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

Who has earned a spot on the 2018 All-Centercourt Team?

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All-Centercourt honors the Top 60 seasons

The time has come where I ask area high school hoops fans for their opinion before giving mine.  Who has earned a spot on the 2018 All-Centercourt Team?  Give it shot. Five teams, with five players on each team, and another 35 players for honorable mention.

 

In a few weeks, the 11th Annual All-Centercourt Team will be announced, honoring the top 60 seasons turned in by WNY high school players this year.  The selections are broken down into a first, second, third, fourth, & fifth team, with five players on each, along with 35 honorable mention selections.  There is also an award for the CC MVP (the WNY Player of the Year), Coach of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, All-Centercourt Defenders, and the Centercourt #BOOM Squad.

 

The top 60 may sound like a lot, but when you start putting names down on paper, the list fills quickly and inevitably some very good players get left off the list.  The main criteria I focus on is the 2018 season, not what you did in the past, and not where you're going in the future…it's all about honoring the top 60 seasons.  

 

Use the comments section below to tell us what your 5 teams would look like and maybe even why.  If you're really ambitious, try coming up with the entire team including the HM selections.  

 

Please keep all commentary appropriate when discussing high school athletes, and remember, it is lame to say someone does not belong on a team, without offering up who should be on one.  It might be even more lame to give only one or two teams.  Show us you've paid attention this season and provide all five teams.

 

-centercourt

131 responses to “Who has earned a spot on the 2018 All-Centercourt Team?”

  1. Dave Avatar
    Dave

    James Rojas… enough said

    Reply
  2. WNY BASKETBALL Avatar
    WNY BASKETBALL

    1st Team:
    Greg dolan (POY)
    Davonte Gaines
    Ryan Bradley
    Juston Johnson
    Willard Anderson
    2nd Team:
    Dan Scott
    Devin Pope
    Austin James
    Trevor Book
    Jayce Johnson
    3rd Team:
    Noah Hutchins
    Brandon Smith
    Justin Hemphill
    Master Radford
    Kam Briggs
    4th Team:
    Tazuan Rose
    Nate Brawdy
    Ray Mushat
    Ray Blackwell
    Jack Capen
    5th Team:
    Hakeem Dobbins
    Nick Mcdonald
    Bo Sireka
    Julian Cunningham
    Sam Erickerson

    Reply
  3. CoachJoe Avatar
    CoachJoe

    1st Team
    Greg Dolan
    Willard Anderson
    Devante Gaines
    Juston Johnson
    Ryan Bradley
    2nd Team
    Trevor Book
    Devin Pope
    Noah Hutchins
    Austin James
    Daniel Scott
    3rd Team
    Justin Hemphill
    Julian Cunningham
    Sam Erickson
    Hakeem Dobbins
    Elliot Bowen
    4th Team
    Justin Poumpey
    Master Radford
    Dorian Plummer
    Quran Dubois
    Brandon Smith
    5th Team
    Kameron Briggs
    Mason Goodridge
    Jayce Johnson
    Jalen Bradberry
    Ray Mushat
    Honorable Mention:
    Deasean Ashley, Bo Sireka, Ty Hind, Julius Laureano, Nate Brandy, Zamari Mitchell,Noah Grabar, Jalin Cooper, Carlos Rosa, Earl Howard, Chris Szablewski, Anthony Mack, Mike Schmidt, Justin Allen, Jack Capen, Chad Biersback, Ray Blackwell, Jon Park, Alex Wayland, Devin Degree, Max Weber, Roddy Gayle, Trent Scott, Luis Mercado, Tariq Eubanks, Kavon Rogers, Devaun Farnham-DeJesus, Devon Darrell, Taron Goudlock, Chris Stineman

    Reply
  4. Big Guy Southtowns Avatar
    Big Guy Southtowns

    Greg Dolan
    Juston Johnson
    Willard Anderson
    Devante Gaines
    Ryan Bradley
    Noah Hutchins
    Master Radford
    Dan Scott
    Trevor book
    Devin Pope

    Reply
  5. Bigballer Avatar
    Bigballer

    But he’s still not POY. He’s at best, the last guy on the 1st team. Can score but doesn’t pass well or enough and doesn’t defend at a high level.

    Reply
  6. Jordan Avatar
    Jordan

    Devon Darrell

    Reply
  7. Jason Avatar
    Jason

    First
    Dolan
    Scott
    Johnson
    Bradley
    Anderson
    Second
    Pope
    Hutchins
    Gaines
    Book
    Cunningham
    Third
    Erickson
    Bradberry
    Smith
    James
    Hemphill
    Fourth
    Allen
    Dobbins
    Bowen
    Radford
    Briggs

    Reply
  8. The_Truth Avatar
    The_Truth

    Not taking anything away from any kid but these lists are funny,Rose didnt make all lg in any team in the nfl , Capens team won how many games? Cunningham only 5th team lol @wny bball
    Coach Joe this has to be your favorite list Pompey is not all wny, And dubiois was not even the falls best player, plummer wayyyyyyy to high must be abother favorite
    Jason Pope is way to high although he will get that honor playing in a bad lg and Book is first team.Matter of fact if gaines was going to tennessee would he be first team on anyone’s list .

    Reply
  9. The_Truth Avatar
    The_Truth

    *sorry if gaines was not going to tennessee

    Reply
  10. Q Avatar
    Q

    1st team
    Greg Dolan (POY)
    Juston Johnson
    Ryan Bradley
    Willard Anderson
    Devin Pope
    2nd team
    Dan Scott
    Devonte Gaines
    Trevor Book
    Austin James
    Jayce Johnson
    3rd team
    Noah Hutchins
    Julian Cunningham
    Justin Hemphill
    Elliot Bowen
    Ray Blackwell
    4th team
    Master Radford
    Nate brandy
    Mike Schmidt
    Ray Mushat
    Bo Sierka
    5th team
    Brandon Smith
    Jalen Bradberry
    Kam Briggs
    Max Weber
    Sam Erickson
    HM: Mason Goodridge, Anthony Mack, Roddy Gayle, Jon Park, Adrian Baugh, Jack Capen, Alex Waylen, Dorian Plummer, Tazun Rose, Hakeem Dobbins, Justin Allen, Chas Biersbach, Tyler Hind, Earl Howard, Desean Ashley

    Reply
  11. Jeff green Avatar
    Jeff green

    Zach fischer

    Reply
  12. I actuall watch games Avatar
    I actuall watch games

    If we are going off just this season not career achievement ..Taking into consideration, comp, how team did, how guys played in playoffs etc
    1st
    Dolan
    Scott
    Anderson
    Book
    Johnson
    2nd
    Smith
    Bradley
    Cunningham
    Gaines
    Hutchins
    3rd
    Pope
    Bradberry
    Erickson
    Hwmphill
    Schmidt
    4th
    Briggs
    Dobbins
    Radford
    Allen
    Bowen
    5th
    Asley
    Gayle
    Hind
    Mushat
    Jayce Johnson

    Reply
  13. Mike bell Avatar
    Mike bell

    1st
    Willard
    Johnson
    Dolan
    Scott
    Hutchins
    2nd
    Bradley
    Jayce Johnson
    Gaines
    Master Radford
    Julian Cunningham

    Reply
  14. Mor Avatar
    Mor

    All #Boom:
    Austin James (dunk of the year)
    Master Radford
    Defensive Team:
    Master Radford (D-POY)
    Christian Szablewski
    Cullen Tonge
    Austin James
    Greg Dolan
    Willard Anderson
    Devin Pope

    Reply
  15. Home school rules Avatar
    Home school rules

    Any all defensive team without Jayce Johnson is ridiculous!!

    Reply
  16. ashlynn Avatar
    ashlynn

    Devon Darrell

    Reply
  17. Damn that DJ made my day Avatar
    Damn that DJ made my day

    Dolan
    Scott
    Anderson
    Gaines
    Johnson
    1st Team
    When Scott totally dominated at CCA
    The talk was look at the conference he played in.. Something to think about

    Reply
  18. FrancisPride Avatar
    FrancisPride

    Srieka 3Rd team at least! Johnson from WSW is best in WNY. Scott had 50 point games at CCA not Park. So you are wrong. He’s grown as a player ways since then. He also was a no show last year against our Frannies.

    Reply
  19. Damn that DJ made my day Avatar
    Damn that DJ made my day

    Hey.. Since u calling names
    What did they win after the so called no show
    Bo is overrated
    Julian and Rob was the horses on that squad
    Honestly .. Which one of the favorite candidates for 1st team would still be a candidate if they played in the MMA

    Reply
  20. I actuall watch games Avatar
    I actuall watch games

    Sireka ??? Basing off this year he is not all wny..Maybe third best on his team this year.missed a ton of games maybe honarable mention.

    Reply
  21. Dewey street Avatar
    Dewey street

    Lol…got a call just now to read the comments. …wow….I understand what you were saying Mister DJ
    I think francis pride misunderstood. …we’re just happy to be noticed positively!
    No negativity from me
    CC how about an asterisk (6 man 1st team) 2 from park SEEING THAT WE’RE STATE CHAMPS

    Reply
  22. CoachJoe Avatar
    CoachJoe

    Player of the year: Willard Anderson
    The_Truth I had seen lots of MMA games this year. IMO Justin Poumpey was best player on Frannies lead team with assists and rebounds great defender.
    as for Quran Dubois first NF game i saw he was best player on court 2nd game Roddy was! If i picked favorites i would have had lightfoot up there

    Reply
  23. Judeballer Avatar
    Judeballer

    Yeah Scott may actually be 3rd best guard beyind Dolan and Johnson. No way a class D kid gets POY! Great year though.

    Reply
  24. The_truth Avatar
    The_truth

    Respect that coach joe.Pompey is a good player just alot more deserving kids. Maybe next year.Gayle first team all lg ,Voted by coaches. Dubois second, dubois tailed off second part of year.i don’t think falls gets a playerpn next year maybe two in Lightfoot and Gayle

    Reply
  25. Chill Avatar
    Chill

    I feel that Brandon Smith can not be anywhere below 2nd team honestly. He did play a crucial part in the 2 wins against canisus and more, especially in the championship. He was the MVP… cmon now and he’s a 2 time state champion, and maybe will be a 2 time federation champion in 2 different classes. Can’t forget about that. Most underrated player.

    Reply
  26. Richie Jackson Avatar
    Richie Jackson

    1st team
    Greg Dolan (POY)
    Austin James
    Ryan Bradley
    Willard Anderson
    Brandon Smith
    2nd team
    Dan Scott
    Davonte Gaines
    Trevor Book
    Juston Johnson
    Noah Hutchins
    3rd team
    Jayce Johnson
    Julian Cunningham
    Justin Hemphill
    Elliot Bowen
    Kam Briggs
    4th team
    Master Radford
    Jack Capen
    Jalen Bradberry
    Ray Mushat
    Bo Sierka
    5th team
    John Orgon
    Justin Allen
    Nate Brandy
    Quentin Ngabo
    Sam Erickson
    Honerable Mention: Julian Ezikewu Mason Goodridge, Anthony Mack, Roddy Gayle, Jon Park, Adrian Baugh, Ray Blackwell, Alex Waylen, Dorian Plummer, Tazun Rose, Hakeem Dobbins, Nate Schmidt, Chas Biersbach, Tyler Hind, Earl Howard, Desean Ashley, Kyle Voogel

    Reply
  27. Mwalker2246 Avatar
    Mwalker2246

    The MMA is overrated they only have two good teams park and canisus maybe NC and I’m sorry but Pompey should not even be mentioned on this list.this site has a lot of MMA bias just like the buffalo news

    Reply
  28. Kenneth Avatar
    Kenneth

    First, thank you to Centercourt for covering games all over Section VI. Which players do coaches prepare to play against? Which players consistently meet that challlenge and lead or inspire their teammates to meet or exceed expectations?

    Reply
  29. MMAfan Avatar
    MMAfan

    The MMA is by far the best lg in WNY
    Timon
    Canisius
    Park
    Frannies
    St Marys
    Ohara
    NC
    even Nichols would be second best in most other lgs.
    Name another lg in the area with more than three quality teams . Yale cup is only other lg that had multiple good teams this year.
    ECIC was horrible, NFL was horrile, Charter which is not really a lg had two good teams. NiagaraOrleans bad, not sure whcih others iam missing but you are way off.

    Reply
  30. The TRUTH Avatar
    The TRUTH

    Listen
    Y’all are insane with some of these names. It’s hard to read. It’s not a list of whos team went to the State Championship. It’s not a list of how my numbers looked while my team was a .500 squad in a low league. It’s not a list of wow he played 2 really good games in the playoffs. It’s certainly not a list of my boy deserves it cause he’s my boy so I’ll throw up multiple posts and open a fake twitter account to feature my boy. All these things are shameful.
    It’s a list that features the best PLAYERS (defense is a factor) from the best teams (who you played is a factor Class D, WSW) with the best seasons (team record, individual stats are a factor). And most certainly your career accomplishments count (Greg Dolan is the best player in WNY and it’s not really a close call).
    First Team
    Greg Dolan – POY What a year and a career, Greg showed he can play well with help and he certainly can play alone. He morphed his game to become more of a scorer as opposed to the facilitator he has always been. Score, pass, rebound, defend. The best all around game in WNY. 2,000 pt. career scorer. Multiple time first teamer. He’s your POY it’s not even remotely close.
    Devonte Gaines – 6′-7″ combo guard / small forward. Can shoot, rebound, pass and defend. Tennessee commit helps his cause here as he’s the highest rated D1 player in WNY.
    Ryan Bradley – 6′-8″ Stretch forward who can take you to the basket or drop a “3” on you. POY in the MMA Class A (the best division in WNY, not even a question)
    Park School changed to a zone to try and stop him. Best Big in WNY.
    Dan Scott – 6′-2″ shooting guard. What’s there to say, elite shooter, elite defender, most consistent player on his team. First team MMA “A” (best division in WNY, not even a question)
    The question here is there will be a player from Park on the First team who is it? When evaluating Park you have (3) players who deserve consideration. Noah Hutchins is surely the caliber of player who could land here, he’s top 5 in WNY the problem is almost everything Noah does is sacrificial for the team. He’s a great passer, he’s an elite defender, he sets up Dan and Brandon, his contributions are unsung but very noticeable to a keen eye. Brandon benefits from the existence of Dan and Noah. Dan is being defended by the best guard night in and night out, Noah is drawing the #2 matchup. Not to take anything away from Brandon what a great #3 option but he’s not facing the same obstacle as the other 2. In addition Dan and Noah are both lockdown, Brandon is just a step below defensively. All three score 25 a night in any other league. All three potentially earn POY in any other league. For these reasons I see Dan 1st team, Noah 2nd team and Brandon 3rd team.
    Willard Anderson 6′-2″ shooting guard, and by shooting guard I mean SHOOTING guard. His offensive game is tough. I’ve seen him play with and against all of the guys above and he’s the same guy. TOUGH. A similar game to Dan Scott but can not mentioned in the same breathe with Dan defensively. Secondly the D bracket is a detractor from this high a placing but we all Know Willard does not care who you are, he’s scoring. Right?
    2nd Team
    Trevor Book – Pure shooter, capable defender, great player.
    Noah Hutchins – Can do it all, when he spends all summer working on his jumper instead of his 40″ vertical, he’ll be unstoppable.
    Jayce Johnson – Without question the best defender in WNY. Maybe the best defender in NYS. Ask Dan Scott. Consistently defended the top players in WNY and excelled doing it. Not to say he’s light offensively, give him the lane and he’ll bang it on your head.
    Justin Johnson – Great scorer, equally great defender. ( I saw mentioned here he can’t defend, WRONG.) WSW over achieved by beating South and South Park. The game against Irondequoit exposed what WSW was Justin was something like 6-27 from the field. Not the same player when your playing real teams.
    Devin Pope – Absolute C level nightmare. Lower level of competition, playing somewhat alone leads to lofty stats. Great career, great player, great kid.
    3rd Team
    Brandon Smith – To not make MMA 1st team but be top 15 in WNY shows you there’s a big mistake made. He is the reason they won the state chip. He doesn’t play as well as he did against Canisius Park loses and Canisius wins State chip.
    Austin James – Prolific offensive player, scores from anywhere, definitely dunk of the year. He’s a freak!!
    Master Radford – Raised his game to a level we all knew he had in him. Timon overachieved this year. Coach deserves a ton of praise for bringing Master out of his shell.
    Julian Cunningham – Super smooth point who is less selfish then he looks. Shares the ball extremely well and scores at the right times. Love Julian!!
    Sam Erickson – Tough kid, plays inside out, will play at the next level.

    Reply
  31. The TRUTH Avatar
    The TRUTH

    P.S. Dewey Street is where the bums hang out.

    Reply
  32. Mike14215 Avatar
    Mike14215

    Top to bottom I’ll take Yale cup LG over MMA st Mary’s would be a 4th or 5th place team Nichols would be just above only Emerson and I prep . but we’ll never know because MMA is afraid of Yale cup I also think NFL top 3 teams can compete with MMA. MMA just get all the hype .Plus public schools cannot recruit from all over the world

    Reply
  33. Theactualtruth Avatar
    Theactualtruth

    The Truth you do a great job of contradicting your self. You talk about competition yet have a class C player that played no one second team..You talk about favorites yet have a kid on first team because where he verbally commited to,not productin..You have Johnson on second team when he had the best year of anyone in Section VI including a couple unreal games in sectionals outplaying Dolan in one. You explain a kid being on third tean because he had the dunk of the year lol.You seem to be a huge Canisius fan,and your love of kids should not matter.And as Centercourt stated this is based on year not someones career . There are players outside the MMA and C level that can play a ton in Yale cup.

    Reply
  34. MMAfan Avatar
    MMAfan

    Mike Joes beat MEC , who I believe won the Yale Cup, thats all that needs to be said there. Joes was maybe the 9th best team in MMA. NFL is bad after the Falls the Falls would the in a struggle with Timon for 4th place in the MMA, you are wayyyyyy off on this.

    Reply
  35. MMAfan Avatar
    MMAfan

    Sorry they beat South Park who beat MEC by dbl figures.

    Reply
  36. Adam Avatar
    Adam

    Ha @ every person on here that hasn’t mentioned Mike Schmidt from Olean High. (Which means I’m laughing at everyone basically, because only one person listed Schmidt). Every single person that didn’t have him on AT LEAST one of their teams, loses ANY real type of credibility! No explanation necessary

    Reply
  37. CoachJoe Avatar
    CoachJoe

    I went to a lot of games this year but wasn’t able to see some players in more than 1 game. Went to majority MMA, Yale Cup, Will South, Health Games. So I didn’t see Mike Schmidt play till Buff State, kid can play! Only reason he was only an honorable mention for me was because that was the only game I saw.
    Why I think Willard Anderson should be POY. First off for the beginning part of the season if you asked me I would have said no doubt Dolan. As the season went on to playoffs and states, I also considered Johnson. However Willard lead his team to a state title! Not just that but in every game that mattered he showed up. Also the class D argument shouldn’t be an issue, he played vs some of the same Class A, B, C teams that Dolan did. As much of a shooting guard that someone mentioned above, he has great court awareness and his assist numbers show that. Either Dolan or Willard would be a great choice both great young men that are extremely talented. I just lean towards Willard.

    Reply
  38. Grace Avatar
    Grace

    Justin Poumpey

    Reply
  39. DolanPOY Avatar
    DolanPOY

    Theactualtruth you are incredibly wrong about Johnson outplaying Dolan in that game. If the ref does not bail him out on every drive to the basket, he doesn’t have half of his points. 29 shots at the charity stripe. Ridiculous. Whereas Dolan did the same thing while getting fouled on every attempt and no call. Dolan – POY and it’s not close.

    Reply
  40. WNY Fan Avatar
    WNY Fan

    Center Court put this up for the exact reason we all commenting. Discussion is always nice! Don’t need any sour coaches making remarks degrading the only forum for fans to have some type of dialogue. Thank you CC and can’t wait for results.

    Reply
  41. Vic Vinegar Avatar
    Vic Vinegar

    Only one other has had the courage but Gaines should not be above Briggs this year. Gaines is better but I feel Briggs carried themy in big gamess. Also Johnson from West Seneca is not even em top 5 guard in the area! Park should have 3-4 in the top 20. Canisius should have 3. WSW deserves 2. HS with 2 and no other teams should have multiple.

    Reply
  42. Eddie Avatar
    Eddie

    Justin Poumpey

    Reply
  43. Bball WNY Avatar
    Bball WNY

    Dolan or Johnson for POY. Can’t go Willard bc he has Justin Allen and it’s just class D. Heck of a year for East! And a few trolls are making this a joke

    Reply
  44. Medina’s Finest Avatar
    Medina’s Finest

    Jalin Cooper definitely deserves to be on the All-Centercourt team. His senior year was nearly derailed by a knee injury at the end of the football season that caused him to be around 50% for the first half of the year. He could’ve just called it a career and sat out since he already had signed a D1 football scholarship for Toledo but instead he chose to play for himself, his team, and his community.
    Despite being severely limited at the beginning of the year he still managed to score 21.3 points per game, grab 9.5 rebounds and shoot over 50% from the field. He also did this playing on a really young team that lost 2 starters to transfer before the season started, however that didn’t stop him from leading Medina to its 3rd consecutive league championship.
    While he might not have had all the highlight plays or over 50 dunks like he had last year, he absolutely BALLED over the second half of the year, averaging around 25. This included a dominant performance in the playoffs against a good Dunkirk team in which he hit the game winning and game icing shots in addition to going 12-15 from the field that game and forcing Dunkirk to get out of their man defense that they played all year.
    Without being the best athlete in the area this year he still showed he’s capable of playing at a high level and broke the school record for points in a season with 468, as well as finishing as the school’s all time leading scorer with 1,383 points. So, congrats on a great year and being the best player in Medina HS basketball history.

    Reply
  45. Tony Young Avatar
    Tony Young

    Desmond Randall WSW Undefeated regular season. Section IV Champions is yo coach of the year. WSW beat everyone this year and are without question the #1 team in WNY. Des has now produced a champion in the MMA and in the Section IV. He out coached Gabe from Wil South to win that game. In close games it comes down to coaching. Gabe is a previous COY winner and Des out did him the entire game. He’s the best coach in WNY on the best team in WNY, this is easy. Sorry Park, Sorry Canisius, Sorry all you anonymous people on here.
    WEST SENECA WEST has the #1 SPORTS TEAMS IN WNY 2017-18
    Trophy emoji Olympic Medal Emoji

    Reply
  46. Mike M. Avatar
    Mike M.

    When did Gabe Michaels win COY? When South went to states with both Dolans? Doesn’t matter because your right, WSW is the best sports team in WNY this season and maybe all time considering no team has ever gone undefeated and won games over J.F.K., Springville and Holland in the same year

    Reply
  47. The Future is Bright Avatar
    The Future is Bright

    Coach of the Year is Niagara Catholics Giulio Colangelo. He has done a tremendous job compiling a nice group of kids, working to get them to play together and ending a significant drought to win the MMA class B title.
    Great job Giulio.

    Reply
  48. Nfallspowercats Avatar
    Nfallspowercats

    Des Randall is the coach of the year easily. Colangelo had kids land on his lap and still almost messed that up ala when he lost with jonny flynn(a lottery pick two years later to sweet home. NC should not have lost a game in B .Easy to win with the most talent , what was his record last year before the kids came. He should thank nfhs they had so much talent kids had to go somewhere else to play. The future is as bright as if kids leave or stay not his coaching.

    Reply
  49. StateChamps2003 Avatar
    StateChamps2003

    No way Des Randall is Coach of the Year. In no shape or form did he “out coach” Gabe either. Their full court press was ineffective up until Dolan fouled out. Unless Randall’s game plan was to make sure his best player shot more free throws than the entire Will South team, sure, maybe he out coached Gabe. He didn’t change up the game plan against Irondequoit even though they had an experienced team with a good PG and star in Drumgoole. That press will do wonders against teams that can’t dribble with their head up which was about 80% of their regular season schedule.
    Coach of the Year will likely go to Rich Jacob of Park. They just pounded Amityville (who beat Irondequoit) and might bring home a Class A Federation championship. They’ll be ranked #1 in the WNY Large School poll.

    Reply
  50. Al Gary Avatar
    Al Gary

    Parks the best team in Western New York period. Dan Scott, Noah Hutchins, B Smith. What more could you say. Here is the kicker 4 out of the 5 starter coming back. They haven’t even reach there full potential yet

    Reply

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