Manhattan Cup Playoffs

MIG…the tax/prices is a JOKE…unreal. I am just brining some prunes and a granolla bar the rest of the week. The Akron coaching staff sitting in front of me missed most of the East/Olean third quarter cause they were in line for a popcorn…
The programs were laughable(but actually there)…maybe they just really want McKinley in AA like everyone else. I’m thinking Starpoint on the cover next year.
If Feggans is impressive tonight and can somehow beat McKinley in the crossover, he might get consideration…but he was not consistent enough the whole year…he is basically playing for first team tonight. Taplin has to at least beat the Falls to get POY consideration…not going to happen though…KW could not have played any worse against North and he still only had two second half points. No way Sal allows him to beat Falls. I can see Stan getting it even if he looses tonight.

Fan at the game

I’m not sure why?? Maybe they were looking past SM to a match-up with Canisius, but i have never seen a SJ team so out of sync as the team i watched last night. They played with a lack of focus, discipline and emotion that was actually embarrassing at times. Players weren’t paying attention during timeouts,and i have to say not even the coaches showed any emotion or passion good or bad throughout the game. They ran no set offense most of the night, it was like watching a bad pick-up game on SJ part. They couldn’t catch a pass, took very bad shots and just made poor decisions all night long. It should be noted that i’m not taking anything away for SM they played a solid fundamental game, but i still think SJ lost this game more than SM won this game. Not to say one team is better than the other, and if both teams are playing up to their capabilities SM may still win the game, but it would be a much better match-up.
Still can’t get over how SJ looked last night, it has be very disappointing for Coach Simon.

PatrickMoran

Now that his career has come to an end, not as a reporter but as an Uncle, I can proudly say that my nephew, Jordan Williams was a beast for Timon last night.
He dropped 29 on Canisius, 21 in the second half and played like he’d rather die than have it be his last game. He was clearly the best player on the floor in a game filled with All-WNY & All-Catholic candidates and the maddening part for anyone who followed Timon probably wonders why in the hell the offense wasn’t more focused around him all season. I’ve told CC and any reporter within ear-reach for the last 2 years that in a different system he could’ve averaged 25 a night with his eyes closed, and last night was exactly what I’m talking about. That and his 27 point game in the win against Kearney were his highlight games this season.
Removing any opinions or “reporting” from the equation, any family member or close friend of a kid who suits it up for the final time knows how hard it could be for a senior to walk off the floor on the losing end of the final time. Proud of my boy to go out like that.

Earl Schunk

TOTALLY agree with you on that, Pat. Jordan is a great player and an extremely classy kid.

SJCI

Only a habdful of teams will walk off the floor winning their last game Pat. For the vast majority it is a lesson well learned that you need give it your all because you never know when you’ll play your last game.

Ricky

Williams can play some ball. He and Kobis were lighting it up all game. They showed me why they were my preseason pick to win the MMA. Unfortunately for them nobody else on their team came up big.

PatrickMoran

yeah, Timon has some good players and they’ve had some big games (Gibbs plenty of times, Fulton was HUGE against Walsh), but last night they came up empty.
It was literally a 5 on 2 most the night.

Coach

All anyone can ask of these boys is to give their best. Jordan and Kyle gave their team, school and opponents their absolute best when it mattered most. Other things are out of their control. The two of them should take great pride in their performance last night and their careers. Good luck to both of them.

Fan at the game

As for POY there should be no question that the honor belongs to Matt Hart of Canisius. He is by far the best all-around basketball player in WNY period. The best shooter, passer, dribbler, finisher, facilitator, leader and the best pure clutch player in WNY. He is also by far the best player at creating his own shots, which I believe is the truest test for any player. In addition, his basketball IQ on the court is second to none. None of the other candidates mentioned on this blog (Reggie, Stan W, Adam W, Taplin) have the all-around game of this young man.
Ask yourself this question, if Reggie was the same height as MH would he even be anywhere near the player MH is? The answer to that question for any intelligent, unbiased basketball person is absolutely not. Even at his current height, Reggie falls way short, in any of the basketball categories I listed above to MH.
Adam W is a very good player and a great finisher but good deal of his baskets come on lay ups set up by great passes from his teammates and the disciplined offensive system of Coach Husband. He can also hit the three, but he definitely needs unchallenged looks to do that. His current weakness I believe is that at times he plays out of control and makes poor decisions. A player who will only get better and is the unquestioned favorite for 2013 POY.
Stan W is probably the closest to MH. I know he has accomplished a lot in his career and is a tough young man with some talent, but he still is not a better shooter, finisher, passer, and I guess we will learn this week about his leadership and play in the clutch.
As for Taplin, I feel that he has peaked and in all honesty was much more productive the past two years than he has been this year. A very nice player with good skills, but again MH takes every category I mentioned above head to head.
I have to believe if everyone just took a step back to think about this taking all of your loyalties and biases out of the equation this is really an easy choice. I actually believe that the only player in WNY that come close to MH in all-around play is Kyle Kobis of Timon and he is never even mentioned.
By the way in case you’re wondering I have seen all of these young men play numerous (if not more than that) times this year, as well as over the past few years. I also don’t have any connections to any of the young men. Purely and unbiased and intelligent opinion based on the basketball skills of each of these fine young men.

Ricky

Really bud? Reggie’s game has been built around being a big man. If he wasn’t 6’8 he wouldn’t have spent his whole life practicing big man moves. That’s a horrible argument.
Reggie took a team of JV and varisty bench warmers and turned them into a great team for all but 2 weeks of the season. The average talent of his cast caught up with them. Take Hart off CHS and give them Reggie and they are a Fed contender. I’m not saying Hart isn’t great, but Reggie is an elite rebounder, strong scorer, good passer, and smart. That’s at being 6’8 tall.
Stan is undoubtedly the best scorer in WNY and took an EA team that’d probably be a laughing stock this year and made them into a contender.
Hart and Weir can play, no question, but I think the right choice is a Stan Weir/Reggie Co-POY.

Yale Cup

Ricky,
Where are you right now? If you are not @ buff st. Tonight and the next 2 nights + saturday, then you have no business commenting on this subject. I know east aurora was hard for you to get to but it seems you spend more time on here than actually @ games.

guest

I think this would be easier if everyone agreed on the same criteria for POY

Ricky

Yale Cup,
Her name is IPhone and I love her.
Tonights wins really gives Stan a strong push for POY. Wasn’t very impressed with either EA or Riverside, but EA got the W and that’s all that really matters.

Yale Cup

Ricky,
Glad you could make it. He def made some big shots. Amzing what happened when he started sharing the ball. It was ugly for awhile when he was being selfish and forcing it. Had a ton of rebounds too. Probbaly had 15 pts + 5 boards in the 4th.

Patrick Moran

Whoa Nellie,
I didn’t see the game, but Adam Wier scores 13 of his 27 points in fourth quarter and East Aurora upsets Riverside and advances to the A2 final Saturday.
Cue the POY debate now big-time.

Ricky

^ That Adam/Stan Weir thing is confusing, isn’t it?
Obviously you mean Stan. I think Hart will win, McShea seems to value winning an only winning. But if EA wins Saturday he’s got it locked down.
Now do people think there is anyway McShea drops Reggie off 1st team ALL WNY because SJCI’s early exit? He dropped Reabuam for Nevins after Joe’s lost last year.

Patrick Moran

Yes, I meant Stan.
And I’ve been unbiased about things from day one. Before the playoffs began, I said (just my opinion but one I’m sure many agree with) that Reggie had the edge going into the playoffs, but a East Aurora postseason run keyed by strong Wier play would put him right at the front of the conversation, and that’s exactly what’s happening.
He just dropped 27 against a Top 10 large school and his team won. His numbers have been impressive and the knock has been against mainly a lack of competition. Hard to say that right now.
He’s in the mix for sure, big-time.
I’d be beyond shocked if Reggie isn’t a lock for First-Team, ALL-WNY and he still very well may be the POY
But in my humble opinion it’s a two man race now, with Hart coming in third and all three getting a First-Team spot– at least on my version of an All Star team since I can only speak for myself.

Ricky

Everything should be much clearer come Sunday

Well Well Well u all KNEW this was coming…
CC do me a favor and pull up the first post I made about Stan being Player of the Year back 2 months ago when I was called ‘crazy’ ‘dumb’ ‘I made no sense’ ‘U hate St Joe’s’ ‘u r racist’…Reggie this Reggie that. I hate 2 say I told u so but….
I told u guys a month ago it was over, now even all of u have 2 agree. So where r all the people who said he could only score against ECIC 3 schools (BTW ECIC 3 has 3 teams in title games)..
Riverside do it for you? He has no scored 25 or MORE POINTS in 10 of his last 12 games. CC I think that is what we figured out. He is a scoring machine.
He had 27 and 10 tonight plus 6 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. He stepped UP in the 2nd half with 20 of his 27. Reggie in the 2nd half yesterday stepped DOWN w a big fat zero.
It’s over boys. The ONLY POSSIBLE thing that keeps him from winning it is Taplin leading North 2 wins over Falls and Jamestown. That is IT – trust me.
I will give u guys my 1st team All WNY soon. And I will love it when u all call me nuts…

Fan at the game

Ricky,
i think you have it very wrong. I think its more like a bunch or JV players and in your words not mine “benchwarmers” played over their heads most of the year and carried Reggie and the SJ team to great heights. That said, when those players came back down to earth at the end of the season, Reggie could’nt carry that team.
Great showing by Stan W last night and now i think its a two person race for POY between Hart/S. Weir. There next game may determine who gets the honor. If they both lead there teams to victory maybe we have co-players of the year.

MMA

I think Hart has had a fine season and win or lose tonight, is a likely candidate for First team. As for P.O.Y., I think it has always been a 2 man race and now 1 of the runners has dropped out. Besides, I doubt the Buffalo News ever really considered Agbeko anyway. I think CC did, but wonder if he is now leaning toward Stan Wier instead.

crusaders

Hart has had a great year, but Weir is a better all around player and more deserving of first team or POY consideration.

Ricky

Hart is a better all around player than Weir. He creates his own shots, which he hits, and is a phenomenal scorer. Weir is great, but alot of his buckets come from easy back-door, well executed, cuts.
Fan at Game, It’s not easy for Reggie to score 40 points and carry the team when is doubled on consistently. He can’t carry a team because whenever he touches it he gets doubled, thus he has to rely on his teammates to hit the shots. They’ve done for most of the season but fell short lately.

TML1000

Hart is not a better overall player…if Stan executes plays that plays that makes it easier for him to score within the offense than Hart, why does that make Hart a better player?
Those plays are also not that high a percentage of Stan’s scoring…three point shooting is. Stan has a better overall skill set, that is why he will be playing D-1 and Matt D-3…not that it matters in POY race who plays where, but watching the amount of things each player can do and do well on the court, Stan is clearly the more balanced, complete and better player and has had the best season in the area. Every team has played weak league competition at somepoint this year so that is a non-issue…Stan has shown his level rises against teams with more overall talent(OTC and Riverside most notably), as has Hart so that category is a wash.

Ricky

TML,
This Weir thing is killing me. I was talking about ADAM not Stan. Stan is a better player than Hart, no doubt

Lucky13

Weir…Wier…Weir…Wier—-nobody is making any sense because hardly anybody seems to be able to keep their last names straight.
I’m almost positive that crusaders is talking about Stan(but spelled his last name wrong) and Ricky is definitely referring to Adam, so Ricky and TML, you’re making comments on the previous comments that are confused because you’re not talking about the same person.

coach

TML forget the POY debate for a moment, give it to Stan if you like. There is no debate these two boys are first team AWNY. Add Reggie and then fill in the blanks for the other two spots. Having seen all of the area underclassmen play a lot they all have weaknesses that a year or two can cure. Perhaps when they are seniors some of them will be better than these two, but not now. As for next level discussion there is one and only one reason at this point Stan has a D I LOI and Hart does not…body. On that topic there is no debate it is literally man vs boy. I assume you know that at the major level it’s not just offense, you must also be able to defend your position, strength and size play a key part in that. All other comparisons are irrelevant because they both have D 1 offensive skills. Both have also demonstrated the mental toughness to play a high level of basketball under pressure, critical to play D 1 ball. Hart will likely get a late scholarship offer, especially from a program that can project him 2 years from now with +20-25 lbs. The question then, will that offer lead to a better overall college experience, basketball and academics, than what he has in hand. Generally speaking I will say as in Hart’s case this scenario plays out repeatedly each year for late growers with high skill sets and it is from that group where D III All American guards come from.

TML1000

Yes…I realize that Stan’ body is a large part of why he is going D-1…because of that size, his current skill set is wider. He can defend and rebound. Hopefully he will be an above average rebounder at the next level for his position.

Ricky

YAWN. That’s what I got from tonights championship game. That is all. Boring, boring game truly a shame Joe’s was upset because that atmosphere tonight was horrible. CHS was loud but St Mary’s was as quiet as can be. Boring game, boring atmosphere, YAWN.
Still don’t think Hart or Adam Weir deserve POY, both were good neither was POY material tonight. Hart is for sure the better player, Weir is very good(exceptional at getting to the rim) but a lot of his points are the product of Husband’s offense. Hart is the clear leader of the team and a better all-around player. Stan I think is a lock for POY. Unless he has a brutal game Saturday I think worst case scenario he gets Co-POY with Reggie or Hart.
Coach Husband is an exceptional coach, and still very young. Should be a DI coach one day.

jackherlan

Congrats to Kyle, his staff and the Crusaders on a well earned championship. Knowing what is in front of them on LongIsland Sunday I have feeling that we will see them back here next weekend for the state championship game v. NYC. Best of Luck.

Roundman

Nice job to everyone at canisius,coaches,players,parents, fans what a great experience for these young men to play so hard and bring the cup to deleware ave congradulations. Sometime the life memories are what count enjoy your success.

Ricky

Where is the state championship game?

Jack very nice post. U r correct WAY down year 4 Long Island and despite being a road game I think Canisius comes back for the Catholic final Sunday March 11th (Ricky)…would b very cool 2 c them and Mary’s playing 2 get 2 Albany. Bad news is my downstate poll friends say Iona Prep is VERY good and that may b a tough game 4 Canisius 2 win even at home (Not sure where that game would b-in 2010 when Nichols won that game it was at Niagara)..on the other hand Nazareth will likely b the team St Mary’s has 2 play 2 get 2 Albany and they r not the best B catholic team NYC has ever sent up so I hope Coach Gill can join me in Albany.
Yes I get alot of u don’t care but how is this 4 a weekend of hoops I am doing: March 22 in Boston 2 hopefully c Syracuse in Sweet 16 game, March 23 we drive 2 Albany 4 Fed, March 24 back 2 Boston 2 c I hope Cuse make the final 4, then hit the Fed again on the way back March 25th 4 the last HS game of the year!
I agree w CC Amherst is good. However I think Stan may b more use 2 the look at Buff State now and have a bigger game than the semis so we will c. I will stand by my opinion that Olean East was the real B1 final and that McKinley Hutch Tech was the real A1 final.
LAST thing Maple Grove and coach Fisher. WOW. 2 beat I Prep and Seneca back 2 back 2 VERY good small school teams is 2 me the MOST impressive thing in sectionals so far. Silver Creek won’t b easy Friday but if they win C2 and get a shot at OTC they will have EARNED it GREAT job by Maple Grove.
I wonder who the 1 small school pollster is that had been voting them Top 10 the last 6 weeks? Hmmm a very smart woman I think!
PS – ADAM Weir or Matt Hart will make 1st team, the other 1 2nd team, and A White 3rd team. Save and copy!

Roundman

It would be hard not to have Adam weir on 1st team he is the leading scorer on the number 1ranked team and MVP of the tournement. I think if they continue to win Matt hart should also be on 1st team.both are leaders on a good team

history

It’s very rare for one team to place 2 players on 1st team. It happened last year and could happen again this year. If it does it will be just another sign that there just isn’t the depth of talent in WNY as we’re used to seeing.
I think Hart is more likely to be a 1st team selection at this point.

Ricky

Then again Butts and Paige were a much better tandem than Weir and Hart

huh

So RM in your opinion Weir has already earned the spot because he’s the “leading scorer” but CHS must win more so Hart can move up? Care to explain?

Roundman

I think both should make 1team only use wining as proof both should be on 1st team

history

RM…..
How do you explain Jonny Flynn not making 1st team with Paul Harris when the Falls won the federation and the Falls was the best team in the country if u use winning as proof both should be on 1st team?

Roundman

It’s hard to put 2players from the same team on 1st team you certainly can’t do it if you lose

WOW is AA down this year. Decent games 2nite but Falls last year and Jamestown last year would have beaten their teams this year by 20 plus points each.
But it is what it is.
Everything w ALL WNY at this point up in the air I would say. Stan MVP then Hart or A Weir then Reggie then Crumpton or Campion or Taplin or Fraser or Feagans or who the heck knows. Long way 2 go. If Canisius gets 2 Albany Final I could c them having 1 guy on each of the 4 teams with McDonald making 4th team. White is a solid 3rd team guy.
JCC tomorrow….hope 2 c u all there. Fun yearly trip!

WT716

March 2, 2012

CC who does Canisius play Sunday? From what I heard, the team they are playing is pretty weak.

WT716

March 2, 2012

Nevermind, St. John the Baptist from Long Island. 6-15 overall and 1-12 in conference. Looks like CHS will be making a return trip home for a state championship at ECC City on Sunday March 11th.

CHS

March 3, 2012

Who would CHS play in the state title game?