The View From Centercourt

Class C1 & C2 Brackets - 2013 Sectionals

CLASS C1

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 20th

(9) Allegany-Limestone 64, (8) Salamanca 62

(10) Cassadaga Valley 51, (7) Maritime Charter 37

(6) Barker 55, (11) Da Vinci 30

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 22nd

(1) Middle College 88, (9) Allegany-Limestone 43

(4) Randolph 68, (5) Tapestry Charter 61

 

(2) Oracle Charter 76, (10) Cassadaga Valley 55

(6) Barker 42, (3) Holland 38

 

Semifinals - Wednesday, February 27th

AT JCC - 6 & 7:45 pm

 (1) Middle College 56, (4) Randolph 55

(2) Oracle Charter 71 (6) Barker 57

 

Final - Friday, March 1st

AT JCC - 8:30 pm

 (1) Middle College 77, (2) Oracle Charter 65

 

2013 Section VI Class C1 Champions - Middle College

 

 

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

 

CLASS C2

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 20th

(8) Olmsted 56, (9) I-Prep 54 2OT

(5) Westfield 69, (12) Buffalo Science 48 

(10) Frewsburg 52, (7) Chautauqua Lake 37

(6) Health Sciences 74, (11) Franklinville 34

 

 Quarterfinals - Friday, February 22nd

(1) Silver Creek 93, (8) Olmsted 70

(4) MST Seneca 67, (5) Westfield 49

 

(2) Maple Grove 69, (10) Frewsburg 51

(3) Portville 65, (6) Health Sciences 45

 

Semifinals - Tuesday, February 26th

AT JCC - 6 & 7:45 pm

 (1) Silver Creek 75, (4) MST Seneca 49

(3) Portville 67, (2) Maple Grove 39

 

Final - Friday, March 1st

At JCC - 7:15 pm

 (1) Silver Creek 49, (3) Portville 40

 

2013 Section VI Class C2 Champions - Silver Creek Black Knights

 

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

 

Overall Class C Championship

Tuesday, March 5th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 5:30 pm

 (C2) Silver Creek 67, (C1)  Middle College 62

 

Overall Section VI Class C Champions - Silver Creek Black Knights

 

 -centercourt

@centercourt42

Selection Tuesday - Ranking every team in Section VI

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

 

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

 

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

 

Class AA

1. Niagara Falls

2. Jamestown

3. Williamsville North

4. Clarence

5. Kenmore West

6. Frontier

7. Lockport

8. North Tonawanda

9. Lancaster

10. Niagara Wheatfield

11. West Seneca West

12. Orchard Park

 

Class A1

1. McKinley

2. Williamsville South

3. Sweet Home

4. Hutch-Tech

5. Hamburg

6. Williamsville East

7. Grand Island

8. West Seneca East

9. Kenmore East

 

Class A2

1. Amherst

2. Iroquois

3. South Park

4. Cheektowaga

5. Lake Shore

6. Pioneer

7. Starpoint

8. Lew-Port

9. Riverside

 

Class B1

1. Olean

2. Lackawanna

3. Depew

4. Maryvale

5. Newfane

6. East Aurora

7. Lafayette

8. Burgard

9. Tonawanda

10. Bennett

11. Alden

12. Dunkirk

13. Albion

14. Eden

15. Springville

 

Class B2

1. East

2. Cleveland Hill

3. CSAT

4. Fredonia

5. Roy-Hart

6. Akron

7. City Honors

8. Emerson

9. Southwestern

10. Medina

11. Buffalo Arts

12. JFK

13. Wilson

14. Gowanda

15. Falconer

 

Class C1

1. Oracle Charter

2. Middle College

3. Holland

4. Randolph

5. Salamanca

6. Barker

7. Tapestry Charter

8. Allegany-Limestone

9. Cassadaga Valley

10. Maritime Charter

11. Cattaraugus Little Valley

12. Da Vinci

 

Class C2

1. Silver Creek

2. Maple Grove

3. Portville 

4. MST Seneca

5. I-Prep

6. Olmsted

7. Westfield

8. Frewsburg

9. Chautauqua Lake

10. Health Sciences

11. Franklinville

12. Buffalo Science

 

Class D

1. Brocton

2. Sherman

3. Clymer

4. North Collins

5. Pine Valley

6. Forestville

7. Panama

8. Ellicottville

9. West Valley

10. Ripley

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

Top games of the week ending 2/10/13

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

 

Monday, February 4th

Tonawanda @ Cleveland Hill - 6:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ Amherst - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, February 5th

East @ McKinley - 6 pm

Niagara Falls @ Kenmore West - 6:30 pm

Roy-Hart @ Newfane - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ Nichols - 7:30 pm

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

Maryvale @ Depew - 7:30 pm

Clymer @ Brocton - 7:30 pm

Salamanca @ Portville - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, February 6th

Timon/St. Jude @ Bishop Kearney - 6:30 pm

Batavia @ East Aurora - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, February 7th

Newfane @ Akron - 6:30 pm

Portville @ Frewsburg - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, February 8th

Hutch-Tech @ East - 6 pm

Burgard @ City Honors - 6 pm

MST Seneca @ I-Prep - 6 pm

Williamsville South @ Sweet Home - 6:30 pm

Timon/St. Jude @ St. Joe's - 7 pm

Cheektowaga @ Maryvale- 7:30 pm

Randolph @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

Cassadaga Valley @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Olean - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, February 9th

Maple Grove @ Randolph - 6:30 pm

 

Game of the Week - East @ McKinley on Tuesday, February 5th

- The defending Yale Cup champions put their 22-game league winning streak on the line against the team that hoisted it the season before last, East.  The Panthers have just one loss in Yale Cup I this year, and it came at the hands of the Macks in the first meeting between the two this season.  McKinley defeated East, 79-76, on January 3rd.

If the Panthers could manage to snap McKinley's streak against its fellow city foes, they would pull even with the Macks in the Yale Cup  I standings and find themselves in a situation where they control their own destiny, with the potential to be co-league champs.  On the other hand, if McKinley is able to sweep East, it would likely claim both a second straight Yale Cup.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

Top games of the week ending 2/3/13

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

 

Monday, January 28th

St. Joe's @ Timon/St. Jude - 7 pm

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

 

Tuesday, January 29th

South Park @ McKinley - 6 pm

I-Prep @ Olmsted - 6 pm

Newfane @ CSAT - 6:30 pm

Jamestown @ Williamsville North - 7:30 pm

Clarence @ Frontier - 7:30 pm

East Aurora @ Amherst - 7:30 pm

Silver Creek @ Portville - 7:30 pm

Frewsburg @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

Sherman @ Brocton - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 31st

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

Roy-Hart @ Akron - 6:30 pm

Cleveland Hill @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

Lake Shore @ East Aurora - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, February 1st

East @ South Park - 6 pm

MST Seneca @ Burgard - 6 pm

Lafayette @ Olmsted - 6 pm

Canisius @ Timon/St. Jude - 7 pm

McKinley @ Middle College - 7 pm

Lockport @ North Tonawanda - 7 pm

Portville @ Frewsburg - 7:30 pm

Olean @ Rochester East - 8:45 pm

 

Saturday, Feb 2nd

RAP Invitational @ Rochester East 

Canisius vs. Fairport - 5:15 pm

Niagara Falls vs. Webster Schroeder - 7 pm

Timon/St. Jude vs. Rochester East - 8:45 pm

 

Sunday, February 3rd

Niagara Falls @ Bishop Kearney - 2:45 pm

 

Game of the Week - Jamestown @ Will North on Tuesday, January 29th

- In a week loaded with marquee matchups, particularly the three-day span of games in Rochester, there are none with greater Section VI postseason implications than the rematch between North and Jamestown.

In the first duel between the two ECIC I favorites, the Spartans went into a packed James F. McElrath Gymnasium and delivered a clear message that they felt the league was theirs for the taking.  Williamsville North controlled most of the game and for its efforts, got to celebrate a 14-point victory on the long ride home. Jamestown had been unbeaten entering that game and also saw a 23-game home winning streak snapped in the loss.

The past couple seasons have produced an exciting game when the teams met in Williamsville.  Two season's ago, the Spartans defeated Jamestown on their home court.  Last year, North looked like they were about to do it again.  Sterling Taplin sank a pair of free throws with just seconds remaining to put his up by a point, before Tommy Campion drove the length of the court and finished a wild layup to give the Red Raiders a one-point win.

Since the teams last met, each has lost to an out-of-town opponent, but neither has lost to a team locally.  Both will enter the contest with a record of 11-2, and despite the Spartans owning a convincing head-to-head victory less than four weeks ago, they trail Jamestown in the Buffalo News large school poll.  The Red Raiders are currently ranked third, while Williamsville North is two spots behind them at number five.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

 

Top games of the week ending 1/20/13

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

 

Monday, January 14th

Sherman @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 15th

MST Seneca @ Olmsted - 6 pm

Akron @ Newfane - 6:30 pm

Hutch-Tech @ Middle College - 7 pm

Sweet Home @ Williamsville South - 7 pm

Lake Shore @ Depew - 7:30 pm

Randolph @ Frewsburg - 7:30 pm

Cassadaga Valley @ Portville - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 16th

Oracle Charter @ City Honors - 6 pm

Batavia @ Timon/St. Jude - 7 pm

 

Thursday, January 17th

Middle College @ McKinley - 6 pm

Williamsville South @ Iroquois - 6:30 pm

Maryvale @ Lake Shore - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ Aquinas - 7:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ East Aurora - 7:30 pm

Maple Grove @ Westfield - 7:30 pm

Lancaster @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

Bishop Kearney @ St. Joe's - 8 pm

 

Friday, January 18th

CSAT @ Akron - 6:30 pm

Randolph @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

Nichols @ Frontier - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 19th

Cheektowaga @ Hutch-Tech - 4 pm

 

MLK CLASSIC @ City Honors HS 

Session I

City Honors vs. Lackawanna - 11 am

East vs. East Aurora - 12:45 pm

 Session II

Middle College vs. Sweet Home - 4 pm

McKinley vs. Canisius - 5:45 pm

 

Sunday, January 20th

 Irondequoit Tournament

Jamestown vs. Edison Tech - 4:30 pm

Eastridge @ Irondequoit - 6:30 pm

 

Game of the Week - Canisius vs. McKinley on Saturday, January 19th

- Last season at the MLK Classic, these two squared off in the headliner and  Canisius won, 76-65.  The Crusaders went on to win the Manhattan Cup, while the Macks claimed another Class A1 crown.  Both teams brought back most of their key players from a year ago.

As of right now, Canisius is the second-ranked large school, while McKinley sits at number four.  The Macks own a pair of wins versus top ten schools in Timon and Clarence.  The only top ten large school Canisius has faced at this point is St. Joe's, who they defeated on Saturday.  The Macks lone loss this year came at the hands of the Marauders, when a shot went in at the buzzer.

 

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

Random Smatterings II

On Tuesday night at Canisius for its game against Bishop Kearney, as Keith McShea made his way to the media table where I was sitting, he walked past the Blue Crew and drew quite the "KEITH" ovation from the student section.  Earlier, when I walked by them, I heard centercourt. I looked up to see them pointing out where the St. Joe's kids were sitting across the way.

 

There are eight remaining unbeaten teams in WNY.  Three large schools: Jamestown, Williamsville North, and Sweet Home.  Five small schools: Olean, Silver Creek, Newfane, Holland, and Clymer.  We will be down to seven by December 26th, as Williamsville North hosts Holland in the first round of its tournament.

 

The song All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey, always make me think of Depew, because I watched them warmup to the song at its Holiday Tournament in 2010.  Actually, most Christmas music holds some HS basketball association for me because I'm always listening to it while driving to games in December.

 

 Over the last three seasons, the Section VI sectionals program cover has featured Lew-Port/Wilson (2010), Lockport/Grand Island (2011), and Lockport/Ken West (2012).  While the 2010 Lakemen made it to Buff State, the player from the cover photo never saw the floor in the semifinals.  The other schools never even advanced to the semis.  You have to go back to the cover of the 2009 program (Falls/Jamestown with TJ Crittenden & Marcus McAffee) to find players who competed on the court at Buff State.

 

In a 73-25 win over DaVinci, Emerson's Lenny Dowell was credited with the following stat line: 32 points, 21 boards, and 14 assists.  If you include the assists, he would have accounted for at least 60 points (they led 55-22 through three quarters).  Thursday at Olmsted, Dowell finished with two points and no field goals.

 

Speaking of Lenny Dowell, the Eagles' senior is joined in the starting lineup by his brothers, junior Marki and freshman Jason.

 

Once in awhile I get myself freaked out by scrolling too quickly, too far down while checking scores on the Buffalo News scoreboard page, and wind up looking at the girls scores without realizing it.  It happened most recently on Monday night, when I saw Lancaster 43, Will North 31 and said out loud, "What"? 

 

Cassadaga Valley's Randy Dalaba scored 24 points to go with 21 rebounds in a 64-50 win over Cattaraugus/Little Valley.

 

I'd like to see Olean get a playoff bye until the Class B1 title game, just to see who would emerge as the champ in the competitive B1 class without them in it.

 

The Canisius Crusaders Blue Crew participated in the final minute of pregame warmups with the team at Tuesday's win over Kearney.

 

Based on early season results, Bishop Kearney would be considered no better than the fourth best team if we ranked them in WNY, behind Falls, Olean, and Canisius.  If I were ranking them, I'd put three more teams - Jamestown, St. Joe's, & McKinley ahead of them as well.

 

Barker junior Jake Haight set the new individual game season-high scoring mark for this season in WNY with 40 points in a win over Elba.

 

Olean routed Southwestern, 70-36, without the services of Sam Eckstrom.

 

One of my favorite parts of following high school basketball is seeing a player for the first time who I've read or heard about for a longtime.  That was recently the case for such players as Frewsburg's Alex Elderkin, Portville's Zach Blask, Emerson's Lenny Dowell, Clarence's Bryan Jost, and Olmsted's Jalen Schumaker.

 

Olmsted plays the best version of the National Anthem ever recorded - Whitney Houston's rendition from Super Bowl XXV.

 

-centercourt

 

Holiday Tournament Schedule

Depew Tournament

Dec. 27th

St. Mary's vs. City Honors - 6 pm

Depew vs. Lancaster - 7:30 pm

Dec. 29th

Consolation game - 3:30 pm

Championship game - 5 pm

 

Williamsville Jolly Boys Tournament

Dec. 27th

Amherst vs. Newfane - 6 pm

Williamsville South vs. St. Francis - 7:30 pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 6 pm

Championship game - 7:30 pm

 

Clarence Tournament

Dec. 27th

Fredonia vs. Bennett - 5 pm

Clarence vs. Iroquois - 6:30 pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 5 pm

Championship game - 6:30 pm

 

Five Guys Williamsville North Tournament

Dec. 26th

Williamsville East vs. Park - 6 pm

Williamsville North vs. Holland - 7:30 pm

Dec. 27th

Consolation game - 6 pm

Championship game - 7:30 pm

 

East Aurora Invitational

Dec. 27th

CSAT vs. Hutch-Tech - 5:30 pm

East Aurora vs. Pioneer - 7 pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 5:30 pm

Championship game - 7 pm

 

Maryvale Tournament

Dec. 27th

Cleveland Hill vs. Hamburg - 5:30 pm

Maryvale vs. Akron - 7 pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 4:30 pm

Championship game - 6 pm

 

Pendleton Lions Tournament at Starpoint

Dec. 27th

Niagara Catholic vs. Lockport - 5 pm

Starpoint vs. Medina - 6:30 pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 5 pm

Championship game - 6:30 pm

 

St. Joe's Tournament

Dec. 27th

Riverside vs. Cheektowaga - 6 pm

St. Joe's vs. I-Prep - 7:30 pm

Dec. 28th 

Consolation game - 5:30 pm

Championship game - 7:15 pm

 

Southwestern Classic

Dec. 29th

Salamanca vs. Sherman - 6 pm

Southwestern vs. Chautauqua Lake - 7:30 pm

Dec. 30th

Consolation game - 6 pm

Championship game - 7:30 pm

 

Cassadaga Valley Tournament

Dec. 27th

Clymer vs. Oracle Charter - 6 pm

Cassadaga Valley vs. Westfield - 7:30 pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 6 pm

Championship game - 7:30 pm

 

IAABO Tournament @ St. Bonaventure

Dec. 27th

BRACKET ONE

Randolph vs. Archbishop Walsh - 2:30 pm

Portville vs. Allegany-Limestone - 4:15 pm

BRACKET TWO

Nichols vs. Warren PA - 6 pm

Olean vs. Bradford PA - 7:45 pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 2:30 pm

Consolation game - 4:15 pm

Championship game - 6 pm

Championship game - 7:45 pm

 

Emerling Ford Tournament @ Springville

Dec. 27th

South Park vs. Gowanda - 4:30 pm

Springville vs. West Valley - 6 pm

Dec. 29th 

Consolation game - 1:30 pm

Championship game - 6 pm

 

West Seneca Tournament at West Seneca East

Dec. 27th

Tonawanda vs. Buffalo Science - 4:30 pm

West Seneca West vs. West Seneca East - 6 pm

Dec. 28th 

Consolation game - 4:30 pm

Championship game - 6 pm

 

Ken-Ton Tournament at Kenmore East

Dec. 27th

Kenmore West vs. Sweet Home - 5 pm

Kenmore East vs. Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30pm

Dec. 28th

Consolation game - 5 pm

Championship game - 6:30 pm 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

 

-centercourt

 

 

 

Olmsted on the rise, Black Knights already there

Three seasons ago, Olmsted began competing in the Yale Cup and Section VI.  In their first season, the Owls won just three games under then coach, Michael Webster.  Last season, Rich Skrabucha took over as the Owls' head man.  Sweeping changes after just one season were immediate.  Academics, attitude, character, work ethic, and commitment to the team became the expectation.  That meant losing some players along the way and a lot of growing pains.  Olmsted won just four games last year.

 

New approach, same results, right?  Hardly.

 

Six games into this season, Olmsted is now 3-3.  One of its loses was in overtime to City Honors and another was in the most unique and difficult gym in WNY to play at, Lafayette.  Last night was my first opportunity to see the Owls play.   I'm confident that I'll be seeing a lot more of them in the future.   

 

The Owls hosted Emerson on Thursday night and showed right from the opening tip, which team wanted to win more.  Olmsted closed the first quarter on a 10-2 run to go up 16-6, and then extended its halftime advantage to 29-14.  After weathering Emerson's third quarter storm, the Owls closed things out in the fourth and came away with a 50-43 victory.  Jalen Schumaker poured in a game-high 18 points and Malcolm Hendrick added 15 points.  Emerson's leading scorer, Lenny Dowell, was held without a field goal and finished with just two points.

 

***

 

Silver Creek entered this season as the favorites in CCAA II and knew the top league contender would be Portville.  The Black Knights needed a dramatic 3-pointer to force overtime and eventually earn a four-point win against the Panthers in the Class C2 semifinals last year.  Sure enough, as the first meeting between the two schools rolled around, both came into the contest unbeaten.  But as all those in attendance quickly found out last night, the gap between Silver Creek and its competition has only widened.

 

Silver Creek (8-0) built a 14-point lead after one quarter and were already up by 23 points at the half, en route to an 84-57 win.  In typical Black Knights fashion, they got there by pressuring on defense, scoring in transition with the ball rarely touching the floor, and knocking down 3-pointers.  Kaine Kettle (game-high 23 points) and Steve Marcey (16 points) each rained down four long-distance bombs, including the highest arching rainbow '3' I've seen all year from Kettle and a brilliant catch-and-shoot in the corner from Marcey.  Both drew "Ahhs" from the home crowd.

 

Zed Williams was his usual self as well, leading the way defensively and forcing countless turnovers.  Williams, who I feel is WNY's  ultimate stat stuffer for his combination of rebounds, assists, steals, & blocks, finished with 22 points.  His evening included converting the highlight play of the game: 6-7 sophomore Bill Brooks sent a full court outlet pass to Marcey, who delivered a fancy behind-the-back pass in stride to Williams for the finish.  Showtime.  Chill Showtime.

 

Zach Blask led Portville with 20 points, while Josh Watson scored 16 points.

 

-centercourt

 

 

Preview: 2012-2013 Season

The Pastor-Cooper Showcase tips tonight, so it's official...high school hoops season is here!

 

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

 

- What's New

- Coaching Changes

- Classification Changes

- Top Nonleague Games

- Returning 2012 All-Centercourt Players

- Player Watch List for 2012-2013

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

- Predictions 

- Preseason Top 10 

 

What's New

- Middle Early College dropped the OTC, so in place of OTC/MEC, I'm going old school and calling them Middle College again

- Sweet Home moved from ECIC I to ECIC II

- Lake Shore moved from ECIC II to ECIC III

- Ellicottville moved down to CCAA IV, while Panama bumped up to CCAA III

- Sectional seeding points will be updated more regularly this year - details when they're available 

- There is now a Yale Cup I, II, & III, and Middle College will play up in League I with the big boys, despite its BEDS numbers

- Depew head coach Larry Jones has replaced former Lew-Port head coach Jim Walker as the Section VI Boy's Basketball Chairman

- The Canisius/St. Joe's rivalry games will both be played at the Canisius College Koessler Center this season

- In Section V, Bishop Kearney (who added another tower to its roster) moved up to Class AA and Batavia moved down to Class B1

- Williamsville South and Allegany-Limestone will finally play each other this year...twice

- Two new charter schools will compete in Section VI - Global Concepts & Health Sciences 

- Dunkirk has seriously stepped up its nonleague schedule: Home & home with Silver Creek (C2 champ),  at McKinley (A1 champ), and at Frontier (AA semifinalist).  

 

New Coaches

Gabe Michael, Williamsville South

Ben Scaffidi, Starpoint

Paul Rath, St. Mary's

John Reinholz, Nichols

David Nieves, Hutch-Tech

Matt Bradshaw, Lew-Port

Darren Kresge, Tapestry Charter

Dave Carson, Barker

Joe Mihalics, Bishop Timon/St. Jude

Brian Ferris, St. Francis

Ron Krysztof, Grand Island

Tim Anderson, Falconer

 

Classification Changes

North Tonawanda moves down from Class AA to Class A1

 West Seneca East moves down from Class A1 to Class A2

Starpoint moves down from Class A1 to Class A2

Lake Shore moves down from Class A1 to Class A2

Bennett moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

East Aurora moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

Maryvale moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

Albion moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

Lafayette moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

East moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Medina moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Buffalo Arts moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Allegany-Limestone moves down from Class B2 to Class C1

DaVinci moves up from Class C2 to Class C1

Randolph moves up from Class C2 to Class C1

Olmsted moves up from Class D to Class C2

 

Top Nonleague Games 

12/5 - Williamsville East vs. Middle College @ Daemen College

12/6 - East vs. St. Mary's @ Daemen College

12/6 - Timon vs. McKinley @ Daemen College

12/7 - Bishop Kearney @ Niagara Falls

12/8 - Jamestown vs. Williamsville South @ NFHS

12/8 - Brunswick (OH) @ Niagara Falls

12/8 - East @ Olean (projected in round two of tournament)

12/11 - Jamestown vs. St. Joe's @ St. Mary's

12/11 - Canisius vs. Olean @ St. Mary's

12/12 - Williamsville South @ St. Mary's

12/12 - CSAT @ Middle College

12/14 - St. Joe's @ McKinley

12/18 - Bishop Kearney @ Canisius

12/20 - Middle College @ St. Joe's

12/22 - Timon @ Jamestown (projected in round two of tournament)

1/17 - Bishop Kearney @ St. Joe's

1/18 - Timon @ Bishop Kearney

1/19 - St. Joe's @ Aquinas

1/19 - Canisius vs. McKinley @ City Honors

1/19 - East vs. East Aurora @ City Honors

2/2 - Niagara Falls @ Bishop Kearney

2/4 - Oracle Charter @ Olmsted

2/6 - Timon @ Bishop Kearney

2/7 - Canisius @ Cathedral Prep

2/9 - Nichols @ Aquinas

2/12 - St. Joe's @ Frontier

2/12 - Aquinas @ Timon

2/13 - Olmsted @ Tapestry Charter

2/14 - Sweet Home @ St. Joe's

2/14 - Williamsville North @ Williamsville East

2/14 - Dunkirk @ Silver Creek

2/18 - Cleveland Hill @ St. Mary's

 

 

The Players

Nine of the top 25 players from the 2012 All-Centercourt teams return to the WNY high school hoops scene, along with another 13 players that received Honorable Mentions following last season.  In addition, many others are primed to have breakout seasons, while the influx of talented underclassmen continues to surface at multiple schools throughout WNY.

 

Returning 2012 1st Teamers

Adam Weir - Sr., Canisius:  18 ppg, 7 reb.  Helped lead the Crusaders to a second straight Manhattan Cup championship, where he earned MVP honors, while leading team in postseason scoring.  His familiarity with success on the Koessler Center floor should serve him well when he continues his hoops career with Canisius College after high school.

Sterling Taplin - Jr., Williamsville North:  19.1 ppg, 5.7  reb, 3.6 asst, 2.7 stl.  Sank five 3-pointers and scored 13 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter of the AA semifinal in an effort that fell just short of an upset bid against eventual champion Niagara Falls.  Enters his junior season having already eclipsed 1,000 career points.

 

 Returning 2012 Second Teamer

Jermaine Crumpton - Sr., Niagara Falls:  17 ppg, 7 reb, 3 asst, 2 blk.   Helped to lead the Wolverines back to prominence as they recaptured the Class AA title, defeating Jamestown .  Played very well against top competition, including game-highs in points and rebounds when Falls faced Milton, a team that finished in the top ten nationally in 2012.  Crumpton will also continue playing hoops for Canisius College following graduation.

 

Returning 2012 Third Teamers

Tommy Campion - Sr., Jamestown:  18.6 ppg, 4.3 asst, 2.1 stls. The lone returning starter from the Class AA NYS runners-up in 2011, Campion's leadership and abilities on the court returned the Red Raiders to Class AA Section VI championship game.  He shared ECIC I Player of the Year honors with Taplin thanks to his contributions in all phases of the game for Jamestown.

Sam Eckstrom - Jr., Olean:  14.8 ppg, 9.2 reb, 2.0 blk.  Helped lead a Huskies squad loaded with expectations to the brink of a state title in just his sophomore campaign.  His footwork and positioning in the post, along with a soft touch around the rim, make him the most fundamentally sound junior big man WNY has seen since Will Regan.

Wil Bathurst - Jr., Olean:  11.8 ppg, 7.6 reb, 2.2 asst.  Complemented Eckstrom's talents wonderfully to give the Huskies a potent 1-2 punch.  Combines raw athleticism with a silky-smooth style that allows him to shoot from anywhere, get to the basket (and above) with ease, and snag every rebound within his radius that Eckstrom didn't already secure.

 

Returning 2012 Fourth Teamer

Zed Williams - Sr., Silver Creek

 

Returning 2012 Fifth Teamers

JJ Wilkes - Sr.,  Niagara Falls

Darnell Carson - Sr., CSAT

 

Returning 2012 Honorable Mentions

Johnathan Belton - Sr. (Amherst), Justice Feggans - Sr. (Riveride), Aaron White - Sr. (Canisius), Matt MacDonald - Sr. (Canisius), Quinton Campbell - Sr. (Kenmore West), Reyszon Jordan - Sr. (McKinley),  Marcus Morris - Sr. (McKinley), Lovell Smith - Sr. (McKinley), Jordan Glover - Sr. (St. Joe's), Chaquiel Nettles - Sr. (Williamsville South), Clayton Hess - Sr. (Tonawanda), Nick Scmidt - Jr. (Olean), Brendan Cox - Jr. (East Aurora)

 

Other names to watch for this season 

Jake Haight - Jr. (Barker), Steve Marcey - Sr. (Silver Creek), Jack Mulcahey - Sr. (Niagara Wheatfield), Kyle Radack - Sr. (Southwestern), Dylan Meyer - Jr. (Fredonia), Zach Blask - Sr. (Portville), John Coe - Sr. (Westfield), Louis Oliveri - Sr. (St. Joe's), Tyree Tyson - Jr. (East), Johnathan Lewis - Jr. (East), Fulton Bryant - Sr. (Timon), Bri'an Brown - Jr. (Middle College), Keir Anderson - Jr. (Middle College), Paul Rath - Sr. (St. Mary's), Brandon Kellam - So. (Jamestown), Kole Gilchrist - Sr. (Sweet Home), Jordan Parker - Sr. (Cleveland Hill), Ramir Burton - Sr. (Niagara Falls), Connor Sears - Sr. (Newfane), Lonnie Taylor - Sr. (Medina), Connor Ladd - Sr. (Akron)

 

League-by-league

 

MONSIGNOR MARTIN

Canisius

Key Returnees: Adam Weir - 12, Aaron White - 12, Matt MacDonald - 12, Jamel Mosley - 12, Jake Cercone - 12, Ryan Raccuia - 12

Key Newcomers: Ryan Richards - 11, Josh Huffman - 10, Patrick MacDonald - 11, Howard Washington - 9 (Transfer from City Honors)

 

St. Joe's 

Key Returnees:  Jordan Glover - 12, Jalen Morris - 12, Mark Cerza - 12, Louis Oliveri - 12, Dan Maher - 12, Dylan Hall - 12

Key Newcomers: Justin Hollins - 11, Tremaine Shelton - 11 (Transfer from Buffalo Arts), Tyler Hill - 11

 

Bishop Timon/St. Jude

Key Returnees:  Bryant Fulton - 12, Donte Williams - 11, Manny Welch - 12, 

Key Newcomers:  Derick Simpson - 10, Kyler Hairston (Transfer from Park School), Brandon Donohue, Sean Murphy

 

St. Francis

Key Returnees: Cory Cullen - 12, Brennan Macey - 12, David Kennedy - 11, Wenny Xie - 12

Key Newcomers: Treyvon Holness - 11 (Transfer from Montreal), Maurice Burse - 11 (Transfer from Lackawanna),  Devantie Campbell - 11 (Transfer from Montreal), Austin Taylor - 11, Chris Shriver - 11

 

Nichols

Key Returnees: Liam Ryan - 12, Christopher Miner - 10, Cam Lewis - 10, Adam Noonan - 12

Key Newcomer:  Tom Nuttle - 11, Jack Vance - 11

 

St. Mary's

Key Returnees:  Paul Rath - 12, Latrell Tyson - 12, Quinn Gill - 12

Key Newcomers:  Tyler English - 11, Corey Kiebzak - 11, Matt Wrobel - 11, Dione Strong - 11, Jake Concannon - 10

 

 Niagara Catholic

Key Returnee:  Jonathan Jackson - 11

 

 Cardinal O'Hara

Archbishop Walsh

 

YALE CUP I

McKinley

Key Returnees:  Marcus Morris - 12, Lovell Smith - 12, Reyjzon Jordan - 12, Deonte Bell - 12, Samuel Smith - 12, DaeQuan Warren - 12, Stephen Johnson - 12

 

East

Key Returnees:  Tyree Tyson - 11, Johnathan Lewis - 11, Damone Brown - 10, Dajuan Quarles - 12

Key Newcomer:  Percy Bryant - 10 (Transfer from St. Mary's)

 

Riverside

Key Returnees:  Justice Feggans - 12, Shawn Johnson - 12, Willie Smith - 11, Jarmel Caldwell - 11

Key Newcomers: Jevon Rosier - 11, Jovell Littlejohn - 10

 

Middle College

Key Returnees:  Bri'an Brown - 11, Keir Anderson - 12, Kevin Briggs (formerly Reese) - 11, TJ Scott - 11, Brandon Jefferson - 11, Donavin McLean - 12, Aterah Dickinson - 12

Key Newcomers:  Isaiah Jenkins - 10, Joseph Staton - 9, Khoron Ferguson - 9, Devon Singleton - 11, X-Ray Xavier Drayton - 11, Elijah Mingo - 11

 

Hutch-Tech

Key Returnees:  Tim Whitehead - 12, Roman West - 11, Jovohn Owens - 12, Amanuel Radford - 11

 

South Park 

Key Returnees:  Zachary Kaczor - 11, Tyrell Mitchell - 12, Darius White - 12

 

Bennett

 Key Returnees:  Aurelio Ayala - 12

 

YALE CUP II

I-Prep

Key Returnees:  Justice Radford - 12, Damon Boykin - 11, DaQuan Evans - 10

 

City Honors

Key Returnees: Marqell Massey - 11, James Miller - 11, Yusef Burgos - 11, Matt Cieslik - 10, Jordahn Summers - 10

 

Burgard

Key Returnees:  Daquan Walker - 12

 

MST Seneca

 Key Returnees:  JaVaughn McNab - 12, RayShawn Jones - 12

Key Newcomers:  Adrian Blackmon - 11, Ben Bolden - 11

 

YALE CUP III

Olmsted

Key returnees: Jalen Schumaker - 12, Malcolm Hendrick - 10, Ballah Burch - 11

 

Buffalo Arts

Key Returnees:  Derek Simpson - 10

 

Lafayette

Key Returnees:  Jon Colon - 12

 

Emerson

Key Returnee:  Lenny Dowell

 

 DaVinci

 

 ECIC I

 Jamestown

Key Returnees: Tommy Campion - 12, Quinn Lee Yaw - 11, Brandon Kellam - 10, Zack Panebianco - 10

 

Williamsville North

Key Returnees:  Sterling Taplin - 11, David Berkun - 12, George Attea - 10, Aman Washington - 12

 

 Clarence

Key Returnees: Bobby Florio - 12, Ryan Funk - 11, Bryan Jost - 11, Elliott Case - 11

Key Newcomers: Tanner Schmidt - 10 (Transfer from Nichols), Matt Sadowy - 10, Emaure Williams - 11

 

 Lancaster

Key Returnees:  Sean Murray - 12, Jacob Plonka - 12, Joe Jankowski - 11, Steve Musso - 12, Mac Garby - 12, Colin Stotz - 12

Key Newcomers: Tyler Lis - 10, Griffin O'Brien - 10, Eric Zimpfer - 11

 

West Seneca West

Key Returnees:  Nick Clancy - 11

 

Orchard Park

Frontier

 

ECIC II

Williamsville East

Key Returnees:  Michael Spina - 12, Cort Williams - 10, Nicholas Clough - 10, Zachary Bischel - 12

 

Williamsville South

Key Returnees:  Damian Powers - 12, Pat Stasiak - 12, Chaquiel Nettles - 12, Trent Ferguson - 12, Jack Fitzpatrick - 12, Sam Castronova - 10

 

Iroquois

Key Returnees:  Nate Wilkinson - 12, Matthew Zimmerman - 12

 

Sweet Home

Key Returnees: Kole Gilchrist - 12, Khalid Barnes - 12

 

Hamburg

Key Returnees:  Kyle Violanti - 12, Andrew Sardinia - 12, Griffin Ryan - 11, Jeremiah Bill - 11, Tony Guzzetta - 12, Matt Odre - 12

Key Newcomers:  Tim Kane - 11, Kyle Munro - 10, Joe DeGrood - 10

 

West Seneca East

Key Returnees:  Alex Pacer - 12, Austin Spindler - 12, Corey Fermo - 12, Matt Kumro - 10

Key Newcomers:  Nick Parucki - 1o, Ed Radka - 9, Dan Picciano - 9

 

Starpoint

Key Returnees:  Andrew Rankie - 12, Julian Mott - 11, Ian Emerick - 10

 

ECIC III

Amherst

Key Returnees:  Johnathan Belton - 12, Dion Lewis - 12, Alex Turecki - 12, Dorian Billups - 10

 

East Aurora

Key Returnees:  Brendan Cox - 11, Ian Allen - 12, James Ritchie - 12, Grant Haffenden - 11

Key Newcomers:  Mike Coatsworth - 10, Kevin Tierney - 11

 

Cheektowaga

Key Returnees:  Zak Ciezki - 10, Derek Clyburn - 12, Dileon Pearsall - 12

 

Depew

Key Returnees: Derek Sekuterski - 11, Jake Lamb - 11, Nate Hyman - 12

 

Maryvale

Key Returnees:  Tyler Smith - 12, Demetri McCallie - 12, Max Aikin - 12, Tyler Graham - 12

Key Newcomers:  William Lamar - 8 

 

Pioneer

Key Returnees:  Terik Lewis - 12, Connor Johnson - 12, Dylan Souder - 12, Ryan Miller - 12

Key Newcomer:  Bryce Little - 10

 

Lake Shore

Key Returnees:  Clark Brueckl - 12, Ryan Joslyn - 12, Wade Bergum - 11

Key Newcomers:  Matt Vona - 11, Colin Hart - 11

 

Springville

 

ECIC IV

Cleveland Hill

Key Returnees: Jared Watkins - 11, Jordan Parker - 12, Rayshawn Smalls - 12, Richard Sotero - 12, Andrej Krajewski - 12

Key Newcomers: Aaron Phillips - 11, Jermaine Hairston - 10

 

Lackawanna

Key Returnees: Shaquille Brooks - 12, Cam Smith - 11, Norman Sweat - 12, Deron Adams - 12

Key Newcomer: Ahmad Abdo - 12

 

Tonawanda

Key Returnees:  Clayton Hess - 12, Ben Stitch - 11

Key Newcomer:  Tristan Bolling - 10

 

Holland

Key Returnees:  Clay Lewis - 10, Curtis Blendinger - 12

 

JFK

Key Returnees:  Nick Anderson - 12

 

Alden

Key Returnees:  Corey Barczykowski - 12

 

Eden 

Key Returnees:  Brad Palmerton - 11

 

Niagara Frontier League

Niagara Falls

Key Returnees: Jermaine Crumpton - 12, JJ Wilkes - 12, Ramir Burton - 12, Stefon Caffee - 12, Tikere Ralands - 12, Vinzell Watkins - 11

Key Newcomer: Jamar Waters - 10 (Transfer from Nichols)

 

Kenmore West

Key Returnees:  Quinton Campbell - 12, Alex Price - 11, Joel Northup - 12, Shay Cuadra - 12, Adam From - 11

Key Newcomers:  Terell Ford - 9, Tyler Grandits - 11

 

Grand Island

Key Returnees: Nick Soos - 12, Ryan Ross - 11, Jordan Jelks - 12, Corey Adamshick - 12

 

North Tonawanda

Key Returnees:  

 

Niagara Wheatfield

Key Returnees:  Jack Mulcahey - 12, Anthony Cappucilli - 12, Chris Galvano - 12

 

Lockport

Kenmore East

Lew-Port

 

Niagara-Orleans

Akron

Key Returnees:  Connor Ladd - 12, Austin Mietz - 12, Noah Diebel - 11, Gowah Abrams - 12, Steve Poodry - 12

Key Newcomers:  Sturgis Sundown - 12, Austen Lauricella - 11

 

Newfane

Key Returnees:  Connor Sears - 12, Bryan Geise - 12, Reid Weber - 12, Alex Intihar - 12, Jake O'Keefe - 12, Brian "Rat" Ratajczak - 12

Key Newcomers:  Jimmer Branca - 12, Ryan Doyle - 12, Sean Costello - 11, Josh Kneeland - 11

 

CSAT

Key Returnees: Darnell Carson - 12, Dylanta Carson - 10

Key Newcomers:  Alex Santos - 11, Quinton Lamar - 9, Bryan Locke - 10

 

Medina

Key Returnees:  Lonnie Taylor - 12, Dan "Mungie" Brown - 12, Jason Hellwig - 10

 

Barker

Key Returnees:  Jake Haight - 11, Mitchell Luckman - 11, Bryce Moeller - 11, Chris Sweeney - 10, Brett Cole - 12, Hayden Gooding - 11

Key Newcomer:  Jared Worthington - 11

 

Roy-Hart

Key Returnees: Brad Bobbitt - 12, Blake Copella - 12, Ryan Farewell - 12, Marc Roman - 11, Alex Stoddard - 11

Key Newcomers:  Andy Xapsos - 9, Austin Heschke - 11, DeRon Woods - 11, Sam White - 10

 

Wilson

Key Returnee:  Matt Baker

 

Albion

 

CCAA I

Olean

Key Returnees: Sam Eckstrom - 11, Wil Bathurst - 11, Nick Schmidt  - 11, Luke Hennessey - 11, Max Portlow - 12, Pat Scholla - 12, Evan Ryan - 12

Key Newcomers: Dante Tarr - 11, Chris Gayton - 11

 

Fredonia

Key Returnees: Dylan Meyer - 11, Nick Johnston - 11, John Piper - 10

 

Southwestern

Key Returnees:  Kyle Radack - 12, Alek Peck - 12, Peter Trathen - 12, Nick Baglia - 12, Jacob Pilling - 12, Kyle Moran - 11, Andrew Greenlee - 12

Top Newcomers: Riley Ribicki - 11, Nathan Schrope - 11

 

Falconer

Key Returnees:  Brandon DePietro - 11, Nick Conti - 11

 

Dunkirk

Key Returnees:  Marquel Ruiz - 12, Jacob Lockett - 12, Drew Messina - 12

Key Newcomer:  Emanuel (Manny) Masonet - 11

 

Allegany-Limestone

Key Returnees:  Dom Saglimben - 11, Ryan Vossler - 11, Caswell Stanton - 12

Key Newcomers:  Dom Conroy - 10, Trevin Barber - 12

 

Gowanda

 Key Returnees:  Chase Williams - 11, Brennan Geiger - 11, Zach Stevens - 11

Key Newcomer: Jordan Young - 10

 

 CCAA II

Silver Creek 

Key Returnees:  Zed Williams - 12, Kaine Kettle - 11, Steve Marcey - 12

Key Newcomers:  Bill Brooks - 10, Brennan White - 10

 

Portville

Key Returnees:  Zach Blask - 12, Josh Watson - 12

 

Randolph

Key Returnees:  Bryce Morrison - 10

 

Salamanca

Key Returnees:  Tanner John - 12

Key Newcomer: Damion Taylor - 11

 

Frewsburg

Key Returnees:  Alex Elderkin - 12

 

Cassadaga Valley

Key Returnees:  Randy Dabala - 12

 Cattaraugus Little Valley

 

CCAA III

Maple Grove

 Key Returnees:  Jeff Tampe - 12, Will Soffel - 12, Aaron Germain - 12, Austin Goerke - 12, Oliver Simpson - 12

 

Westfield

Key Returnees:  John Coe - 12

 

Panama

Key Returnees:  Alec Blose - 12, Dan Odell - 11, Brandon Lewis - 12

 

Chautauqua Lake

Key Returnees:  Ian Clute - 11, Cody Thomas - 12, Jeremiah Russin - 12, Jordan Briggs - 12

 

Pine Valley

Key Returnees:  Lucas Trombley - 12

 

Forestville

Key Returnees:  Jacob Nosbisch - 11

 

Franklinville

 

CCAA IV

Sherman

Key Returnees:  Ryan Robson - 11, Andrew Graham - 11, Devin Moorhead - 11

 

Clymer

Key Returnees:  Dan Lictus - 12, Connor Payne - 12, Mitch Einink - 11, Jacob Wiggers - 11, Caleb Clark - 12

 

Brocton

Key Returnees:  Dan Ferguson - 12, Jordan Patterson - 12, Macalum Buchanan - 11

 

West Valley

Key Returnees:  Mike Grigsby - 12, Colton Myers - 12

 

Ellicottville

Key Returnees:  Cameron Wilson - 11, Storm Wilson - 12, Alex Steinbroner - 12

 

North Collins

Ripley

 

 Charter Schools

Oracle 

Key Returnees:  Gerald Bibbs - 12, Julius Allen - 12, Jamarr Cunningham - 12, Eric Waters - 12

Key Newcomers:  Nelson Modi - 11, Jayson Jones-Johnson - 11, Antone Gullege - 11

Tapestry

Key Returnees:  Tom Lucas - 12, Tong Mawein - 12, Jon Spears - 11

Key Newcomers:  Gary Foster - 9, JaQuoine Fogan - 9 

WNY Maritime

Buffalo Science

Health Sciences

Global Concepts

 

Predictions

Manhattan Cup: Canisius

Class AA: Jamestown

Class A1: McKinley

Class A2: Amherst

Class B1: Olean

Class B2: East

Class C1: Middle College

Class C2: Silver Creek

Class D: Clymer

 

- McKinley, Olean, & Middle College will all advance to Glens Falls

- Olean will win the Class B State Championship

- Canisius will win the CHSAA Class A State Championship

- Section V "super power" Bishop Kearney will lose one of its games played against a WNY team this year (Falls, Canisius, St. Joe's, Timon)...or maybe Jamestown)

 

Preseason Top 10 - Large Schools

1. Canisius

2. Jamestown

3. Niagara Falls

4. McKinley

5. St. Joe's

6. Bishop Timon/St. Jude

7. Williamsville North

8. Clarence

9. Amherst

10. Riverside

 

Preseason Top 10 Small Schools

1. Olean

2. East

3. Middle College

4. Silver Creek

5. East Aurora

6. Depew

7. Nichols

8. St. Mary's

9. Cleveland Hill

10. CSAT

 

  -centercourt

Classifications for 2013 Season

 

Class AA                                                                      Class D                                                         

Lancaster                                                                         Panama                                                 

Niagara Falls                                                                  Pine Valley                                          

Lockport                                                                          Forestville

Clarence                                                                           Ellicottville

Frontier                                                                            North Collins

Orchard Park                                                                 Brocton

Jamestown                                                                      Sherman

Kenmore West                                                              Clymer

West Seneca West                                                       West Valley

Williamsville North                                                    Ripley

Niagara Wheatfield

 

Class A1                                                                       Class A2

North Tonawanda                                                       West Seneca East

Hamburg                                                                          Starpoint

Sweet Home                                                                    Iroquois

Williamsville East                                                        Riverside

McKinley                                                                         Lake Shore

Kenmore East                                                                South Park

Hutch-Tech                                                                    Amherst

Grand Island                                                                  Pioneer

Williamsville South                                                    Cheektowaga

                                                                                             Lew-Port

 

Class B1                                                                        Class B2

Bennett                                                                             Medina

Maryvale                                                                         Buffalo Arts

Albion                                                                               Buffalo East 

Springville                                                                      Fredonia

East Aurora                                                                   Roy-Hart

Olean                                                                                JFK

Dunkirk                                                                          City Honors

Burgard                                                                          Akron

Depew                                                                             CSAT

Lafayette                                                                       Cleveland Hilll

Alden                                                                               Southwestern

Newfane                                                                        Wilson

Tonawanda                                                                  Emerson

Eden                                                                                Gowanda

Lackawanna                                                                 Falconer

 

Class C1                                                                        Class C2

Salamanca                                                                     Silver Creek

Leonardo da Vinci                                                     Portville

Allegany-Limestone                                                 Buffalo Science

OTC/MEC                                                                    Health Sciences

Cassadaga Valley                                                      MST Prep Seneca

Oracle Charter                                                            I-Prep Grover

Barker                                                                            Frewsburg

Martime Charter                                                      Westfield

Tapestry Charter                                                     Maple Grove

Holland                                                                        Chautauqua Lake

Randolph                                                                    Olmsted

Cattaraugus/Little Valley                                    Franklinville

 

 -centercourt

2012 All-League Teams

 

 

Monsignor Martin Association

Player of the Year:

Reggie Agbeko - St. Joe's, 12

 

First Team

Matt Hart - Canisius, 12

Adam Weir - Canisius, 11

Ryan Whelpley - Archbishop Walsh, 12

Jordan Williams - Timon, 12

Kyle Kobis - Timon, 12

Erik Simmons - St. Mary's, 12

 

Second Team

Devin Redden - St. Mary's, 12

Joe Lowery - Niagara Catholic, 12

DeMilo Gibbs - Timon, 12

Jake Denz - St. Mary's, 12

Matt MacDonald - Canisius, 11

 

 

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

 

YALE CUP I

Player of the Year:

Reyszon Jordan - McKinley, 11

 

First Team

Justice Feggans - Riverside, 11

Marcus Morris - McKinley, 11

Marcus Nelson - Hutch-Tech, 12

Lamont Little - Riverside, 12

Lovell Smith - McKinley, 11

 

Second Team

Denzell Washington - Hutch-Tech, 12

Tim Whitehead - Hutch-Tech, 12

Daquawn Griggs - East, 12

Mike Leonard - Riverside, 12

Daequan Warren - McKinley, 11

 

Third Team

Andrew Strug - Hutch-Tech, 12

Johnathan Lewis - East, 10

Mike Davis - McKinley, 12

Jon Colon - Lafayette, 11

Javon Fogan - Bennett, 12

 

Honorable Mention

East: Rashaan Brown - 12, Jayvon Vanoy - 12

Bennett: Ed Bishop - 12

Burgard: Justin Jennings - 12, Arzell Kaigler - 11

South Park: Zachary Kaczor - 10

Lafayette: Anthony Rodgers - 12

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

Riverside: Willie Smith - 10, Walter Pryor - 10

McKinley: Deonte Bell - 11, Samuel Smith - 11

 

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

 

YALE CUP II

Player of the Year:

Cordell Torres - OTC/MEC, 12

 

First Team

Aaron Frasier - MST Seneca, 12

Jamaal Carter - City Honors, 12

Maurice Cheatom - I-Prep, 12

Khalid Brown - OTC/MEC, 12

DeVonte Harper - OTC/MEC, 12

 

Second Team

Marquel Massey - City Honors, 12

Lenny Dowell - Emerson, 11

Bri'an Browm - OTC/MEC, 10

Devonte Witsett - I-Prep, 12

Kevin Reese - OTC/MEC, 10

 

Third Team

Jaleyn Pierson - MST Seneca, 12

Johnny Linton - Buffalo Arts, 12

Howard Washington - City Honors, 8

Keir Anderson - OTC/MEC, 11

Ameer Franklin - Emerson, 12

 

Honorable Mention

MST Seneca: Marquis Shaw - 12

City Honors: Matt Cieslik - 9

Buffalo Arts: Derek Simpson - 9

I-Prep: Duryll Anderson - 10

Emerson: Demetrius Hodge - 12

OTC/MEC: TJ Scott - 10

 

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

 

ALL ECIC 

Player of the Year:

Stan Wier - East Aurora, 12

 

First Team

Sterling Taplin - Williamsville North, 10

Connor Keenan - Williamsville East, 12

Tommy Campion - Jamestown, 11

Jesse Lalka - Tonawanda, 12

Jordan Farrant - Holland, 12

 

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

 

ECIC I

Co-Players of the Year:

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

 

First Team

Matt McCormick - Orchard Park, 12

Matt Taylor - Frontier, 12

Stephen Hughes - Clarence, 12

Alex Warren - Frontier, 12

Adam Cecchini - Jamestown, 12

 

Second Team

Kareem Walker - Jamestown, 12

Neal Farrell - Orchard Park, 12

Jayson Moore - Sweet Home, 12

Sean Murray - Lancaster, 11

Justin Bangert - Willaimsville North, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Williamsville North: David Berkun - 11

West Seneca West: Nick Clancy - 10

Clarence: Bryan Jost - 10

Frontier: Remington Heil - 12

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

Lancaster: Danny Emma - 10

 

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

 

ECIC II

Player of the Year:

Connor Keenan - Williamsville East, 12

 

First Team

Chaquiel Nettles - Williamsville South, 11

Nick Benningfield - Hamburg, 12

Michael Kyarunts - Williamsville East, 12

Nate Wilkinson - Iroquois, 12

 

Second Team

Madison Wesolowski - Iroquois, 12

Jim Caputi - Williamsville South, 12

Isaiah Kaudeyr - Williamsville East, XX

Damien Powers - Williamsville South, 11

Eric Moscato - Hamburg, 12

 

Honorable Mention

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

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

Starpoint: Andrew Rankie - XX

Hamburg: Jeremiah Bill - XX, Kyle Violanti - XX

Iroquois: Ben Wutz - XX

 

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

 

ECIC III

Player of the Year:

Stan Wier - East Aurora, 12

 

First Team

Jonathan Belton - Amherst, 11

Sean Weisansal - Maryvale, 11

Glenn Belton - Amherst, 12

Jonathon Gemerek - Depew, 12

Marquel Jackson - Cheektowaga, 11

Jaden Cotton - Depew, 12

 

Second Team

Brendan Cox - East Aurora, 10

Alex Turecki - Amherst, 11

Zak Ciezki - Cheektowaga, 9

Derek Clyburn - Cheektowaga, 11

Aaron Ertel - Depew, 12

 

Honorable Mention

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

Springville: Hunter Berry - 12

Amherst: Jonah Heim - 11, Dion Lewis - 11

East Aurora: Ian Allen - 11

 

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

 

ECIC IV

Player of the Year:

Jordan Farrant - Holland, 12

 

First Team

Jesse Lalka - Tonawanda, 12

Daryl Spencer - Cleveland Hill, 12

Clayton Hess - Tonawanda, 11

Miles Barker - Cleveland Hill, 12

Paul Matuszak - Alden, 12

 

Second Team

Zak Stone - Alden, 12

Shaquille Brooks - Lackawanna, 11

Jared Wilkins - Cleveland Hill, 10

Nick Anderson - JFK, 11

Ken Minorczyk - JFK, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Alden: Corey Barczykowski - 11, Ryan Sosnowski - 12

Eden: Joe Slisz - 12, Brad Palmerton - 10

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

JFK: Jimmy Quinn - 12, Ben Zaccagnino - 12

Lackawanna: Norman Sweat - 11, Raytrel Finley - 12

Tonawanda: Jake Spencer - 12, Ben Stitch - 10

 

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

 

NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE

First Team

Jermaine Crumpton - Niagara Falls, 11

Martin Bailey - Kenmore West, 12

Quinton Campbell - Kenmore West, 11

John Dziewit - Lew-Port, 12

Jack Mulcahey - Niagara Wheatfield, 11

 

Second Team

JJ Wilkes - Niagara Falls, 11

Taijay Williams - Niagara Falls, 12

Corey Mis - North Tonawanda, 12

PJ Blanch - Kenmore East, 12

DiAntre Cullens - Lockport, 12

 

Third Team

Quinn Carey - Grand Island, 9

Ryan Bradt - North Tonawanda, 12

Nick DiMartile - Lockport, 12

Jakai Daniels - Kenmore East, 12

Corey Pietkiewicz - North Tonawanda, 12

 

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

 

NIAGARA-ORLEANS LEAGUE

First Team

Darnell Carson - CSAT, 11

Josh Haight - Barker, 12

Tyler Martin - Wilson, 12

Jake Haight - Barker, 10

Brad Bobbit - Roy-Hart, 12

 

Second Team

Connor Sears - Newfane, 11

Sean Seefeldt - Newfane, 12

Scott Kneeland - Newfane, 12

Pat Diez - Wilson, 12

Connor Ladd - Akron, 11

 

Honorable Mention

Newfane: CJ Knight - 12, Bryan Geise - 11

Wilson: Dustin DiLaura - 12, Pat Walch - 12

CSAT: Justin Black - XX

Medina: Lucas Evans - XX

Akron: Austin Mietz, 11

Albion: Nick Santos, 12

 

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

CCAA I

Player of the Year:

Kevin Holmes - Dunkirk, 12

 

First Team

Sam Eckstrom - Olean, 10

 Dylan Meyer - Fredonia, 10

Ryan Nord - Falconer, 12

Zach Harrington - Allegany-Limestone, 12

Kyle Radack - Southwestern, 11

 

Second Team

Wil Bathurst - Olean, 10

Max Portlow - Olean, 10

Mike Donaldson - Dunkirk, 12

Nick Johnston - Fredonia, 10

Nick Huffman - Gowanda, 12

 

Honorable Mention

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

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

Southwestern: Jake Swan - 12, Peter Trathen - 11

Dunkirk: Josh Mleczko - 12, Evan Ahlstrom - 12

Falconer: Brandon DePietro - 11, Nick Conti - 11

Fredonia: John Piper - 9

Gowanda: Alex Sternisha - 12

 

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

 

CCAA II

Player of the Year:

Zeddie Williams - Silver Creek, 11

 

First Team

Dustin Schauman - Cassadaga Valley, 12

Zach Blask - Portville, 11

Jevon Battle - Salamanca, 12

John Morgante - Randolph, 12

Brady Morrison - Randolph, 12

 

Second Team

Steve Marcey - Silver Creek, 11

Kaine Kettle - Silver Creek, 10

Mike Querrieo - Portville, 12

Zach Miles - Portville, 12

Gage Bird - Frewsburg, 12

Jackson John - Salamanca, 12

 

Honorable Mention

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

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

Salamanca: Tanner John - 11, Bryce Stahlman - 12

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

Cattaraugus-Little Valley: Hayden Griffith - 12

Frewsburg: Alex Elderkin - 11, Ian MacFarland - 12

Randolph: Bryce Morrison - 9

 

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

 

CCAA III

Player of the Year:

Alex Grace - Maple Grove, 12

 

First Team

Austin Alonge - Westfield, 12

Jake Reynolds - Franklinville, 12

Skylar Liddell - Maple Grove, 12

Jason McMahon - Chautauqua Lake, 12

John Coe - Westfield, 11

 

Second Team

Nate Stott - Forestville, 12

Ian Clute - Chautauqua Lake, 10

Trey North - Westfield, 12

LucasTrombley - Pine Valley, 11

Colin Lapi - Ellicottville, 12

Joe Frazier - Maple Grove, 12

Jason Pembridge - Maple Grove, 12

 

Honorable Mention

Forestville: Jacob Nosbisch - 10

Chautauqua Lake: Dan Gleason - 12

Ellicottville: Connor Hellwig - 12, Josh Bower - 12

Westfield: Anthony Leone - 12

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

 

 -centercourt

What would your All-Centercourt teams look like?

The high school basketball season in WNY is officially over and now it's time to honor the very best for the seasons they've turned in.  Sometime in the next couple of weeks, I will publish my second annual All-Centercourt Team and Coach of the Year.  The All-CC Team will consist of 5 five-player teams and 35 honorable mention selections.  That may sound like a lot, but try limiting things to just 60 players when you are dealing with 100  teams, and there are several quality players who miss the cut.

 

Use the comments section below to tell us who you think should make which team.  You could even tell us why.  If you're really ambitious, try coming up with the HM selections.

 

Please keep all commentary appropriate when discussing high school athletes.

 

-centercourt 

Three more title games are set following Tuesday's semifinals

 

Anyone who thought the real Class A2 final was last night between East Aurora and Riverside, obviously hadn't seen Amherst play this year.  The Tigers looked like the number one seed and played like they belonged at Buffalo State in their first return to the Section VI semifinals since 2007.  And that was with the team's leading scorer (Glenn Belton) in street clothes after suffering an injury.

 

Amherst 63, Cheektowaga 54

The Tigers jumped all over Cheektowaga in the first half and finished it with a flurry of points, to take a 37-18 lead at the intermission.  Ed Doherty drilled back-to-back 3-pointers and freshman Dorian Billups also connected on one as Amherst built a comfortable lead late in the half.  Johnathan Belton confidently ran the Tigers offense and finished with 14 points.  Alex Turecki led Amherst with a game-high 16 points, and along with Jonah Heim, did a great job inside all evening for the victors.  

Despite trailing by 18 points entering the fourth, Cheektowaga  battled until the final whistle and if the ball had bounced a bit differently, the Warriors may have really threatened in the final minutes.  Derek Clyburn led Cheektowaga with 14 points.

 

East Aurora 49, Riverside 42

Stan Wier scored 20 of his 27 points in the second half, with 13 points of those including three 3-pointers, coming in the decisive fourth quarter.  East Aurora held the Frontiers to just three points in the opening quarter to build an early lead, but were outscored in the middle quarters and trailed by three entering the final stanza.  It was the biggest victory of the season for the continually improving Blue Devils, as Riverside has been ranked the entire season, while EA has never cracked the top ten.  The Blue Devils will now face Amherst this Saturday after spliting during the regular season, losing the most recent meeting in February by two points.

Justice Feggans led Riverside with 15 points, while Mike Leonard finished with 12 points.

 

CSAT 59, Cleveland Hill 43

Cleveland Hill took an early 6-0 lead, but were unable capitalize in the early momentum.  After spending the first quarter on the bench due to a coach's decision, Darnell Carson scored 18 points over the final three quarters and controlled the ball for the Eagles to advance them to their first ever sectional title game.  Carson was clutch in the fourth quarter, sinking eight free throws to fend off Cleveland Hill's efforts at climbing back into the game.  Justin Black finished with a game-high 22 points for the Eagles, who will face Wilson for a third time this season on Saturday, after picking up their first win in school history over the Lakemen just two weeks ago.

 

Maple Grove 70, MST Seneca 54

Skylar Liddell scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and Alex Grace netted 18 points to go with 11 assists, nine boards, and five steals to lift the Red Dragons past MST Seneca in the Class C2 semifinal at JCC.  The Red Dragons finished each of the first three quarters on strong runs (7-0 to end the 1st, 13-2 to end the second, & 8-0 to end the third) to build their lead to 14 points entering the final frame.  Maple Grove is amidst a 17-game win streak and advances to its fifth Section VI title game in six seasons.  Aaron Frasier finished his career for the Indians with 18 points in the loss.

 

Silver Creek 68, Portville 64 OT

Last season, 11th seeded Silver Creek upset Portville in the second round of the sectionals and then nearly did the same to Maple Grove in the quarterfinals. This year, Silver Creek was able to sweep the regular season series against Portville  and came into JCC hoping for a fourth straight win over the Panthers to earn a rematch from last year's quarterfinal with the Red Dragons. 

The Black Knights needed an extra session, but were able to advance to the Class C2 title game against Maple Grove on Friday at 7 pm.  Kaine Kettle dropped six 3-pointers on the Panthers, en route to his game-high 22 points.  Kettle's biggest shot of the night came with just four seconds on the clock, as the sophomore drained a '3' from the corner to send the game to overtime.

 

-centercourt

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

2. Bennett, Lafayette, South Park, Burgard

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

-centercourt

 

 

 

Previewing the Sectionals

 

The Section VI postseason begins tonight with a pair of first round games to get things going.  JFK will host Gowanda, while Springville travels to Eden.  As of right now, I haven't decided where I'll be tonight.

 

Several pre-quarterfinal games will be played on Wednesday, including a double-header at Bennett HS beginning at 6 pm.  Grand Island plays at Hamburg, while Roy-Hart facing Emerson at Grabiartz look to be the most compelling of the games on the evening.

 

Friday night is when the action really kicks up, as quarterfinal 32 games will decide which teams move on to Buffalo State and JCC for the semifinals.  Assuming things shake out the way I think they will before Friday, there are some great potential matchups on the way, and an upset or two certain to shake up the big picture before next week.

 

Most likely quarterfinal upsets

Class A1

(5) Hutch-Tech @ (4) Iroquois - The Chiefs scored a big win late in the season at then league-unbeaten ECIC II co-champ Williamsville East.  The Engineers stumbled against Bennett in the same week. 

Class B1

(5) East @ (4) Newfane - We knew there would be some quality quarterfinal games in the B1 bracket, and here's one of them.  East battled through the large schools in the Yale Cup, and came away with a win over Riverside and gave McKinley a close game in February.  They also have a distinct size advantage with Rashaan Brown and Tyree Tyson inside.

(6) Depew @ (3) Dunkirk - We couldn't have more opposite situations.  Depew played in a large school league (ECIC III), scheduled Williamsville North (Class AA), and defeated St. Mary's in its tournament.  Dunkirk has plowed through its competition not named Olean.  The problem is, there really was no competition for the Marauders.  Another lousy nonleague schedule, along with CCAA I being less than a meat grinder, and Dunkirk hasn't won a game by less than 15 all year.

Class B2

(5) Akron vs. (4) CSAT **at Kenmore West ** - Has anyone noticed how good these two teams have played in the last month?  Both beat Wilson this month, Akron also topped Newfane.  CSAT already owns two victories over Akron.  However, Tigers head coach Justin Gerstung has shown the ability to come up with a great scheme and pull off a stunner in sectionals before...just ask Wilson.

(6) City Honors @ (3) Allegany-Limestone - Another case of a team playing well late in the season and picking up some good wins against quality opponents.  The Centaurs beat I-Prep twice this year and also tripped up MST Seneca.

Class C2

(7) I-Prep @ (2) Maple Grove - The Red Dragons played some stiff competition to start the year, but haven't seen too many quality opponents recently, with the exception of Westfield and CG Finney.  I-Prep had the benefit of meeting some quality opponents in the city, including a pair of epic battles with the #3 seed, MST Seneca.

 

Top 5 Quarterfinal Games

5. Class B1 - East @ Newfane

4. Class AA - North Tonawanda @ Frontier

3. Class AA - Williamsville North @ Kenmore West

2. Class C2 - I-Prep @ Maple Grove

1. Class B1 - Depew vs. Dunkirk **at Silver Creek**

 

Most likely to avance to Glens Falls

Olean (Class B) and OTC/MEC (Class C)

 

Biggest favorite to win its bracket

OTC/MEC in Class C1

 

Best Bracket stop-to-bottom

Class B1 & Class C2

 

Most exciting potential championship matchups

Class C2 - MST Seneca vs. Silver Creek

Class AA -  Niagara Falls vs. Jamestown

 

Streaks & Stats heading into sectionals

- Olean has won 16 straight games and has no losses to any team from WNY

- OTC/MEC hasn't lost to a small school this season

- Maple Grove has won 15 straight games and has averaged 78.6 ppg over its last eight games

- Kenmore West has yet to lose a game in the calendar year and has won 15 straight.

- Frontier has won nine straight games

- McKinley's only losses this season were to Canisius and St. Joe's

 

-centercourt

Class C2 Sectional Bracket

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 22nd

(8) Chautauqua Lake 37, (9) Frewsburg 31

(7) I-Prep 84, (10) Buffalo Science 57

(6) Randolph 77, (11) Franklinville 36

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th

(1) Silver Creek 65, (8) Chautauqua Lake 58

(4) Portville 88, (5) Westfield 71

 

(2) Maple Grove 54, (7) I-Prep 53

(3) MST Seneca 62, (6) Randolph 56

 

Semifinals - Tuesday, February 28th

AT JCC - 6 & 7:45 pm

(1) Silver Creek 68, (4) Portville 64 OT

(2) Maple Grove 70, (3) MST Seneca 54

 

Section VI Class C2 Championship - Friday, March 2nd

AT JCC - 7 pm 

 (1) Silver Creek 58, (2) Maple Grove 57

 

2012 Section VI Class C2 Champions - Silver Creek Black Knights

 

 -centercourt

Top games of the week ending 2/12/12

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

 

Monday, February 6th

City Honors @ OTC/MEC - 7 pm

 

Tuesday, February 7th

Cleveland Hill @ Tonawanda -  6:30 pm

Clarence @ Frontier - 7:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ East Aurora - 7:30 pm

Iroquois @ Williamsville East - 7:30 pm

Hamburg @ Williamsville South - 7:30 pm

Silver Creek @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

Sherman @ Panama - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, February 8th

Riverside @ Hutch-Tech - 6 pm

 

Thursday, February 9th

MST Seneca @ I-Prep - 6 pm

Cheektowaga @ Amherst - 7:30 pm

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

 

Friday, February 10th

McKinley @ East - 6 pm

MST Seneca @ City Honors - 6pm

North Tonawanda @ Kenmore West - 7 pm

Williamsville North @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

Cassadaga Valley @ Portville - 7:30 pm

Westfield @ Maple Grove - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, February 11th

Canisius @ Bishop Kearney - 3 pm

 

Sunday, February 12th

St. Joe's @ Aquinas - 4 pm

 

Game of the Week - St. Joe's @ Bishop Timon/St. Jude on Thursday, February 9th

- One of the experiences I most look forward to each year are the trips to South Buffalo for the Timon home games against St. Joe's and Canisius.  From the unique auditorium-style gymnasium, to the herds of fans that turn out , to the wildly entertaining Timon student section - there are few environments that can top it.

The last two regular season meetings between the Marauders and the Tigers were decided in overtime.  St. Joe's has won four in a row over the Tigers and have come out on top in their last two visits at Timon.

St. Joe's hopes to maintain its place as the top ranked large school in WNY with a good showing.  A win on Thursday would likely ensure at least a tie for the Monsignor Martin championship.  The Tigers remain a formidable opponent despite their struggles the last two seasons against St. Joe's and Canisius (0-7).  

 

-centercourt

Top games of the week ending 1/29/12

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

 

Monday, January 23rd

Nichols @ Walsh - 6:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 24th

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

 

Wednesday, January 25th

MST Seneca @ Holland - 6:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 26th

North Tonawanda @ Kenmore East - 7 pm

 

Friday, January 27th

Orchard Park @ Hutch-Tech - 5:45 pm

Kenmore West @ Niagara Falls - 6:30 pm

Canisius @ St. Joe's - 7 pm

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

MST Seneca @ OTC/MEC - 7 pm

Newfane @ Albion - 7 pm

Portville @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

Jamestown @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 28th

Canisius @ Rochester East - 8:30 pm

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

-centercourt

 

Top games of the week ending 1/22/12

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

 

Tuesday, January 17th

Medina @ Newfane - 6:30 pm

Wilson @ Albion - 7 pm

Williamsville East @ Williamsville South - 7 :30 pm

Clarence @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

Panama @ Clymer - 7:30 pm

Kenmore East @ Kenmore West - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 18th

East @ McKinley - 6 pm

Hamburg @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 19th

Clymer @ Sherman - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 20th

Wilson @ CSAT - 6:30 pm

Lockport @ Kenmore West - 7 pm

Portville @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

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

Williamsville North @ Frontier - 7:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ Depew - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 21st

Cathedral Prep @ Canisius - 3 pm

Aquinas @ St. Joe's - 4 pm

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

-centercourt

 

 

Top games of the week ending 1/15/12

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

 

Monday, January 9th

Maple Grove @ Westfield - 7:30 pm

Panama @ Sherman - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 10th

Newfane @ Wilson - 6:30 pm

Amherst @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Shanghai Nanyang @ St. Joe's - 7:30 pm

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

Frontier @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

Clarence @ Williamsville North - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 12th

I-Prep @ MST Seneca - 6 pm

Hutch-Tech @ Riverside - 6 pm

Depew @ East Aurora - 6:30 pm

Tonawanda @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

Dunkirk @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

Portville @ Cassadaga Valley - 7:30 pm

 

Friday January 13th

CSAT @ Medina - 6:30 pm

Akron @ Wilson - 6:30 pm

Newfane @ Barker - 6:30 pm

Burger King Classic @ Gannon University

Niagara Falls vs. Milton (GA) - 7 pm

 

Saturday, January 14th

MLK Classic @ City Honors

St. Francis vs. Tapestry Charter - 10 am

Lackawanna @ City Honors - 11:30 am

Cheektowaga vs. I-Prep - 1 pm

East Aurora vs. OTC/MEC - 3 pm

Canisius vs. McKinley - 4:30 pm

 

Game of the Week - Newfane @ Wilson on Tuesday, January 10th

- The Niagara-Orleans league is WNY's most competitive this season from top to bottom.  Any team in this league has the ability to beat another this year, and based on the nonleague results in the month of December, those are some quality teams. 

Now take a competitive league game and sprinkle a heated rivalry between last season's co-champs into the mix, and you've got your game of the week.  This one will once again live up to its billing with an electric atomosphere, no open seats, event staff all over the place, and a game on the court where every single possesion is treated by both the players and fans like the most important possesion of the season. 

For all the good teams Newfane has had in recent years, the Panthers haven't won a game at Wilson since 2006.  Since the 2005-2006 season, Wilson leads this series, 8-4 and has won two league titles, while Newfane has won four.  The Lakemen have taken 8 of the last 10, and five of the last six. 

Though this will be just the third of 14 league games for each team, the results of this one are certain to have a major impact on who takes the 2011-2012 N-O title.

 

-centercourt

Silver Creek improves to 5-0

After watching Cassadaga Valley's improbable march through sectionals that ended in the overall Class B title last March, I decided to make the effort to see more CCAA schools during the regular season this year.  After getting to Olean for the first time earlier this month, I was able to catch Maple Grove dominate its rematch with Randolph  on Friday in Bemus Point.  Then, as I looked at the lineup of games on Monday, the first matchup to jump out was St. Joe's vs. OTC/MEC.  But after considering the number of times I've seen each of those teams the last few years, I opted instead to make another trip south to see a pair of CCAA II contenders go at it with Salamanca visiting Silver Creek.  I had just voted the Black Knights #7 on my small school poll ballot the night before, after they opened the year with 30-point wins over Lake Shore and Gowanda, and also beat both Portville and Westfield.

 

The Black Knights looked like they will be a tough team to top in their league this season, using a big second half to put away the visiting Warriors, 66-48, on Monday night.  Silver Creek was led by junior Steve Marcey's game-high 24 points, while junior Zeddy Williams added 15 points, along with several assists and rebounds. 

 

Trailing 14-10 in the first quarter, Silver Creek pulled to within a point when Williams penetrated and kicked out a pass for John Jimerson, who hit a '3' at the buzzer.  The second quarter began the same way with Williams again finding Jimerson for a long-range bomb as part of a 12-0 run.  The Black Knights built a 9-point lead during the second, but Salamanca was able to narrow the gap to 31-28 at the half, thanks in part to the strong inside play of Bryce Stahlman, who scored eight of his 14 points in the quarter.

 

The second half began with a flurry of Silver Creek 3-pointers as part of a 16-3 run that effectively put the Warriors away.  Jimerson began the ambush from beyond the arc, before Marcey got hot and drilled three straight from downtown.  On the third, Marcey was clapping for the ball, and when the pass came, drilled it right over the defender's outstretched arm.  In the first three minutes of the third quarter, Marcey netted 11 of his 24 points.

 

"He's a pure shooter and a classic gym rat" Silver Creek head coach Robert Genco said of Marcey.  The junior showed off his skills on several occasions throughout the game by breaking down defenders with dribbling, a nice touch from the perimeter (a total of five 3-pointers), a nifty up-and-under move around the basket, and the highlight play of the game.  Driving the lane in the second quarter, Marcey blew past two defenders with by wrapping the ball around his back and finishing with a layup.

 

 

Salamanca got the score back to 51-42 at the start of the fourth quarter on a basket by Jevon Battle (team-high 18 points).  But once again, the Black Knights asserted themselves and built their lead to 20 points with a 15-4 run. 

 

Silver Creek offers a little of everything -  balance at each position, can shoot from the perimeter, score well in transition, and have a star player in Williams who plays every position on the court.  Williams has the size to play inside, but also has a good handle on the ball and was exceptional at drawing the defense with penetration and always found an open teammate.  After what I saw last night, I am comfortable having voted for the Black Knights at number seven, ahead of Maple Grove, who I voted ninth. 

 

-centercourt

 

 

 

 

2011-2012 Season Preview

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

 

WHAT'S NEW THIS SEASON?  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- Sweet Home will play in ECIC I

- Lake Shore will play in ECIC II

- Forestville and Ellicottville will play in CCAA III

- Brocton and North Collins will play in CCAA IV

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

- Chad Kelly is not playing basketball this season

- Stan Wier returns to East Aurora for his senior season

 

CLASSIFICATION CHANGES

McKinley moves down from AA to A1

Lafayette moves down from A1 to A2

Bennett moves down from A1 to A2

Olean moves down from A2 to B1

East moves down from A2 to B1

Burgard moves down from A2 to B1

Springville moves down from A2 to B1

JFK moves down from B1 to B2

Akron moves down from B1 to B2

Roy-Hart moves down from B1 to B2

Cassadaga Valley moves down from B2 to C1

 

NEW HEAD COACHES

Lancaster - John Otto

West Seneca East - Dan Leutman

Barker - Michael O'Sullivan

Clymer - Dan White

Tapestry Charter - Tony Williams

Nichols - Jim MacKinnon

 

 

 THE PLAYERS

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

LEAGUE BY LEAGUE

 

MONSIGNOR MARTIN

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

YALE CUP

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

ECIC I

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

ECIC II

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

ECIC III

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

ECIC IV

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 NIAGARA-ORLEANS LEAGUE

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

CCAA I

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

CCAA II

 

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

 

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

 

 CCAA III

 

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

 

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

 

Ellicottville has both Colin Lapi and Conner Hellwig returning.

 

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

 

CCAA IV

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

PREDICTIONS

LEAGUE CHAMPS:

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

 

SECTIONAL CHAMPS:

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

 

-centercourt

 

The 2011 All-Centercourt Team: The Best in WNY

 

FIRST TEAM

Jaysean Paige - Jamestown, Junior  -  CC MVP

Tremmell Fisher - East, Senior

Connor Rehbaum - St. Joe's, Senior

Chris Holland - I-Prep, Senior

Darin Butts - Jamestown, Senior

 

SECOND TEAM

Gordon Lyons - Canisius, Senior

Phil Stasiak - Williamsville South, Senior

Blair Estarfaa - Maryvale, Senior

Aaron Nevins - Canisius, Senior

Maurice Miles - Hutch-Tech, Senior

 

THIRD TEAM

Marcus Feagin - Niagara Falls, Senior

JJ Harrington - Lancaster, Senior

Dazmon Knight - Tapestry Charter, Senior

Kevin O'Connell - Williamsville South, Senior

Sterling Taplin - Williamsville North, Freshman

 

FOURTH TEAM

Vincent Bomasuto - Dunkirk, Senior

Rohn Pierce - Newfane, Senior

Michael Bova - Westfield, Senior

Joe Licata - Wiliamsville South, Senior

Brennan Moxham - Wilson, Senior

 

FIFTH TEAM

Reggie Agbeko - St. Joe's, Junior

Jordan Street - Niagara Falls, Senior

Jordan Farrant - Holland, Junior

Davon Alexander - OTC Middle College, Senior

Kadeem Hillman - I-Prep, Senior

 

HONORABLE MENTION

Darius Edwards - Frontier, Senior

David Hill  - Clarence, Senior

Tyler Funk - Clarence, Senior

Dustin Schauman - Cassadaga Valley, Senior

Jake Hughes - Niagara Wheatfield, Senior

John Black - McKinley, Senior

Antonio Avery - McKinley, Senior

Andre Jackson - East, Senior

Jasen Oden - East, Senior

William Vanoy - Bennett, Senior

Zak Plonka - Lancaster, Senior

Dondre Alexander - Lackawanna, Senior

Joey Campion - Jamestown, Senior

Marc Morreale - Lew-Port, Senior

Eric Stolzenburg - Williamsville East, Senior

Dan Hambruch - Newfane, Senior

Brian Tobolla - Portville, Senior

Matt DeBoy - Salamanca, Senior

Davon Ferguson - Lafayette, Senior

Aswad Jones - Cheektowaga, Senior

Ryan Grandits - Kenmore West, Senior

Martin Bailey - Kenmore West, Junior

Matt Hart - Canisius, Junior

Jordan Williams - Timon-St. Jude, Junior

Kyle Kobis - Timon-St. Jude, Junior

Taijay Williams - Niagara Falls, Junior

Khalid Brown - OTC Middle College, Junior

Jamal Carter - City Honors, Junior

Aaron Frasier - Seneca, Junior

Jesse Lalka - Tonawanda, Junior

Josh Haight - Barker, Junior

Nick Lenart - Panama, Junior

Alex Grace - Maple Grove, Junior

Justice Feggans - Riverside, Sophomore

JJ Wilkes - Niagara Falls, Sophomore

 

-centercourt

All-Centercourt & CC MVP - Let the discussion begin

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

-centercourt

Random Smatterings - Week 10

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

-centercourt

 

 

 

 

Class C Sectionals

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

 

Play-in Game

(16) Oracle Charter 68, (17) Franklinville 33

 

1st Round

(9) Chautauqua Lake 64, (16) Oracle Charter 47

(13) Holland 60, (12) Randolph 47

(14) Cattaraugus Little/Valley 57, (10) Barker 54

(11) Silver Creek 52, (13) Maritime Charter 50

 

Pre-Quarterfinals

(8) Westfield 52, (9) Chautauqua Lake 51

(13) Holland 72, (5) Salamanca 62

(7) MST Seneca 73, (14) Cattaraugus Little/Valley 52

(11) Silver Creek 45, (6) Portville 32

 

Quarterfinals

(1) I-Prep 75, (8) Westfield 59

(4) OTC Middle College 68, (13) Holland 41

 (2) Tapestry Charter 74, (7) MST Seneca 60

(3) Maple Grove 59, (11) Silver Creek 58

 

Semifinals @ JCC

(1) I-Prep vs. (4) OTC Middle College

(2) Tapestry vs. (3) Maple Grove 

 

-centercourt

 

 

Top games of the week ending 2/13/11

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

 

Monday, February 7th

Bennett @ East - 5:30 pm

Jamestown @ Williamsville North - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, February 8th

Riverside @ McKinley - 5:30 pm

Starpoint @ Tonawanda - 6:30 pm

Niagara Wheatfield @  Kenmore West - 7 pm

Williamsville East @ Williamsville South - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, February 10th

Riverside @ Bennett - 5:30 pm

East @ Hutch Tech - 5:30 pm

Bishop Timon-St. Jude @ St. Joe's - 7 pm

Williamsville North @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

Lancaster @ Frontier - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, February 11th

Tonawanda @ Lackawanna - 7 pm

Niagara Wheatfield @ Lew-Port - 7 pm

Bishop Timon-St. Jude @ Williamsville South - 7:30 pm

Portville @ Cassadaga Valley - 7:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ Maryvale - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, February 12th

Canisius @ Bishop Kearney - 3 pm

Williamsville North @ Jamestown - 6:30 pm

 

Game of the Week -   Tonawanda @ Lackawanna on February 11th

- The first place Warriors of ECIC IV can clinch their first division title since 1963 with a win on Friday night.  Led by scoring machine Jesse Lalka, inside/outside threat Clayton Hess, and floor general Steve Stich, the Warriors are a top ten small school that is now regularly mentioned among the teams to look out for in Class B1.  Tonawanda's only league loss of the season came at the hands of Lackawanna earlier this season, 46-35.  The suddenly resurgent Steelers scored a big win against JFK last week, before making a huge statement in an upset win at Batavia.  The talent at Lackawanna has never been a question, but keeping that talent on the court has certainly been a problem.  After walking out on his team at halftime of the MLK Classic three weeks ago, 2010 All-WNY honorable mention guard Dondre Alexander is back in the lineup again and leading his team to victories.  Alexander, along with teammate Maurice Cheatom, make the Steelers a dangerous team when they are both eligible, which they were when Lackawanna won the first meeting with the Warriors.

 

-centercourt

 

 

 

Top games of the week ending 1/23/11

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

 

Tuesday, January 18th

Kenmore East @ Kenmore West - 5:30 pm

Depew @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Salamanca @ Portville - 7:30 pm

Jamestown @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 19th

Hutch Tech @ East - 5:30 pm

Olean @ Southwestern - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 20th

Kenmore West @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

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

 

Friday, January 21st

JFK @ Cleveland Hill - 6:30 pm

Jamestown @ Williamsville North - 7:30 pm

Maryvale @ Depew - 7:30 pm

Olean @ Dunkirk - 7:30 pm

Clymer @ Panama - 7:30 pm

Cassadaga Valley @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

 

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

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

 

-centercourt

Top games of the week ending 1/9/11

Whether it's a rivalry game, a contest between a pair of top teams, or a key league matchup, each week has several games to get excited about.  As a new weekly feature, I'll list what I think are the top games that you should consider checking out, or at least look for the box score when it's over.

 

Tuesday, January 4th

Wilson @ Newfane - 7 pm

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

Clarence @ Frontier - 7:30 pm

Amherst @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Tonawanda @ JFK - 7 pm

 

Wednesday, January 5th

Riverside @ Lafayette - 5:30 pm

Randolph @ Portville - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 7th

Riverside @ Hutch Tech - 5:30 pm

Jamestown @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

Clarence @ Williamsville North - 7:30 pm

West Seneca East @ Williamsville East - 7:30 pm

Lackawanna @ Tonawanda - 6:30 pm

 

Game of the week - Wilson @ Newfane on Tuesday, January 4th

- A pair of small schools ranked in the top five in WNY that just happen to be bitter league rivals.  This is the first time in the history of this rivalry that both schools were ranked this high prior to the game.  The winner of this game gains the early edge in the quest for the Niagara-Orleans league title.  Not too many high school basketball games sell out, but when these two team meet, that's usually what happens.  Three years ago, Keith McShea made the trip up north from Buffalo and said it was worth the trip. 

 

-centercourt

 

 

Poll ballots - Week 2

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

 

Large Schools

1. Niagara Falls (AA) - If they don't receive ten first place votes, someone needs their head checked.  I repeat, Falls is back.

2. Jamestown (AA) - Looked real good for three quarters against Williamsville South, then were fortunate to get the win after the Billes came storming back.

3. Williamsville South (A1) - If Aaron Adams is wearing a uniform instead of a cast or if they play the Red Raiders anywhere else but Jamestown, they are still number two. But rankings should be result based, not hypothetically driven.

4. Canisius (MMAA) - After seeing the Crusaders in the Wilson Tipoff Tournament, I didn't think they'd be sitting behind three other teams.

5.  Williamsville North (AA) - After a close call with Lancaster, they travel to Orchard Park on Tuesday night.  ECIC I will be a fun race to follow this season.

6. Riverside (A2) - With their non-league schedule complete after winning on the road against the Quakers, the Frontiers now shift the focus towards winning the Yale Cup.

7. East (A2) - The Panthers face a big test next week in the Rush Henrietta Tournament, opening against Section V's defending AA champ, the East Orientals. 

8. St. Joe's (MMAA) - They looked like a well-oiled machine against Lackawanna, then looked like they hadn't ever practiced together against Aquinas.  That inconsistency slides them down a spot.  We'll see which team wants to play the Presidents tonight.

9. McKinley (AA) - The Macks get a whole month off after beating Orchard Park, with their next game after the New Year against South Park.  McKinley still moves up a spot, because...

10. Bishop Timon-St. Jude (MMAA) - slid down two spots.  Why?  Cheektowaga had a larger margin of victory over Nichols than the Tigers, and Timon needs to step up its schedule.  Home games against Oracle Charter and MST Seneca, and a home tournament including Maritime Charter, Buffalo Academy of Science, and Iroquois isn't exactly a meat grinder for a large school in the MMAA. 

 

Small Schools

1. I-Prep at Grover (C) - Took care of business against Iroquois last week.  Face a big challenge at St. Joe's tonight.

2. OTC Middle College (C) - Defeated Nichols by 11 after a long drive south to St. Bonaventure.  The day after Christmas, they return to face Olean.

3. Wilson (B2) - Had no trouble beating Medina on Friday.  Host Lew-Port December 30th.

4. St. Mary's (MMAA) - Picked up a nice win against Clarence at the AdPro ECIC/Monsignor Martin Challenge.

5. Newfane (B1) - Conventional wisdom has Lackawanna as the favorites in Class B1.  My preseason pick was these Panthers, and I'm very comfortable with that.  Williamsville North would be wise not to look past Newfane in the Jolly Boys Tournament.

6. Tapestry Charter (C) - These guys are 5-0, and have now scored at least 90 points three times. 

7. Portville (C) - Won all three games they played this week, including a 15 point win over Archbishop Walsh.  They face Randolph in the championship game for the small schools at the IAABO Tournament on December 26th.

8. Dunkirk (B1) - Led by Vincent Bomasuto, the Marauders have started 3-0, most recently winning at Olean by 16.  Could this be the team to dethrone the Huskies as league champs?

9. Maple Grove (C) - Measuring stick game against Westfield this week was postponed.

10. Tonawanda (B1) - The Warriors are off to a good start.  The TNT rivalry game on Wednesday, at 7 pm in NT, looks to be a very good one.

 

Let me know how you'd have the teams ranked and where you disagree with my rankings.

 

-centercourt

Classifications & Leagues

    Class AA                                                                         Class A1

    Niagara Falls - NFL                                                       Hamburg - ECIC II

    Lancaster - ECIC I                                                         Sweet Home - ECIC II

    Lockport - NFL                                                               Williamsville East - ECIC II

    Frontier - ECIC I                                                            Kenmore East - NFL

    Clarence - ECIC I                                                           Hutch-Tech - Yale Cup I

    Orchard Park - ECIC I                                                 Bennett - Yale Cup I

    Jamestown - ECIC I                                                      Grand Island - NFL

    Kenmore West - NFL                                                   Williamsville South - ECIC II

    Williamsville North - ECIC I                                     Lafayette - Yale Cup I

    West Seneca West - ECIC I                                        Iroquois - ECIC II

    North Tonawanda - NFL                                             West Seneca East - ECIC II

    Niagara Wheatfield - NFL                                           Starpoint - ECIC II

    McKinley - Yale Cup I                                                   Lake Shore - ECIC III

 

    Class A2                                                                          Class B1

    Amherst - ECIC III                                                        Tonawanda - ECIC IV

    Riverside - Yale Cup I                                                   Lackawanna - ECIC IV

    Buffalo East - Yale Cup I                                              Newfane - N-O

     Albion - N-O                                                                     Dunkirk - CCAA I

    Lew-Port - NFL                                                                 Alden - ECIC IV

    Cheektowaga - ECIC III                                               Medina - N-O

    Pioneer - ECIC III                                                          Eden - ECIC IV

    Maryvale - ECIC III                                                       JFK - ECIC IV

    Burgard - Yale Cup I                                                      Buffalo Arts - Yale Cup II

    South Park - Yale Cup I                                                Akron - N-O

    Olean - CCAA I                                                                 Roy-Hart - N-O

    East Aurora - ECIC III

    Springville - ECIC III

    Depew - ECIC III

 

    Class B2                                                                      Monsignor Martin

    Fredonia - CCAA I                                                         Canisius - A

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

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

    City Honors - Yale Cup II                                          St. Francis - A

    Southwestern - CCAA I                                               St. Mary's - B

    Wilson - N-O                                                                    Cardinal O'Hara - B

    Gowanda - CCAA I                                                         Nichols - B

    Falconer - CCAA I                                                          Niagara Catholic - B

    Allegany-Limestone - CCAA I                                  Archbishop Walsh - B

    CSAT - N-O

    Cassadaga Valley - CCAA II

 

    Class C                                                                             Class D

    Salamanca - CCAA II                                                   Pine Valley - CCAA III

    Oracle Charter - Independent                                  Brocton - CCAA III

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

    Maritime Charter - Independent                            Ellicottville - CCAA IV

    Holland - ECIC IV                                                         Forestville - CCAA IV

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

    Silver Creek - CCAA II                                                Olmsted - Yale Cup II

    Cattaraugus-Little Valley - CCAA II                      Sherman - CCAA IV

    Tapestry Charter - Independent                             Clymer - CCAA IV

    Randolph - CCAA II                                                      West Valley - CCAA IV

    Frewsburg - CCAA II                                                     Ripley - CCAA IV

    Portville - CCAA II

    Westfield - CCAA III

    Buffalo Science Charter - Independent

    Maple Grove - CCAA III

    MST Prep at  Seneca - Yale Cup II

    Chautauqua Lake - CCAA III

    Franklinville - CCAA III

    Barker - N-O

Poll ballots - Week 1

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

 

 

Large Schools

1. Niagara Falls (AA) - I'll say it...Falls is back! 

2. Williamsville South (A1) - Those of you who thought the Billies would take a step back after graduating Mark Coppola were, in a word, wrong.   South looked outstanding in its first two games.  Considered them for number one, but gave it to Falls on the strength of two wins over top teams.  If the Billies can go in to Jamestown and win, I may pull the old switch-a-roo.

3. Canisius (MMAA) - There's no shame in losing to South or in how they lost.  Saturday's game against NFHS is a must see.

4. Jamestown (AA) - If they play Falls at home, things may have turned out differently.  In all likelihood, they will play Williamsville South at home this weekend.

** This weekend, if Canisius beats Falls and Jamestown beats Williamsville South, we'll be right back to the drawing board with nothing sorted out!

5. Williamsville North (AA) - They showed me something at the Cataract City Classic and beating Batavia makes their resume good enough to earn this spot for now.

6. Riverside (A2)  - Looked very impressive in wins against Wilson and St. Joe's.  But in the loss to Canisius, they weren't up to the challenge.

7.  St. Joe's (MMAA) - I'm placing more value on beating Depew by 18 on a neutral court, than by...

8. Bishop Timon-St. Jude (MMAA) - beating OTC Middle College by 17 at home.  I'm looking forward to seeing the Tigers play tonight. 

9. East (A2) - They dismantled Nichols and beat OTC Middle College by 10 at the Pastor-Cooper tournament.

10.. McKinley (AA) - They've been a second half team in wins over St. Mary's and Orchard Park.

 

Small Schools

1. I-Prep at Grover (C) - They have the talent and the team to hold this spot among the small schools from start to finish.

2. OTC Middle College (C) - This year's version of the Kats aren't dominant like last year, but there's no question that they're a top small school. 

3. Wilson (B2) - Made plays when they needed to down the stretch against St. Mary's.

4. St. Mary's (MMAA) - Overtime win against Newfane, overtime loss against Wilson, puts them in this N-O sandwich.

5. Newfane (B1) - Seeing the Lakemen beat St. Mary's bothers them almost as much as the loss to the Lancers did.  

6. Maple Grove (C) - The defending Class D state champs have already beat Olean and Randolph.

7. Tapestry Charter (C) - Scoring points, shooting 3's, and pressing at a dizzying pace...sounds a lot like a team from last season.

8. Lackawanna (B1) - Edged St. Francis to open with a win, but then took one on the chin at home against Orchard Park.

9. Portville (C) - I'll be banging the Portville drum until I'm proven wrong.  They are led by a pair of talented seniors and nearly beat CG Finney after leading by ten in the second quarter.

10. Tonawanda (B1) - Lackawanna could have some real competition on their hands in ECIC IV.  The Warriors opened with a 35 point win over Roy-Hart, followed by a 20 point win against Alden.

 

-centercourt

Cataract City Classic lineup and reasons to see all nine games

My favorite two-day high school basketball event in WNY is the annual Cataract City Classic, held at Niagara Falls High School on 4455 Porter Road.  Each year, Sal Constantino organizes the nine-game event which showcases some of the top programs from WNY and surrounding areas.  This season, Constantino will be extra busy, as he will be coaching the host school each day.  Recently hired as the head coach of WNY's premier hoops program, Constantino will look to return the Wolverines to the status they held for nearly a decade after the team failed to advance to the postseason semifinals last year for the first time in its history.  Niagara Falls will open its season with a grueling pair of  games that headline each night of the Classic.  Here is the schedule:

 

Friday, December 10, 2010

Niagara Wheatfield vs. Lancaster - 5:00 pm

- Erik O'Bryan makes his debut as the new head coach for the Falcons on the same court where he led North Tonawanda to a historic win over Niagara Falls a season ago.  Now, O'Bryan begins a new chapter of his coaching career with a Niagara Wheatfield team that has some size, led by 6-6 Jake Hughes.  Lancaster opened the season with a pair of victories by winning its own tournament.  The Redskins will need a strong outing from JJ Harrington, a 6-7 big man who has some range from the perimeter.

 

St. Joe's vs. Depew - 6:30 pm

- A very interesting game between two traditionally strong programs.  The Marauders come in with a size advantage and are a bit more physical, but neither of those assets worked to their advantage in the teams home opener against Riverside.  Depew head coach Larry Jones was on hand to scout that game and will surely devise a plan to slow the game down and run long half court sets.  If you like a good chess match, this would be the game to see. 

 

Niagara Falls vs. Jamestown - 8:00 pm

- This could very well be a preview of the Class AA championship game in March.  Jamestown has a ton of talent back from the team that won the Class AA crown last season and something to prove.  The Red Raiders have never beaten Niagara Falls, and for the first time ever, come into this season favored ahead of the Wolverines.  But beating Niagaara Falls on its home court will be a tall order - the only ECIC team to ever accomplish that was Clarence, during sectionals last year.  The atmosphere for this one should be off the hook.  The Niagara Falls Pep Band will be fired up and firing up the Falls faithful, while Jamestown fans always travel well and are among the loudest in WNY.

 

Saturday, December 11, 2010

St. Mary's vs. Wilson - 12:00 pm

- Fresh off an exciting overtime win against Newfane, the Lancers face another top small school in Wilson.  The Lakemen opened with losses to Riverside and Brunswick, OH (a school larger than Niagara Falls) but still showed the same trademark hustle and grit that keeps them competitive each year.  Wilson hopes to get into the win column and grab early bragging rights over rival Newfane, by beating the team the Panthers just lost to.  The Lancers hope establish their rank among the small schools in the area and will look for Peter Notaro and Devin Redden to build on the their strong play inside.

 

Amherst vs. CG Finney - 1:30 pm

- This game provides a barometer for other schools in WNY.  Finney of Section V is a Class D private school that plays at a much higher level than other schools of its size.  Last season, the school opted to play up in Class B2.  They earned five point wins over both Portville and Class AA McQuaid of Section V, who plays Canisius and St. Mary's next week.  Amherst is coached by Chris Kensy, whose team opened the year with a win over Grand Island.  How the Tigers perform in this game will offer some perspective for multiple teams.

 

Williamsville North vs. Batavia - 3:00 pm

- Led by a freshman point guard in Sterling Taplin, the Spartans future looks bright.  They face a Batavia team that has advanced to Glens Falls for the state final four in two separate classes the past two seasons.  Led by all-state guard Andrew Hoy and legendary coach Buddy Brasky, the Blue Devils are always a top team.  Williamsville North will face tough competition all season in league and the postseason, and getting a win here would be momentum builder moving forward.

 

Canisius vs. Williamsville South - 5:00 pm

- This one just might wind up being the best game of the nine played.  Both teams are very highly regarded in the large school ranks, and what better way to sort out which one should be slotted higher than to pair them up on a neutral court.  Last season, the two teams got together at the ECIC/MMAA Challenge, with Canisius coming away with a 68-64 win.  The Billies were without Mark Coppola in that game, and he's the only impact player that graduated.  This year, the game should be equally close and entertaining, and the outcome will likely hang in the balance until the final seconds.

 

East Aurora vs. Niagara Catholic - 6:30 pm

- Joe Lowery returns to his old high school with his new team, the Patriots.  Niagara Catholic opened the year by winning the A. Leslie Lawrence Tournament.  They face an East Aurora team with new coach Chris Koselny, who will look to get the most out of his club.  Last year at the Classic, the Blue Devils had a strong showing in a win over Medina.  East Aurora is led by Jameson Arnold.

 

Niagara Falls vs. Aquinas - 8:00 pm

- The final game of the Classic pits the Falls up against a team many feel will represent Section V from Class A in the Far West Regionals.  The Little Irish rolled St. Francis to start their season behind the strong play of Phil Valenti.  Niagara Falls will present a much tougher matchup with the imposing front court of Jordan Street, Jermaine Crumpton, and Marcus Feagin.  I'd be willing to bet that Willaimsville South hangs around for this game, just in case they see Aquinas down the road.

 

** I'll be courtside for the games and providing updates for all of them throughout.  If you can't make it out to Porter Road for any of the nine games, check here for the latest.

 

-centercourt

Random Smatterings - Week 1

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

-centercourt

Predictions from the past

At the end of the season previews, I like to make some predictions.  Today I thought we'd look back at the predictions from the 2009-2010 preview.

 

My 2009-10 Preseason large school poll

1. Nichols; 2. NFHS; 3. Jamestown; 4. Sweet Home; 5. Williamsville South; 6. East; 7. St. Joe’s; 8. Canisius; 9. McKinley; 10. Maryvale.

They finished

1. Nichols 2. Williamsville South 3. Jamestown 4. Canisius 5. East 6. Timon 7. Clarence 8. NT 9. OP 1o. Sweet Home/Maryvale

My 2009-10 Preseason small school poll

1. Olean; 2. Middle College; 3. St. Mary’s; 4. Grover; 5. Depew; 6. Akron; 7. Allegany-Limestone; 8. Maple Grove; 9. Medina; 10. Wilson.

They finished

1. OTC Middle College 2. Olean 3. Maple Grove 4. St. Mary's 5. Depew 6. Grover 7. Akron 8. Lackawanna 9. Wilson 10. Cleveland Hill

 

 Predicted 2009-10 League Champs

MMAA – Nichols, Yale Cup – East, ECIC I – Jamestown, ECIC II – Williamsville South, ECIC III – Maryvale, ECIC IV – Lackawanna, NFL – Niagara Falls, N-O – Wilson, CCAA I – Olean, CCAA II East – Randolph, CCAA II West – Cassadaga Valley, CCAA III East – Hinsdale, CCAA III West – Brocton.

Actual 2009-10 League Champs

MMAA - Nichols, Yale Cup - OTC Middle College, ECIC I - Orchard Park, ECIC II - Williamsville South, ECIC III - Maryvale, ECIC IV - Lackawanna, NFL - Niagara Falls/North Tonawanda, N-O - Wilson, CCAA I - Olean, CCAA II East - Randolph/Portville, CCAA II West - Cassadaga Valley, CCAA III East - Ellicottville, CCAA III West - Sherman

 

Predicted 2009-10 Sectional Champs

AA – Niagara Falls, A1 – Williamsville South, A2 – East, B1 – Olean, B2 – Wilson, C – Middle College, D – Maple Grove

Actual 2009-10 Sectional Champs

AA - Jamestown,  A1 - Williamsville South,  A2 - East,  B1 - Olean, B2 - Akron, C - OTC Middle College, D - Maple Grove

 

Other Predictions from 2009-10

** Nichols will play in the Class A Federation championship game.

( They not only played in the game, they won it! I should have been more bold. )

 

** Middle College won’t win its own league, but will still win a state title in Class C.

( Middle College DID win its own league, and the Class C state title )

 

** Three other schools, St. Mary’s, Olean and Maple Grove, will win state titles, meaning Olean and St. Mary’s will meet in the Class B Federation Championship.

( With Alex Moore sidelined, Olean lost in the FWR to Batavia. Maple Grove and St. Mary's did win titles, although the Lancers fell a game short of the Class B Federation. )

 

** Regan will repeat as News POY.

( Yes, and only the sixth player ever to do so )

 

** Justin Stokes will be named NYS Class C POY.

( Actually teammate Darale Young took the honor, but Stokes had to have been the runner-up )

 

** Chris Secky will be named NYS Class D POY.

( Yes )

 

 

The 2010-2011 preview is out

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

-centercourt