THE VIEW FROM CENTERCOURT | Western New York Boys High School Basketball

Random Smatterings – Round 5

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I love it when a player comes in during a Prep Talk chat using some johnny-come-lately name and asks a question about himself.  It's always like "Hey Keith, what do you think of that so-and-so kid from XYZ.  I see he scored 27 the other night, making a case for All-WNY".  

 

Here are the last four point totals from junior Darnell Carson of CSAT: 32, 27, 29, & 20.

 

One of my favorites is when a player jumps out of bounds to save a ball, only to throw it against the back of the backboard.

 

There are only three teams in WNY that haven't lost to a team from WNY: St. Joe's, Jamestown, and Olean.

 

Stan Wier dropped 37 points on the Warriors in East Aurora's 71-44 win over Cheektowaga, Quinten Campbell scored 33 points to lead Kenmore West past Lew-Port, 62-49, and Jon Gemerek finished with 31 points to lift Depew past Maryvale, 66-59.

 

Cheektowaga trailed Springville, 45-31 after three quarters of play.  The Warriors then used a 31-9 fourth quarter to comeback and win, 62-54.

 

Akron saw four of its players score a team-high eight points and held Wilson to single-digits in all four quarters of a 53-25 stunner in the N-O.

 

Kyle Kobis led Bishop Timon/St. Jude with 24 points, as the Tigers earned a 62-42 victory against St. Francis.  During the win, Kobis sank a 3-pointer that lifted him past 1,ooo points for his career.

 

Olean is New York State's #1 ranked team in Class B.

 

I see a lot of the same faces at the big games each week, including one of the players.  If the Warriors aren't practicing or playing, Clayton Hess of Tonawanda can be found at a high school basketball game somewhere. 

 

Grand Island picked up its first league win of the season over Niagara Wheatfield on Friday, outscoring the Falcons 15-6 in the fourth quarter to comeback and win, 49-47.  It was the Vikings second straight victory.

 

Williamsville South topped Iroquois, 77-67, in a game with a high-scoring finish.  The Chiefs outscored the Billies, 31-30 in the fourth quarter.

  

Joe Lowery finished with 37 points in Niagara Catholic's loss to Walsh, Connor Keenan scored 37 points in a 76-72 loss to Iroquois, Barker sophomore Jake Haight put up 35 points & 21 rebounds on Newfane in a 74-64 loss, Sean Weisensal had 34 points for Maryvale in a loss to Depew, and Stan Wier of East Aurora scored 32 points in a losing effort at Amherst.

 

St. Joe's sophomore, Tyler Hill, a starter for the varsity football and JV basketball teams, was spotted cheering for the Panthers in the Blue Zone when Newfane beat Wilson on Thursday night.

 

Junior Zeddie Williams scored 18 points, grabbed 15 boards, and dished seven assists as Silver Creek avenged its only loss this season, beating Randolph, 57-54.

 

-centercourt

143 responses to “Random Smatterings – Round 5”

  1. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    How good is Olean? Any players worth watching?
    If so I might try to see one of their games.

    Reply
  2. Lucky13 Avatar
    Lucky13

    CC, haven’t seen Molson’s name at Cleve Hill this year. Any idea why?

    Reply
  3. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    Lucky13 –
    I emailed Cleveland Hill head coach Jeff Przybysz at the start of the season, asking about Jeru Molson. His response was “Jeru Molson is no longer a part of the basketball program”.
    When I was at the Tonawanda @ Cleveland Hill game in January, I did see Jeru there, but didn’t ask him about it.

    Reply
  4. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    Ricky –
    A question like that makes me wonder if you even bother to read the stuff I write or if you’re just in it for the comments section 🙂
    Seriously though, Olean is outstanding. They have a little of everything including great coaching, high basketball IQ, a top big man, shooters, slashers, ball handlers, and hustle. The coolest thing about this team is that they start four sophomores and a junior. The first player off the bench is a sophomore.
    Any of the first six in the Huskies rotation are excellent. Sam Eckstrom is 6-6 and I’m sure will garner some D1 interest. Wil Bathurst is their most athletic player, can flat out score, and can do just about anything on the court well. Nick Scmidt is a pure shooter with great court sense and the son of St. Bonaventure coach Mark Scmidt. Luke Hennessy plays the point and deserves more recognition in these forums when discussing the best pure point guards. He shoots well from the perimeter, but his top attribute is efficiently running the offense. Pat Scholla is a classic glue guy, who plays smart, is defensive minded, and hustles all over the place. Max Portlow came off the bench in the last game of theirs I watched, and has to be one of the best 6th men in WNY. He reminds me of Nicc Johnson from St. Mary’s with his offensive game.
    I would recommend seeing them play. They are capable of beating any team in WNY, and I would only rank Joe’s, Falls, Canisius, and Jamestown ahead of them. You can most likely see them play on Saturday March 3rd, 1:45 pm, at Buffalo State.

    Reply
  5. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    Thanks, I will try to see them.
    BTW: I started out only reading your stuff until I found out we could comment. I started out only coming here for rankings and game summaries, now I check the site everyday!

    Reply
  6. local Avatar
    local

    Connor Keenan is having a fantastic season. Certainly a top 10 player in WNY

    Reply
  7. bluezone Avatar
    bluezone

    Tyler Hill was spotted in Newfane’s blue zone as he use to play for the panthers and now plays for St. Joes.. wait I mean he has always played for St. Joes and was just there to catch a good basketball game.

    Reply
  8. Andrew Webster Avatar
    Andrew Webster

    Great Smatterings CC!

    Reply
  9. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    Next year Olean will be the best team in WNY, large or small school—period.
    They’re pretty close that distinction right now.

    Reply
  10. Round man Avatar
    Round man

    Any other players close to 1000 pts for this year

    Reply
  11. WT716 Avatar
    WT716

    I have never seen Olean play but looking forward to seeing them play at Buff State. However best team next year? Canisius returns Aaron White, Matt MacDonald, and my favorite CHS player Adam Weir, and who knows if Sterling Taplin is transferring or not. They also have another junior Pierre Smith who saw some minutes against Nichols on Tuesday who is an athlete and I am sure will play a major role next year. Joes also brings back Glover, Oliveri, the boy who transferred from CHS to Joes (who said he was going to dunk on White when CHS and Joes played). Feb 18th can’t come soon enough.

    Reply
  12. 845KA Avatar
    845KA

    he didn’t dunk on white but he and the rest of sj supporting cast made chs look foolish while reggie was sittin. take the jrs if you want hart is the guy we fear. he was the best player last game and last year he turned the game against us in the cup final. we stop him we win again.

    Reply
  13. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    Canisius will be very good next year for sure, but I’m telling ya–Olean will be the best team in WNY.
    To update something for tonight’s big game, DiMilo Gibbs practiced on a limited basis yesterday for Timon. IF there was an offical injury report he’d be listed as questionable but I think he’ll play tonight vs. St. Joe’s.
    He has a chest injury and missed the Frannies game adn has been out a few days.

    Reply
  14. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    Let’s put this this way..
    Dear organizers of the MMA/ECIC Challenge– let’s pit Olean vs Canisius together for the marquee game next season!

    Reply
  15. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    “THE BOY” you are referring to has a name, and it is Jaylen Morris. So the fact that you may have misinterpreted his comments about him dunking on his longtime best friend A.White is neither here nor there. On the other hand, yes both Joe’s and Canisius will be special next year; however CHS may have a slightly different look for 2012-2013???????

    Reply
  16. TakeItToTheHole Avatar
    TakeItToTheHole

    Lets not start with the rumors of Taplin to Canisius. Either he will stay at Will North or go to a prep out of this area. He doesn’t need to go to Canisius to boost his local recruitment and if he wanted more national recognition there are more likely options.

    Reply
  17. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Trust me this has ABSOLUTLY ZERO to do with lil Tap.

    Reply
  18. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    *ABSOLUTELY (sorry)

    Reply
  19. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    He is referring to a comment above from WT716, where he specifically mentions the possibility of Taplin to Canisius. Has nothing to do with your surprise for 2013.
    And I agree entirely with TakeItToTheHole.

    Reply
  20. PatrickMoran Avatar
    PatrickMoran

    CC should I be saving you a spot for this evening, I know I”m getting there early.

    Reply
  21. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    I also agree about Tap. Nothing was ever mentioned with regard to a surprise, or Sterling. I simply stated that they (CHS) will look slightly different next season. So speculation never came from me, and they will look different 2012-2013. Although they will have the Three Juniors they will lose Two contributors to this team, similiar to losing Lyons last year.

    Reply
  22. SMH Avatar
    SMH

    I know this isnt Buff news but I missed the chat and am sure McShea reads this anyway. Since its ok for him to call kids idiots I read the “power 10” and wanted to say that McShea looks like an idiot. Has Timon, St. Marys and Walsh ahead of Niagara Falls. Timon lost to NF and Marys. Who the hell did they beat to be 5? Marys gets crushed by Walsh but there better than NF? And Wlash beats Marys so they must be better than NF? Is this all because NF lost to KW or just MMA bias? Its obvios all year you have no respect for KW. Marys and Timon gets free passes to lose but NF just sucks when they lose? Has KW lost since December? Guess it does not matter!!!!!

    Reply
  23. PatrickMoran Avatar
    PatrickMoran

    Here’s a little Timon vs St. Joe’s preview for tonight.
    http://www.buffalosportsdaily.com/joes-timon-set-to-clash-in-big-catholic-showdown/

    Reply
  24. Dark TML Avatar
    Dark TML

    It should be MMA Power 10. Keith does a great job covering HS sports but there definitely is a bias towards the private schools. Joe’s/Canisius best rivals, best fans, best game of the year, and so on. The Falls should be 4th or 5th just behind Joe’s, Canisius, Olean, and maybe McKinley. KW should be ahead of Walsh and St. Mary’s. It would be interesting to see how the Canisius v Ken West game would go at this point of the season instead of the first game. I am not saying the result would be different but it might be a little closer.

    Reply
  25. Roundman Avatar
    Roundman

    It would be nice to see a breakdown by position on local players maybe top 2 or 3at each position with stats to see how they compare

    Reply
  26. Roundman Avatar
    Roundman

    Also when you vote for all wny do you have stats on each player.shooting percentages, assists,rebounds,steals,minutes played ,ect.

    Reply
  27. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    Roundman –
    There is no vote for The News All-WNY team. Keith makes all the selections for the News team on his own. Once he knows the 15 players on his first three teams, he gets stats on those players to print under their pictures. I compile my own version (All-Centercourt Team), Patrick Moran did one last year as well. There was no democracy involved in any of them.
    As far as a position by position breakdown of players and their stats, I think defining positions in high school is difficult. Between Hart, Weir, & MacDonald, who is the 2,3,&4? Is Agbeko a forward or center? And if we compare Stan Wier’s PPG to Adam Weir’s PPG, someone might argue that Adam’s numbers would be higher and Stan’s lower, if the two switched teams.
    It would be nice to see everyone’s numbers, sorted by category, etc., but you’ll never get every coach on board with that. Some coaches enter stats on Max Preps religiously – others do not. Many coaches don’t even collect stats until they watch back the game film. Some don’t even collect stats beyond what gets recorded in the scorebook.

    Reply
  28. Roundman Avatar
    Roundman

    Thanks for the information it clears things up a bit

    Reply
  29. McShea is God Avatar
    McShea is God

    I am so distraught over how Carolina lost 2 Duke I can’t even comment about anything. Sick! How about Syracuse though! Hey TML u still don’t think they have ‘beat anybody’…!
    Ricky….’is Olean any good’…HA! C’mon man! I liked our banter but I have lost all respect!
    Pat Canisius with Taplin at the 2 will b better next year. I’d b out of breath if I kept trying 2 break down that matchup.
    I am taking Reggie 2 c Niagara-Sienna 2nite and Syracuse-U Conn Saturday so I will miss the Joe’s TImon and Canisius Kearney games….
    CC Sunday Joe’s Aquainis LET’S GO!!!! Football is over I have nothing 2 do! I’ll buy your dinner!

    Reply
  30. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    I know the St. Joe’s fans would love to see you and I’m always hungry. I say let’s do it.

    Reply
  31. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    Sorry McShea is god but Olean is an hour away from me, sorry I haven’t seen them.
    LOL at first when you said Reggie i assumed Agbeko, but that’d take him way from 2 important games for him. I assume Reggie is your son then?
    I’ll be at the Joes-Timon tonight, hopefully Gibbs plays cause last time Reggie v. Gibbs was great!

    Reply
  32. PatrickMoran Avatar
    PatrickMoran

    Ricky,
    Come say hi to me and CC tonight, prolly right after the game, we’ll be up at the table on the stage I’m sure McShea will be ther with Lauren for Prep Talk TV

    Reply
  33. PatrickMoran Avatar
    PatrickMoran

    If you really want to know about some of the solid hoops teams around here but live too far away to drive and see them play is take a look at the schedules (kinda getting late for this year). I wont drive to Olean or Jamestown either ,unless its for a really important game to do a story on and cover, but when schools like that hit the road you go see them closer around here. For example, TML does some writing now for my site and though Timon/Joe’s is the marquee game, he’s going to Frontier in Hamburg to see them host Jamestown and do a write-up on them.

    Reply
  34. Yale Cup Avatar
    Yale Cup

    Ricky, You need to get out more. Olean worth the trip. MIG must be referring to Agbeko, his sons name is not reggie, its d****. Also the MMA bias is terrible. very good league, but it should not get the 2nd tier teams ranked as high as they are in the powewr 10 just by playing “close games” w/ top tier teams or beating each other.

    Reply
  35. guest Avatar
    guest

    lets put it this way theres no way nfalls would lose to depew or walsh. nfalls would beat st marys 10 of 10 times. if keith really thinks either of those are better than nf then his cred is shot

    Reply
  36. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    MIG obviously isn’t refering to Agbeko. Agbeko has a game tonight at 7.

    Reply
  37. Lucy Ricardo Avatar
    Lucy Ricardo

    you guys forgot…. MIG is refering to her husband, Reggie. Boy, MIG you get no respect! Enjoy your night with your sweatheart. Can’t wait to hear about your next beach adventure with your family.

    Reply
  38. TML1000 Avatar
    TML1000

    Well…they beat G’town in OT at home…good win but not great. When beat a team of that caliber on the road, I might buy in to the hype. Go Duke.
    Speaking of beating someone….Frontier beats J’town 52-51…I brought up the fact that J’town hasn’t really beaten anyone besides the out of area tourney last night…they are good but nowhere near elite as some have been saying. Frontier solidifies the #4 seed with this win…could be two big rubber games in the AA semis.

    Reply
  39. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    Joes beat Timon 61-55
    Down 21-7 early, Joe’s then went on a 32-5 run to take a 39-26 lead. Timon came back, but never quite could tie it up or take the lead.
    Reggie wasn’t spectacular, doesn’t help that he was being manhandled by the Timon forwards, he’ll need an ice bath after that one. But he did hold Dougherty/Gibbs down. Neither could have had more than 8 points.
    Everyone on Joe’s, who got in, played good, no one spectacular. One exception, Mark Cerza, Cerza was incredible tonight. When he got in is when Joe’s began their 2nd quarter surge. He was on the board all night and had some nice feeds. Cerza is absolutly the player of the game.

    Reply
  40. Dark LMT Avatar
    Dark LMT

    Not impressed with Jamestown tonight. I don’t know how they beat Frontier so bad first game. They don’t have the big man to handle Campbell or Crumpton.

    Reply
  41. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    Joe’s was a complete team tonight (no one had more than 10) while Timon was a 2 man show, Donte and Jordan Williams.
    St. Joe’s is is well rounded and poised and expects to win, when Timon is extremely talented, explosive and unfortunatley for them, prone to imploding. That second quarter was almost too painful to watch and I can’t even imagine if you were sitting in the stands rooting for the Tigers.
    When they play a good team its pretty much them expecting the other shoe to fall. They are 0-8 vs Joes and Canisius since last year.

    Reply
  42. Lucky13 Avatar
    Lucky13

    …and Timon has to play at Aquinas tomorrow night 2/10. Everybody missed that on their schedules.

    Reply
  43. McShea is God Avatar
    McShea is God

    Has Timon EVERY actually WON a game? Did the plaque they gave Palano at St Joe’s say ‘this man lost 2 alot of good teams’…I mean every year Timon has great losses but no good wins!
    Actually Reggie is a transexual I am dating. That is who I went 2 the game with. And Lucy Ricardo I am glad my Florida beach stories upset u. If u known me the more I know they bother u the more I will post them because I LIVE 2 upset people like u. It’s fun, knowing I get under your skin. Tampa 4 Spring Training March 8-12th I will post details 4 u! Will suck 2 miss Regionals again.
    Jamestown losing 2 Frontier…wow! I guess we have our new #10 team. ECIC is HORRIBLE! Worst year EVER 4 that league. U could put an All Star team together of all 4 leagues and Canisius and Joe’s would both beat them by 40.
    CC Sunday sounds good! Let’s bring Reggie!!!
    My Large 10: Joe’s, Canisius, McKinley, Falls, Timon, Jamestown, Ken West, Riverside, Hutch Tech, Frontier. Not that they would ever let a woman vote on that poll.
    I still can’t believe the Bills took Torrel Troop ONE PICK b4 Rob Gronkowski went! WTH! And CJ Spillar TWO PICKS b4 Jason Pierre Paul! Buddy Nix ‘I know a good football player when I c 1’ ya ok that’s great.
    Also in Rocky 4 HOW could Rocky NOT THROW THE TOWEL! Apollo was literally getting beaten 2 a PULP! HOW did the ref not stop that fight! C’mon!

    Reply
  44. McShea is God Avatar
    McShea is God

    Also Canisius College is quietly putting 2gether 1 of the worst seasons in local Division 1 College Basketball history. At 1-13 in the confrence, 4-20 overall, a big shout out 2 Tom Parotta and his fine staff. I think if Hart is on fire from the outside, Canisius HS beats Canisius College by 6.
    Also McDonald’s HS Rosters announced (No Reggie A? What?!?!?!) and the only NY State player 2 make it was Dajaun ‘I am not Derrick’s son’ Coleman (he IS btw no matter what he says)…so Mr Basketball should b his 4 sure. Only 1 college had 3 players on the McDonald’s combined 24 man roster….not Kentucky but North Carolina…..STATE! Ha! NC State! Would b cool 2 c them good again.
    Also I think Stan Weir has just about nailed down WNY Player of the year. He has by far the most points per game in WNY and has gone off for 30 almost every game lately. If he can somehow get that team 2 play Riverside in the A2 final (they would lose obviously) it would b a miracle and Keith maybe could give him the award b4 the game. I mean, that team is maybe 4-12 without him.
    Plus as a returning 2nd teamer and State Federation Class A champ he had a leg up 2 begin with. So congrats Stan on closing in on the award I will make sure I push u 2 u know who every chance I get 🙂

    Reply
  45. Lucky13 Avatar
    Lucky13

    ECIC I thru IV starting five: S.Wier, Taplin, Campion, Keenan, Nettles.

    Reply
  46. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    Stan Weir has a small shot at WNY POY. Is he the best player in WNY? Maybe it’s a toss up between him and RA, but Reggie’s team would beat Stans by 20.

    Reply
  47. WT716 Avatar
    WT716

    I could put up 30 pts against Cheektowaga, Springville, Pioneer, WS East and Amherst. Might as well just give All-WNY POY.

    Reply
  48. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    Got two recaps up on my site from last night.. I did the Joes/Timon game with TML was at Frontier/Jamestown–turns out he was at the right place at the right time.
    http://www.buffalosportsdaily.com/frontier-hits-big-shots-late-stun-jamestown/
    http://www.buffalosportsdaily.com/joes-comeback-to-throttle-timon/

    Reply
  49. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    meant TML was at the Frontier/Jamestown game.
    God I need to start paying attention to what I type– I’m horrific.
    PS- I didn’t write this in my recap, but while the Timon fans are fun to listen to and make the games more exciting some of their chants are a little out of line. They treated Reggie like this was the WWF and he was the Iron Sheik or Nikolai Volkoff. And in the St. Mary’s game earlier this season they chanted “homeless guy” to make fun of their team manager.
    Sorry, but that’s class-less

    Reply
  50. Lucky13 Avatar
    Lucky13

    Definitely agree on the chant at the team manager. That’s over the line.
    I think the chants regarding Reggie were more in the good natured category than mean spirited, however, much the same way as college student sections taunt the opposition’s star. I think I remember it being mentioned that the St. Joe’s student section used the same chant at their football game vs. Canisius (or remember hearing it at Canisius) referring to a couple of their star players being from Canada.

    Reply

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