Who has earned a spot on the 2017 All-Centercourt Team?

@statechamps2003 – You claimed that I was making arguments for Kemp to receive “special treatment”. An intelligent person would have noticed that I was simply explaining the circumstances for those who may not have known – not clamoring for “special treatment”. Just factual information. Opinions are great, and expressing them is your right. However, having facts to back up ones opinion is important too. Your claims that he took 25-30 shots was factually incorrect though. Credibility should be considered when opinions are made public.

Truth

@StateChamps2003 who are you? Tavien Kemp may not have been the best player in the Monsignor Martin this year, but he is arguably in the top 5 best players in the league. Yes, he did take a lot of shots this year but he had to based on the team that he was playing on. He had 3 starters that have had no prior experience playing the game of basketball. If he did not take the amount of shots that he did, Walsh would have gotten beat by 50 every game. I disagree with you not putting Kemp on the 1st team because he carried a team of nobody’s to the Manhattan Cup playoffs. I also disagree with you saying that the 1st team players would average 33 pts a game against Walsh because they showed that their defense was somewhat good by beating some of the best teams in the Monsignor Martin by playing good, solid defense against those teams

StateChamps2003

walshalumni – I saw Kemp and Walsh play three times last year. At Canisius, at Nichols and again against Nichols in the playoffs. I saw him play once this year in the MMA playoffs and then watched the video of their game against Corning. Me saying that he AVERAGED 25-30 shots a game is obviously embellished but he most certainly took 25-30 shots against Corning. Here is my evidence:

Also came across this one against Canisius this year which by my count he went 7/23 from the field and 13/17 from the FT line (give or take a shot or two). I also don’t see any double, triple or quadruple teams from Canisius. Just straight man to man from Jayce Johnson (one of the better defenders in WNY) for the first three quarters (Jayce sat the 4th quarter). So 2 shots shy of 25.

I’ve seen Harris, Rojas, Welch, Dolan and Warren play multiple times this year. So my credibility is seeing all 6 players play and also providing some video evidence.
One would think I totally left Kemp off the top 5 teams but I’m actually naming him one of the top 10 players in WNY. Just not the top 5 in my opinion.

StateChamps2003

Truth – I am not going to argue with you about him being a top 5 player in the “league” because he IS a top 5 player in the MMA. Just not a top 5 player in WNY, in my opinion.
I also did not say that my 1st Team players would average 33 points a game against Walsh. I said that they would also average 33 points a game if they played FOR Walsh under the same circumstances that Kemp played under.
They also did not beat any of the best teams in the MMA. And by best teams in MMA I mean Timon, Canisius, Park and St. Francis. IF you want to include St. Mary’s and Joe’s as “one of the best teams in MMA” than that’s your opinion.

walshalumni

@statechamps – I’m certainly not coming at you for your opinion. I have no problem with your stance. My only real point was that I truly believe that 99% of all high school kids/athletes would get insanely frustrated and upset with their teammates – if faced with the same circumstances as Kemp. I watch kids talk back to their coaches, to the refs, and demean their teammates on a consistent basis in high school basketball these days, all the time. The adversity that that kid had to face, night in and night out – is admirable. The way he handled it, was refreshing. I honestly don’t believe that all of the other top players in WNY would have, or could have handle themselves in the exact same manner as Kemp did (*except Greg). Major frustration would have surfaced. Anger would have surfaced. Awful shot taking would have surfaced. Blaming refs, and talking back would have happened. None of these took place at Walsh this season. Thats why I think what he did was unique, and worthy of 1st team. Thats all.

Passtheball

I don’t think anyone has to defend Kemp and his play. He has consistently been one of the best players in WNY. He is skilled in every discipline. He dribbles, shoots, scores, has speed, his hands are lightening quick his D is impeccable, he’s afraid of nothing and no one. I actually doubted him and his abilities when he made the BCANY team from WNY. He changed my mind and I will say he was a MAJOR factor in that team placing second in the state. I will not compare him to any other kid, he is a first team selection or your selection is Wayyyy off. Great career to Kemp I’m glad you changed my mind. Congrats and good luck son.

d.s

@ close out there’s no way that you have an all defensive team without Davien Warren & Dan Scott

music

CloseOut….All defense team with no Dom Welch or Elliott Bowen?? They erased 500 points in layups between them with all the blocked shots!!!

CloseOut

@d.s Well, that is my team. I agree with you that both are very good defenders but I will stick with my five. Who are your 5?
@music, I don’t know how many shots they blocked and can’t find the stats, if they exist. Is 500 points, or 250 blocks between then a stat or your approximation? Both are terrific players. As above, who would your 5 players be?

d.s

Defense… davien, jayce, Joe jones, Daniel and Dolan !
Noah, Cunningham and Bowen next..

CloseOut

Fair enough, we agree on 3 (Jayce, Joe, and Greg) I like Noah in the top 5 but respect your opinion.
Music?

Ball fan

1st team
Dom Welch
Greg Dolan
James Rojas
Davion Warren
Shakur Harris
2nd team
Bo Sierka
Davonte Gaines
Tavien Kemp
Devin Pope
Willard Anderson
3rd team
Marcellus Cooper
Joe Harrison
Dan Scott
Joe jones
Trevor Book
4th team
Jalin Cooper
Jayce Johnson
Julian Cunningham
Elliot Bowen
Ryan Bradley
5th team
Nick Montgomery
Tyler Aquinilia
Dominick Farszmil
Justin Hemphill
Sam erickson

Ball fan

1st team
Dom Welch
Greg dolan
Davion Warren
James Rojas
Shakur Harris
2ns team
Tavien Kemp
Willard Anderson
Devin pope
Davonte gaines
Bo Sierka
3rd team
Marcellus Cooper
Joe Harrison
Dan Scott
Joe jones
Jayce Johnson
4th team
Julian Cunningham
Trevor Book
Jalin Cooper
Elliot Bowen
Noah Hutchins
5th team
Tyler Aquinilia
Ryan Bradley
Sam Erickson
Dominick Farszmil
Nick Montgomery

Otto

It’s funny that there is so much debate about this years all-stars and most teams have already started getting ready for next season! Spring leagues and open gyms have begun and it’s not to become an all-star, but to bring your program to the next level. At least I hope that’s why they are putting in the time, effort, and sacrifice. I donLove the passion on here though!

Foodforthought

March 22, 2017

Canisius has been and will continue to be the cream of the crop in WNY. The only programs that do as good of a job as CHS are Niagara Falls, Timon, and Olean. Look out for Timon as I believe Dez Randall will do a great job of bringing in top-tier talent that would usually end up at Canisius. The MMA is by far the best league but that does not mean that teams like NF, Amherst, Will South, could not compete if they were in the league. However, if you put some of the players that have played in the MMA recently (Trueheart, Nwora, Reed, A Weir, M Mcdonald, M Hart, players from the great Nichols teams, and many others) in the public leagues they would be absolutely as dominant as the players who fill the stat sheets in the public leagues. In some of CHS and Nichols great years, the 6th 7th and 8th man on the roster would have been a top 1 or 2 player at most of their public schools. There is simply a talent gap from top to bottom between the private and public schools as a whole. At the same time, I agree that someone like Welch would have been just as great individually if he would have stayed at CHS.

Bigcat

I agree with food for thought above but would like to add one other tidbit for food for thought. If Dom Welch had stayed at Canisius he never would have broken the points record. He would have 5 times as many assists but he would have played TEAM ball with a team around him and it would have benefited him as a player more then staying at Cheektowaga did.

Coach G

Agree with Bog cat. Team ball and making guys around you better means a lot more than taking shots to reach certain point totals. Thats indiviual
accomplishments. Teams win.

PJB

First Team:
Greg Dolan (Will South) POY
Dom Welch (Cheektowaga)
James Rojas (Jamestown)
Davion Warren (Timon)
Shakur Harris (South Park)
Second Team:
Tavien Kemp (Walsh)
Davonte Gaines (Health Sciences)
Marcellus Cooper (Amherst)
Jayce Johnson (Canisius)
Willard Anderson (East)
Third Team:
Bo Sireika (St. Francis)
Joe Jones (Park)
Joe Harrison (Timon)
Devin Pope (Chautauqua Lake)
Trevor Book (North Tonawanda)
Fourth Team:
Julian Cunningham (St. Francis)
Noah Hutchins (Park)
Ryan Bradley (Canisius)
Dan Scott (Park)
Nick Montgomery (East Aurora)
Fifth Team:
Jalin Cooper (Medina)
Dakota Wiley (Will South)
Tazaun Rose (Niagara Falls)
Will Johnson (Nichols)
Tyron Lott (Health Sciences)
HM
Kameron Briggs (Health Sciences)
Sam Erickson (Franklinville)
Tyler Aquilina (Ken West)
Elliot Bowen (Ellicottville)
Nate Brawdy (Gowanda)
Monty Shoemaker (Olean)
Ray Blackwell (Maryvale)
Tyler Hind (Randolph)
Ray Mushat (SP)
Dominic Farszmil (West Seneca East)
Chad Biersbach (Depew)
Cam Sionko (Grand Island)
Tal James (Ken West)
Tavon Chambers (Lockport)
Da’Shawn Hines (Amherst)
Cal McTigue (East Aurora)
Vito Fulciniti (Lancaster)
Justin Hemphill (Cardinal O’Hara)
Roburt Welch (St. Francis)
Davonti Wardlaw (McKinley)
Max Weber (Newfane)
Juston Johnson (Timon)
Adam Branacki (Will South)
Szablewski, (St Marys)

Iron Mike

A t Walsh-St.Frannies game, Bo Sireika guarded Kemp by himself and held him to 2 first quarter pts. With Frannies up by 20, coach Ferris started subbing in. Everybody on the team played with 13 different players making the scoresheet. most of the starters played about half of the game. S At No time was Kemp doubleteamed. He had 21 pts, but Frannies won by 33. Sireika was the leading scorer on and best defensive player on a very good St. FRancis team. He held D. Scott to 2 pts in the playoff game at Villa , while scoring 18. He definitely deserves to be 1st team. Ask anyone from Park.

walshalumni

I can attest and clarify, T. Kemp wasn’t doubled in every single game of the season. Corning, Canisuis, and St Francis just had their top defender playing man to man, faceguarding. Timon sent doubles after half court, and Park tried using every kid on the team, but they all stayed in constant foul trouble. So, Class A MMA’s were basically the only ones that played him straight up. Apologies for any embellishing. However, let me be clear, Bo Sireika was outstanding against Kemp! So was Jayce Johnson! Every game that I saw St Francis or Canisuis playing in, Sireika and Johnson were clearly top notch defenders. They both deserve to be on 1st team all defense. Along with Dolan. Not sure who my other 2 would be. I don’t see alot of kids committing to the defensive end of the floor, the way we do on the offensive side! Those 3 stick out though
As for Coach of the Year, its hard to go against Jeff Haskell of Franklinville…..but then there’s Coach Ferris, at St Francis…….and Coach Parker, at Health Sciences,…..annnnd how dare we forgot Coach Anastasia of Olean High. Setting a WNY record for career wins doesn’t get you any votes??? Tough crowd

MUSIC

walshalumni…..hOW ABOUT Welch and Bowen on that defensive team?? Between them they must have had at least 500 blocks!!! Can’t make layups if someone is sending your shot back out of there. They were also good at chasing you down and making the stop. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THEIR TOTAL BLOCKS WERE FOR THE SEASON???

MUSIC

walshalumni…fORGOT …Coach of the year definitely Ferris. He put alot of time into his kids. Those team camps didn’t hurt either they all attended.

centercourt

March 24, 2017

I’m glad you asked. They combined for 125 (65 & 60).
James Rojas and Justin Hemphill had 110 between them.
Joe Jones had 80

Coach

March 24, 2017

1st Team:
Dom Welch (Cheektowaga)
Greg Dolan (Williamsville South)
James Rojas (Jamestown)
Davion Warren (Timon)
Tavien Kemp (Walsh)
2nd Team:
Shakur Harris (South Park)
Davonte Gaines (Health Sciences)
Devin Pope (Chautauqua Lake)
Bo Sirieka (St. Francis)
Willard Anderson (East)
3rd Team:
Joe Jones (Park)
Jayce Johnson (Canisius)
Ryan Bradley (Canisius)
Marcellus Cooper (Amherst)
Jalin Cooper (Medina)
4th Team:
Nick Montgomery (East Aurora)
Noah Hutchins (Park)
Julian Cunningham (St. Francis)
Tyronn Lott (Health Sciences)
Trevor Book (North Tonawanda)
5th Team:
Joe Harrison (Timon)
Dan Scott (Park)
Sam Erickson (Franklinville)
Tazuan Rose (Niagara Falls)
Cal McTigue (East Aurora)
Honorable Mention:
Will Johnson (Nichols)
Tyler Aquilina (Kenmore West)
Vito Fulciniti (Lancaster)
Dakota Wiley (Williamsville South)
Kameron Briggs (Health Sciences)
Ray Blackwell (Maryvale)
Monty Shoemaker (Olean)
Christian Szablewski (St. Mary’s of Lancaster)
Latrell Butler-Kemp (Walsh)
Daniel Reed (Olmsted)
Nick MacDonald (Canisius)
Can Sionko (Grand Island)
Nate Brawdy (Gowanda)
Nate Luckman (Barker)
Max Weber (Newfane)
Kyle DeVoogel (Newfane)
Mason Goodridge (Springville)
Tyler Hind (Randolph)
Tavon Chambers (Lockport)
Chad Biersbach (Depew)
Nick MacDonald (Canisius)
Hakeem Dobbins (Middle Early College)
Chris Robson (Sherman)
Juston Johnson (Timon)
Tal James (Kenmore West)
Justin Hemphill (Cardinal O’Hara)
Vincent Tripi (North Tonawana)
Jarmani Benton (Gowanda)
Derek Clemons (Starpoint)
Jack Capen (SJCI)
Caleb Cockrell (SJCI)
Johnny Salone (Medina)
Jalen Bradberry (Niagara-Wheatfield)
Jacob Bruning (Royalton-Hartland)
Cordell O’Brien (Frewsburg)

music

March 25, 2017

CloseOut …I know they average at least 3 blocks+ a game at roughly 20 games a piece, that’s approx 120 blocks not to mention the intimidation misses AND THEIR WERE ALOT OF THOSE!! So maybe 300 points they prevented. Both Welch and Bowen are very mobile guys with welch being 6’5″ and given the responsibility of guarding the opponents point guard at times. So from what i’ve seen i’d go with…welch, bowen, dolan, harris and probably johnson,,,they all can guard multiple positions.

music

March 26, 2017

Bigcat…Saw welch playing with canisius that summer before the season.
If he had stayed there he would have probably been player of the year because with other good players around him they wouldn’t have been able to harass the crap out of him like in the last 2 seasons at Cheektowaga

StateChamps2003

March 26, 2017

Some interesting stats. According to the people who chimed in on their All WNY teams, this is the % breakout of players and where people had them:
1ST TEAM:
Dom Welch – 100%
Greg Dolan – 100%
James Rojas – 89%
Davion Warren – 86%
Shakur Harris – 50%
Tavien Kemp – 43%
2ND TEAM:
Davonte Gaines – 82%
Bo Sierieka – 61%
Shakur Harris – 46%
Devin Pope – 39%
Tavien Kemp – 36%
Willard Anderson – 36%
Joe Jones – 32%
Joe Harrison – 32%
3RD TEAM:
Marcellus Cooper – 57%
Dan Scott – 54%
Willard Anderson – 43%
Joe Jones – 43%
Devin Pope – 36%
Joe Harrison – 36%
Julian Cunningham – 36%
4TH TEAM:
Julian Cunningham – 46%
Noah Hutchins – 43%
Jayce Johnson – 43%
Jalin Cooper – 43%
Trevor Book – 32%
Nick Mongomery – 32%
5TH TEAM:
Tazuan Rose – 50%
Tyler Aquilina – 39%
Nick Montgomery – 36%
Ryan Bradley – 36%
Tyron Lott – 29%
Justin Hemphill – 29%
Sam Erikson – 25%

ECIC

March 27, 2017

Statechamps2003, Incredible work putting that together. im sure it was time consuming…Did you only post the top x # of players for each team or only to a certain %?
Just curious as I noticed for example that Ryan Bradley was on a fair amount of lists at 2nd or 3rd team but didn’t make your list until 5th team? perhaps he was an oversight. If not it does skew the perception results of your data a little.

WNY PROSPECT

March 27, 2017

Closeout knows what he’s talking about .

StateChamps2003

March 28, 2017

Ryan Bradley was one of the few guys who had quite a few votes all over the board. 5 for 2nd team, 5 for 3rd team, 6 for 4th team. But he received the most for 5th team. I was only including the top percentage getters from each Team.

Ballislife

March 28, 2017

1st team
Dom Welch
Greg dolan
James Rojas
Shakur Harris
Davion Warren
2nd team
Tavien Kemp
Bo Sierka
Davonte Gaines
Devin pope
Willard Anderson
3rd team
Joe Harrison
Marcellus Cooper
Dan Scott
Joe jones
Noah Hutchins
4th team
Julian Cunningham
Trevor Book
Jalin Cooper
Nick Montgomery
Tyler Aquinilia
5th team
Jayce Johnson
Tazuan Rose
Dominick Farszmil
Sam Erickson
Ryan Bradley

bball25

March 28, 2017

Looking through these lists, I have noticed Erickson not on many. I saw Franklinville in the IAABO and in there sectional games at Jamestown. Not to take anything away from guys on the list, I think they belong too, but Franklinville beat Chautauqua Lake by 20 with Erickson an obvious MVP. Their sectional games were much the same. I also saw Erickson was named to the all state tournament team.

March 29, 2017

Ben Lekeuneu from CCA should make honorable mention. Averaged a double double. His team was not good but the kid is a true point guard. Put him on a good team and he’ll make everyone better

Terry Jones

April 2, 2017

Ben is a turnover machine. May have averaged 6 or more a game.

Hal Bennet

April 2, 2017

POY should probably go to Dolan. Welch was a scoring machine but team was awful. Kemp is a good talent not sure how he would translate on a better team. Also any word on Welch college wise? All time WNY scorer not going D1? Grades an issue?

Alyza Bowen

April 6, 2017

Elliot Bowen Ellicottville High School

MUSIC

April 6, 2017

Hal Bennet ….Hands down the best player in Western NY is Dom Welch. The last 2 years double , triple teamed, shadowed and still Had the talent to score, rebound, assist and force coaches to gameplan him. No doubt Dolan is right there. But like you said ..Welch’s team was not on the level of other first teamers. Maybe not this year coming up but I wouldn’t bet against him not being on a major conference D1 roster barring injury the folling year. Taplin..starter…Washington ..syracuse….Nwora..Louisville next season. It’s not how you start?? it’s how you finish!!!

MUSIC

April 6, 2017

Coaching staff of the year St Francis red raiders!!! Nobody saw them coming but many new who they were at the final buzzer!!!

Moe

To all that say that players deserve to make an all star team because of playoff advancement, that is a garbage statement. Canisius advanced as far as they did because they played the best “team” balll. Timon clearly had better individual players, but that was they’re downfall… individual play and not team play. Warren, Harrison, an Juston Johnson deserve a place on the list, as does the best shot-blocker in the MMA – Master Radford – for the All-D team. Bradley is the only shoein all-star for Canisius – Certainly not Jayce. However, Jayce did put down the best dunk I saw all year on ANY level of basketball and certainly deserves a spot on the BOOM squad. Anyone who leaves Bo off the All-Star list is not thinking clearly. I did see most of the usual first teamers listed and and was most impressed with how Dolan carries himself on the court as leader, distributor, and scorer. Daveion should also get votes for POY, but we all know that Dom is clearly THE MAN this year, and rightly so. His finish leading into the playoffs says it all. As far as coach of the year, my vote goes to the Olean coach. They were the best TEAM I saw play this year by far.

burkhardt

1st team
Dom welch
greg dolan
james rojas
davion warren
shakur harris
2nd team
bo sierka
davonte gaines
tavien kemp
jayce Johnson
Willard Anderson
3rd team
Marcellus cooper
dan scott
joe jones
devin pope
Julian Cunningham
4th team
trevor book
jalin cooper
Elliot bowen
tyler aquinila
ryan Bradley
5th team
tal james
vito fulciniti
Dakota wiley
nick Montgomery
Dominic farszmil

Hal Bennet

Dom may be close to being the most talented. I still believe Dolan and 2 of the Park boys are more talented. Had height and scoring but not the most reliable from 3 and can barely dribble. This is all info from me watching his big games tape and AAU circuit running with Albany. Still one of the best WNY has ever seen. If he gets POY I would not be mad due to his career.

dose of reality

He can barely dribble? LOL I think the three guards you mention are all better ball handlers, but they’re guards. That’s like comparing them to Welch and saying they can barely score. And Welch was a better shooter from 3 and free throws than Dolan. Dolan passes better, defends better and plays harder. Both are great but Welch was best player in the area this year.

music

MVP Welch’s natural position will be SG, SF on next level and he will be playing for coaches that will bring discipline to his game. As for not being able to shoot the 3??? Obviously you weren’t at the games. Most of his turnovers happen because he tries to do too much. As for AAU play I seen him after his junior season score 27 points in the 2nd half to bring ROCKS back against a canadian team. Last year I don’t think the coaches put him in position of his strengths. He’s not a point guard!!! The better the competition you play against and with, the better you get. And WNY was down this year and I saw alot of games!!

music

None of the guys at park are more talented than Welch. STOP IT!!!

CloseOut

Welch is a great player and agree that he will be a solid college player, but it is not as clear cut as some make it sound regarding POY. In a head to head match-up South beat Cheektowaga, Dolan had 32, Welch had 25 and Dolan held him to 5 or 6 second half points when it mattered most. No junk defense, just old fashion man to man. Two reports, including CC, tell the story of the game and the match-up.
http://www.theviewfromcentercourt.com/2017/01/career-night-for-dolan-lifts-billies-past-cheektowaga.html
http://wnyathletics.com/2017/01/dolan-leads-will-south-cheektowaga/

cmt

First team:
Dom Welch (POY)- knows how to score and win
Greg Dolan- excellent command of game and team
Davion Warren- 20/20 nearly every night
Shakur Harris- has heart and great talent
James Rojas- strong body who can score and defend
Second team:
Bo Sirieka- natural athlete who can lock anyone up
Davonte Gaines- lengthy big who can play a guard spot
Tavien Kemp- quick scorer who led team
Marcellus Cooper- can take over any game
Willard Anderson- quick player who knows the game well
Third team:
Joe Harrison- top 3 shooter in area
Devin Pope- straight up a baller
Dakota Wiley- underrated player under Dolan, shooter
Noah Hutchins- young man with great potential for great things
Dan Scott- great athlete who knows when and how to score
Fourth team:
Jalen Cooper- size and athleticism gives him great command
Nick Montgomery-puts on a show for everyone
Trevor Book- great young talent
Joe Jones- big man who can be a force whenever he wants
Ryan Bradley- big man with guard skills who makes big plays
Fifth team:
Tyler Aquinla- fun player to watch lead Ken West
Tyron Lott- quick player who can score down low and outside
Juston Johnson- underrated in Monsignor Martin, can lock up on defense and distribute for team
Jayce Johnson- athletic abilities give him some of the best defense in area
Julian Cunningham- flashy guard who can shoot and dribble well
All #BOOM Squad:
Jayce Johnson
Davion Warren
Davonte Gaines
Marcellus Cooper
Dom Welch
All Defensive Team
Jayce Johnson
Bo Sirieka
Greg Dolan
Master Radford (overlooked by Joe Jones, great shot blocker)
Joe Jones
Coach of the Year:
Jeff Anastasia or Brian Ferris

Moe

It’s a shame that McTigue from East Aurora and Szablewski from St. Mary’s aren’t getting much consideration. McTigue is the heart and soul of a VERY successful East Autora team and Sazablewski is on of the better inside-out threats in the area who is very good defensively with smart shot blocking skills from face up and behind shooters

music

CloseOut…I was at that game and clearly the difference was Welch was defended by 4 different players and could not come out the game because they would fall to far behind. Let’s mention the 3rd qtr when cheektowaga was down by almost 20 and Welch got them back in it!!! He obviously was gassed in the 4th qtr like in so many games this year. Greg’s is and will be a great player but with all the pressure Welch overcame this year just can’t be overlooked!!!

music