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. McShea is God Avatar
    McShea is God

    Didn’t Stan as a Sophmore play all this great competition Reggie is playing? Wasn’t he in the MMA? And yes in some ways the Player of the year award IS A career award. And he is scoring at a pace not seen since Johnny Flynn.
    Look guys – it’s over, he is by far the best player in WNY, and in 4 years Keith will look very smart when Stan has had a great career at UB. Reggie is NOT getting it. Sorry. April 7th open the paper and c if I am right. Reggie is not even the SECOND choice as of right now. Sorry I don’t hate Joe’s, Stan is just the clear pick guys even if they lose in the 1st round of the playoffs.
    PS – It’s not that hard 2 figure out a leading scorer Keith tracks at the news. Let me make it simple 4 u – u take the amount of points scored 4 all players divide it by games played and yes u come up ‘Lowery 4 POY’ with what is called a scoring average. The highest 1 is what is the called the ‘leading scorer’…I hope that clears it up 4 u.

    Reply
  2. jackherlan Avatar
    jackherlan

    The real question is Is Stan better than Viagra?
    MIG might have the answer. It is really getting old.

    Reply
  3. Payola Dave Avatar
    Payola Dave

    Jake,
    And to think this joke gets a vote in the poll. with these type of comments, you wonder what credibility does he have? Yes, people, he DOES vote in both the large school and small school Poll in the Buffalo News. So he goes to alot of college games and yeankees spring training and…. that must make him an expert. His sole purpose on here is to create traffic and comments. Very similar to his last real job. How did that work out? Stan and Reggie are both likely 1st teamers and may actually get POY, but how but some talk about the other players in consideration. There are many. Keenan? Hart? Adam Wier? Crumpton? Frasier? Campion? I’m sure Andrew Webster has a few suggestions from the southern tier, or see from the northtowns? Heck for all of you in love w/ St. MAry’s, what about Simmons or Whepley from Walsh?

    Reply
  4. Payola Dave Avatar
    Payola Dave

    Sorry. meant Jack

    Reply
  5. TML1000 Avatar
    TML1000

    There is no chance anyone besides Stan or Reggie gets POY.

    Reply
  6. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    POY is not a career award. Key word YEAR not 4 YEARS. MIG you make up false sources. I could blow smoke out of my ass and say “A very credible source tells me that PG Aaron White from Canisius is the front runner for POY”. I haven’t named a source, but I swear it’s true. That’s how credible you are MIG, and that is to say you’re not credible in the slightest.
    Reggie is POY. Is he as talented as Stan? It’s a toss up, but what does Reggie do that Stan doesn’t? HE MAKES HIS TEAMMATES BETTER! Jordan Glover was JVs PG last season, Jaylen Morris got some time on Canisius JV last season, Louis Oliveri was a role player on JV last season, and Kyle Briggs was a bench-warmer on varsity last season. Reggie has taken this group of decent players and made them into the #1 team in WNY. Reggie is consistently facing double teams and when he wasn’t(early in the season) look at the stats he put up.
    Let’s look at previous winners of the award:
    Jaysean Paige- Team went to State championship
    Will Regan- Won state title.
    Rahshon Tabb- Lost in state playoffs
    Johnny Flynn- Lost in section championship
    So yeah winning means something. The question isn’t whether or not Agbeko is the frontrunner, the question is doesn he still get it if Joes doesn’t win the MMA title?
    BTW: I think Stan and Reggie are the only 1st team ALL WNY locks there are so far

    Reply
  7. McShea is God Avatar
    McShea is God

    First of all thank u TML. 2nd of All Jack I am simply RESPONDING 2 people saying Stan doesn’t deserve it. Now I will RESPOND again.
    Payola Dave how did my last job work out? Well let’s c it worked out well enough 4 me not 2 work 4 the next 10 years if I don’t want 2. R u actually making fun of someone 4 not paying 4 a flight, hotel, or ticket for 20 years? That is something 2 look DOWN upon? R u serious? OK! I have no clue who u r but I can assure u I wouldn’t trade lives with u since 1990. And what makes u think I vote in the polls? Why would Keith let some1 vote cause he goes 2 Yankee games! Ha! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that it pisses u off!!!
    And ‘Reggie’ I mean ‘Ricky’ Stan HAS MADE HIS TEAM BETTER. They would b HORRIBLE if he wasn’t on it. Next 2 Will he was a key guy that led Nichols 2 a Class A Fed title 2 years ago and YES THAT DOES COUNT 4 something because it IS a career award in some ways. Do u realize HOW HARD it is 2 win a Fed title in Class A? VERY HARD.
    Ask CC how ‘credible’ I am. I admit 2 joking about some transfers but the last FIVE YEARS I have never missed ONE PLAYER on my 1st team all WNY guess…never. So if that means I have no credibility 2 u – whatever man. Stan will win open the paper April 7th then eat your crow.
    PS – Only because the Grammy’s suck so bad because Adele blows did I even check back 2 look at this. I am now watch Star Trek on HBO. Captain Kirk and Dr McCoy have just been sentenced 2 spend their lives on a barron planet!!!

    Reply
  8. From the front row Avatar
    From the front row

    Will Reagan won the award in 2009 as a junior when his team lost in the Manhattan Cup finals. So maybe Stan getting his team to lose to Riverside would be similar.
    Also if MIG’s sole job is to create traffic and comments I’d say he at least is pretty good at it.

    Reply
  9. jj43 Avatar
    jj43

    Losing the A-2 bracket is would be like losing the manhatten cup? Maybe the dumbest thing I ever heard. The A-2 bracket is by far the weakest in sec6 besides D.
    East Aurora losing to Riverside would be a bad ending for them. East beat Riverside and Burgard just played Riverside close too. East Aurora crushed Bennet and they just beat Hutch Tech.
    Theres no way someone should ever get POY for losing a class split in half. I think they would have to win not A-2 but all of A which means beat Mckinley. If Wier keeps playing like he has then they could totally do that. Mckinley is good but they couldnt stop Abgeko when they played and I dont think they could handle Wier either. At this point 2 players are left and playoffs decide it from here.

    Reply
  10. jj43 Avatar
    jj43

    Correction: anyone who says Wier doesnt make his team better is the dumbest thing I ever heard. Then comparing the A-2 and manhatten cup is the second dumbest.

    Reply
  11. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    Stan makes his team better, but even so they still suck. Reggie makes his team so much better that they are #1 in WNY…

    Reply
  12. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    My HS Power Rankings for this week, which I’m sure nobody agrees with.
    http://www.buffalosportsdaily.com/bsd-high-school-power/

    Reply
  13. coach Avatar
    coach

    Toughest schedule this year is CHS. Non league games Dallas Jesuit, Tampa J, Bellarmine J Wa. New Orleans J, AQ, BK, Roch East, Cathedral, McK, OTC, KW, Pitt-Mendon.The opportunity to play competition like this and play 24 regular season games would seem to make any future consideration to join section 6 illogical.

    Reply
  14. Clerico Avatar
    Clerico

    First I would like to thank Patrick Moran for his contribution to High School Basketball coverage and the work that went into his latest article (HSPower Rankings).
    I do disagree with ranking Cleveland Hill at 9th and leaving Tonawanda out completely. Cleve Hill is a good Team, no doubt as evidenced by their record (14-2). But to put them in 9th in a power poll over Tonawanda because of an Overtime win against them just doesn’t seem the way a power ranking should work. Both Teams won at each other’s home courts.
    You went on to make your case for Cleve Hill stating that Spencer has been consistent all year. True. You go on Barker and Watkins have had some huge games. Good. Does that and an OT win give them ranking over a Tonawanda team.
    Tonawanda (15-1) has since that OT loss went on to beat Eden and Kennedy handily.
    Talking about players. Jesse Lalka is one of the best in WNY. Who now faces double and triple teams. Junior Clayton Hess has steadily improved. In fact Hess had a (as you put it) HUGE game against Cleve Hill. 27 points and 13 rebounds.
    The schedules aren’t much different. I’ve touched on the players. The teams have split in their meetings.
    So how Cleve Hill got into 9th and Tonawanda got left out is beyond me.
    Oh BTW Tonawanda beat East Aurora and the much ballyhooed Stan Wier.

    Reply
  15. Truth Be Told Avatar
    Truth Be Told

    Thinking about it a little more, the KW/NT game wasn’t bad. Although, regardless of the zone played by NT, Campbell still bullied their big men and Bailey ran by the guard for a lot of fast break transition points. They may end up going for a third close battle in the sectionals. Another thought (not that anyone cares): Talking aboout Reggie who in my opinion is a darn good player, I saw Siena play Niagara and Canisius this weekend. Siena is traditionally a great program that usually goes to the tournament and they need players. I think he could help them out right away. I don’t know if they are interested, but if he doesn’t want to stay local, Reggie should consider that program. D-1, not too far away from home, will be back to play the local teams, perfect fit. Just my opinion.

    Reply
  16. Marzol Avatar
    Marzol

    Good Stuff Clerico
    Finally a post not talking about Stan Stan Stan and Reggie Reggie Reggie.
    Those of us who follow the local Basketball scene appreciate a blog like Centercourt has here.
    But wouldn’t it be refreshing to discuss some of the Teams and Players around western NY other than the MMA and Stan and Reggie.

    Reply
  17. Truth Be Told Avatar
    Truth Be Told

    Cleve Hill in front of Tonawanda? Tonawanda beat their rival NT and NT beat Cleve Hill earlier this year. Tonawanda is an overall better team. Even though both are quality players, Lalka is like Wier, they are subject to being overhyped as they shoot and score alot against substandard competition. If they played a full schedule against MMA or AA teams, the points wouldn’t be so plentiful.

    Reply
  18. Andrew Webster Avatar
    Andrew Webster

    Certainly no Southern Tier players are in the discussion for player of the year, but I do think Tommy Campion is very much in the 1st team discussion (probably a lock if Jamestown wins AA again).
    Walsh’s Ryan Whelpey will probably be somewhere from 2nd to 4th team depending on how his team finishes the year.
    Other Southern Tier players that should receive high consideration for at least All-WNY honorable mention if not higher:
    Adam Cecchini (Jamestown)
    Sam Eckstrom (Olean)
    Wil Bathurst (Olean)
    Max Portlow (Olean)
    Dustin Schauman (Cassadaga Valley)
    Kevin Holmes (Dunkirk)
    Alex Grace (Maple Grove)
    Skylar Liddell (Maple Grove)
    Nick Lenart (Panama)
    Zeddie Williams (Silver Creek)
    Austin Alonge (Westfield)
    Other guys that I would say deserve at least some consideration are:
    Marcus Clarke (Walsh)
    Nick Schmidt (Olean)
    Luke Hennessy (Olean)
    Dylan Meyer (Fredonia)
    Kareem Walker (Jamestown)
    Mike Donaldson (Dunkirk)
    Steve Marcey (Silver Creek)
    John Morgante (Randolph)
    Zac Blask (Portville)
    Jackson John (Salamanca)
    Adam Walker (Clymer)
    Dan Lictus (Clymer)
    Markus Lindstrom (Sherman)
    Zach Lubi (Panama)
    There are some other players that are very good and are definitely All-WNY caliber but probably won’t make it because their teams have not done very well:
    Ryan Nord (Falconer)
    Jake Reynolds (Franklinville)
    Jarred Keppel (North Collins)
    Gage Bird (Frewsburg)

    Reply
  19. crusader Avatar
    crusader

    Here’s a national story with a local twist. Canisius senior Matt Hart has committed to Hamilton College. Hart will share the back court next year with Joseph Lin younger brother of Jeremy Lin. Jeremy was at Hamilton yesterday to see his little brother and Hamilton win their final regular season game in advance of the NESCAC playoffs. First year Hamilton coach Adam Stockwell is a former Canisius College assistant under Mike McDonald. Hart will have plenty of top college competition as the NESCAC is arguably the best D III league in the country with two current top ten teams, Middlebury and Amherst. Those two were national semi finalists last year with Williams making the final eight. Stockwell is one of the top young coaches in the East with NCAA tournament teams at Clarkson and Oswego already on his resume.
    http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/jeremy-lin-brother-joseph-shows-tremendous-upside-hamilton-college-article-1.1020850

    Reply
  20. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    Great story, thanks for sharing it here. Hamilton is getting a good one and it sounds like the local connection, along with the national sub-story line, should make for a great time for Matt Hart.

    Reply
  21. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    I knew Hart was going to Hamilton, but I find it even better now that Jeremy Lin’s brother is on the team. Not that I knew who Jeremy Lin was 10 days ago, but playing with the brother of one of the biggest stories in sports will be fun. Hart may even get to meet some Knicks if he become good friends with Joseph Lin. Cool Story.
    I would like to see Walsh play again. I went to the Walsh game vs. Canisius and came back very unimpressed. Hopefully I get another chance to see them because Whepley seems like a really good player, I didn’t get a good impression when I saw him though. Hopefully they get a good game in the MMA vs. Timon/CHS/Or Joes. (Sorry for talking MMA, but it’s local to me and is the only division I really have a chance to see)

    Reply
  22. Roundman Avatar
    Roundman

    I think you need to concider the hoops festiville when all these guys played together against major talent a lot of them did not play well against equal players.only a few played well and held their own

    Reply
  23. Marzol Avatar
    Marzol

    Andrew Webster Thanks for your views on the players from the Southern Tier. A lot of us up north don’t get to see many Southern Tier teams. We can keep our eyes out for the players you mentioned, in the playoffs and next season.

    Reply
  24. Sam Avatar
    Sam

    You are a western new york treasure Andrew!

    Reply
  25. Clerico Avatar
    Clerico

    Tonawanda over Holland 66-42.
    Now 16-1
    Jesse Lalka 29 points…13 rebounds.
    8 Three pointers
    Someone ruled them out too quickly.

    Reply
  26. Panthers Avatar
    Panthers

    Truth Be Told….Siena already offered Agbeko since 2011 summer. Waiting on him to decide where he will ultimately go. From what I have gathered he has more than 30 formal offers to consider. It will be interesting to see which D-1 school he decides to sign with. Personally I hope he stays local–like UB or Niagara. We should know soon enough!

    Reply
  27. HS BBall Fan Avatar
    HS BBall Fan

    TML1000….Have you seen Stan play this year? Better check him out. Make his team better? C’mon man… He grabs nearly as many boards, scores 7 more a game, has a small school making some noise, attracts all the attention. Reggie is a real nice player, but when you talk about skill and dimension, it isn’t even a comparison: Ball handling, Shooting the 3 ball, Foul shots, boards, posting up, etc. Reggie plays 3 feet from the basket at 6’7 pr 6’8…..Get with it already. And if you haven’t seen him since Nichols….go treat yourself; incredibly improved! Best all around player in WNY: HANDS DOWN………Oh, and he’s been doing it since he was a sophomore!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  28. HS BBall Fan Avatar
    HS BBall Fan

    Ricky, you need to get another set of glasses or go out and see the Wier kid play. Some of what you say makes it obvious that you haven’t seen him play. Nuff said………….

    Reply
  29. Panthers Avatar
    Panthers

    HS BBall Fan or MIG…. Please be real, Stan is an excellent ball player but until EA wins something he is no different than the countless numbers of players on okay teams doing the same thing. Take a look a Lowery at NC now that is a complete player on a really bad team and he is some 3 inches shorter. Why did he (Stan) not return to Nichols to lead them again? I mean for the one year he is playing at EA he could have done it in a more competitive environment.
    If you think Reggie does it 3 feet from the basket then he must be the best at it. You think the 30+ D1 schools recruiting him do not know what they are looking at. Let’s see, he is going to UB while Agbeko has Big East, A-10,Big 8, etc offers to decide on. Maybe you missed the fact that Joes is a team dominated by former JV players, one bench players from last years cast, and only one returning starter in Agbeko. Yet they are #1 in WNY for large schools and #5 in the state as per the New York Sportwriters Assn for class A.
    Stan made his choice to play at EA but don’t try to slide the scale of excellence to tilt the real story in WNY basketball. I suspect Stan will be on the 1st Team All-WNY.

    Reply
  30. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    I’ve seen Stan play. I’m not saying he is super talented. I am saying his team is weak! People gotta stop putting words in my mouth, never once have I said Weir isn’t a star.

    Reply
  31. EA Avatar
    EA

    Would you stop with the 40 plus D1 offers. Reggie will be Jake Housenet sitting on the bench at Bona while Stan is lighting it up at UB. Mind listing the Big East schools going after him? And what the hell is the Big 8?
    Also from what I hear Reggie only lives here between November and April for basketball season then will go back to Ghana. Someone who only flys in for games should not even be allowed to win such an award.

    Reply
  32. I'm Sexy and I know it Avatar
    I’m Sexy and I know it

    My question is how hard was it for Jack Herlan to keep making trips to Ghanna to recruit Reggie. I hear he went there several times. The flights in and out of there on line look very expensive. Who paid for these flights? And what did he do with all the mileage points? Did they go to the school or did Jack keep them for personal use.
    Questions that deserve an answer.

    Reply
  33. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Jack’s trips were valued at about as much as everyone’s comments as it relates to this youn man, $0.02……It is absolutely ridiculous the banter that goes on with respect to a young man who just wants to go to college, get an education and play ball. Comments with regard to how long he stays in town and things of that nature are crazy. Whatever your opinions are about him as a player leave them at that. All the backhanded compliments and useless rhetoric with regard to his time spent here and with whom he resides, and any other personal matters that are spewed on here with obvious racial undertones is absurd. Regardless of your thoughts on him, his situation, or his basketball ability he will have earned a Division I scholarship and for that he is to be commended.

    Reply
  34. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    You’re all wrong. Reggie was at St Joe’s all year last year, starting in October. From my understanding he missed the first week this year at Joes due to payment plans, but other than that he’s been there all year. Of course he flies back and forth from Ghana, the kids parents and family live there. He isn’t only in the states for basketball season. Anyways the main reason he came to the states was to pursue a better education.

    Reply
  35. Dark LMT Avatar
    Dark LMT

    Reggie pays to go to Joe’s? I thought Mark and Jack took care of the bill?

    Reply
  36. Round man Avatar
    Round man

    What if canisius goes to states and ea and joes are out of the picture what does that do for your poy

    Reply
  37. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    ^That’s what I’ve been thinking.
    And LMT that’s what I thought too. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe he had some other issues, but I do know that he missed a week or 2 at the start of the academic year.
    Went to the Joes-Nichols game tonight. Joes won by about 40, but it was a fun game. Reggie had 3 dunks including an awesome alley-oop and every player on Joes scored, so that was cool.

    Reply
  38. Panthers Avatar
    Panthers

    Crazy night at Joes… Big man RA had 3 mean dunks that had the whole gym crazy. 1st one in traffic in the paint on two of their bigs, 2nd a fastbreak two handed tomahawk, and the 3rd the sick alley-oop that looked like he would never comeback down. Ridiculous quickness and hops that I have not seen in previous games. Who is working on this kid? Looking forward to seeing him perform again this Saturday at CHS.

    Reply
  39. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    Mary’s win over Walsh tonight, I’m not positive but almost am locks Mary’s into the 3 seed for the MMA playoffs and Walsh fifth, meaning Timon vs. Walsh is a likely first-round matchup and Mary’s against either Frannies or Niagara Catholic.
    If Timon beats Canisius on Thursday, Joe’s locks up the top seed. If CHS wins, that Saturday game wlll be huge (well it would be whether it means anything or not). Last year the MMA came down to a coin flip.
    Few other MMA things of note: Frannies guard Kyle Wagner committed to Div III Oswego yesterday, and as Keith is reporting in the Buffalo News, Charlie Comerford told us during Timon/Joe’s post-game last week that Timon football will open up their season next year against Williamsville South.

    Reply
  40. Lucky13 Avatar
    Lucky13

    Who is working on this kid? Reggie had a couple dunks like that already way back in the first game vs. McKinley at the Pastor-Cooper.

    Reply
  41. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    The St. Francis guard who committed to Oswego is Tyler Wagner.

    Reply
  42. PatrickMoran Avatar
    PatrickMoran

    yeah him too

    Reply
  43. TML1000 Avatar
    TML1000

    Davon Marshall is headed to Liberty.

    Reply

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Centercourt

Devoted to boys varsity basketball, covering Section VI and the Monsignor Martin Association of WNY

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