Hoops Festival tryouts

With Empire State Games no longer existing, the BCANY (Basketball Coaches Association of New York State) has come up with an alternative for Boys and Girls HS basketball players. BCANY will be hosting a "Hoops Festival" on August 5th – 7th in Johnson City (Binghamton area). There are a few changes from the old Empire Games format. Most importantly, Buffalo will now have it's own team. So will Rochester – in fact there will be eight separate regions instead of six, so more kids will be able to be involved.

Players returning to high school next year are eligible – no longer by age. Coaches need to be BCANY members, so if you are not, your players would not be eligible, so please become members for your kids sake.

Buffalo area tryouts will be Monday June 6th & Thursday June 9th at St. Mary's HS (142 Laverack Ave. in Lancaster) from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Practice will be less time extensive than it was for Empires.

There should be a good response from college coaches that will be able to see 80 of the best New York State kids play together in one setting. Please spread the word quickly to anyone that may not have heard about this opportunity for the kids.

Call 585-746-8327 if you have more questions.

-centercourt

126 responses to “Hoops Festival tryouts”

guest

June 10, 2011

who is left

McShea is God

June 12, 2011

Was cool 2 c Dallas ‘brought their talents 2 South Beach’….WHAT a series! Very happy Dallas won, very deserving. NOW – basketball is finally over. Except the draft I guess. Every1 enjoy your Summer, even Patrick. CC c u at Selena Gomez! Ha!

Patrick Moran

June 13, 2011

I’m not sure of all the participants, but the Buffalo squad is having the conclusion of their tryouts stage this coming Thursday. They cut down the field to 17 players to compete for 10 roster spots.

joe michalics = bruce pearl

June 14, 2011

can pat moran explain why a timon coach was at a meaningless summer league game tonight when their team was not even playing? oh wait…another instance of recruiting in the catholic league!

Patrick Moran

June 14, 2011

Joe,
What Timon coach are you referring to? Head coach Jim Palano? Palano was with his summer league Timon team coaching them today in Lancaster, as they faced the Williamsville South squad, which was coached by Al Monaco today. I know this for fact because– I was there myself today watching the teams play.
So I’m not quite sure what you’re getting at?

Coach O’Bryan

June 15, 2011

Anyone interested were having a team camp this weekend at Daemen College and Park High School. We have 16 teams with games running from 5pm-9pm on friday and 8am-9pm on saturday at both gyms. Niagara Falls, Will South, Maryvale, St. Joes, St. Marys, Niagara Wheatfield, Batavia, Sweet Home, Clarence, Wilson, GI, NT, Tonawanda, Amherst, Will North, and Iroquois are the teams involved. Should be fun and competitive weekend of hoops. Admission is $5 which is good for entire tourney.

GUEST

June 17, 2011

ANY WORD ON WHO MADE THE TEAM I HEAR IT HAS A MONSIGNOR MARTIN FLAVOR

Patrick Moran

June 19, 2011

I don’t know the whole roster yet, but I do know Matt Hart (Canisius), Reggie Agbeko (St. Joe’s), Sterling Taplin (Will North), Jordan Williams (Timon) and Jamaal Carter (City Honors) have made the team.

guest

June 19, 2011

adam weir and stan weir also

Patrick Moran

June 19, 2011

From what I understand (and I will have the full roster tomorrow) the team is basically Reggie and a bunch of guards. They’ll certainly be entertaining to watch, but don’t see how they can compete in the paint against some of the best returning high school kids in New York State.

coach

June 20, 2011

I believe the the other nine would take strong exception to your “bunch of guards” comment. They are great kids committed to the game all of whom will play at the next level. You can expect them to put heavy pressure on the ball, play solid help defense and shoot it and handle it well. A formula for success no matter what your size.

Patrick Moran

June 20, 2011

You are preaching to the choir on that topic, coach. I’ve covered all these kids over the past few years and there’s a ton of talent on the team for sure, especially on the perimiter and defensively.
And you’re dealt the hand you get, but in a tournament against the best kids in the state you can’t discount a lack of size.
I’ll be covering—-and very secretly rooting–for the Buffalo team.

Patrick Moran

June 20, 2011

For what its worth, here is the complete Buffalo Roster. There are 10 kids who made it, and four alternates..
Reggie Agbeko St. Joes
Stan Wier East Aurora
Sterling Taplin Wl. North
Ryan Whelpley Olean Walsh
Matthew Hart Canisius
Aaron Frasier Seneca
Aaron White Canisius
Jamaal Carter City Honors
Adam Weir Canisius
Jordan Williams Timon
ALTERNATES;
Matt McDonald Canisius
Demone Harris Timon
Kyle Kobis Timon
Derrick Sekuterski Depew
Coaches
Head Coach – Larry Jones Depew
Assistants – Mike Haskell (retired-Pioneer)
Mike Berkun – Medaille
(I’m sure you’ll find it interesting that Stan Wier is listed as East Aurora.. Looks like he’s going back there for his senior year, though that’s certainly not official.

coach

June 20, 2011

This team not as small as it appears. Both Weirs play well inside at both ends of the floor in addition to three point threats. Whelpley also very tough and plays bigger because he jumps so well. If these guys give Reggie help on the boards they will run and gun with the best. Hart and Taplin nice combo guards that can play point or two, they both can shoot the three and get to the rim and like to create as well. Williams certainly athletic as well and nice shooter. White, Frasier and Carter all handle the ball well and can put pressure on the ball defensively. Good AAU competition and a half year of growth have moved all of these guys up a quite a bit from when they were last seen. Folks will be pleasantly surprised.

guest

June 20, 2011

weir is not going to east aurora he is headed back to indiana and this is probably the best of the group that came out good players no superstar

the miz

June 20, 2011

I hear that there are varsity coaching vacancies at Lancaster, Alden and O’Hara. Can anyone confirm?

Division1

June 21, 2011

Have from credible source that Reggie Agbeko was offered a full basketball scholarship to Robert Morris this week and St.Peters, Temple, and Nebraska are next in line to do the same.

guest

June 22, 2011

Robert morris is a good level for him, i dont think he can play at other places

Division1

June 22, 2011

Guest, its good to know that Reggie’s future college plans don’t depend on you. Several high majors have been impressed enough to say they will wait and see how he finishes up the AAU circuit at the ESPN Rise Super 60 Showcase before they make a decision one way or the other. I guess your premature assessment must have value.

guest

June 22, 2011

i wish him the best, but time will tell hate to see him try and go to big and not play. 6″5 in wny dominates but not at the college level. hope he has a good yr. he is in good hands at st joes hopes he listens more to simon than aau guys. not sure what espn event is help me out

Division1

June 22, 2011

Guest you are right HATE is the subject in your outlook on Reggie. I guess as with anything we will have to wait and see.

Roundman

June 22, 2011

I like this team I think speed and good ball control can make up for any lack of size that might be missing .tough defense and fast beaks will tire out the big men layer in the game.this team has alot of offense.should be a great team to watch

Division1

June 22, 2011

I like the players individually on this team, but must say i am very puzzled by the lack of size on this team. Teams from NYC and Long Island won’t be all that big. But will be on average 6’7″ to 6’9″ on frontline and much more athletic than Buffalo. The guards should also be bigger and more athletic. I will be pleasantly surprised to see Buffalo finish 4th. I suspect 5th to 7th.

guest

June 23, 2011

Hate? Don’t know reggie never talked to him, times I have seen him handled himself well. Seems like a very nice kid. Just my opinion which while I respect yours i don’t agree with(nothing personal). Hate to see the kid choose a school like alot of kids only because its “biggest” to recruit him rather than place he can play. Again hope he listens to Mark Simon,he will be in good hands. Not a fan of AAU teams he is with

guest

June 23, 2011

As far as Hoop Festival, I like wny chances these games are more like all star games and guards control those games, I hear they will have only 3 practices so this should be a run and gun style event. Guards are the key

Roundman

June 23, 2011

I agree with guest about guards controlling the game.a fast offense along with a swarming trapping defense should help and even be an advantage against the big men on other teams. There is a lot of speed and scorers on this team all subs will be equally as fast and can also score

Patrick Moran

June 23, 2011

Win or lose, watch how good Sterling Taplin will be with plenty of talent around him.

GusMackerFanatic

June 25, 2011

As a high school hoops fan I hope all of the most talented players in the area have an opportunity to play at the college level. However, for the 19 year old seniors on the western roster it almost seems as if anything short of a Division 1 scholarship offer will be coming up short.
Is receiving a D1 scholarship good enough, or does a kid have to play immediately? What if a player has to wait a few years to get on the court? Is the desire to recieve a D1 scholarship about playing time? Or is it just being known as someone who has earned a D1 scholarship?
If the goal is to play immediately, then D3 schools who compete and often qualify for the National Championship Tounament should be considered when they come calling, and they will come calling. The quality of the education at these institutions combined with some very attractive financial packages can make the decision to attend the best overall value, when considering the impact the decision will have on whoever the player given the choice to make may me.
The overall skill set of big men in this area often comes up short, and catching up is a lomg difficult road when you have not settled into the posistion you are most likely to play at the D1 college level.
Long story short consider all options.

Patrick Moran

June 29, 2011

While it hardly qualifies as breaking news, I think it’s worth nothing that former Nichols forward Conner Vandegriff has left Hobart College after one season.
Vandegriff averaged just 4.1 minutes per game as a freshmen last year and averaged just 0.6 rebounds and 0.9 points.
Vandegriff was a key player on Nichols’ State Federation Championship run of 2009-10.

SAL

June 30, 2011

FYI-Niagara PAL Team Camp at NFHS JULY 8-9, NFHS,Canisius,St.JOes,NWHS,Batavia,Grand island,Wilson,Holland,Jamestown and Sweet Home participating. Should be a great weekend. $2 admission fee for fans. Check it out

Roundman

July 7, 2011

I wonder how the 1st practice went looks like a tough 3 teams but I wish our team good luck I think they can run with anyone good luck guys

Division1

July 9, 2011

Congratulations to Reggie Agbeko for representing Western New York in making the Top 20 All-Star Team and being in starting lineup at the invite only 500 campers HoopGroup Elite Camp. Also for receiving offers this week from Lasalle, Temple, Iona, Texas Southern, St. Peters, Towson State, and IPFW, additionally with strong interest coming from Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, James Madison, Toledo, Delaware, Winthrop, West Virginia and so on. All of this done playing the 3 and 4 spots.

GusMackerFanatic

July 9, 2011

Great news for Reggie, It makes you wonder where St. Bonaventure, Buffalo, Canisius and Niagara are. Come on guy’s get in the hunt for our local talent.
From hoopgroup.com; Reggie Agbeko, 6’7”, St. Joseph Collegiate Institute, Buffalo, NY, 2012
Agbeko displayed great work ethic and hustle around the court. He established good position on the blocks and liked to face-up once he had possession. Agbeko used multiple moves out of the face-up, including a baseline spin move, cross-over, and jab-step. He finished through contact and, when he missed, he was active in getting the rebound and stick-back.
The question remaining for Reggie’s senior year is will the guard play get him the ball where he is most effective. We shall see.

Panthers

July 10, 2011

Agbeko’s success at this camp is no surprise to some of us who have been following his exploits on the AAU circuit this summer. By the way just as a correction, there were 757 campers at the HoopGroup Elite camp and the elite campers included some of the top high school basketball players in the country. So it was no mistake that he was successful. His level of play rises with the competition: ie.. the defeat of Niagara Falls this past season.
I can now say that St. Joes did not effectively use him last season since the position he is most effective in is the small forward-3 spot on offense and power forward on defense due to his knack for rebounding the ball.
As long as Coach Simon uses him as a center with his back to the basket he will not be effective.
The scouting reports on Agbeko from HoopGroup state that he can score at will when facing the basket and is virtually unstoppable when doing so, which explain why none of the players attending HoopGroup camp could stop him. All reliable source has told me that he averaged in the mid 20s each game.
What is noticeably different about his AAU play is his ability to shoot the ball effectively even up to the 3-pointer. It may be frightening to local players to face a 6ft 7in swingman who can put the ball on the floor against guards, lead the break, beat them on the dribble and shoot mid to long range jumpers effectively. When that shot goes in he turns into a pure shooter. Joe’s just has to he feed him the ball in the right spot, give him the green light to shoot and the whole offense will be come even more potent. He is also great at finding the open man and can prove to be a even better passer.
If all these D1s are after him like this it also means that the coaching at Joe’s must get better for next season. How are they to manage such a top D1 prospect like Agbeko if they are not exploiting his strengths? Why has the likes of Kentucky, West Virgina and other D1 programs seen this and Joe’s has not?
By the way did St. Joe’s put a hurting on Canisius today in the Niagara PAL or what? What was that final score? Last I saw it was like 47 for Joe’s and 14 for Canisius with Matt Hart and all their bigs in the lineup. Did Canisius even crack 20 points at all? Joe’s looked really good! Who is that new guard playing alongside Jordan on Joes? He is very good…looking forward to next season.

coach

July 10, 2011

That was a nice win by SJCI in the July Manhattan Cup. Hart was playing on half an ankle and the other 4 CHS starters were at at AAU Tourney in Pitt. The game was a meaningless affair. CHS will be there waiting for SJCI in March.

GusMackerFanatic

July 10, 2011

The victory vs. the Falls was a team effort with great contribution from the bench in addition to Joe’s normal “go to guy’s”. There was not one player that carried the load in that game.
Another opportunity for a championship is certainly in reach, as long as the talent surrounding the big man can adjust to their roles as starters at presumably the 4 and 5 positions. An upgrade at the point guard position will be noticeable with Glover and Oliveri as they will bring a quickness and scoring ability that has been missing since the last Manhattan Cup championship.
If Reggie is still the most effective low block player on the team should the coaching staff really sacrifice what is best for the team to develop the swingmans skills for the next level?
The motion offense is what the coaches run. It will be interesting to see if that offensive set is scrapped to get Reggie the touches needed as the 3 to take a game over on his own.

sam

July 10, 2011

Reggie must have really improved since March. He looked like a D2 or 3 player last year and maybe with a year of improvement he might become a low D1 like an Iona.

Division 1

July 10, 2011

Those of us that have been privy to Reggie’s workouts know that he can do almost anything you ask a player to do. He has exceptional skill set in that he can handle, pass,rebound, defend, shoot all the way out beyond 3 point range, has a midrange game off the faceup, and a high and low post game. He did what was asked of him by St. Joes last season, which was to rebound and play the low post. He gives you what you ask of him as a player. He averaged almost 26 ppg and 14 rpg at HoopGroup matched up against top 100 small forwards, power forwards and centers; He did it from the wing, at the high and low post. He hit a couple of 3s during the week; Most of 250+ coaches in attendance came away saying he was simply unstoppable against players mostly headed to the Big East, ACC and SEC.
Players on the top 20 all-star team included: Jordan Dickerson 7’1″
Isaiah Miles 6’7″
Myles Davis 6’3″
Tobe Okafor 7’0″
Terry Tarpey 6’5″
Quenton Decosey 6’5″
Malik Nichols 6’6″
Eric Fanning 6’4″
Davon Reed 6’4″
Reggie Agbeko 6’7″
Patrick Holloway 6’2″
Chris Ortiz 6’7″
Chris McCollough 6’9″
Melvin Johnson 6’3″
Terrence Bobb-Jones 6’4″
Marcus Gilbert 6’6″
Stanford Robinson 6’4″
Joe McDonald 6’1″
Jamal Richards 6’5″
Obviously he has improved considerably since October, but what he did at HoopGroup is what he has done throughout AAU, thus is the reason he is playing with elite AAU team Rhode Island Breakers in ESPN Rise Super 60 Showcase. Most D1s that are currently recruiting him are doing so with the belief that he will be there primary scorer at 3,4 positions.

sam

July 10, 2011

You shouldn’t be hyping him like you do since you’re in the “know”. Let him play and improve and like Marv Levy like to say let his actions speak so loudly that they can’t hear you speak.
Sounds like he’ll have some nice opportunities after his senior year. Good for him!

Panthers

July 11, 2011

Division 1…Thanks for the info on Reggie. It is very positive to know one of our own kids from Buffalo is making such waves. I have been trying to follow him since I starting watching him in AAU this summer. It is clear he has improved quite a bit. Your information on him is needed to show us how easy it is for us to overlook the local kids like Canisius, UB, Niagara, and St. Bonnies have with Reggie. Now they must be prepared to see this talent play elsewhere.
St. Joes will have a very strong season and we are all looking forward to seeing the “Ashanti Assassin” at the highest level. This will encourage other kids here to work hard as he has been doing since the season ended. His family must be proud of his accomplishments this summer.
Can anyone confirm that Gonzaga is recruiting him? Just heard that from a reliable source. Thanks.

Division1

July 11, 2011

Sam I am not hyping Reggie up because I am in the know; I said what I said because on this very forum many have said he is not very skilled, he is only a rebounder, he can’t play the wing, he is at most a low d1 player, he wasn’t the first option on Joes, he was a nonfactor in monsignor martin championship even though it was well known he had a severely sprained ankle, he has only had some success around here because he is taller than most he was matched up against, he was an honorable mention all wny, the list goes on; even you said he looked like a d2 or 3 player in march. Do you really believe a players game can progress that far in just a couple months???…… I have simply tried to set the record straight. BTW, it is true Gonzaga has jumped on the recruitment of Reggie and coaching staff have gone on record as saying most coaches either had him as best player in camp or best player at combo forward position…thus the reason he was able to come from nowhere to making top 20 all-star team

Use Ya Left

July 11, 2011

While on the subject of camps, Olean High’s Sam Eckstrom (6-7, sophomore in 2011-12) was named a Top 40 camp all-star at Hoop Mountain New England/NY’s Super Week II in Massachusetts.
Eckstrom (honorable mention All-WNY as a freshman) was his camp team’s leading scorer and matched up well against an Iowa State recruit, other older big men.
At team camp at Robert Morris U. last month, he dominated 6-10 kid from Pittsburgh (senior this fall) who has offers from Temple, St. Joe’s, Dayton, others.

SAL

July 11, 2011

saw this kid at PAL/ACE game i really liked him he has alot of potential

sam

July 11, 2011

You’ve gone overboard in trying to set the record straight and haven’t done Reggie any favors. Based on your reporting we should expect Duke, Carolina, Kentucky and Syracuse to battle it out for his services and for Reggie to score 25 and have 15 rebounds a game next year while leading St. Joe’s to a federation championship. At the same time we should believe that Mark Simon and Jack Herlan haven’t a clue and have retarded Reggie’s development. Those are all lofty expectations, which only a Jonny Flynn or Paul Harris could possibly meet, setting Reggie up for failure next year based on the hype. Reminds me of the Maple Grove fans who were saying that Chris Secky was being recruited heavily by Syracuse only later deciding to go to Lemoyne a middle tied D2 school. In my opinion Chris was one of the best WNY high school players in the last 10 years. Reggie isn’t even close based on what I saw last year. It remains to be seen if the upcoming season will justify the hype. Better to under promise and over perform than over promise and under perform.
Looking forward to seeing Eckstrom. Have heard people say he’ll be the next big thing in local high school hoops.

Division 1

July 11, 2011

That is interesting, because i have never stated in any posting here or anywhere else that Mark Simon and Jack Herlan did not know how to coach Reggie or retarded Reggie’s development. As a matter of fact they have done a very good job with Reggie. Last season’s St. Joes had alot of pieces and upperclassmen; They won as a team,and as a team you come in and do what is asked of you as an individual whether that means simply being asked to defend, or be a spot up shooter, come off bench or whatever. Reggie had a good year and helped in the manner he was asked to contribute. Sorry buddy, i am not a believer in breaking the system to make a player shine. “The cream rises to the top”, if you can play it will show on its own. If stating my opinion that Reggie is more skilled up than some on here have given him credit for is hyping him up and setting him up for failure, than you have missed the point of what this forum is all about. People come on here do the same everyday, so maybe forget who the player is pay attention to the content. I do also think Eckstrom from Olean is going to be the real deal or maybe i shouldn’t say that because I might be setting him up for failure as well.

sam

July 11, 2011

Sorry you’re so upset. It’s a free world. Keep the hype machine going if you feel you must. Bad form imo. Just my $0.02!

GusMackerFanatic

July 11, 2011

Just curious D1, if Reggie play’s the 5 for Joe’s this upcoming season won’t that enhance his game as he further develops post up moves to go along with the perimiter skills he has developed during AAU play?

Division1

July 11, 2011

I see nothing wrong with Reggie playing the 5 for Joes. As a former player myself that competed in the Big East. I think a player is a player regardless of size. A player regardless of size should learn to handle, shoot, rebound, postup and defend on perimeter as well in the post. If your best post player is 6’2″ and that is what the team needs than that is what the player should give. With the current team I would expect him to play the 5 as it may be best for the team. No player is bigger than team and that includes Reggie.

guest

July 11, 2011

different subject, canisius team camp this weekend maybe reggie will be with st. joes and we can judge for ourselves. let me see former BE player are you jonny or paul? or damone?

Roundman

July 12, 2011

I saw Sam eckstom play in the falls pal all-star game he did look good with possible potential so did a few others in that game. I thought that age group had more possible college players than the older group a lot of talent coming up the next two years.