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

Top games of the week ending 2/12/12

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centercourt42

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Here's a list of what I think are the top games to follow this week.

 

Monday, February 6th

City Honors @ OTC/MEC – 7 pm

 

Tuesday, February 7th

Cleveland Hill @ Tonawanda -  6:30 pm

Clarence @ Frontier – 7:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ East Aurora – 7:30 pm

Iroquois @ Williamsville East - 7:30 pm

Hamburg @ Williamsville South – 7:30 pm

Silver Creek @ Randolph – 7:30 pm

Sherman @ Panama – 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, February 8th

Riverside @ Hutch-Tech – 6 pm

 

Thursday, February 9th

MST Seneca @ I-Prep – 6 pm

Cheektowaga @ Amherst – 7:30 pm

St. Joe's @ Bishop Timon/St. Jude – 7:30 pm

 

Friday, February 10th

McKinley @ East – 6 pm

MST Seneca @ City Honors – 6pm

North Tonawanda @ Kenmore West – 7 pm

Williamsville North @ Clarence – 7:30 pm

Cassadaga Valley @ Portville – 7:30 pm

Westfield @ Maple Grove – 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, February 11th

Canisius @ Bishop Kearney – 3 pm

 

Sunday, February 12th

St. Joe's @ Aquinas – 4 pm

 

Game of the Week – St. Joe's @ Bishop Timon/St. Jude on Thursday, February 9th

– One of the experiences I most look forward to each year are the trips to South Buffalo for the Timon home games against St. Joe's and Canisius.  From the unique auditorium-style gymnasium, to the herds of fans that turn out , to the wildly entertaining Timon student section – there are few environments that can top it.

The last two regular season meetings between the Marauders and the Tigers were decided in overtime.  St. Joe's has won four in a row over the Tigers and have come out on top in their last two visits at Timon.

St. Joe's hopes to maintain its place as the top ranked large school in WNY with a good showing.  A win on Thursday would likely ensure at least a tie for the Monsignor Martin championship.  The Tigers remain a formidable opponent despite their struggles the last two seasons against St. Joe's and Canisius (0-7).  

 

-centercourt

69 responses to “Top games of the week ending 2/12/12”

  1. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    Most high school hoops fans around here got their first look at Javon McCrea when his Newark team defeated Williamsville South in the regionals at Buffalo State in 2010. He was the only reason the Billies didn’t get to Glens Falls that year – South couldn’t do anything near the basket with him manning the middle.

    Reply
  2. Use Ya Left Avatar
    Use Ya Left

    Patrick, I read you about Reggie Agbeko — and I haven’t seen him play as much as you have.
    But I think he does have the skills to compete at a pretty high level of D1. One thing he faces is a lot of double-teams and clogged lanes. His unheralded teammates have done a nice job stepping up this season — but they still for the most part are middle-of-the-road kids who don’t spread the floor and pose a threat from all over the court. He just doesn’t get the space because coaches make him the priority on defense.
    I think Reggie will excel because his game is tailor-made for the more space he will get on a college floor, where, hopefully, more teammates are consistent threats. Great first step, ability to finish and getting better with the outside jumper. I think he’ll be a matchup problem for a lot of teams just based on his ability to get to the basket — he can go around bigger forwards drawn out to the perimeter, or he would overwhelm small forwards or guards trying to keep him away from the basket.
    I think he has that kind of game. Now, is his motor high-level D1? That’s the real question that I’ve both seen and heard regarding him…

    Reply
  3. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    The one thing you stated above as a strength of Agbeko that I think he has to improve on is finishing. He definitely has the ability to as you wrote, but often his lack of touch around the basket calls his superior rebounding skills into action, until he does finish.
    Either way, he’ll play D1 somewhere and should only continue to improve. His game has already grown exponentially since he arrived at Joe’s last year.

    Reply
  4. Division1 Avatar
    Division1

    Penn State is other finalized official. Providence and Marquette are still in the works, and possibly another A10 or Big 12 school. He will most likely not use an official with St. Bonnies only because he has already visited a handful of times (games, pickup, etc) and has gotten to know players and likes what he sees there. More than held his own matched up against Cook and Simmons and had a big time flush in traffic.
    Pat as far as the numbers they are meaningless, because a major reason St. Joes has had the kind of season they have had to date is due to team not being dependent on Reggie scoring every bucket. His willingness to give up the ball instead shot hunting. That team doesn’t win in the long run if they don’t share the ball and starters average between 10 – 15 shots per game. Reggie has better numbers then Dajuan Coleman, whom many consider as the premier high schooler in New York. Better averages then Tyler Cavanaugh, Daniel Dingle, Chris Obekpa, Leroy Fludd, Jeffland Neverson and many of the so called best players in the state. Coleman got 22 and 14 against Syracuse CBA and Reggie had 31 and 15. More kids putting big numbers never make it or get significant looks from relevant division 1s. D1 is generally determined by your ability to defend based on projected position and offensive numbers will generally come down to being able to achieve with limited touches because most at that level were the MAN on there high school team and absolutely will not sit back and feed you all not while they watch. Those of us involved with Reggie and have played at that level have emphasized to him more about being efficient and competing against yourself so as not to go through the motions when playing lesser talent. The motor is there and he is a kid that can do anything on the floor you ask your bigs or guards to do. Kid plays up to the level he is matched up against.

    Reply
  5. PJB Avatar
    PJB

    I think RA is the best player in the area. He is an athletically gifted big man and a relentless rebounder at both ends of the court, but he has a somewhat limited offensively at this point. Although he has the quick hops that McCrea exhibits he does not seem to have the knack of blocking shots that Javon displayed at the same point in his career. this I believe is due to his inexperience.
    His college choice from a basketball perspective, will depend on what his expectations are. Does he want more immediate playing time at a mid major or wait out his time on the bench learning his trade at a high level D1.
    Hopefully his college decision will be based upon academic reasons as much as basketball, since there are many high school stars that have to make a living at something other than sports. He should have some great options.

    Reply
  6. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    ^ I’m sure it will. From talking with his uncle the main reason he came to the US was for academics, very intelligent kid. If you talked to him today you’d never believe he barely spoke English when he first got here.

    Reply
  7. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    I think Reggie is the best player in the area and I also think he has the most potential at then next level. Having said that, I think he’s a few years away from tapping that potential.
    Trust me, I’ll be rooting for the kid. I think he’s a classy young man and a hard worker, and I’ve never interviewed him once without him praising his teammates for any of his success.
    Just not sure if he’s ready to go right to a larger D1 school and be a contributing factor in his 1st or 2nd year.

    Reply
  8. Patrick Moran Avatar
    Patrick Moran

    Even though the matchup was pretty much a stinker, I went to the Timon/St. Francis game tonight for two reasons; 1) I’ve covered so many of those games and seen Kye Kobis played so much I may as well be there for his 1,000th point and 2)I love hwo the Timon and Frannies fans essentially hate each other.
    Here is the video of Kobis hitting a three to reach 1,000 (and I sure as hell aint no Lauren Mariacher, I suck at video)
    http://ww.buffalosportsdaily.com/h-s-roundup-tonawanda-steak-over-kobis-breaks-1000/
    One important thing to note: as I said on here yesterday DiMilo Gibbs has an injury in his chest area and is having problems breathing. He was in street clothes tonight and is “iffy” for Thursday’s huge rematch with St. Joe’s. I spoke to both Gibbs and Palano after the game tonight and Gibbs is hopeful, as is Palano even more so saying they “need him”

    Reply
  9. McShea is God Avatar
    McShea is God

    OMG if I have 2 read 1 more post kissing Reggie’s ass I’m going 2 PUKE!!!! He is an OK HS player! Hey Reggie’s ‘uncle’ or ‘Division 1’ if Oklahoma REALLY ‘offered’ him a full ride even the people on here who hate me r not stupid enough 2 think he wouldn’t have taken it in a SECOND! Enough! Please! He was NOT offered by Oklahoma!!! This kid MIGHT b able 2 b a backup in MAAC. I mean r people at Joe’s paying people 2 post here 2 make sure he gets player of the year? I still think Stan Wier will get it. And then u guys debate ‘who is the best shooter’??? Maybe ask MAC coach of the year Reggie Whitherspoon who has a full ride waiting 4 him who HE thinks the best shooter is?
    My God it’s bad enough Joe’s is being voted #1 in the Buff News poll despite beating a tired Canisius team at HOME by a couple points but this I love Reggie stuff is unreal! He is NOT Johnny Flynn! Or Paul Harris! Or Will Regan! Enough!
    PS – 2 the guy who asked ‘Ricky’ why I let him get under his skin…YOU r the loser. CC told me who u really r and your life is basically a joke. Yes being able 2 retire from 40-45 to hang with my son while he still wants me around makes me a loser. Amazing I can do that and still somehow live in Williamsville. Only a true loser would have planned his life enough 2 b able 2 pull that off!
    USA! Only in America baby! Where Reggie is NOT from! HA!!!!

    Reply
  10. Division1 Avatar
    Division1

    No comment from me MIG. I only talk basketball to people who have played it at a decent level or know what they are talking about so talking to you is out of the question.
    Reggie’s other established official is with Penn State and last 2 are still up in the air as the right fit is decided upon based on who has offered. But appears to be Big East schools. Probably might not do an official with St. Bonnies only because he has done a number of unofficials to play pickup and see watch games. Likes players and staff and knows what to expect but has not visited the other schools on his list.
    He will decide on a school that challeges him to be the best early and win as well as right academic fit.
    Pat, theory of decimating stats is wrong my friend. If Reggie were shot hunting as many would expect, the young guys from St. Joes would have spent too much time watching and not learning to compete. The sharing of the ball is what allowed team to believe in themselves in the Canisius game when Reggie was not a part of most of the game. Wins before stats, and Reggie’s 20ppg and 15 rpg is similar or better than elite post players throughout the state. Dajuan Coleman got 22 and 14 against Syracuse CBA and Reggie got 31 and 15. Reggie averaged 25 ppg and 15 rpg at AAU nationals against the best high school talent in the land as well as a 40+ point game against a team with Big East and ACC recruits. The kid outplayed a number of top 100 players that are going into BCS programs as starters next season. A10 and above schools have followed the kid since last summer and are willing to bet 120k – 160k over next 4 years that they are right that he can play 3, 4 for them. People will keep being shocked at what he can do because there is very little he can’t do on the court. He simply does what is asked of him. Imo his biggest weakness might be setting his own goals within the game so as to bring the proper intensity against lesser comp.

    Reply
  11. NAIA 2 Avatar
    NAIA 2

    So TML, Center Court, Hoopster, Jack Herlan, Mark Simon, MIG can’t talk basketball with you because they haven’t played it at a ‘decent’ level. Keith McShea, Sal from Niagara Falls…none of us will you talk basketball with because we haven’t played it a ‘decent’ level like yourself? Would you mind sharing with all of us what level you consider decent and how far your basketball career went?
    I agree with MIG you are clearly lying. Funny you never mentioned the Oklahoma offer MIG brought up in your post. Because there is no offer.
    Please stop insulting Center Court and Keith McShea and everyone else on this blog who you don’t feel should be able to talk basketball with you because they haven’t played it at a ‘decent level’….Your words Mr D1 – also can you please enlighten us and tell us where you played D1 basketball? Go ahead I’ll wait…

    Reply
  12. Division1 Avatar
    Division1

    NAIA or whoever
    Take it anyway you feel like. Bottom line is that its easy to question and hate on what people are doing, have done or whatever. But a player should be fueled by doubters just like you. Just because you can dunk a nerf ball on an 8 year old doesn’t make you basketball player or knowledgeable of it.
    FYI, Oklahoma offer had been mentioned previously by me and if you would take time out to read, not talk, but read you will notice that someone introduced a link from Soonersfan message board mentioning the offer to Reggie, or I guess if we go with your theory we are manipulating their moderators to come on here to impress you.
    My ball credentials don’t have anything to do with Reggie, but I’m pretty confident its greater than yours. Or that may be to impress you again.
    HATERS HATE, BOTTOM LINE!!!!

    Reply
  13. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    Google espn: Reggie Agbeko. When it says offers one of them is from Oklahoma. But you’re all right espn has no credible sources or anything…

    Reply
  14. Patick Moran Avatar
    Patick Moran

    I will find out in the next 24-36 hours exactly where Reggie may have official offers from.
    And LOL,some of you guys are mean, I’m glad I’m not an athlete.

    Reply
  15. Panthers Avatar
    Panthers

    Surely MIG is out of his league in this conversation. Easy to spew bull but I know he is still choking on that crow! How else would he go from saying CHS will run the table on Joes 3 games this season. How is that prediction working out for you? Now he is saying they will win the one that matters which is what?.. the one in the cup. Please!?! Where is your spine—stand by your words or admit you were wrong. Oh I forgot…it takes a real man to do that!
    Personally I like CHS and wish the kids well this year but Joes not only has a better record but a better team suited to go further than CHS.
    When you come on as another blogger it is easy to recognize you since you can’t change your low bball IQ. Hey dude…You are a funny guy which is pretty lame if that is all people get from your comments and by the way spitting up crow is illegal in this here USA. Sad that no matter what you say or continue to say you are always wrong time and time again. Don’t feel bad that we call you on your useless comments!

    Reply
  16. payola Dave Avatar
    payola Dave

    MIG,
    keep trying to deflect and cover your identity. We all know you were @ the Will east game last night, since it is 5 minutes from your house. Truth be told Reggie is solid and will go D1 but is no Mcrea. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so stop attacking them for it. you on the other hand just make stuff up to rile people up when you don’t even agree w/ your own posts.

    Reply
  17. payola Dave Avatar
    payola Dave

    MIG,
    Also there was no need to ask CC who I was. You and I go waaaay back. Its been a long time, but now that my kids are older we may be seeing more of each other. Sorry for being rude last night @ Wil.East. I should have stopped to say hello.
    Riverside/ Hutch Tech tonight?

    Reply
  18. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    @ MIG. Why wouldn’t Joes be #1? They beat the previous #1, beat AQ, and has some quality wins vs. McKinley, Timon, and St. Mary’s. It’s a no-brainer.
    Reggie is not McCrea, it’s simple. McCrea is leading UB to the NCAA Tourney. BUT with some tuning up in his game’s jump shot, handles, and touch he could be a very good D-1 player as he is already an elite rebounder with great size.

    Reply
  19. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    When I said handles I meant hands, not dribbling skills. We all know what he can do dribbling…

    Reply

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