The 2020 CC MVP
JaVaughn Jones – Health Sciences, Junior
20.6 PPG / 7.4 RPG / 7.3 APG / 4.9 SPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– Section VI Class A Champion
– MVP of the Section VI Class A2 Tournament
– MVP of the St. Francis Christmas Tournament
– Canisius College Tip-Off All-Tournament Team
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Scored a career-high 32 points in a win over Tapestry
– Scored over 20 points in 12 games
– Dished over 10 dimes in 10 games
– Recorded 13 double-doubles
– Recorded 6 triple-doubles
– Recorded 2 quadruple-doubles
– Two-time All-Centercourt Defender
– Has scored 857 career points
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
First Team All-Centercourt
Dewayne Vass – Canisius, Senior
16.5 PPG / 7.8 RPG / 4.7 APG / 2.5 SPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– Manhattan Cup Champion
– Player of the Year in the MMA
– MVP of the Manhattan Cup
– MVP of the St. Pius Christmas Tournament
– Scored a career-high 28 points in a win over McQuaid
– Matched career-high 28 pts in a win over Cardinal Gibbons
– Scored over 20 points in 8 games
– Recorded 8 double-doubles
– Hauled in a career-high 14 boards vs Holy Cross
– Grabbed over 10 rebounds in 8 games
– Team leader in points, boards, dimes, & steals
– Member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Scored 863 career points
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
Tyler Hind – Randolph, Senior
25.0 PPG / 6.1 APG / 5.3 RPG / 2.8 SPG
– Four-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– Section VI Class C2 Champion
– Four-time Player of the Year in CCAA I East
– MVP of the Section VI Class C2 Tournament
– Tully Tip-Off Tournament MVP
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Scored a season-high 38 points in a win over Tapestry
– Scored over 30 points in 8 games
– Scored over 20 points in 21 games
– Team leader in assists with 147
– Led WNY in 3-pointers made with 105
– WNY record 400 career 3-pointers
– Scored 2,244 career points (8th all-time in WNY)
(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)
Roddy Gayle – Lew-Port, Sophomore
25.6 PPG / 9.0 RPG / 3.0 APG / 2.3 SPG / 1.3 BPG
– Three-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– Player of the Year in the NFL
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Game MVP at the BSN Sports NFL/ECIC Challenge
– Scored a career-high 38 points twice in 2020
– Scored over 30 points in five games
– Scored over 20 points in 14 of 17 games
– Hauled in 20 rebounds vs. South Park
– Recorded 7 double-doubles
– Two-time member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Career 1,000 point scorer
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
Jalen Bradberry – Park, Junior
19.7 PPG / 3.2 APG / 3.1 RPG / 1.4 SPG
– Four-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– MVP of Brooklyn Post Invitational
– Scored a season-high 35 points vs Brooklyn Collegiate
– Scored over 30 points in 2 games
– Scored over 20 points in 10 games
– Scored 15 in the 4Q vs. Brooklyn Collegiate
– Had the game-winning board & score vs Health Sciences
– Connected from 3-point range 50 times
– Two-time member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Has scored 1,780 career points
(Photo: Larry Scheur)
Jamond Jones – Middle College, Senior
22.7 PPG / 4.8 APG / 4.0 RPG / 2.9 SPG / 0.8 BPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– Section VI Class C Champion
– Player of the Year in Yale Cup I
– MVP of the Section VI Class C1 Tournament
– Scored a career-high 44 points in Class C1 Semis
– Made a school record 9 treys in Class C1 Semis
– Scored over 30 points in 5 games
– Averaged 30.3 PPG in the postseason
– Scored in double figures in all 23 games
– Connected from 3-point range 81 times
– Scored 1,247 career points
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
Second Team All-Centercourt
Jaemon Turner – Niagara Falls, Senior
21.1 PPG / 6.2 APG / 4.7 RPG / 2.9 SPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– First Team Niagara Frontier League
– Game MVP in the Cataract Classic vs Amherst
– Game MVP in the Cataract Classic vs O'Hara
– Game MVP in the Bishop Kearney Showcase
– Scored a career-high 39 points in a win over O'Hara
– Scored 22 pts in the 3Q & hit 7 treys vs O'Hara
– Scored over 25 points in 5 games
– Scored over 20 points in 12 games
– Scored 1,118 career points
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
Jamyier Patton – Timon, Junior
22.1 PPG / 3.2 RPG / 2.7 APG / 2.7 SPG
– Woj Cup Champion
– MVP of the Woj Cup
– First Team All-Catholic
– Scored a career-high 38 points vs. Canisius
– Scored a game-high 27 in a win over Canisius
– Scored 27 & 8 boards in the Woj Cup Final
– Scored over 30 points in 3 games
– Scored over 20 points in 16 games
– Connected from 3-point range 59 times
(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)
Jaden Slaughter – St. Joe's, Junior
18.1 PPG / 5.3 RPG / 2.7 APG / 1.2 SPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– First Team All-Catholic
– Scored a season-high 33 points in a win at Aquinas
– Recorded a triple-double at Aquinas (14 boards & 10 dimes)
– Scored 27 points on 10/12 shooting with 9 boards vs Timon
– Scored 24 points on 10/11 shooting in a win over N. Falls
– Scored over 20 points in 8 games
– Shot 58% from the field on the season
– Recorded 3 double-doubles
– Has scored 1,327 career points
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
Jaylen Stewart – Amherst, Senior
20.7 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 3.5 APG / 1.9 SPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– Section VI Class A2 Finalist
– Player of the Year for All-ECIC
– Player of the Year in ECIC II
– Section VI Class A2 All-Tournament Team
– Game MVP at the Cataract Classic
– Scored a career-high 33 points in a win over WSE
– Scored 32 points in a comeback win at Falls
– Scored over 30 points in 3 games
– Scored over 20 points in 11 games
– Two-time member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Scored 1,048 career points
(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)
Avion Harris – Cardinal O'Hara, Senior
17.7 PPG / 5.1 APG / 4.7 RPG / 3.7 SPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– Player of the Year in the Monsignor Martin Association
– Scored a career-high 41 points with 10 boards vs Timon
– Had 30 points, 9 boards, 7 steals, & 6 dimes vs Nichols
– Scored over 20 points in 11 games
– Recorded a triple-double in a win at Timon
– Reached 3 straight MMA Championship games
– Finishes career with 282 steals
– Three-time All-Centercourt Defender
– Scored 1,017 career points
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
Third Team All-Centercourt
Daciare Riley – Health Sciences, Senior
15.1 PPG / 8.3 RPG / 3.6 SPG / 2.3 SPG / 2.2 BPG
– Section VI Class A Champion
– Section VI Class A2 All-Tournament Team
– MVP of the Canisius College Tip-Off Tournament
– St. Francis Christmas All-Tournament Team
– Scored a season-high 24 points in a win over St. Francis
– Scored over 20 points in 5 games
– Hauled in a career-high 14 boards in a win over Lackawanna
– Recorded 8 double-doubles
– Member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Has scored 542 career points
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
John Orogun – Park, Senior
14.4 PPG / 13.1 RPG / 1.6 BPG / 0.4 SPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– Scored a career-high 24 points in a win at OP
– Scored over 20 points in 6 games
– Grabbed a career-high 24 boards with 23 pts vs Mt. Zion
– Had over 10 rebounds in 17 games
– Recorded 14 double-doubles
– Was 1 point or rebound shy of double-double in 5 games
– Member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– All-Centercourt Defender
(Photo: Larry Scheur)
Covi James – Olean, Senior
19.9 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 3.2 APG / 2.6 SPG
– Section VI Class B Champion
– First Team CCAA I West
– MVP of the Section VI Class B1 Tournament
– MVP of the Olean Tip-Off Tournament
– Joe DeCerbo Memorial All-Tournament Team
– Scored a career-high 47 points in a win over Jamestown
– Scored 34 points & 10 boards in a win over Depew
– Made game-winning '3' at the buzzer vs. Jamestown
– Made game-winning '3' at the buzzer vs. All-Limestone
– Scored over 20 points in 12 games
– Recorded 3 double-doubles
– Had at least 5 steals in 5 games
(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)
Cam Barmore – Panama, Senior
28.9 PPG / 14.3 RPG / 3.1 BPG / 2.9 APG / 2.1 SPG
– Player of the Year in CCAA II West
– WNY's scoring leader in 2020
– Scored a career-high 47 points in a win over Forestville
– Hauled in a career-high 20 boards in a win over Forestville
– Scored over 40 points in 2 games
– Scored over 30 points in 8 games
– Scored over 20 points in 19 games
– Recorded 19 double-doubles
– Two-time member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Scored 1,404 career points, with 884 boards & 198 blks
(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)
Anthony Mack – South Park, Senior
20.7 PPG / 7.3 SPG / 6.7 APG / 4.1 RPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– First Team Yale Cup I
– Clarence Holiday All-Tournament Team
– Scored a career-high 30 points at Tapestry
– Matched career-high 30 in playoffs at Lew-Port
– Scored 23 of 30 pts in the 2nd half at Lew-Port
– Scored over 20 points in 13 games
– Had over 10 steals in 7 games
– Dishes over 10 assists in 5 games
– Recorded 5 triple-doubles & 2 double-doubles
– Three-time All-Centercourt Defender
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
Fourth Team All-Centercourt
Demarri Jones – Jamestown, Junior
17.2 PPG / 10.3 RPG / 1.3 APG / 1.3 SPG
– Player of the Year in ECIC I
– First Team All-ECIC
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– MVP of the United Way Tournament
– Olean Tip-Off All-Tournament Team
– Scored a career-high 28 pts & 14 boards in a win over OP
– Had 25 points & 19 boards vs. Olean
– Recorded 11 double-doubles
– Member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
Michael DiGiulio – Williamsville South, Senior
25.0 PPG / 4.0 RPG / 3.7 SPG / 2.8 APG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– First Team All-ECIC
– First Team ECIC II
– Game MVP at the Cataract Classic
– Game MVP at the BSN Sports NFL/ECIC Challenge
– Scored a career-high 34 points in a win over Starpoint
– Scored over 30 points in 4 games
– Scored over 25 points in 13 games
– Scored over 20 points in 20 games
– Scored 16 points in the 4Q of a sectional comeback win
– Had 8 steals vs Maritime & 7 games with 5 or more steals
– Scored 984 career points
(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)
Cal Shifflet – Williamsville East, Senior
19.1 PPG / 8.7 RPG / 3.7 APG / 2.3 SPG / 1.4 BPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– First Team All-ECIC
– First Team ECIC II
– MVP of the Five Guys Tournyament
– MVP of the Lockport Rotary Tournament
– Scored a season-high 32 points in a win over North
– Scored over 30 points in 2 games
– Scored over 20 points in 13 games
– Recorded 11 double-doubles
– Connected from 3-point range 50 times
– Member of the Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Scored 1,216 career points with 673 boards
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
Trey Kleitz – Iroquois, Sophomore
20.7 PPG / 7.5 APG / 5.7 SPG / 2.8 RPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– Player of the Year in ECIC III
– First Team All-ECIC
– Greg Martin Memorial All-Tournament Team
– Scored a season-high 37 points in a win over N-W
– Scored over 30 points in 5 games
– Scored over 30 points in 3 straight games
– Scored over 20 points in 13 games
– Set a school record with a 20-point quarter
– Recorded 9 double-doubles
– Has scored 735 career points
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
Casey Curran – Allegany-Limestone, Senior
12.6 PPG / 11.2 RPG / 4.6 APG / 1.6 BPG / 1.5 SPG
– Section VI Class B2 Champion
– Player of the Year in CCAA I West
– MVP of the Section VI Class B2 Tournament
– Scored a season-high 22 points in a win over Dunkirk
– Hauled in a career-high 18 boards in a win over Pioneer
– Matched a career-high 18 boards in a win over Fredonia
– Grabbed over 15 rebounds in 7 games
– Recorded 12 double-doubles & 1 triple-double
– Banged the game-winning '3' in the Class B2 semis
– Scored 833 career points
(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)
Fifth Team All-Centercourt
Joe Harrington – Lancaster, Sophomore
15.8 PPG / 8.4 RPG / 2.0 BPG / 1.7 SPG / 1.3 APG
– Section VI Class AA Champion
– All-ECIC selection
– MVP of the Elmira Tournament
– Scored a career-high 27 points in a win over North
– Scored 19 pts, 10 boards, & 8 blks in AA semi vs Falls
– Scored over 20 points in 6 games
– Scored in double figures in 19 games
– Recorded 9 double-doubles
– Team leader in points, boards, blocks, & FG%
(Photo: Harry Scull, TBN)
Breht Swiech – Williamsville North, Senior
18.0 PPG / 5.3 RPG / 2.1 APG / 1.7 SPG
– All-ECIC Selection
– First Team ECIC I
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Game MVP at the Cataract Classic
– Five Guys All-Tournament Team
– Scored a career-high 39 points vs OP
– Scored over 30 points in 2 games
– Scored over 20 points in 9 games
– Connected from 3-point range 59 times
– Shot 52% from the field on the season
– Scored 822 career points
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
Danny Carter – East, Senior
18.2 PPG / 5.0 RPG / 4.0 APG / 2.7 SPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– First Team Yale Cup I
– Section VI Class A2 All-Tournament Team
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Game MVP at the Cataract Classic
– Scored a career-high 39 points vs O'Hara
– Scored over 30 points in 2 games
– Scored over 20 points in 9 games
– Scored in double figures in 20 games
– Team leader in points, assists, & steals
– Scored 939 career points
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
Tariq Eubanks, Tapestry, Junior
13.3 PPG / 7.3 APG / 5.0 SPG / 3.6 RPG
– Three-Time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– Class C1 Finalist
– First Team All-Charter
– Olean Tip-Off All-Tournament Team
– Scored a season-high 30 points in a win at Medina
– Scored over 20 points in 3 games
– Dished a season-high 17 dimes in a win vs South Park
– Scored 12 of 20 points in the 4Q/OT of win vs CSAT
– Three-time All-Centercourt Defender
– Has scored 894 career points
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
Dante Moultrie – North Tonawanda, Senior
14.5 PPG / 4.9 RPG / 3.4 APG / 2.0 SPG
– Section VI Class A1 Champion
– First Team Niagara Frontier League
– MVP of the Section VI Class A1 Tournament
– Scored a career-high 31 points in a win over Lockport
– Scored 28 points in the Class A1 Championship
– Shot 10/14 & 4/4 from '3' in Class A1 Championship
– Scored 763 career points
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
** At the time he played his last game at Nichols this season, Aidan Horan was on pace for All-Centercourt honors. It's unknown how things would have turned out or exactly which team he would have landed on, and I didn't want to take someone else's spot in the top 25…..however, the season he had through 15 games warranted recognition, which he is getting here in his own space. His game had improved tremendously this season. He was a four-year varsity player making all the right basketball plays without forcing anything and became a true team leader with exceptional body language on and off the court, which translated into his talents & 6-5 athletic frame reaching their true potential. Even his attitude after learning his season had ended, could not have displayed more positively. **
Aidan Horan – Nichols, Senior
21.7 PPG / 7.4 RPG / 2.5 APG / 1.5 SPG / 1.2 BPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
– First Team All-Catholic
– Kiski Showcase All-Tournament Team
– Scored a season-high 30 points vs. Tapestry
– Scored 28 points vs. Timon
– Scored over 20 points in 10 of 15 games
– Recorded 4 double-doubles
– Career 1,000 point scorer
(Photo: Shawn Turri)
Honorable Mention
Lavarde Mance – Global Concepts, Senior
28.3 PPG / 11.7 RPG / 2.3 SPG / 2.0 APG / 0.7 BPG – Scored a WNY season-high 51 points at Bishop Kearney
Xaier Mitchell – Maryvale, Senior
18.9 PPG / 12.0 RPG / 3.3 APG / 3.0 SPG – First Team ECIC III
Caron Marshall – Cleveland Hill, Senior
18.3 PPG / 5.7 RPG / 3.5 SPG / 1.4 APG – Player of the Year in ECIC IV
Tyler Robinson – North Collins, Senior
17.4 PPG / 11.9 RPG / 4.3 BPG / 2.1 APG / 2.0 SPG – Player of the Year in CCAA II East
Nick O'Neil – Amherst, Senior
17.3 PPG / 4.9 RPG / 2.9 APG / 2.6 SPG – First Team ECIC II
Nate Ryniec – West Seneca West, Senior
16.7 PPG / 4.8 RPG / 2.9 APG / 2.2 SPG / 1.3 BPG – First Team ECIC I
Garrett Srock – Newfane, Senior
16.4 PPG / 10.3 RPG / 2.6 SPG / 2.1 APG / 2.1 BPG – Player of the Year in the N-O
Tino Mancabelli – Orchard Park, Senior
16.0 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 3.5 APG / 1.3 SPG – First Team ECIC I
Marciano Lamar – Olmsted, Senior
15.8 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 4.0 APG / 2.7 SPG – Player of the Year in Yale Cup II
Jordan Cutter – North Tonawanda, Senior
15.7 PPG / 4.1 RPG / 2.5 SPG / 1.1 APG – Scored over 20 in 9 games & hit 56 treys
Trent Cordone – West Seneca East, Senior
15.5 PPG / 4.7 RPG / 3.0 APG / 2.2 SPG – First Team All-ECIC II
Devonte Prince, Middle College, Senior
15.0 PPG / 3.3 APG / 2.4 RPG / 2.0 SPG – First Team Yale Cup I
Daesean Ashley – St. Joe's, Senior
13.7 PPG / 4.9 RPG / 3.7 APG / 1.6 SPG – First Team All-Catholic
Jon Nellis – Holland, Senior
13.3 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 2.7 SPG / 1.5 APG – First Team ECIC IV
Gus Napoleon – Allegany-Limestone, Senior
13.3 PPG / 3.2 RPG / 1.3 SPG / 1.1 APG – First Team CCAA I West
Jabari Spencer – Health Sciences, Senior
13.2 PPG / 5.1 RPG / 3.0 APG / 2.8 SPG / 1.1 BPG – All-Centercourt Defender
Tyler Smith – Health Sciences, Senior
12.7 PPG / 6.8 RPG / 2.9 SPG / 2.1 APG / 1.9 BPG – Centercourt #BOOM Squad
Kaleb Steward – Randolph, Senior
10.7 PPG / 5.6 APG / 5.2 RPG / 3.1 SPG – First Team CCAA I East
Zach Ianello – Clarence, Junior
16.8 PPG / 4.0 APG / 2.0 SPG / 72 Made 3-pointers – First Team ECIC I
Tyler Putney, Fredonia, Junior
15.9 PPG / 8.0 RPG / 2.0 BPG / 1.8 APG / 1.1 SPG – First Team CCAA I West
Peyton Consigli – St. Francis, Junior
14.6 PPG / 7.2 RPG / 1.7 APG / 1.4 SPG / 0.8 BPG – First Team All-Catholic
Keonjay Carter – Park, Junior
14.3 PPG / 4.5 APG / 4.3 RPG / 1.0 SPG – Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 Selection
Joe Ciocca – Canisius, Junior
11.8 PPG / 1.9 RPG / 1.8 APG / 1.0 SPG – First Team All-Catholic
Max Dowling – Canisius, Junior
11.0 PPG / 5.0 RPG / 0.9 SPG / 0.7 BPG – First Team All-Catholic
TJ Robinson – Niagara Wheatfield, Sophomore
21.0 PPG / 4.3 RPG / 2.4 APG / 2.0 SPG – First Team Niagara Frontier League
Trevin Boling – Tonawanda, Sophomore
20.6 PPG / 2.3 RPG / 1.8 SPG / 1.6 APG – First Team ECIC IV
Max Schneider – Williamsville East, Sophomore
16.5 PPG / 7.0 APG / 3.1 SPG / 2.3 RPG - First Team ECIC II
Kamar Goudelock – Timon, Sophomore
16.3 PPG / 4.3 RPG / 2.8 APG / 2.8 SPG – First Team All-Catholic
Massai Graham – Tapestry, Sophomore
14.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 2.9 BPG / 1.6 APG / 1.4 SPG – Centercourt #BOOM Squad
Josh Haskell – St. Joe's, Sophomore
12.9 PPG / 3.8 RPG / 1.8 APG / 0.7 SPG – Shot 44% on 70 made 3-pointers
Gabe McCoy – Randolph, Sophomore
11.8 PPG / 9.1 RPG / 3.5 BPG / 1.8 SPG / 1.1 APG – First Team CCAA I East
Justin Glover – St. Joe's, Sophomore
10.7 PPG / 4.0 APG / 2.9 RPG / 1.4 SPG – Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
Jalen Duff – Lew-Port, Freshman
17.5 PPG / 3.9 APG / 3.4 RPG / 1.5 SPG – First Team Niagara Frontier League
Shane Cercone – Canisius, Freshman
9.0 PPG / 5.7 RPG / 1.1 APG / 1.0 SPG – All-Centercourt Defender
Greg Brooks – Maritime, 7th Grade
14.1 PPG / 3.2 APG / 1.9 SPG / 1.6 RPG – First Team Charter Cup
Sixth Man of the Year
Eric Kegler – Canisius, Senior
7.4 PPG / 5.9 RPG / 2.4 APG / 1.1 SPG / 0.7 BPG
Kegs was so good coming off the bench to boost the Canisius lineup that head coach Kyle Husband couldn't keep him out of the starting lineup at season's end when the Crusaders were securing another Manhattan Cup. An all-around talent with a smooth jumper from mid range and a beast on the boards with five games over nine rebounds, he saved some of his best performances for the toughest opponents. Against Niagara Falls, Kegs scored a season-high 18 points with five boards and four steals, while banging three big shots from downtown. Against Health Sciences, he scored a team-high 15 points and took Game MVP honors at the Centercourt Classic. In a Valentine's Day rivalry game, he scored 13 points and pounded the glass for a career-high 15 rebounds to help put St. Joe's down. And in a drubbing of Aquinas, he was the maestro, dishing out nine dimes in the game while continuing to clean the glass for 12 boards.
All-Centercourt Defenders
First Team
Avion Harris – Cardinal O'Hara, Senior
Shane Cercone – Canisius, Freshman
JaVaughn Jones – Health Sciences, Junior
Daesean Ashley – St. Joe's, Senior
Tariq Eubanks – Tapestry, Junior
Second Team
Jabari Spencer – Health Sciences, Senior
Keyunte Jones – Middle College, Senior
John Orogun – Park, Senior
Noah Fox – North Tonawanda, Senior
Kaleb Steward – Randolph, Senior
Third Team
Keith Brown – Middle College, Senior
Ben Giardini – Allegany-Limestone, Senior
Anthony Mack – South Park, Senior
Gabe McCoy – Randolph, Sophomore
Kaleb Rybij – Fredonia, Senior
Centercourt #BOOM Squad
Massai Graham – Tapestry, Sophomore
Roddy Gayle – Lew-Port, Sophomore
Cam Barmore – Panama, Senior
Anthony Smith – Middle College, Junior
Nick Whitfield – Fredonia, Sophomore
John Orogun – Park, Senior
Jalen Bradberry – Park, Junior
Daciare Riley – Health Sciences, Senior
Deshaun Brown – Health Sciences, Senior
Tyler Smith – Health Sciences, Senior
Dewayne Vass – Canisius, Senior
Demarri Jones – Jamestown, Junior
Jaylen Stewart – Amherst, Senior
Cal Shifflet – Williamsville East, Senior
Jamond Jones – Middle college, Senior
Coach of the Year
John Otto, Lancaster
An offseason shoulder surgery caused him many sleepless nights to think about an upcoming season that had a lot potential, but would also present a lot of challenges. But those were challenges you could project, like how ultra-competitive the league in ECIC I would be, or how big bad Niagara Falls was always waiting there in Class AA, or how another extended championship football season would once again delay truly getting down to business on the hardwood. And while in and out of restless sleep, he dreamed of this being the team that would end a 61 year Section VI title drought, but never dreamed of all that he'd have to overcome to get it.
On January 16, 2020, Otto learned that his brother had died unexpectedly. One night later, he was on the bench coaching his team at Williamsville North. Lancaster saw its seven-game win streak end that night. Two more losses would follow over the next five games. The team would ultimately finish the regular season tied for third place in league play and entered the postseason as the #5 seed, meaning they'd be on the road in the playoffs. The place they'd need to win to keep fighting was Williamsville North.
Trailing by nine points in the second half, the Legends dug in and gutted out a win in a hard-hitting battle to avenge the earlier road defeat, win the rubber-match over the Spartans, and advance to the Class AA Semifinals at Buff State. Their prize? A date with top-seeded Niagara Falls – the four-time defending champion.
Trailing the Wolverines, who came in as the 5th ranked large school in WNY, by four points entering the final frame, the unranked Legends would outscore the #1 seed 20-8 over the final eight minutes to claim a 65-57 victory. It would be Otto's second trip to Championship Saturday in four seasons, as Lancaster advanced to the Class AA Final to face Orchard Park – the last team that had defeated Lancaster less than three weeks prior.
In a classic slugfest, before a spectacular afternoon crowd on the big stage at Buff State, Lancaster once again trailed during the second half and well into the fourth quarter. But in a season of overcoming obstacles, this was just one last opportunity to come together as a team and make some history. As the final minutes of the game unfolded, Lancaster completely turned the momentum in its favor and pulled away, allowing the coach and the team just enough time to absorb before the final buzzer sounded, the magnitude of the moment. That #5 seed who stuck together through some very difficult moments turned out to be a team of destiny. The streak was over. The Legends were Section VI basketball champions in Class AA!
As with any overcoming any long drought, the celebration was special. It was emotional. It was inspirational. The sense of true team accomplishment was never more evident to me as it all unfolded. And the man who is incredibly beloved by his players for reasons that extend well past basketball and into the sense of family he instilled with that group, is the man who has earned this year's honor. Lancaster's John Otto is the 2020 Centercourt Coach of the Year.
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