Preview: 2012-2013 Season

The Pastor-Cooper Showcase tips tonight, so it's official…high school hoops season is here!

 

Below in this year's version of the Pre-View From Centercourt, you will find:

 

– What's New

– Coaching Changes

– Classification Changes

– Top Nonleague Games

– Returning 2012 All-Centercourt Players

– Player Watch List for 2012-2013

– A League-by-League look at top returning players & newcomers

– Predictions 

– Preseason Top 10 

 

What's New

– Middle Early College dropped the OTC, so in place of OTC/MEC, I'm going old school and calling them Middle College again

– Sweet Home moved from ECIC I to ECIC II

– Lake Shore moved from ECIC II to ECIC III

– Ellicottville moved down to CCAA IV, while Panama bumped up to CCAA III

– Sectional seeding points will be updated more regularly this year – details when they're available 

– There is now a Yale Cup I, II, & III, and Middle College will play up in League I with the big boys, despite its BEDS numbers

– Depew head coach Larry Jones has replaced former Lew-Port head coach Jim Walker as the Section VI Boy's Basketball Chairman

– The Canisius/St. Joe's rivalry games will both be played at the Canisius College Koessler Center this season

– In Section V, Bishop Kearney (who added another tower to its roster) moved up to Class AA and Batavia moved down to Class B1

– Williamsville South and Allegany-Limestone will finally play each other this year…twice

– Two new charter schools will compete in Section VI – Global Concepts & Health Sciences 

– Dunkirk has seriously stepped up its nonleague schedule: Home & home with Silver Creek (C2 champ),  at McKinley (A1 champ), and at Frontier (AA semifinalist).  

 

New Coaches

Gabe Michael, Williamsville South

Ben Scaffidi, Starpoint

Paul Rath, St. Mary's

John Reinholz, Nichols

David Nieves, Hutch-Tech

Matt Bradshaw, Lew-Port

Darren Kresge, Tapestry Charter

Dave Carson, Barker

Joe Mihalics, Bishop Timon/St. Jude

Brian Ferris, St. Francis

Ron Krysztof, Grand Island

Tim Anderson, Falconer

 

Classification Changes

North Tonawanda moves down from Class AA to Class A1

 West Seneca East moves down from Class A1 to Class A2

Starpoint moves down from Class A1 to Class A2

Lake Shore moves down from Class A1 to Class A2

Bennett moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

East Aurora moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

Maryvale moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

Albion moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

Lafayette moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

East moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Medina moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Buffalo Arts moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Allegany-Limestone moves down from Class B2 to Class C1

DaVinci moves up from Class C2 to Class C1

Randolph moves up from Class C2 to Class C1

Olmsted moves up from Class D to Class C2

 

Top Nonleague Games 

12/5 – Williamsville East vs. Middle College @ Daemen College

12/6 – East vs. St. Mary's @ Daemen College

12/6 – Timon vs. McKinley @ Daemen College

12/7 – Bishop Kearney @ Niagara Falls

12/8 – Jamestown vs. Williamsville South @ NFHS

12/8 – Brunswick (OH) @ Niagara Falls

12/8 – East @ Olean (projected in round two of tournament)

12/11 – Jamestown vs. St. Joe's @ St. Mary's

12/11 – Canisius vs. Olean @ St. Mary's

12/12 – Williamsville South @ St. Mary's

12/12 – CSAT @ Middle College

12/14 – St. Joe's @ McKinley

12/18 – Bishop Kearney @ Canisius

12/20 – Middle College @ St. Joe's

12/22 – Timon @ Jamestown (projected in round two of tournament)

1/17 – Bishop Kearney @ St. Joe's

1/18 – Timon @ Bishop Kearney

1/19 – St. Joe's @ Aquinas

1/19 – Canisius vs. McKinley @ City Honors

1/19 – East vs. East Aurora @ City Honors

2/2 – Niagara Falls @ Bishop Kearney

2/4 – Oracle Charter @ Olmsted

2/6 – Timon @ Bishop Kearney

2/7 – Canisius @ Cathedral Prep

2/9 – Nichols @ Aquinas

2/12 – St. Joe's @ Frontier

2/12 – Aquinas @ Timon

2/13 – Olmsted @ Tapestry Charter

2/14 – Sweet Home @ St. Joe's

2/14 – Williamsville North @ Williamsville East

2/14 – Dunkirk @ Silver Creek

2/18 – Cleveland Hill @ St. Mary's

 

 

The Players

Nine of the top 25 players from the 2012 All-Centercourt teams return to the WNY high school hoops scene, along with another 13 players that received Honorable Mentions following last season.  In addition, many others are primed to have breakout seasons, while the influx of talented underclassmen continues to surface at multiple schools throughout WNY.

 

Returning 2012 1st Teamers

Adam Weir – Sr., Canisius:  18 ppg, 7 reb.  Helped lead the Crusaders to a second straight Manhattan Cup championship, where he earned MVP honors, while leading team in postseason scoring.  His familiarity with success on the Koessler Center floor should serve him well when he continues his hoops career with Canisius College after high school.

Sterling Taplin – Jr., Williamsville North:  19.1 ppg, 5.7  reb, 3.6 asst, 2.7 stl.  Sank five 3-pointers and scored 13 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter of the AA semifinal in an effort that fell just short of an upset bid against eventual champion Niagara Falls.  Enters his junior season having already eclipsed 1,000 career points.

 

 Returning 2012 Second Teamer

Jermaine Crumpton – Sr., Niagara Falls:  17 ppg, 7 reb, 3 asst, 2 blk.   Helped to lead the Wolverines back to prominence as they recaptured the Class AA title, defeating Jamestown .  Played very well against top competition, including game-highs in points and rebounds when Falls faced Milton, a team that finished in the top ten nationally in 2012.  Crumpton will also continue playing hoops for Canisius College following graduation.

 

Returning 2012 Third Teamers

Tommy Campion – Sr., Jamestown:  18.6 ppg, 4.3 asst, 2.1 stls. The lone returning starter from the Class AA NYS runners-up in 2011, Campion's leadership and abilities on the court returned the Red Raiders to Class AA Section VI championship game.  He shared ECIC I Player of the Year honors with Taplin thanks to his contributions in all phases of the game for Jamestown.

Sam Eckstrom – Jr., Olean:  14.8 ppg, 9.2 reb, 2.0 blk.  Helped lead a Huskies squad loaded with expectations to the brink of a state title in just his sophomore campaign.  His footwork and positioning in the post, along with a soft touch around the rim, make him the most fundamentally sound junior big man WNY has seen since Will Regan.

Wil Bathurst – Jr., Olean:  11.8 ppg, 7.6 reb, 2.2 asst.  Complemented Eckstrom's talents wonderfully to give the Huskies a potent 1-2 punch.  Combines raw athleticism with a silky-smooth style that allows him to shoot from anywhere, get to the basket (and above) with ease, and snag every rebound within his radius that Eckstrom didn't already secure.

 

Returning 2012 Fourth Teamer

Zed Williams – Sr., Silver Creek

 

Returning 2012 Fifth Teamers

JJ Wilkes – Sr.,  Niagara Falls

Darnell Carson – Sr., CSAT

 

Returning 2012 Honorable Mentions

Johnathan Belton – Sr. (Amherst), Justice Feggans – Sr. (Riveride), Aaron White – Sr. (Canisius), Matt MacDonald – Sr. (Canisius), Quinton Campbell – Sr. (Kenmore West), Reyszon Jordan – Sr. (McKinley),  Marcus Morris – Sr. (McKinley), Lovell Smith – Sr. (McKinley), Jordan Glover – Sr. (St. Joe's), Chaquiel Nettles – Sr. (Williamsville South), Clayton Hess – Sr. (Tonawanda), Nick Scmidt – Jr. (Olean), Brendan Cox – Jr. (East Aurora)

 

Other names to watch for this season 

Jake Haight – Jr. (Barker), Steve Marcey – Sr. (Silver Creek), Jack Mulcahey – Sr. (Niagara Wheatfield), Kyle Radack – Sr. (Southwestern), Dylan Meyer – Jr. (Fredonia), Zach Blask – Sr. (Portville), John Coe – Sr. (Westfield), Louis Oliveri – Sr. (St. Joe's), Tyree Tyson – Jr. (East), Johnathan Lewis – Jr. (East), Fulton Bryant – Sr. (Timon), Bri'an Brown – Jr. (Middle College), Keir Anderson – Jr. (Middle College), Paul Rath – Sr. (St. Mary's), Brandon Kellam – So. (Jamestown), Kole Gilchrist – Sr. (Sweet Home), Jordan Parker – Sr. (Cleveland Hill), Ramir Burton – Sr. (Niagara Falls), Connor Sears – Sr. (Newfane), Lonnie Taylor – Sr. (Medina), Connor Ladd – Sr. (Akron)

 

League-by-league

 

MONSIGNOR MARTIN

Canisius

Key Returnees: Adam Weir – 12, Aaron White – 12, Matt MacDonald – 12, Jamel Mosley – 12, Jake Cercone – 12, Ryan Raccuia – 12

Key Newcomers: Ryan Richards – 11, Josh Huffman – 10, Patrick MacDonald – 11, Howard Washington – 9 (Transfer from City Honors)

 

St. Joe's 

Key Returnees:  Jordan Glover – 12, Jalen Morris – 12, Mark Cerza – 12, Louis Oliveri – 12, Dan Maher – 12, Dylan Hall – 12

Key Newcomers: Justin Hollins – 11, Tremaine Shelton – 11 (Transfer from Buffalo Arts), Tyler Hill – 11

 

Bishop Timon/St. Jude

Key Returnees:  Bryant Fulton – 12, Donte Williams – 11, Manny Welch – 12, 

Key Newcomers:  Derick Simpson – 10, Kyler Hairston (Transfer from Park School), Brandon Donohue, Sean Murphy

 

St. Francis

Key Returnees: Cory Cullen – 12, Brennan Macey – 12, David Kennedy – 11, Wenny Xie – 12

Key Newcomers: Treyvon Holness – 11 (Transfer from Montreal), Maurice Burse – 11 (Transfer from Lackawanna),  Devantie Campbell – 11 (Transfer from Montreal), Austin Taylor – 11, Chris Shriver – 11

 

Nichols

Key Returnees: Liam Ryan – 12, Christopher Miner – 10, Cam Lewis – 10, Adam Noonan – 12

Key Newcomer:  Tom Nuttle – 11, Jack Vance – 11

 

St. Mary's

Key Returnees:  Paul Rath – 12, Latrell Tyson – 12, Quinn Gill – 12

Key Newcomers:  Tyler English – 11, Corey Kiebzak – 11, Matt Wrobel – 11, Dione Strong – 11, Jake Concannon – 10

 

 Niagara Catholic

Key Returnee:  Jonathan Jackson – 11

 

 Cardinal O'Hara

Archbishop Walsh

 

YALE CUP I

McKinley

Key Returnees:  Marcus Morris – 12, Lovell Smith – 12, Reyjzon Jordan – 12, Deonte Bell – 12, Samuel Smith – 12, DaeQuan Warren – 12, Stephen Johnson – 12

 

East

Key Returnees:  Tyree Tyson – 11, Johnathan Lewis – 11, Damone Brown – 10, Dajuan Quarles – 12

Key Newcomer:  Percy Bryant – 10 (Transfer from St. Mary's)

 

Riverside

Key Returnees:  Justice Feggans – 12, Shawn Johnson – 12, Willie Smith – 11, Jarmel Caldwell – 11

Key Newcomers: Jevon Rosier – 11, Jovell Littlejohn – 10

 

Middle College

Key Returnees:  Bri'an Brown – 11, Keir Anderson – 12, Kevin Briggs (formerly Reese) – 11, TJ Scott – 11, Brandon Jefferson – 11, Donavin McLean – 12, Aterah Dickinson – 12

Key Newcomers:  Isaiah Jenkins – 10, Joseph Staton – 9, Khoron Ferguson – 9, Devon Singleton – 11, X-Ray Xavier Drayton – 11, Elijah Mingo – 11

 

Hutch-Tech

Key Returnees:  Tim Whitehead – 12, Roman West – 11, Jovohn Owens – 12, Amanuel Radford – 11

 

South Park 

Key Returnees:  Zachary Kaczor – 11, Tyrell Mitchell – 12, Darius White – 12

 

Bennett

 Key Returnees:  Aurelio Ayala – 12

 

YALE CUP II

I-Prep

Key Returnees:  Justice Radford – 12, Damon Boykin – 11, DaQuan Evans – 10

 

City Honors

Key Returnees: Marqell Massey – 11, James Miller – 11, Yusef Burgos – 11, Matt Cieslik – 10, Jordahn Summers – 10

 

Burgard

Key Returnees:  Daquan Walker – 12

 

MST Seneca

 Key Returnees:  JaVaughn McNab – 12, RayShawn Jones – 12

Key Newcomers:  Adrian Blackmon – 11, Ben Bolden – 11

 

YALE CUP III

Olmsted

Key returnees: Jalen Schumaker – 12, Malcolm Hendrick – 10, Ballah Burch – 11

 

Buffalo Arts

Key Returnees:  Derek Simpson – 10

 

Lafayette

Key Returnees:  Jon Colon – 12

 

Emerson

Key Returnee:  Lenny Dowell

 

 DaVinci

 

 ECIC I

 Jamestown

Key Returnees: Tommy Campion – 12, Quinn Lee Yaw – 11, Brandon Kellam – 10, Zack Panebianco – 10

 

Williamsville North

Key Returnees:  Sterling Taplin – 11, David Berkun – 12, George Attea – 10, Aman Washington – 12

 

 Clarence

Key Returnees: Bobby Florio – 12, Ryan Funk – 11, Bryan Jost – 11, Elliott Case – 11

Key Newcomers: Tanner Schmidt – 10 (Transfer from Nichols), Matt Sadowy – 10, Emaure Williams – 11

 

 Lancaster

Key Returnees:  Sean Murray – 12, Jacob Plonka – 12, Joe Jankowski – 11, Steve Musso – 12, Mac Garby – 12, Colin Stotz – 12

Key Newcomers: Tyler Lis – 10, Griffin O'Brien – 10, Eric Zimpfer – 11

 

West Seneca West

Key Returnees:  Nick Clancy – 11

 

Orchard Park

Frontier

 

ECIC II

Williamsville East

Key Returnees:  Michael Spina – 12, Cort Williams – 10, Nicholas Clough – 10, Zachary Bischel – 12

 

Williamsville South

Key Returnees:  Damian Powers – 12, Pat Stasiak – 12, Chaquiel Nettles – 12, Trent Ferguson – 12, Jack Fitzpatrick – 12, Sam Castronova – 10

 

Iroquois

Key Returnees:  Nate Wilkinson – 12, Matthew Zimmerman – 12

 

Sweet Home

Key Returnees: Kole Gilchrist – 12, Khalid Barnes – 12

 

Hamburg

Key Returnees:  Kyle Violanti – 12, Andrew Sardinia – 12, Griffin Ryan – 11, Jeremiah Bill – 11, Tony Guzzetta – 12, Matt Odre – 12

Key Newcomers:  Tim Kane – 11, Kyle Munro – 10, Joe DeGrood – 10

 

West Seneca East

Key Returnees:  Alex Pacer – 12, Austin Spindler – 12, Corey Fermo – 12, Matt Kumro – 10

Key Newcomers:  Nick Parucki – 1o, Ed Radka – 9, Dan Picciano – 9

 

Starpoint

Key Returnees:  Andrew Rankie – 12, Julian Mott – 11, Ian Emerick – 10

 

ECIC III

Amherst

Key Returnees:  Johnathan Belton – 12, Dion Lewis – 12, Alex Turecki – 12, Dorian Billups – 10

 

East Aurora

Key Returnees:  Brendan Cox – 11, Ian Allen – 12, James Ritchie – 12, Grant Haffenden – 11

Key Newcomers:  Mike Coatsworth – 10, Kevin Tierney – 11

 

Cheektowaga

Key Returnees:  Zak Ciezki – 10, Derek Clyburn – 12, Dileon Pearsall – 12

 

Depew

Key Returnees: Derek Sekuterski – 11, Jake Lamb – 11, Nate Hyman – 12

 

Maryvale

Key Returnees:  Tyler Smith – 12, Demetri McCallie – 12, Max Aikin – 12, Tyler Graham – 12

Key Newcomers:  William Lamar – 8 

 

Pioneer

Key Returnees:  Terik Lewis – 12, Connor Johnson – 12, Dylan Souder – 12, Ryan Miller – 12

Key Newcomer:  Bryce Little – 10

 

Lake Shore

Key Returnees:  Clark Brueckl – 12, Ryan Joslyn – 12, Wade Bergum – 11

Key Newcomers:  Matt Vona – 11, Colin Hart – 11

 

Springville

 

ECIC IV

Cleveland Hill

Key Returnees: Jared Watkins – 11, Jordan Parker – 12, Rayshawn Smalls – 12, Richard Sotero – 12, Andrej Krajewski – 12

Key Newcomers: Aaron Phillips – 11, Jermaine Hairston – 10

 

Lackawanna

Key Returnees: Shaquille Brooks – 12, Cam Smith – 11, Norman Sweat – 12, Deron Adams – 12

Key Newcomer: Ahmad Abdo – 12

 

Tonawanda

Key Returnees:  Clayton Hess – 12, Ben Stitch – 11

Key Newcomer:  Tristan Bolling – 10

 

Holland

Key Returnees:  Clay Lewis – 10, Curtis Blendinger – 12

 

JFK

Key Returnees:  Nick Anderson – 12

 

Alden

Key Returnees:  Corey Barczykowski – 12

 

Eden 

Key Returnees:  Brad Palmerton – 11

 

Niagara Frontier League

Niagara Falls

Key Returnees: Jermaine Crumpton – 12, JJ Wilkes – 12, Ramir Burton – 12, Stefon Caffee – 12, Tikere Ralands – 12, Vinzell Watkins – 11

Key Newcomer: Jamar Waters – 10 (Transfer from Nichols)

 

Kenmore West

Key Returnees:  Quinton Campbell – 12, Alex Price – 11, Joel Northup – 12, Shay Cuadra – 12, Adam From – 11

Key Newcomers:  Terell Ford – 9, Tyler Grandits – 11

 

Grand Island

Key Returnees: Nick Soos – 12, Ryan Ross – 11, Jordan Jelks – 12, Corey Adamshick – 12

 

North Tonawanda

Key Returnees:  

 

Niagara Wheatfield

Key Returnees:  Jack Mulcahey – 12, Anthony Cappucilli – 12, Chris Galvano – 12

 

Lockport

Kenmore East

Lew-Port

 

Niagara-Orleans

Akron

Key Returnees:  Connor Ladd – 12, Austin Mietz – 12, Noah Diebel – 11, Gowah Abrams – 12, Steve Poodry – 12

Key Newcomers:  Sturgis Sundown – 12, Austen Lauricella – 11

 

Newfane

Key Returnees:  Connor Sears – 12, Bryan Geise – 12, Reid Weber – 12, Alex Intihar – 12, Jake O'Keefe – 12, Brian "Rat" Ratajczak – 12

Key Newcomers:  Jimmer Branca – 12, Ryan Doyle – 12, Sean Costello – 11, Josh Kneeland – 11

 

CSAT

Key Returnees: Darnell Carson – 12, Dylanta Carson – 10

Key Newcomers:  Alex Santos – 11, Quinton Lamar – 9, Bryan Locke – 10

 

Medina

Key Returnees:  Lonnie Taylor – 12, Dan "Mungie" Brown – 12, Jason Hellwig – 10

 

Barker

Key Returnees:  Jake Haight – 11, Mitchell Luckman – 11, Bryce Moeller – 11, Chris Sweeney – 10, Brett Cole – 12, Hayden Gooding – 11

Key Newcomer:  Jared Worthington – 11

 

Roy-Hart

Key Returnees: Brad Bobbitt – 12, Blake Copella – 12, Ryan Farewell – 12, Marc Roman – 11, Alex Stoddard – 11

Key Newcomers:  Andy Xapsos – 9, Austin Heschke – 11, DeRon Woods – 11, Sam White – 10

 

Wilson

Key Returnee:  Matt Baker

 

Albion

 

CCAA I

Olean

Key Returnees: Sam Eckstrom – 11, Wil Bathurst – 11, Nick Schmidt  - 11, Luke Hennessey – 11, Max Portlow – 12, Pat Scholla – 12, Evan Ryan – 12

Key Newcomers: Dante Tarr – 11, Chris Gayton – 11

 

Fredonia

Key Returnees: Dylan Meyer – 11, Nick Johnston – 11, John Piper – 10

 

Southwestern

Key Returnees:  Kyle Radack – 12, Alek Peck – 12, Peter Trathen – 12, Nick Baglia – 12, Jacob Pilling – 12, Kyle Moran – 11, Andrew Greenlee – 12

Top Newcomers: Riley Ribicki – 11, Nathan Schrope – 11

 

Falconer

Key Returnees:  Brandon DePietro – 11, Nick Conti – 11

 

Dunkirk

Key Returnees:  Marquel Ruiz – 12, Jacob Lockett – 12, Drew Messina – 12

Key Newcomer:  Emanuel (Manny) Masonet – 11

 

Allegany-Limestone

Key Returnees:  Dom Saglimben – 11, Ryan Vossler – 11, Caswell Stanton – 12

Key Newcomers:  Dom Conroy – 10, Trevin Barber – 12

 

Gowanda

 Key Returnees:  Chase Williams – 11, Brennan Geiger – 11, Zach Stevens – 11

Key Newcomer: Jordan Young – 10

 

 CCAA II

Silver Creek 

Key Returnees:  Zed Williams – 12, Kaine Kettle – 11, Steve Marcey – 12

Key Newcomers:  Bill Brooks – 10, Brennan White – 10

 

Portville

Key Returnees:  Zach Blask – 12, Josh Watson – 12

 

Randolph

Key Returnees:  Bryce Morrison – 10

 

Salamanca

Key Returnees:  Tanner John – 12

Key Newcomer: Damion Taylor – 11

 

Frewsburg

Key Returnees:  Alex Elderkin – 12

 

Cassadaga Valley

Key Returnees:  Randy Dabala – 12


 Cattaraugus Little Valley

 

CCAA III

Maple Grove

 Key Returnees:  Jeff Tampe – 12, Will Soffel – 12, Aaron Germain – 12, Austin Goerke – 12, Oliver Simpson – 12

 

Westfield

Key Returnees:  John Coe – 12

 

Panama

Key Returnees:  Alec Blose – 12, Dan Odell – 11, Brandon Lewis – 12

 

Chautauqua Lake

Key Returnees:  Ian Clute – 11, Cody Thomas – 12, Jeremiah Russin – 12, Jordan Briggs – 12

 

Pine Valley

Key Returnees:  Lucas Trombley – 12

 

Forestville

Key Returnees:  Jacob Nosbisch – 11

 

Franklinville

 

CCAA IV

Sherman

Key Returnees:  Ryan Robson – 11, Andrew Graham – 11, Devin Moorhead – 11

 

Clymer

Key Returnees:  Dan Lictus – 12, Connor Payne – 12, Mitch Einink – 11, Jacob Wiggers – 11, Caleb Clark – 12

 

Brocton

Key Returnees:  Dan Ferguson – 12, Jordan Patterson – 12, Macalum Buchanan – 11

 

West Valley

Key Returnees:  Mike Grigsby – 12, Colton Myers – 12

 

Ellicottville

Key Returnees:  Cameron Wilson – 11, Storm Wilson – 12, Alex Steinbroner – 12

 

North Collins

Ripley

 

 Charter Schools

Oracle 

Key Returnees:  Gerald Bibbs – 12, Julius Allen – 12, Jamarr Cunningham – 12, Eric Waters – 12

Key Newcomers:  Nelson Modi – 11, Jayson Jones-Johnson – 11, Antone Gullege – 11


Tapestry

Key Returnees:  Tom Lucas – 12, Tong Mawein – 12, Jon Spears – 11

Key Newcomers:  Gary Foster – 9, JaQuoine Fogan – 9 


WNY Maritime

Buffalo Science

Health Sciences

Global Concepts

 

Predictions

Manhattan Cup: Canisius

Class AA: Jamestown

Class A1: McKinley

Class A2: Amherst

Class B1: Olean

Class B2: East

Class C1: Middle College

Class C2: Silver Creek

Class D: Clymer

 

– McKinley, Olean, & Middle College will all advance to Glens Falls

– Olean will win the Class B State Championship

– Canisius will win the CHSAA Class A State Championship

– Section V "super power" Bishop Kearney will lose one of its games played against a WNY team this year (Falls, Canisius, St. Joe's, Timon)…or maybe Jamestown)

 

Preseason Top 10 – Large Schools

1. Canisius

2. Jamestown

3. Niagara Falls

4. McKinley

5. St. Joe's

6. Bishop Timon/St. Jude

7. Williamsville North

8. Clarence

9. Amherst

10. Riverside

 

Preseason Top 10 Small Schools

1. Olean

2. East

3. Middle College

4. Silver Creek

5. East Aurora

6. Depew

7. Nichols

8. St. Mary's

9. Cleveland Hill

10. CSAT

 

  -centercourt

69 responses to “Preview: 2012-2013 Season”

  1. big bopper Avatar
    big bopper

    TJ Scott, Middle College is a transfer from ST MARYS

  2. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    TJ Scott played for Middle College last season, the reason he is not listed as a transfer this year.

  3. Fan at the game Avatar
    Fan at the game

    Great job as always centercourt! Glad your back keeping us all well informed on WNY HS Basketball.

  4. TML1000 Avatar
    TML1000

    I have to disagree with Jamestown being ahead of the Falls…Falls beat them head to head and have just as much if not more talent returning. I have to give the Falls the edge on a “higher ceiling” for that talent this year.
    Also, the BK losing predicition…it’s possible but if BK is fully healthy it will be a HUGE ask, even for Canisius. Thomas Bryant is the key for me…if he has matured and plays with an edge/agressiveness, BK shouldn’t lose to a local team.

  5. TML1000 Avatar
    TML1000

    Other than that, I agree with mostly everything. Does anyone know what is going on with Feggans? He wasn’t in the box scores up at Wilson. Tough to rank Riverside if his status is unknown…although they are still decent.
    Very interested to see Joe’s/KW tonight…Joe’s has some good talent coming back, but not sure about their size and one thing KW does for sure have is size. I’m looking for Shay Cuadra to have a big year…has the potential to score the ball in a number of ways.

  6. hoopster Avatar
    hoopster

    I hope everyone realizes the time, effort and thought that goes into this kind of production, and all for the love and enjoyment of high school basketball. Pretty amazing.
    Thanks CC! I am chairman of the CC adulation/appreciation society!

  7. Karl Hungus Avatar
    Karl Hungus

    Hey hoopster does that make MIG chairwoman of the CC adulation/appreciation society? Yeah, MIG!!!

  8. hoopster Avatar
    hoopster

    I thought (s)he was chair(wo)man of the McShea society!

  9. Coach Rich Avatar
    Coach Rich

    Great work Student athletes love this stuff. It’s what HS sports should be.

  10. Tripp Avatar
    Tripp

    Centercourt breaking it down!!! This is awesome, what’s your twitter so we can spread the news

  11. McShea is God Avatar

    Great job CC I am already looking forward 2 the Falls-Jamestown game on March 2nd 8:15pm! Love that people r already getting on me. I am doing some light cross-dressing this year so I am not sure which way I am swinging at this point as far as male female.
    Taplin, Weir, Crumpton – who gets Player of the Year? I will let all of u know soon 🙂

  12. FanCave Avatar
    FanCave

    Nice preview. 1?, how can a freshman be called a transfer?

  13. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    I’m assuming you’re referring to Howard Washington.
    He played varsity as an 8th grader for City Honors. I guess technically we can argue the semantics and phrase it as “Washington chose to further his secondary educational experience at Canisius rather than continue within the Buffalo Public School system, where he received his first two years of secondary educational instruction, and attend City Honors.
    I just went with transfer.

  14. fullcourt1 Avatar
    fullcourt1

    Similarly; JAMAR WATERS transferred BACK to Niagara Calla that is where he is from and was in the NF school system prior to attending NICHOLS for 1 year. Other than that; GREAT job on the preview and early games; keep it rolling!

  15. Panthers Avatar
    Panthers

    Buffalo New York’s own Reggie Agbeko honing his skills at South Kent in the NEPSAC Class AAA in preparation for college against the best division one prospects in the country. http://www.highschoolcube.com/highlight/reggie-s-dunk-with-bad-intenti-32233

  16. New year same old stuff Avatar
    New year same old stuff

    South Kent? You mean Kent right? Thought for sure he was playin for Calp after all the hype last year. Two years here and he is “Buffalo’s own” now that is immigration reform you can believe in. Ricky and SJCI are you still on this one trick dunking pony?

  17. I Heart MIG Avatar
    I Heart MIG

    SJCI is still trying to figure out what happened in the Manhattan Cup playoffs…

  18. McShea is God Avatar

    Buffalo’s own – Stan Weir 2012 WNY Player of the year!

  19. Dark LMT Avatar
    Dark LMT

    I love all the transfers to the MMA schools.

  20. Panthers Avatar
    Panthers

    I guess in time we will see where all these talented kids end up. It is going to be an interesting year of HS ball once again. Gonna be a good one in NF tomorrow night.

  21. Ken Sears Avatar
    Ken Sears

    will try to come see the nieghbors play but we are at 1:30 Wally,Mike & co. are welcomed faces in any gym and always glad to catch a game or 2 with them!!!!!good luck Wilson…..we are all in for a battle…lets make a showing!!!

  22. thats my boy! Avatar
    thats my boy!

    maybe do a google search on freshman transfer….first start with the word transfer and the rest will come right to you….Word CC!!!!!!LOL

  23. McShea is God Avatar

    Taplin – WOW!!! Player of the year race is OVER! Crumpton and Weir haven’t played yet!!!

  24. Yale Cup Avatar
    Yale Cup

    So i take it Will North won? Any update on Niagara Falls vs. Bishop Kearney?

  25. PJB Avatar
    PJB

    Falls won in OT . Kearney was not nearly as impressive as the hype, big men never exploited the considerable size advantage. Kearney much to willing to settle for perimeter J’s

  26. New year same old stuff Avatar
    New year same old stuff

    Taplin 23 points AND a tip dunk v big bad Batavia Wow is right! ST overrated and overhyped. Let’s get the UB signing done so he and Reggie can be average together.

  27. Gus Buster Avatar
    Gus Buster

    Sorry but who is ST?

  28. Gus Buster Avatar
    Gus Buster

    I’m sorry. I figured it out. Usually when someone says somebody is overhyped and overrated on here it is because they think someone else is better or more deserving than Taplin. So who is it that you think deserves more hype?

  29. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    Taplin and Crumpton both very impressive last night!
    Player to watch this year, really think he’s going to have an incredible season,- Donte Williams from Timon. Kid’s an absolute beast!

  30. PJB Avatar
    PJB

    Taplin impressive offensive skills. Crumpton showed a well rounded game especially the defensive intensity to match up on the perimeter.

  31. McShea is God Avatar

    It’s a 2 man race Taplin or Crumpton. I can’t have a white guy named ‘Weir’ win it 2 years in a row. But he will b on 1st team w 1 of the Olean kids so that leaves 1 first team spot left.

  32. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    ^ I don’t want to say Williams will make 1st team, but the kid is an absolute baller.

  33. Hawk Pride Avatar
    Hawk Pride

    Jamar Waters actually attended Niagara Catholic for the 2nd Semester last year, after leaving Nichols, before enrolling at NFHS this year.
    Other transfers: Derick Simpson (Buffalo Arts to Timon), Najee Peters (Timon to Sweet Home), Ahmad Abdo (West Seneca West back to Lackawanna), Kevin Tierney (Eden back to East Aurora), Sean Buckley (Clarence to Park School), Melvin Henley (Cheektowaga to Park School), Derek Cheatom (West Seneca West to Park School), Brennan White (Gowanda to Silver Creek), Andrew John (Lake Shore to Silver Creek), Tyler Mascio (Lake Shore to Canisius – Played QB on Football team, chose not to play basketball this year), Stafford Trueheart (Christian Central Academy to Canisius).

  34. BBBfan Avatar
    BBBfan

    Anybody know why Riverside player Justice Feggans has not yet played this year?

  35. Use Ya Left Avatar
    Use Ya Left

    Speaking of the Olean kids … Bathurst and Eckstrom each went for 23 and double-digit rebounds on Maple Grove Saturday (Buff News had Eckstrom total wrong in Sunday paper) after Eckstrom scored 21 and Bathurst 12 against Bradford, Pa. (class AAA in Pa.) the night before.
    Of course, the big early test comes Tuesday…

  36. Hawk Pride Avatar
    Hawk Pride

    Justice Feggans (Riverside) is still recovering from an early season Football injury but according to one of his coaches, he will be ready to go soon.

  37. Hawk Pride Avatar
    Hawk Pride

    Speaking of the Buffalo News, they have been brutal so far this season with wrong box scores, wrong final scores, wrong player names, and wrong team records. The box scores never add up to the total amount of points and the individual player points are typically wrong. I’m not sure who they have receiving the results being called in but it needs alot more quality control!!!

  38. Use Ya Left Avatar
    Use Ya Left

    Couple more things from weekend in Southern Tier:
    Maple Grove looks like they will be as tough as ever in their classification. They beat Buffalo East in first night of the Olean Tip Off rather easily.
    As for East, last couple of years they started slow, and then came on strong later in the season. A lot of people down here were anticipating an Olean-East matchup in the Olean tourney final … but East has some work to do.
    As an aside: Olean’s future would appear to be bright as ever. Olean JV (with two 8th-graders playing significant roles) notched a 30-point win over Bradford, Pa. and then a 40-point win over East (all juniors and sophs listed on East’s JV roster).
    Watch out for Portville in C. Zach Blask is as good a combo guard as anyone in small-school Sec. 6. Also, keep an eye on Salamanca, led by Tanner John. Both schools are off to strong starts.
    Archbishop Walsh has some nice young players coming up … but they will struggle big time in MMAA this year.

  39. StateChamps2003 Avatar
    StateChamps2003

    The Buffalo News website has been absolutely horrible since they switched over to their new format a few weeks ago. HORRIBLE. And the funny part about it is that they want you to pay them to start viewing articles now. Why would someone pay for a product that has had known issues for a while now is beyond me.

  40. Hawk Pride Avatar
    Hawk Pride

    Buffalo East was missing their starting PG Sophomore Percy Bryant (Transfer from St. Mary’s)vs. St. Mary’s (Pastor-Cooper) and at the Olean Tournament vs. Maple Grove and vs. Bradford (PA).
    He would have made a difference in all three games and East would probably be 3-0 right now. Without Bryant, Jonny Lewis is the lone ball handler and is more of a scoring Guard than a Point Guard. I attended the East/St. Mary’s game @ Daemen and you noticed right from the start Lewis was trying to do too much without Bryant in the backcourt with him.

  41. McShea is God Avatar

    Olean-Canisius tomorrow will b the HS game of the year until Falls plays Jamestown March 3rd. Since Olean has 2 in the books and Canisius has yet 2 play a real game, I think Olean wins in by 4.

  42. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    Olean won, they are clearly a great team, but Canisius is better. Kyle Husband proved he is the best coach in WNY. After being shell-shocked in the 1st half CHS came out and dominated the 2nd. They figured Olean out and just dominated the 2nd. Adam Weir is an absolute stud, as are Bathurst and Eckstrom, but Weir was on fire. I think CHS would crush Olean if they were to play again.
    Joe’s is in for a down year. Not a very impressive SJCI team, but Jamestown is impressive. Campion can flat out shoot!

  43. McShea is God Avatar

    So all people who rip me 4 being a woman NOBODY is going 2 give me props on my prediction? Canisius Olean will b the ‘best HS game until Falls Jamestown’ AND picking Olean 2 ‘win by 4’ (I was off by 1) c’mon BOYS give a girls some credit!!
    NEVER has All WNY 1st team been done so early. Taplin, Crumpton, Weir LOCKS 1st team Sam E and Will B from Olean fighting with Tommy C from Jamestown 4 the last 2 spots. I’d hate 2 b Keith and have 2 knock 1 of them down.

  44. I Heart MIG Avatar
    I Heart MIG

    Kyle Husband is the best coach in wny based on his team being down 26 and losing by 3 on a neutral court to a small school?!?!? LOL! LOL LOL

  45. TML1000 Avatar
    TML1000

    Olean would not be “crushed,” if they played again. How can you say Canisius is better? Olean was the better team for the first half and Canisius for the second. Clearly they are quite even. If you think Olean would not make adjustments as well if they were to play again, you are kidding yourself.
    If they were truly the far and away better team, they would not have been “shell-shocked,” to start the game…it doesn’t matter it was their first game.

  46. guest Avatar
    guest

    Joe’s not in for a down year. Simon sat two out of his three best players for the majority of the second half one for the entire second half. The game was back and forth late in the first and early and late in the second half. Trust me they will bounce back.

  47. hoopster Avatar
    hoopster

    I wasn’t able to make the game last night, no doubt missed a good one. I think MIG’s point is quite valid; Olean having played two games already while Canisius had not played any was a huge advantage for the Huskies. What would happen if they played again is anybody’s guess. No doubt Canisius will get better and hopefully Olean too. Championships are not won in December, but in late February and March.
    Nice prediction by MIG btw.

  48. hoopster Avatar
    hoopster

    guest, why did Mark sit out his best players? I’m sure he had an excellent reason.

  49. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    One came out for missing a dunk at an important point in the game – he only had about two steps and I was surprised he attempted it. The other was sat for getting a ‘T’ due to a remark to the official.

  50. guest Avatar
    guest

    Centercourt, that is correct. Thanks for responding before I did. I can verify that those are the reasons for Morris and Oliveri being benched.

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Centercourt

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