The 2011 All-Centercourt Team: The Best in WNY

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centercourt

TML –
To throw out a blanket statement that those numbers were put up against inferior competition is a total cop out, something I’d expect from some random moniker…but come on, you’re better than that.
Those players had teammates that were from the same demographic as their competition, just as players in large school leagues do, so it’s really all relative. Swap Street out for Moxham on Wilson, and he no longer has Williams, Wilkes, Feagin, and Crumpton on his team. Should we just disqualify small school players from consideration or do you have numbers in mind that you consider impressive?
No one is taking anything away from a guy like Phil Stasiak, who played two games against Hamburg, Starpoint, Iroquois, and West Seneca East with one of the best large schools in WNY. Bomasuto’s 47 points were against the same Buffalo Arts team that I-Prep and OTC played twice. I know you’re not questioning the inferior competition those teams faced (Emerson, Arts, Olmsted, Seneca, and City Honors twice).
Pierce had 18 & 12 against St. Mary’s, 22 & 14 against North, and 24 & 12 against St. Francis. I already gave you Moxham’s numbers against St. Mary’s.
Both Newfane and Wilson scheduled one small school (St. Mary’s) and three large schools in nonleague. They had to play each other twice and CSAT twice (who beat City Honors and battled with Cass Valley in the semis). Barker was no slouch this year. The rest of the league wasn’t exactly a meat grinder, but neither is Falls playing NT and Grand Island twice, or Joe’s playing Niagara Catholic, Cardinal O’Hara, Nichols, and Walsh.
Lew-Port finished tied with Niagara Wheatfield for third in the NFL this year after splitting with them. They beat Wilson in a game that the Lakemen led for three plus quarters and twice missed a 3-pointer in the final minute to tie the game. If anything, by comparison, Falls plays an easier league schedule than Wilson and Newfane.
If you want to say we have different philosophies on this and that yours is less about the best season and more about talent, that’s fine. But throwing out a statement about playing inferior competition is a short-sighted argument, especially when you put things in perspective.

TML1000

I suppose that is more of a debate amongst the leagues and strength of teams. I was down South’s schedule all year, as well.
Yes, when I chose my teams, I am more heavy on “talent” and who I feel is the best basketball player, rather than who had the best season. I know Moxham and Pierce are fine basketball players, I just think Street and Agbeko are better. My point of most contention is regarding Bomasuto. To me, his numbers were purely a product of the system his coach ran. That is, running over inferior teams by 40 and 50 points. I’m not complaining about the blow outs, I was one of the people saying that they are fine, but those numbers are so skewed it’s bordering on ridiculous. He’s a great athlete, but so are many of the kids on the list. Just because he benefited from his team blowing out so many others, shouldn’t mean he is a top 20 player. Maybe if Dunkirk backed it up with ANY quality wins, but they didn’t, especially when it counted.
I am questioning the lack of good teams amongst the small schools. Sure, I-Prep played some poor teams, as well, but is anyone arguing with the fact that Holland should be on the first team? To me, after the top seven or so players, it was very close to call. In that instance, I broke it down into who I felt was the best basketball player and went down the list. I can not personally justify placing any member of your fourth team, besides Bova who I did not see, ahead of Street and Agbeko. If that is short-sighted, then so be it.

TML1000

In regards to Licata…any manner in which I could argue against his position on the fourth team, the counter-argument that he was just such an elite shooter can be made. Yes, he was an elite shooter, mostly when he was open, but the fact that teams couldn’t seem to find him on the floor is another question for a different post. Again, I just feel the players I mentioned that you have ranked below him are better, more balanced, basketball players.

Devils

Centercourt – you tend to consistently act like your facts are always correct – but I have to tell you Funk was the heart and soul of Clarence. He was their leading scorer and rebounder. I am not even sure you even saw him play other than early in the season. Really disapointing that you state these things as facts and you are completely incorrect. I think when you talk about stats etc.. you should contact the coaches for them. I am sure Coach B would have given you the correct information. For you to say he was not a dominent player in the post is outrageous – you have lost a lot of clout with a lot of people with the comments you make as the writer of this blog. You are the typical inexperienced frustrated athelte by the way you make decisions on these players.

Here’s a link to a small article. 1- O’Hara leading scorer Mark Cerza is transferring to St. Joe’s and 2- M.I.G. rumor about Stan Wier going to Canisius. St Joe’s or any catholic school for that matter is formally dead in the water.
http://www.buffalosportsdaily.com/h-s-hoops-cerza-transferring-to-st-joes/

Andrew Webster

Devils,
Centercourt watches more high school games than any other person in all of WNY. I’m 100 percent certain of that. That’s why he’s so qualified to run this blog. I’m sure he saw Funk later in the season, but even if he didn’t I can guarantee he talked to several qualified people that did. I understand “sour grapes” but you just gotta get over it sometimes. Picking the top 60 best players or seasons in all of WNY is a very difficult proposition and no matter who does it, some people are going to have some complaints. You can never make everyone happy.

Dan

Centercourt,
Please don’t dignify “Devils” with a response. Whether or not I agree the things you write, you always present your opinions tactfully, offer a reason for your opinions and have done a great service to area basketball fans by providing additional coverage. I felt Funk should have been higher, but the poiints you bring up are valid.
Whether Tyler or David was the leading scorer at Clarence this year, both are very good players and young men and the comments and personal attack from “Devils” are classless and shouldn’t be viewed as a reflection of the parents and community of Clarence.

Darrin

I was at the Pal/ACE game last night and proud of the fact that I not only had one but two sons in the game. I like to thank Sal and his crew for giving them the chance to play. Thanks again!

guest

St. Joes got kelly 2 yrs ago, Agebeko last season,Cerza this season and supposedly Agebeko cousin is coming for next season. They are becoming the Yankees of HS hoops .who needs a farm team? or a jv team? lol

Nichols

How dare you! We are the Yankees of highschool basketball.

Tripp

While we are making comparisons: Wilkins, Edwards, Grandits, Ferguson and Funk could be the All WNY….VCU team…we are working with very close margins here!

McShea is God

Man been a long time since I have been on here! Glad 2 c C Court-TML battle. Still doesn’t compare 2 me vs that Moran guy who felt he was important enough 2 put out an All WNY team. Because something called the ‘Buffalo Sports Daily’ puts that out doesn’t mean it’s true.
It might b, cause I just made all the Weir stuff up 2 generate comments. I really have no idea! The other 1 was the real thing but I threw Weir in there cause I thought it would make it more fun. I still hope he comes back. I’ll lay some cash down if I have 2. 50/50 with Hoopster!
Final 4 was a blast. Houston VERY spread out. We must have spent 200 bucks on cabs. Should have got a car. Dumb. Most Final 4’s u can walk everywhere. If u look back I got the 2 teams I wanted in the final, but really my heart was pulling 4 Butler. 18%? My God I still can’t belive it. Been 2 9 Championship games now and that was the WORST! 2 many Mexican’s in Houston! Ha! Don’t pull CC – no Mexican’s reading this. Got pictures with Jimmer, Dicky V, Jay Bilas and Steve Kerr at Del Frisco’s!
No more games 4 me until the Cuse or Niagara opener in November. If I’m still alive.
Look 4ward 2 seeing if I guess the First Team correct 4 the FIFTH year in a row on Saturday. I could b wrong, we shall c. The REAL All WNY team. Not CC’s (no offense sir), that Moran guy, TML, Anthony Johnson, whoever! Like the name says, McShea is God.

M.I.G. — Sometimes I wonder if you’re moniker is for fun, or if you have a legitimate obsession going on.
For the record, I did not have an All-WNY team, I had an All-BSD team(s. And considering I saw more than enough games, talked to more than enough people and conversed with more than enough coaches, I’m qualified to put my version of a team out. Maybe you don’t know, but you should. Buffalo Sports Daily is a popular sports website in Buffalo that covers sports in Buffalo, and that’s not just high school sports.
Besides, I find it hard for myself to have defend any credibility to a guy who just admitted he openly lied to generate a rumor for the sole purpose of getting attention and the purpose of people leaving comments.

centercourt

Jack Herlan will be moving from varsity assistant to head JV coach at St. Joe’s next season. Congratulations to him and Lord have mercy on those poor JV officials!

jackherlan

Hey, I love ALL officials.

MMA

MIG, Its so great to have you back because this place is never as controvesial without all of you 🙂 I like how you try to keep the mystery up about the team you spilled weeks ago, but everyone Ive talked to is well aware that your team was right and that Aaron Nevins made the team over Connor Rehbaum. The problem with keeping that stuff all hush hush is the 1st team guys and girls get their own photo shoot and word gets out very quickly.

Team

MIG you just proved you are a clown and have no credibility on this or any message board. You lied about Weir to generate interest? You will NEVER be taken seriously here again. Looks like you learned Weir to Canisius is not happening so you came up with the story “I really knew he wasn’t going all along”. You’d rather do this than claim you were wrong. What a joke. Everyone that reads this board is laughing at you. There is no doubt that Patrick Moran is more reputable than you if for no other reason then, he writes his real name on his posts.

guest

Is Jack in charge of recruiting or development at Joes

Centercourt is God

Someone started a rumor on a message board? Ohhhhh nooooooo! Wah, wah, wah. MIG is the best thing to happen to this blog since the C in CIG gave berth to it.
Someone criticized the C in CIG over the Clarence stuff and people are all wah-wah-wah about that too. The Clarence Devil Dog had some good points, even got an and-one on one of them. C can take it, or else my name wouldn’t be CIG.
Can’t wait til tomorrow. Can’t wait to see if this first team up in here is the first team up in the paper. It’s like Xmas and the Hannakauh and the Kwanza all together except I gotta make sure I get to the corner store quicker than most so I can buy three copies of All-WNY. If there’s not three I have to head to a Wilson Farms where the clerk is so ugly I don’t even like to buy emergency milk there. Gotta buy three. One to use, one to save, and one to give away to someone down the road because that’s how I rolls.
C-I-G is O-U-T.

jackherlan

Guest,
We are all in charge of doing right by our student-athletes. And they ARE STUDENT-athletes. We teach life lessons as well as improving their athletic skills. And that is why the transfers in the last couple of years have COME TO US. We don’t have to go out and look for transfers. 🙂

MMA

I think the recruiting angle gets way over played when talking about Canisius and Joes. They might look at the kids in the private schools for the middle school aged kids, but neither of those schools are recruiting public school kids to leave and play hoops for them. Nichols and St. Marys are a whole other story.

guest

Jack relax,it was just a fact,next year you could start 4 kids that never played jv or started their schooling at Joes. God bless them for coming over and Reggie could be the first D1 kid Joes has had in awhile. trivia who was last couple of scholarship kids from the big 2(joes and Canisius)basketball wise. and again just questions not accusations sorry if i worded it incorrectly

mcshea is god is a doufus

i think it naive to think that the st. joes coaching staff just sat back and watched these kids transfer to their place. there are alot of coaches in wny who teach life lessons and you dont see kids from africa and fellow mma schools transfering to their schools. bottom line is, st joes has not won a cup in a few years and is chasing canisius. the only thing for them to do is go out and recruit transfers. between agbeko, kelly, cerza and agbekos cousin they are turning into a 2 year school. i am also curious to know who st marys is recruting now?

Bill Walton

I agree Doufus – dont leave out Nichols – Mckinnon was recruiting all year !

jackherlan

That’s right guys and I have my next trip scheduled already to Brazil – the beaches are great and I heard there might be a 6’4″ point forward available for the class of 2014.
Believe what you will there is nothing I can do about that, nobody said we sat back and watched(that would be kinda dumb) but we have NEVER actively gone after any player from anywhere(another school or another country) that hasn’t contacted us first about coming to Joes.

Andrew Webster

Hey CIG,
It doesn’t shock me that you like MIG so much. After all you kind of took the main premise of his name. All those that like what MIG does on this blog, probably also frequent TMZ. All the actual WNY high school basketball fans and myself come to this blog for quality team and player reports and etc. We don’t come to hear all the crazy rumors or to see what trip MIG is taking this week. Of course it wouldn’t shock me if all the MIG supporters on the blog are actually MIG himself since I know he likes to do that. Anyhow I appreciate the people on this blog who actually provide quality input such as Patrick Moran, TML, Jack Herlan, Hoopster, etc.

Lucky13

hoopster is a big supporter of MiG and so is CC,for the most part.
Not making any judgement about that one way or the other,only saying that:
Andrew, you are apparently unaware of that.

Andrew Webster

No I’m very aware of CC’s support for MIG. I don’t know Hoopster personally so I cannot vouch for that. But in the end I’m just really speaking for myself.

Centercourt is God

I hate TMZ. So there.
C-I-G is O-U-T.
Whoops. No I’m not. No I didn’t. Hard to fucus when stumbling in after last call. At least it’s not cold anymore
An All-WNY video is up at snooze.com. It seems pretty cool but I can’t see too clearly (don’t worry MIG, I didn’t drive, got my girl to)
First team is what MIG said it would be, fist bump to him. I’m not opposed. I thoug@@@lSHGS. xxy r -T-C-I

Wayne Rooney

Cerza is leaving O’Hara where his dad is the JV coach and where his brother goes. This nothing but a baskteball decision for him. Kelly is at St. Joe’s for football. His playing basketball is a bonus for the school. Rumor has it he was having some problems back in PA. Some missionies must have seen Agebeko shooting hoops back in his villiage in Africa and did the good Christian thing to brought him to the US and St. Joe’s.
The point is Nichols, St. Joe’s, St. Francis, Canisius, St. Mary’s and Cheat Home all recruit players to come to school for athletics. The sad part is the education you get those schools isn’t much better then it would be a public school. It is all about wins and losses. MMA sucks. You will never get in Section VI
TML: Props for your support of the NFL and especially Ken West. Did you like my goal against Chelski last Wednesday? Glory Glory Man United

GOMPAHS

To all those pushing the misinformation of Reggie Agbeko’s enrollment at St. Joes. This is to set the record straight. Reggie is a member of the Gompah family; He is a cousin to some and a nephew to others; We are a family of African origin and have lived in the USA for 30 years and somes members have resided in Buffalo area for the last 20 years. We are also a big basketball family that have several members that are currently and have competed on division 1 and 2 levels; A little over a year ago, some members of our family decided to bring Reggie and another cousin/nephew Saykan Bestman to the US to study and play basketball. We utilized the expertise of a good family friend, Jack Whitehead of Runhouse to get it all together and looked into a variety of schools locally and on the prep school circuit and eventually made the decision that they would be better served attending school close to us. Most of our Buffalo area family members live in North Buffalo and Amherst. St. Joes was in a prime location for us; It also had a strong academic and athletic background. We contacted St. Joes and they worked with us to make it happen. Reggie has enjoyed his stay at St. Joes and so have we. Reggie is preparing for his senior season and Saykan should be arriving shortly. Reggie is a very good student who happens to have talent for basketball; He is also not from a village in Africa, he is from a metropolitan area 3 to 4 times the size of Buffalo and speaks multiple languages including English which he speaks grammatically better than most. Lastly, he did not arrive in Western New York based on mercy of missionaries anywhere. Coach Simon, Coach Herlan and the remainder of the coaching staff have done a pretty good job with a kid that has only been playing for 5 years and has only been playing competitively for 2 years and has only competed in 47 organized games.
Regards,
The Gompah Family

mark simon

you guys are beautiful.. none of you outside of jack have a clue as to why Cerza is now at St joe’s or why reggie’s north buffalo family and the kelly family picked st joes.but as jack said we surely did not recruit them..they all picked st joes as the best place for them

mark simon

Thnak you to the Gompah family for setting the record straight..

centercourt

A forum such as this will always have some “beautiful” people coming on it to show off the adverse side effects of the bitter pill they swallowed, and they are free to do that. However, those who know the real story also have the same access to this forum, so thank you to both the Gompah family and Mark Simon for taking the time to respectfully share that information.

Wayne Rooney

CC
I am not a bitter person. I am sick and tired of people like Keith McShea and Patrick Moran constantly telling us how great the MMA is. Granted St. Joe’s and Canisius and maybe Timon were very good basketball teams this season. The rest of MMA wasn’t that good. I saw O’Hara play and they stunk. Yale Cup, NFL, and ECIC I were better leagues top to bottom. The problem is that public schools depend on the students that live in the district to play on their teams. If you don’t have any athletes then your team won’t be good. How many good middle school players don’t make it to Frontier or Ken West because they are “talked into” attending a private school. It may not be by Coach Simon but someone is telling these kids that if they want to get the most exposure it would be at a MMA school.
I respect Reggie’s family for brining him to the US to better his education. But I think City Honors,Park, or Nichols would have been a better choice educationally. St. Joe’s is no better educationally than a public school. The difference is when you don’t make the grade at Joe’s you get asked to leave. You can’t do that in a public school.

Wayne,
While I have a lot of respect for MMA and enjoyed covering the league this year, I never said it was the best league in WNY, and if you’re saying I said that you are misquoting me.
For the record, top to bottom the Yale Cup was easily the best in WNY this year.
As far as kids attending MMA schools, the reality is it’s often a better opportunity. I know it’s not a popular thing to say and certainly there are exceptions, but for the most part a kid is going to get a better education and have a chance to get into a better college attending Timon instead of South Park, or Canisius instead of East, or St. Joe’s instead of Riverside… That’s just the way it is.
I know there is some “under the table” recruiting that goes on, especially at Catholic schools and I’m not a fan of it, but at the same token I’ll say openly that having a growing son if he was a great athlete and had an opportunity to go play at St. Francis (I live in Hamburg) instead of Frontier, that’s where he’s going.

sal

Interesting banter, more importantly The Mark Williams Memorial tourney is accepting teams boys and girls grade divisions are 5/6-7/8-9/10 and 11/12. entry Fee is $175 apr 29-may 1each team guaranteed atleast 2 games for more info. contact Niagara PAL office at 716-286-7038. Adding to topic it only makes the NFHS 2005 nationally ranked team more amazing all the kids lived in a 5 mile radius,no transfers. Hasn’t the top school in WNY been a public school every year anyway?

sal

Sorry divisions are grades 5th and 6th,grades 7th and 8th,grades 9th and 10th and grades 11th and 12th for boys and girls

Sal, Nichols was #1 last year.

TML1000

What’s better about Frannies than Frontier?

sal

sorry Pat, I was on girls side. I stand corrected

sal

BTW, they had 2 transfers-lol ,kidding

TML, nothing I suppose.. I must think that overall a Catholic school education is better and affords more college opportunities, but that’s just me, and not in all cases either. There are plenty of reputable good public schools.

jackherlan