– Canisius lost its big three (Weir, White, MacDonald) and only returns Ryan Richards to its starting lineup.  So after winning three straight Manhattan Cups and getting hit hard by graduation, shouldn't it be someone else's time?  I think not.  There's enough talent left on Delaware Avenue (remember, their JV squads are always top notch) that I'm calling for a fourth straight cup, and another spot on top of the Buffalo News large school poll at season's end.

 

– Speaking of Canisius, how about the Howard Washington buzz?  I only watch high school games and am out of the loop during the summer AAU circuit, so I was as pleasantly surprised as anyone when the offers started rolling in.  The role Washington played for Canisius as a freshman certainly didn't advertise his D1 prowess.  Being the most highly touted sophomore WNY has seen since Jonny Flynn and being expected to carry the torch for the three-peating Crusaders is a pressure-packed scenario.  Based on my limited interaction with him and all the reports of how hard-working and humble his off-season was, he'll take everything in stride and keep on grinding.  I'm very happy for him and really looking forward to the remainder of his prep career.

 

– While on the topic of highly touted ballers, there's a pretty good one that plays for Williamsville North.  Local fans get one more season to enjoy the Sterling Taplin show.  Too bad he didn't get to practice much with his team in preparation of the big finale season (North's state finalist football team had multiple basketball players on it).  Notable games for the Spartans include this weekend in the Cataract City Classic against Timon, a home game against defending Class A state champion McKinley, and pairs against league foes Jamestown and Clarence.  Between Taplin's talent and the players he'll have around him this season, this will be North's best chance at winning Class AA since 2009.

 

– I'll still take Jamestown to win a fourth Class AA title in five years, but the departure of Brandon Kellam for the Red Raiders (transferred to Bishop Kearney), seriously levels the playing field in Class AA.  It sure helps that Niagara Falls is in a major transition/rebuilding mode…whatever you want to call it…Falls is down this year.  Lockport, Clarence, and Kenmore West are also lying in wait with very talented teams.  Class AA could and should be the most fun it's been in a long while.  The best story line might be Falls bouncing back to win the section when no one gives them a shot.  As one hoop head put it, "It might be time for Falls to rely on its athleticism, roll out a 10-man rotation, and take Romeo McKinney's 32-minutes of hell approach."

 

– Another classification that is wide open for the taking is Class A.  Defending state champion, McKinley, graduated all of its starters.  The team who I think could shock the world and take Class A1 this year, wasn't even there last season.  North Tonawanda was slated to be in Class A1 a year ago, but was bumped up to AA after the season began.  Now, the Lumberjacks are in Class A1 and they return most of their squad that forces teams to play their brand of basketball.  Along with the Macks and NT, Williamsville East, Williamsville South, Hutch-Tech, Amherst, and even Maryvale, who returns home to Class A2, should have a shot at the crown in Class A.

 

– I'm officially considering Aquinas and Bishop Kearney as pseudo members of the MMA that play a public postseason.  I end up seeing both of those teams so often, they might as well be WNY teams.  Another school I'm adopting for one year is Greece Athena of Section V.  They are a Class AA school that brings the farm back from a year ago and will be a ton of fun to watch.

 

– Olean has finally reached its age of maturity.  Remember those freshmen that gave eventual overall Class A winner, East, fits in 2011 at Buffalo State?  They're finally seniors, and hungry to achieve the success they've been billed for and chasing so hard the past two seasons.  The Huskies even went independent and play a wicked schedule to prepare them for a postseason run.  It's finally Olean's year…except…

 

– East will have a lot to say about which Class B team represents Section VI at Buffalo State during regionals.  The Panthers and Huskies have dueled on the big court in each of the past three seasons.  This season, East brings back four starters from last year.  The fifth starter, Jonathan Kinley, moved out of state, but did not suit up against the Huskies last year anyway.  However, the Panthers did replace Kinley in the lineup and actually upgraded in the process.  Rasheed Paul, a 6-5 forward, played for East as a sophomore and returns for his senior year.  To put it simply, Paul is an animal on the boards, can score, and when he's at the top of his game, could be East's most impactful player.  Add to the mix Aurelio Ayala, the leading scorer at Bennett last season who transferred in, and Olean is far from a shoe-in to represent Section VI in the Class B regionals this year.

 

– In Class C, Middle College brings back some major talent, along with another deep bench.

 

– The team that ended Middle College's season last March was Silver Creek, now competing in Class C1.  After their best season in school history, the Black Knights lost senior leaders, Zed Williams and Steve Marcey.  However, three starters return to Silver Creek, a sophomore sensation has emerged (Connor Gates), and possibly its best basketball talent (Andrew John) was ineligible last season, but is now ready to go for his senior year.  Remember, they only need five guys to play 32 minutes each – don't count the Black Knights out just yet.

 

– Randolph moves down to Class C2, and is likely the heaviest favorite in any class to hoist a sectional plaque.  

 

– Barker returns four starters, including senior Jake Haight, who you all should have heard of by now.  The Raiders are poised to capture the N-O title for the first time since…well maybe ever.  Has Barker ever won the league?

 

– Sherman won it all in Class D last season with a team of underclassmen.  They lost in the regionals to University Prep – a Rochester team that is now up in Class B.  The last time Section VI had a Class D team get past Rochester was 2010, when Maple Grove won the whole thing.

 

– One of the quieter transactions of the summer was Tanner Schmit transferring back to Nichols from Clarence.  The 6-7 junior has already received an offer to play for Binghampton University.  His presence, along with twin towers Chris Miner and Cam Lewis, has to make Nichols the favorites to represent the MMA in the Class B postseason in the CHSAA, and possibly even favored to reach a Manhattan Cup final….

 

– Except for those St. Mary's Lancers, who took two of three from the Vikings last year, and also return plenty.  The Lancers found a formula for success and executed it well against Nichols – run, run, run.  

 

– I get to watch my first game of the year tonight.  I heard Silver Creek is playing. Hmmmm.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42