st win in a season gave the Falcons their first Section VI basketball championship in 49 years.

What made this group special was the culture within the program, cultivated by O’Bryan and his staff.  Passionate, animated, emotional, and approachable, O’Bryan is the perfect mix of professional and fun.  Anytime he spoke of this team, he used the word love to describe his feelings for them.  An undeniable team chemistry shined when the team was at its best and a close bond within was evident in tight games as the players looked to pull each other closer, rather than turning against each other in times of adversity.  The family-like atmosphere surrounding Niagara Wheatfield Basketball was never more apparent than the night when the JV team won a thriller at the buzzer, only to be greeted by the entire varsity team who rushed the court in excitement to celebrate with them.

The historic regular season placed the Falcons right back in the Class A1 sectionals, this time as the hunted #1 seed.  The next three games would be the perfect culmination of team basketball.  It began by surviving a low-scoring quarterfinal thriller against a Ken West squad they had to beat for a third time.  In the semifinal at Buff State, the Falcons came out soaring and built a 19-point lead by halftime against Hutch-Tech.  However, by the start of the final frame, Tech had completely flipped the script, storming back to tie the game.  I remember watching Coach O’Bryan to see how he handled the situation.  For as excitable as he gets in so many situations, he’s a steadying, calming force when his team is up against it.  Despite Hutch-Tech owning the game's momentum, O’Bryan‘s team came back into focus and out executed the rest of the way.  

Niagara Wheatfield was back in the Class A1 Final, this time against Williamsville East, who ironically was coming off convincing victories over Hamburg & McKinley.  East had been ranked ahead of the Falcons for most of the season.  In the main event of Championship Saturday, the Falcons found themselves playing from behind for most of the first three and a half quarters of the game.  It was that same sideline presence from O’Bryan in crunch time as the Falcons methodically stayed within their game plan, turning control of the game to their advantage one possession at a time.  As the championship came down to the final possession, Williamsville East had the ball with Niagara Wheatfield leading by three.  O’Bryan held his composure under a deep breath one last time as a final three-point attempt was too well defended to tie the game.  With his family watching from the stands and the entire Niagara Wheatfield community helping to fill the arena, O’Bryan erupted in exultation.  The moment came exactly 22 years and one day after Erik felt a similar joy watching his legendary father, the late Archie O'Bryan, win a Section VI championship on the same floor with a group that he loved.  

Fletcher and Robinson remained standouts all season for the Falcons.  But to even the casual fan, players like Wyatt Cooper, Thomas Jesse, Shawn Watson, & Ty Kwitchoff were known commodities by the end of Buff State Week.  That's the mark a great leader and the reason Erik O'Bryan is the 2022 Centercourt Coach of the Year!

 

-centercourt

Final Top 10 Rankings - 2022 Season

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius (A) -  CHSAA Class A State Champions, Manhattan Cup Champions, Monsignor Martin Association Champions, 17-0 in WNY - 23-5

2. Jamestown (AA) - NYSPHAA Class AA Far West Region Champions, Section VI Class AA Champions, ECIC I Champions - 20-4

3. Amherst (A2) - NYSPHAA Class A Far West Region Champions, Section VI Class A Champions, ECIC II Co-Champions - 23-3

4. Niagara Wheatfield (A1) - Section VI Class A1 Champions, Niagara Frontier League Champions - 21-3

5. Williamsville East (A1) -Section VI Class A1 Finalists, ECIC II Co-Champions - 18-5

6. St. Joe's (A) - Finished second in the Monsignor Martin Association - 14-11

7. Health Sciences (A2) - Section VI Class A2 Finalists, Charter Cup Champions - 18-5

8. Niagara Falls (AA) - Section VI Class AA Finalists, Finished second in the Niagara Frontier League - 17-6

9. Orchard Park (AA) - Section VI Class AA Semifinalists, Finished second in ECIC I - 19-3

10. CSAT (A2) - Section VI Class A2 Semifinalists - 14-7

 

Small Schools

1. Timon (B) - Finished third in the Monsignor Martin Association, Manhattan Cup Finalists - 18-7

2. St. Mary's (B) - CHSAA Class B State Champions - 15-10

3. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - NYSPHAA Class B Far West Region Champions, Section VI Class B Champions - 19-8

4. Olean (B1) - Section VI Class B1 Champions, CCAA I West Champions - 21-3

5. Salamanca (C) - NYSPHAA Class C Far West Region Champions, Section VI Class C Champions - 17-8

6. Lackawanna (B1) -  Section VI Class B1 Finalists, ECIC IV Champions - 18-5

7. Randolph (C) - Section VI Class C Finalists, CCAA Central Champions - 20-2

8. Tapestry (B2) -  Section VI Class B2 Finalists - 14-9

9. Westfield (D) - Section VI Class D Champions, CCAA II West Champions - 22-2

10. Lew-Port (B1) - Section VI Class B1 Semifinalists - 14-9

 

-centercourt

All-League Teams - 2022

 

 

All-ECIC

Player of the Year:

Max Schneider - Williamsville East, 12

 

First Team

Nick Moore - Amherst, 11

Seth Joba - Orchard Park, 12

Trey Kleitz - Iroquois, 12

Teddy McDuffie - Amherst, 12

Joe Harrington - Lancaster, 12

 

Second Team

Trey Drake - Jamestown, 11

Trevin Boling - Tonawanda, 12

Jasiah Jarocinski - Pioneer, 12

Adam Chiacchia - Hamburg, 10

Julienn Clements - Lackawanna, 11

Jordan Alexander - Maryvale, 10

 

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

 

ECIC I

Player of the Year:

Seth Joba - Orchard Park, 12

 

First Team

Joe Harrington - Lancaster, 12

Adam Chiacchia - Hamburg, 10

Trey Drake - Jamestown, 11

Jaylen Butera - Jamestown, 12

Alex Crescente - Orchard Park, 12

 

Second Team

Garrett White - Clarence, 12

Nate Errington - Frontier, 10

Grayson White - Clarence, 10

Benjamin Bill - Hamburg, 12

Jaral Farmer - Jamestown, 12

Noah Pohrte - Williamsville North, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Lancaster:  Channing Francis 10

Orchard Park:  Kegan Mancabelli 12

Hamburg:  Evan Chaffee 12

Williamsville North:  Brendan Morse 12

Clarence:  Julius Perry 12

West Seneca West:  Justin Piwowarczyk 12

 

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

 

ECIC II

Co-Players of the Year:

Max Schneider - Williamsville East, 12

Nick Moore - Amherst, 11

 

First Team

Trey Kleitz - Iroquois, 12

Teddy McDuffie - Amherst, 12

Dorian Facen - Williamsville East, 11

Nakhyi Harris - Sweet Home, 9

Nick Mogavero - Iroquois, 12

 

Second Team

Nicco DiGiulio - Willaimsville South, 11

Joe Veal - Sweet Home, 12

Max Graves - Willaimsville South, 12

Gary Johnson - Amherst, 12

Beau Haubeil - Amherst, 12

Ahmir Dunn - Amherst, 10

 

Honorable Mention

Amherst:  Josh Bugiera 11

Williamsville East:   Jake Notaro 12, Mason Evans 10

Williamsville South:  Christian Dewer, 12

Starpoint:  Jackson Griesmer 9, Cohen Vogel 9

Sweet Home:  Jordan Theodore 11, Noah Clifford 12, Josh Goscinski 12

West Seneca East:  Ethan Madge 12

Iroquois:  Justus Kleitz 8

 

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

 

ECIC III

Player of the Year:

Jasiah Jarocinski - Pioneer, 12

 

First Team

Jordan Alexander - Maryvale, 10

Eric Bailey - Cheektowaga, 12

Sam Radka - Depew, 12

Ryan Ensminger - East Aurora,12

Kevin Jobity - Maryvale, 12

Jemery Clarke - Depew, 11

 

Second Team

Sam Platt - Pioneer, 9

Simon Connors - Lake Shore, 12

Matt Horning - East Aurora, 11

Chris Taylor - Cheektowaga, 12

Romel Speaks - Cheektowaga, 10

Jason Buczek - Springville, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Depew:  Jaden Torres 10

Lake Shore:  Max Zelonka 11

East Aurora:  Aidan Perry 12

Maryvale:  Malachi Ladson 11

Pioneer:  Walter Bekiel 11

Springville:  Maximus Perry 10

 

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

 

ECIC IV

Player of the Year:

Trevin Boling - Tonawanda, 12

 

First Team

Juilenn Clements - Lackawanna, 11

Jake Galley - Holland, 12

John Watson - Alden, 12

Henry Anderson - Holland, 11

Zack Phillips - Cleveland Hill, 11

 

Second Team

Jacob Baker - Alden, 12

Cameron D'Hilly - Cleveland Hill, 10

Malachi Biles - JFK, 12

Jordon Rivers - Lackawanna, 12

Ajiah Turner - Lackawanna, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Holland:  Bryce Clothier 12

Eden:  Taesyn Slating 10, Mike Teoro 12

Lackawanna:  Jesus Alvarez 12, Archie Saeed 12

Cleveland Hill:  Jordan Mann 12

Alden:  Walker Wrest 12

 

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

 

Niagara Frontier League

Player of the Year:

Xander Fletcher - Niagara Wheatfield, 11

 

First Team

TJ Robinson - Niagara Wheatfield, 12

Nate Parker - CSAT

Dom McKenzie - Niagara Falls, 12

Bobby Beilein - Lew-Port, 11

Sean Hargrave - Ken West, 12

 

Second Team

Jake Kish - North Tonawanda, 12

Rod Brown - Niagara Falls, 12

Logan Eoute - Lew-Port, 12

Kai Tran - Lockport, 12

Phil Jones - Ken West, 12

 

Third Team

Jason Green - Lockport, 11

Wyatt Cooper - Niagara Wheatfield, 12

Carter Krawczyk - Lew-Port, 12

Greg Sanders - CSAT, 12

Mario Smith, Ken West, 12

 

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

 

Niagara-Orleans League

Player of the Year:

Aiden Petrie - Roy-Hart, 12

 

First Team

Aiden Petrie - Roy-Hart, 12

Evan Myers - Newfane, 11

Jamel Johnson - Roy-Hart, 12

Joe Cecchini - Medina, 12

Jarin Rhim - Medina, 12

 

Second Team

Jahmeek Riley - Albion, 12

Paul Smith - Wilson, 12

Brad Cantrell - Barker, 12

Landon Braman - Newfane, 10

Vinny Buscarino - Roy-Hart, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Newfane:  Ben Dickinson 10, Brady Harrington 12, Connor Gunby 12

Albion:  Tyler Gibson 12, Caleb Fox 12

Wilson:  Matt Fox 12, Mason Branca 12, Jake Austin 12

Medina:  Brian Fry 11, Jarin Rhim 10

Akron:  Trace Hill 12, Andrew Romesser 12

Barker:  Nate Meza 12

 

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

 

CCAA I West

Player of the Year:

Nick Whitfield - Fredonia

 

First Team

Tyler Curran - Allegany-Limestone, 12

Jack DeRose - Olean, 12

Zion James - Olean, 11

Andy Herrick - Salamanca, 11

Aidan Kennedy - Southwestern 12

 

Second Team

Ethan Fry - Fredonia, 11

Kamdyn McClain - Olean, 12

Harley Hoag - Salamanca, 12

Jason Ni - Southwestern, 12

Matt Pannes - Southwestern, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Allegany-Limestone:  Andrew Giardini 11, Huddy Kwiatkowski 12

Fredonia:  Davion White 10

Olean:  Stephen Hoffman 12, Albert Martin 12

Dunkirk:  Marcel Carter 12

Salamanca:  Hayden Hoag

 

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

 

CCAA Central

Co-Players of the Year:

Drew Hind - Randolph, 9 

Gabe McCoy - Randolph, 12

 

First Team

Carson Conley - Randolph, 11

Jaiden Huntington - Randolph, 11

Ray Cortes - Silver Creek, 10

Zach Winters - Frewsburg, 12

Tucker Fenton - Maple Grove, 12

 

Second Team

Matt Woleben - Silver Creek, 11

Connor Murray - Frewsburg, 11

Owen Nelson - Randolph, 12

Maxx Yehl - Portville, 12

Gavin Smith - Frewsburg, 10

 

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CCAA II West

Player of the Year:

Darien Swanson - Westfield, 12

 

First Team

Gerald Carris - Sherman, 12

Cole Holland - Westfield, 12

Micah Willink - Clymer, 12

Blake Kopta - Clymer, 11

Carson Swanson - Westfield, 9

 

Second Team

Elijah Kioko - Sherman, 12

Lawson Ormsby - Chautauqua Lake, 11

Austin White - Clymer, 11

Bryce Hinsdale - Panama 9

Carter Brink - Panama 9

 

Honorable Mention 

Westfield:  Ethan Weingart 12, Wyatt Schuster 12

Panama:  Gabe Roth 11, Alex Barmore 9

Brocton: Ryan Laurito 12

Falconer:  Jake Swanson 12, Jase Smith 11

Chautauqua Lake:  Jalen Parkhurst 12, Kalen Miller 12

 

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CCAA East

Player of the Year:

Wayne Libby - Pine Valley, 12

 

First Team

Logan Grinols - Ellicottville, 12

Blake Frank - Franklinville, 12

Chris Smith - North Collins, 12

Bryce Sercu - Pine Valley, 12

Matt Sweet - North Collins, 11

 

Second Team

Kordell Oakes - Pine Valley, 12

Josh Halterman - Cattaraugua-Little Valley, 12

Johnny Visnesky - Cattaraugua-Little Valley, 12

Owen Chgudy - Ellicottville, 10

Noah Shenk - Franklinville, 10

 

Honorable Mention

Ellicottville:  Caedon Wyatt 11

Forestville:  Sam Reuben 12, Brayden Smith 11

Franklinville:  Connor Terwilliger 12, Beau Bielecki 10

North Collins:  Derek Ebersole 10

Cattaraugua-Little Valley:  Gage Furl 12

 

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YALE CUP I

Player of the Year:

Jahodd Martin - McKinley, 12

 

First Team

Jahodd Martin - McKinley, 12

TJ Jacobs - Hutch-Tech, 12

Anthony Borden - East, 12

Elijah Whitehead - McKinley, 12

Javani Rivera - South Park, 11

 

Second Team

Versi Hawkins - I-Prep, 11

Joshua Schumaker - I-Prep, 12

Sajon Beasley - McKinley, 10

Kevin Borden - McKinley, 11

Zamar Ashford - Middle College, 12

 

Third Team

Jahleeio Dowell - Hutch-Tech, 11

Daryl Allen - I-Prep, 12

Rashard Perry - Bennett, 11

Jaykwon Kyle - Middle College, 9

Antonio Watts - South Park, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Middle College:  Adrian Anderson 11, Willie Brown 12

South Park:  Antonio Halton 12, Keyon Dred 11, Jesiel Soto 12

East:  Mojamed Awali 11, Michael Jackson 11, Cedric Weatherspoon 11

McKinley:  Jordan David-Lewis 11, Leonte Jones 12

Hutch-Tech:  Isaac Thomas-Hicks 12, David Washington 10

I-Prep:  Omarion Arroyo 11, Angel Serrano 11

Bennett:  Jahlilo Alston 11, Jayden Lewis 12

 

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

 

YALE CUP II

Player of the Year:

Bryant Rosa - Riverside, 12

 

First Team

Caleb Chapman - City Honors, 12

Hassan Muktar - Emerson, 12

Dan Maku - Riverside, 12

Mekhi Samuels - Burgard, 12

Nassir Williams - MST Seneca, 12

 

Second Team

Tre Paulfrey - Olmsted, 8

Jordan Rodgers -  Buffalo Arts, 11

Otis Bishop - Emerson, 12

Ezekiel Alexander - Olmsted, 10

Tyeon Sanford - MST Seneca, 11

 

Third Team

Nassir West - Burgard, 12

Lamar Purdie - Olmsted, 12

Desimon Elston - Riverside, 12

Owait Lan - MST Seneca, 12

Jermaine Virgil - Buffalo Arts, 12

 

Honorable Mention

City Honors:  Bith Deng 11, Charlie Hilway 11

Riverside:  Alexis Maldanando 12, Landon Jaeckle 10

Emerson:  Willie Roeth 12, Emmanual Thomas 11

Burgard:  KiShawn Bibbes 12

MST Seneca:  Marcelino Long 10

Buffalo Arts:  Cinne Sims 12

 

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

 

Charter Cup

Player of the Year:

Lamar Matthews - Tapestry, 12

 

First Team

Romeo Bell - Tapestry, 12

Xavier Benton - Health Sciences, 11

Kobe Torres - Global Concepts, 10

Tyreke Hopkins - Health Sciences, 12

Jimmie Green - Health Sciences, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Ricky Washington - Tapestry, 12

Antwan Threeths - Global Concepts, 11

 

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

 

MONSIGNOR MARTIN ASSOCIATION

Player of the Year:

Declan Ryan - Canisius

 

First Team 

Kevin Thompson - Timon, 12

Shane Cercone - Canisius, 11

Jalen Duff - Nichols, 11

Brendan Reid - St. Francis, 12

Justin Glover - St. Joe's, 12

Massimo Moretti - St. Mary's, 12

Luke Granto  - Canisius, 11

 

Second Team 

Jaiden Harrison  - Timon, 10

Solomon Jackson - St. Joe's, 12

Jakye Rainey - Nichols, 10

Connor Schuster - Canisius, 12

Sam Greco - St. Joe's, 11

 

Third Team

Jacob Humphrey  - Timon, 10

Chris Wright - Cardinal O'Hara, 12

Logan Reaska - St. Francis, 11

Nasier Starks - St. Mary's, 11

 

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Section VI All-Tournament Teams - 2022

 

Class AA

MVP:  Jaylen Butera - Jamestown

Trey Drake - Jamestown

Andre Maple - Jamestown

Rod Brown - Niagara Falls

Seth Joba - Orchard Park

Noah Kimble - Lancaster 

 

Class A1

MVP:  TJ Robinson - Niagara Wheatfield

Xander Fletcher - Niagara Wheatfield

Max Schneider - Williamsville East

Dorian Facen - Williamsville East

Jahodd Martin - McKinley

TJ Jacobs - Hutch-Tech

 

Class A2

MVP:  Nick Moore - Amherst

Beau Haubeil - Amherst

Taron Benton - Health Sciences

Jimmie Green - Health Sciences

Nate Parker - CSAT

Kyle Stover - Pioneer

 

Class B1

MVP:  Kamdyn McClain - Olean

Zion James - Olean

Juilenn Clements - Lackawanna

Jesus Alvarez - Lackawanna

Logan Eoute - Lew-Port

Bryant Rosa - Riverside

 

Class B2

MVP:  Tyler Curran - Allegany-Limestone

Hudson Kwiatkowski - Allegany-Limestone

Lamar Matthews - Tapestry

Romeo Bell - Tapestry

Aidan Kennedy - Southwestern

Ben Dickinson - Newfane

 

Class C

MVP:  Lucas Brown - Salamanca

Cole Hedlund - Salamanca

Andy Herrick - Salamanca

Jake Galley - Holland

Jaiden Huntington - Randolph

Ray Cortes - Sliver Creek 

 

Class D

MVP:  Darien Swanson - Westfield

Ethan Weingart - Westfield

Gerald Carris - Sherman

Elijah Kioko - Sherman

Bryce Sercu - Pine Valley

Blake Kopta - Clymer

 

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Buff State Week Viewing Guide 2022

 

Monday, February 28th

  ** Two Games **

Class A2 Semifinals

Amherst Tigers  #1  (18-3)  * Co-Champs in ECIC II

vs.

CSAT Eagles #4 (14-6) * Finished 3rd in the NFL

Amherst

- Ranked #4 Large School

- Defeated Ken East to get here

 -Best win this season - Williamsville East

- Reached the Class A2 Semifinals in 2021, losing to CSAT

- Led by Nick Moore & Teddy McDuffie

CSAT

- Unranked Large School

- Defeated Iroquois to get here

- Best win this season - Iroquois

- Reached the Class A2 Final in 2021, losing to Cheektowaga

- Led by Nate Parker & Greg Sanders

 

Pioneer Panthers #2  (15-5) * Champions of ECIC III

vs.

Health Sciences #3  (17-4) * Charter Cup Champions

Pioneer

- Unranked Large School

- Defeated Cheektowaga to get here

- Best win this season - Depew

- Reached the semis in 1989 before games were played at Buff State, winning Class B1

- Led by Jasiah Jarocinski & Dalton Giboo

Health Sciences

- Ranked #5 Large School

- Defeated Williamsville South to get here

- Best win this season - Jamestown

- Reached Buff State in 202o, winning overall Section VI Class A

- Led by Xavier Benton & Tyreke Hopkins

 

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

 

Tuesday, March 1st

   ** Three Games **

Class B1 Semifinals

Lackawanna Steelers #1  (17-4)  * Champions of ECIC IV

vs.

Riverside Frontiers #4  (16-3)  * Finished 2nd in Yale Cup II

Lackawanna

- Ranked #4 Small School 

- Defeated East to get here

- Best win this season - Frontier

- Reached Buff State in 2013, losing to Olean in Class B1 Final

- Led by Juilenn Clements & Jesus Alravez

Riverside

- Unranked Small School

- Defeated Depew to get here

- Best win this season - Lew-Port

- Reached the Class C Final in 2021, losing to Tapestry

- Led by Bryant Rosa & Dane Maku

 

Olean Huskies  #2  (19-2)  * Champions of CCAA I West

vs.

Lew-Port Lancers  #6  (14-8)  * Finished 4th in Niagara Frontier League

Olean

- Ranked #3 Small School

- Defeated East Aurora to get here

- Best win of the season - Williamsville East

- Reached the Class B1 Final last season, losing to Bennett

 - Led by Zion James & Jack DeRose

Lew-Port

- Ranked #9 Small School

- Defeated City Honors to get here

- Best win of the season - Niagara Falls

- Reached Buff State in 2019, winning overall Section VI Class A

- Led by Logan Eoute & Bobby Beilein

 

Class B2 Semifinal

Tapestry Thunderhawks  #4  (13-8)  * Finished 2nd in Charter Cup

vs.

Southwestern Trojans  #8  (10-12)  * Finished 4th in CCAA I West

Tapestry

- Ranked #8 Small School

- Defeated Alden to get here

- Best win this season - Sweet Home

- Won Section VI Class C Championship in 2021

- Led by Lamar Matthews & Romeo Bell

Southwestern

- Unranked Small School

- Defeated Roy-Hart to get here

- Best win this season - Fredonia

- Reached Buff State in 2019, losing to Allegany-Limestone in Class B2 Semifinals

- Led by Aidan Kennedy & Matthew Pannes 

 

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

 

Wednesday, March 2nd

   ** Three Games **

Class AA Semifinals

Jamestown Red Raiders  #1  (17-3)  * Champions of ECIC I

vs.

Lancaster Legends  #5  (9-12)  *Finished 3rd in ECIC I

Jamestown

- Ranked #2 Large School

- Earned #1 seed in Class AA to get here

- Best win this season - Orchard Park

- Reached the Class AA Semfinals last season, losing to Clarence

- Led by Trey Drake & Jaylen Butera

Lancaster

- Unranked Large School

- Defeated Clarence to get here

- Best win this season - Clarence

- Reached Buff State in 2020, winning Section VI Class AA

- Led by Joe Harrington & Noah Kimble

 

Orchard Park Quakers  #2  (19-2)  * Finished 2nd in ECIC I

vs.

Niagara Falls Wolverines  #3  (16-5)  *Finished 2nd in the Niagara Frontier League

Orchard Park

- Ranked #3 Large School

- Defeated Williamsville North to get here

- Best win this season - Amherst

- Reached Buff State in 2020, losing to Lancaster in the Class AA Final

- Led by Seth Joba & Alex Crescente

Niagara Falls

- Ranked #10 Large School

- Defeated Frontier to get here

- Best win this season - CSAT

- Defending Section VI Class AA Champions, defeating Clarence in 2021

- Led by Dom McKenzie & Rod Brown

 

Class B2 Semifinal

Allegany-Limestone  #6  (14-7)  *Finished 2nd in CCAA I West

vs.

Newfane Panthers  #2  (15-6)  *Finished 2nd in the Niagara-Orleans

Allegany-Limestone

- Unranked Small School

- Defeated Olmsted to get here

- Best win this season - Pioneer

- Reached Buff State in 2020, winning Class B2

- Led by Tyler Curran & Anthony DeCapua

Newfane

- Unranked Small School

- Defeated Fredonia to get here

- Best win this season - Fredonia

- Reached the Class B2 Semifinals in 2021, losing to Medina

- Led by Evan Myers & Landon Braman

 

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

 

Thursday, March 3rd

  ** Two Games **

Class A1 Semifinals

Niagara Wheatfield  #1  (19-2)  * Champions of the Niagara Frontier League

vs.

Hutch-Tech  #4  (12-7)  *Finished 2nd in Yale Cup I

Niagara Wheatfield

- Ranked #8 Large School

- Defeated Ken West to get here

- Best win this season - Niagara Falls

- Reached the Class A1 Final in 2021, losing to Hamburg

- Led by TJ Robinson & Xander Fletcher

Hutch-Tech

- Unranked Large School

- Defeated South Park to get here

- Best win this season - South Park

- Reached Buff State in 2013, losing to McKinley in Class A1 Final

- Led by TJ Jacobs & David Washington

 

Williamsville East Flames  #2  (17-4)  * Co-Champions in ECIC II

vs.

McKinley Macks  #3  (18-2)  * Champions in Yale Cup I

Williamsville East

- Ranked #6 Large School

- Defeated Hamburg to get here

- Best win this season - Amherst

- Reached the Class A2 Semifinals in 2021, losing to Cheektowaga

- Led by Max Schneider & Dorian Facen

McKinley

- Ranked #9 Large School

- Defeated Sweet Home to get here

- Best win this season - Tapestry

- Reached the Class A1 Semifinals in 2021, losing to Niagara Wheatfield

- Led by Elijah Whitehead & Kevin Borden

 

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