The 2021 Preview contains:

– Commentary

– What's New

– Returning 2020 All-Centercourt Players

– Player Watch List for 2021

– A League-by-League look at returning All-League selections

(MMA, Yale Cup, ECIC,  NFL, N-O, CCAA, & Charters)

– Coaching Changes

– Classification Changes

– Preseason Top 10 Large & Small Schools

– Predictions

 

Commentary

For the first time in the 12 seasons I've been doing this, WNY has no reigning state champions entering this season.  So I'd like to start this preview off by taking some liberties and crowning a few squads from the 2020 season.  Relying on years of watching these teams throughout the year and then following them to the state & fed tournaments in late March, I think I have a decent gauge of what a state championship team looks like – and I've even predicted a few months in advance.  So when I look back on the 2020 season, we had four state champions, and you can't convince me otherwise.  I have clairvoyance and this is how it would have all gone down:

 

– After winning the game of the year in the Far West Regional at Buff State, a thriller between Health Sciences and Rochester's East High, the state tournament seemed like a mere formality to the Falcons — especially after routing their opponent in the state semifinal in Glens Falls.  However, the state championship game was too close for comfort…that is until late in the fourth quarter when Jonezy went Jonezy, again, and took the game over.  Ty Parker lost his voice.  Daciare, Tyler, Jabari, & Deshaun were each given a key to the City of Buffalo upon their return home for being outstanding seniors.  And Major announced his retirement at the victory parade, but Ty overruled that decision.

 

– Middle College had some unfinished business to tend to from the 2019 season and headed to Glens Falls hell bent on winning one for Jakari Nettles, who had helped them get so close in 2019.  The weekend was reminiscent of the 2010 and 2016 seasons for the Kats.  They destroyed a pair of opponents, who never saw it coming, in the state tournament.  Parents of the losing teams in Class C wept and cried foul.  But it had been all too legit.  Jamond was too good.  Speedy was too quick.  Keith Brown & Keyunte Jones were too tough.  And Anthony Smith became the first player to shatter a backboard at Glens Falls.  

 

– Following an exhausting road trip to Long Island in the state semifinals, Canisius earned the right to come home and play for a state championship in Buffalo.  The combination of playing in their hometown, unbiased officiating (as opposed to Long Island), Coach Husband shaving his beard, and having Dewayne Vass – clearly the best player on the court that day -was more than the Crusaders even needed.  Though the scoreboard showed Canisius won by six points, they held a double figure lead most of the second half after a pair of backcourt steals by Shane Cercone ignited a late first half run that basically put the game away.  Joe Ciocca connected four straight times from long range at one point and Max Dowling had a double-double by halftime.

 

– Finally, Timon caused the CHSAA to launch an investigation, after winning a state title while starting four underclassmen.  Who is this General Jamyier Patton, they demanded to know, and how in the hell does he score like that in the paint amidst so many trees??  You're telling me Kamar Goudelock is only a sophomore, they asked?  With that handle, range, and moxy?  Hold up…Kevin Thompson is only a sophomore as well AND this Leo Camilloni (a junior) can shoot the '3'?  Well, needless to say, Coach Rowe remained his usual quiet self and was unavailable for comment during the investigation, which turned up no wrong doing.  Timon was indeed a state champion (they beat Canisius in the regular season for crying out loud!).  And you better believe they will repeat this year…

 

*******************

 

What's New ??

– Two-time All-Centercourt First Team selection Roddy Gayle made the decision to transfer out of state, a few weeks after announcing his commitment to play for Ohio State in a couple years.  Greg Brooks has left the area after earning All-Centercourt Honorable Mention as a 7th grader at Maritime, and All-Centercourt Honorable Mention selection Gabe McCoy from Randolph also left the area.

– No fans at games (at least initially), no state playoffs, and no Federation Tournament

– All the major regular season events have been canceled, including tip-off & holiday tournaments, the Cataract Classic, the BSN Sports NFLvs. ECIC Challenge, the Pastor-Cooper Showcase, MLK Classic, and my baby, the Centercourt Classic (the 4th Annual would've been the best one yet)

– There will be no state rankings released during the 2021 regular season  

– All postseason games in WNY will be hosted by the higher seed, including the Section VI Championship games.  Championship Saturday is set for March 27th

– The Manhattan Cup this season will include all seven Monsignor Martin Association teams.  With no CHSAA state playoffs, there is no need to determine a Class B representative.  Only one teams will be crowned champion.  The Manhattan Cup Championship is set for Saturday, March 20th

– Despite its Class B BEDS' numbers, Health Sciences is once again moving up.  After being moved to Class A2 for the past two seasons, Section VI has bumped the Falcons up as high as they can go – Class AA.  Tapestry will continue to compete in Class C and Maritime stays in Class B

– Joining Health in Class AA will be Four-time All-Centercourt standout Jalen Bradberry, who returns to his hometown Niagara Falls for his senior season.  Bradberry will play for his father, Carlos, the new coach of the Wolverines.  Talk about bolstering a lineup…Class AA is going to be a blast this year

– Instead of every team receiving an automatic bid to the Sectionals, only the top eight teams from each classification will move on to the postseason this year

– Class B will break into three sections this season (adding B3), instead of the traditional Class B1 & B2.  As Class B is currently the largest classification in Section VI by 10 teams, this move will allow for an additional eight teams to qualify for the postseason

– Bennett moves up to Yale Cup I from Yale Cup II, while City Honors moves from Yale Cup I down to Yale Cup II

– Tonawanda joins ECIC III after competing in ECIC IV last season

– Springville moves from ECIC III to ECIC IV

– Salamanca and Chautauqua Lake are flipping divisions.  Salamanca joins CCAA I West, while Chautauqua Lake joins CCAA I East

– Global Concepts & BASCS both opted out of competition for the 2021 season

– I will provide the play-by-play for all St. Joe's home games this season, which can be heard on the game's live stream

 

******************************************

 

The Players

***  8 of the top 25 players from the 2020 All-Centercourt Team return to the WNY high school hoops scene, along with 15 players that received Honorable Mentions following last season.  

 

Reigning CC MVP

JaVaughn Jones – Health Sciences, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

20.6 PPG

7.4 RPG

7.3 APG

4.9 SPG

The epitome of a four-year floor general who takes over at both ends

** All-Centercourt Defender **

 

 

 

 

 

Returning First Teamer

Jalen Bradberry – Niagara Falls, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

19.7 PPG

3.2 APG

3.1 RPG

1.4 SPG

Enters the 2021 campaign needing 599 points to become WNY's all-time leading scorer

** Centercourt #BOOM Squad **

 

 

 

Returning Second Teamers

Jamyier Patton – Timon, Senior

Junior Season Stats

22.1 PPG

3.2 RPG

2.7 APG

2.7 SPG 

Slithers through defenders at the rim and finishes consistently, when he's not killing you from downtown

 

 

 

Jaden Slaughter – St. Joe's, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

18.1 PPG

5.3 RPG

2.7 APG

1.2 SPG

 A highly efficient and unselfish talent that is now 6-5.  He's smooth!

 

 

 

 

Returning Fourth Teamers

Demarri Jones – Jamestown, Senior

Junior Season Stats:

17.2 PPG

10.3 RPG

1.3 APG

1.3 SPG 

High intensity baller who routinely outworks opponents

 

 

 

 

Trey Kleitz – Iroquois, Junior

Sophomore Season Stats:

20.7 PPG

7.5 APG

5.7 SPG

2.8 RPG

 Two-sport standout with excellent court vision

 

 

 

 

Returning Fifth Teamers

Joe Harrington – Lancaster, Junior

Sophomore Season Stats

15.8 PPG

8.4 RPG

2.0 BPG

1.7 SPG

1.3 APG

Led the defending Class AA champs in scoring, rebounding, & blocks as a sophomore 

 

 

 

Tariq Eubanks – Tapestry, Senior

Junior Season Stats

13.3 PPG

7.3 APG

5.0 SPG

3.6 RPG

The combination of talent, quickness, and effort has made Mr. Excitement the straw that stirs the drink at Tapestry for three seasons

** All-Centercourt Defender **

 

 

Returning 2020 Honorable Mentions

Zach Ianello – Clarence, Senior

16.8 PPG / 4.0 APG / 2.0 SPG / 72 Made 3-pointers – as a junior

 

Tyler Putney, Fredonia, Senior

15.9 PPG / 8.0 RPG / 2.0 BPG / 1.8 APG / 1.1 SPG – as a junior

 

Peyton Consigli – St. Francis, Senior

14.6 PPG / 7.2 RPG / 1.7 APG / 1.4 SPG / 0.8 BPG – as a junior

 

Keonjay Carter – Park, Senior

14.3 PPG / 4.5 APG / 4.3 RPG / 1.0 SPG – as a junior

 

Joe Ciocca – Canisius, Senior

11.8 PPG / 1.9 RPG / 1.8 APG / 1.0 SPG – as a junior

 

Max Dowling – Canisius, Senior

11.0 PPG / 5.0 RPG / 0.9 SPG / 0.7 BPG – as a junior

 

TJ Robinson – Niagara Wheatfield, Junior

21.0 PPG / 4.3 RPG / 2.4 APG / 2.0 SPG – as a sophomore

 

Trevin Boling – Tonawanda, Junior

20.6 PPG / 2.3 RPG / 1.8 SPG / 1.6 APG – as a sophomore

 

Max Schneider – Williamsville East, Junior

16.5 PPG / 7.0 APG / 3.1 SPG / 2.3 RPG -  as a sophomore

 

Kamar Goudelock – Timon, Junior

16.3 PPG / 4.3 RPG / 2.8 APG / 2.8 SPG – as a sophomore

 

Massai Graham – Tapestry, Junior

14.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 2.9 BPG / 1.6 APG / 1.4 SPG – as a sophomore

 

Josh Haskell – St. Joe's, Junior

12.9 PPG / 3.8 RPG / 1.8 APG / 0.7 SPG – as a sophomore

 

Justin Glover – St. Joe's, Junior

10.7 PPG / 4.0 APG / 2.9 RPG / 1.4 SPG – as a sophomore

 

Jalen Duff – Lew-Port, Sophomore

17.5 PPG / 3.9 APG / 3.4 RPG / 1.5 SPG – as a freshman

 

Shane Cercone – Canisius, Sophomore

9.0 PPG / 5.7 RPG / 1.1 APG / 1.0 SPG – as a freshman

 

Player Watch List

SENIORS

Malik Jemison (Canisius), Hugh Purks (Nichols), Jesse Adamu (Nichols), Amiel Collins (St. Francis),  Jaden washington (Cardinal O'Hara), Jaiden Green (East), Anthony Smith (Middle College), Bush Rieang (McKinley), Koran Askia (McKinley), Chris Coleman (South Park), Mykell Hepburn (South Park), Damario James (Bennett), Jarold Skillon (Bennett), Jamai Jackson (Ken West), Martin Espinal (Hutch-Tech),  Jaylen Hearon (Maritime), Davon Scott (Bennett), Elijah Rojas (Jamestown), Simeon Leeper (Jamestown), Faybion Prather (Niagara Falls), Arien Robinson (Niagara Falls), Caleb Tillman (Niagara Falls), Conor Foley (Frontier), Jackson Jerebko (Lancaster), Dexter Brooks (Starpoint), Sam Walters (Starpoint), Christian Pagano (Depew), Nevada Eldridge (Cheektowaga), Austin Boies (Springville), Jeff Koch (Amherst), Andrew Dockery (Maryvale), Ian Moog (East Aurora), Colin Herzog (Lake Shore), Keith White (Lake Shore), Jason Brooks (Olean), Deuce Capen (Newfane), Sam Capen (Newfane), Adam Mietz (Akron), Javier West (Forestville), Caleb Hutchins (Park), Desmond Davis (Park), Logan Sionko (Grand Island), Jarod White (Salamanca), Lief Jimerson (Ellicottville), Clayton Rowland (Ellicottville), Logan Frank (Franklinville), John Swabik (Sherman), Wally Wisniewski (North Tonawanda), Seth Joba (Orchard Park)

 

JUNIORS

Declan Ryan (Canisius), Jimmie Green (Cardinal O'Hara), Chris Wright (Cardinal O'Hara), Lamar Matthews (Tapestry), Romeo Bell (Tapestry), Jahodd Martin (McKinley), Bryant Rosa (Riverside), Dom Phillips (East Aurora), Aidan Kennedy (Southwestern), Tyler Curran (Allegany-Limestone), Zion James (Olean), Logan Sionko (Grand Island), Sean Hargrave (Ken West), Dominic McKenzie (Niagara Falls), Jorden Bynes (CSAT), Teddy McDuffie (Amherst), Isaiah Jean-Pierre (Health Sciences), Jaylen Butera (Jamestown), Roderick Brown (Sweet Home), 

 

SOPHOMORES

Trey Drake (Jamestown), Nick Moore (Amherst), Xander Fletcher (Niagara Wheatfield), Luke Granto (North Tonawanda), Bobby Beilein (Lew-Port)

 

FRESHMEN

Jaiden Lewis (West Seneca East), Lucas Brown (Salamanca), Shawn Watson (Niagara Wheatfield), Jaiden Huntington (Randolph), Channing Francis (Lancaster)

 

8th GRADE

Drew Hind (Randolph)

 

***********************************************

 

League-By-League:  Returning All-League Talent 

 

Monsignor Martin Association

 

Large Schools – CLASS A

 

Canisius – Max Dowling, Joe Ciocca 

St. Joe's -  Jaden Slaughter 

St. Francis – Peyton Consigli  

 

****************************************

 

Small Schools – CLASS B

 

Timon - Jamyier Patton, Kamar Goudelock 

 Nichols – Hugh Purks

Cardinal O'Hara 

 St. Mary's 

************************************************ 

 

Section VI

 

Charter Schools

Health Sciences –  JaVaughn Jones 

Tapestry -  Tariq Eubanks, Massai Graham, Romeo Bell  

Maritime - Jaylon Hearon, John Washington

 

*************************************

 

YALE CUP I

McKinley – Bush Rieang, Koran Askia, & Jahood Martin  

South Park –  Chris Coleman

Middle College - Anthony Smith 

Bennett – Damario James, Jerrold Skillon, Damone McClain, Jacob Pullins 

East – Jaiden Green, Anthony Oberlander

Hutch-Tech – Martin Espinal, Oliver Ngarikiyintwari, Kenneth Jacobs

Emerson – Lawrence Russell

 

 

******

 

YALE CUP II

MST Seneca –  Terrell Craig 

Buffalo Arts – Jordan Rodgers

Riverside – Bryant Rosa, Dan Maku

City Honors - Caleb Chapman

Burgard - Lafario Ross

I-Prep - Naesiah Woods

Lafayette - Kevin Calderon

Olmsted  

 

 ***********************************

 

ECIC I

Jamestown -  Demarri Jones, Elijah Rojas  

Lancaster –  Joe Harrington, Jackson Jerebko

Frontier – Brandon Okie, Conor Foley 

Clarence –  Zach Ianello 

Orchard Park 

Williamsville North 

West Seneca West 

 

********************************

 

ECIC II

Amherst -  Nick Moore

Williamsville East -  Max Schneider 

West Seneca East –  Jaiden Lewis 

Starpoint – Dexter Brooks

Sweet Home  

Williamsville South  

Hamburg 

 

**********************************

 

ECIC III

Iroquois -  Trey Kleitz 

Cheektowaga – Nevada Eldridge, Keonte Brown

Depew -  Christian Pagano 

East Aurora -  Ian Moog, Dom Phillips

Lake Shore -   Noah Herzog, Keith White  

Maryvale – Andrew Dockery 

Tonawanda –  Trevin Boling, JJ Velazquez  

Pioneer  

 

************************************

 

ECIC IV

Springville –Austin Boies  

Lackawanna -  Jeremi'yhi Presley, AJ Turner 

Cleveland Hill -  Charlie Meredith

JFK –  Josh Knox  

Eden - Hunter Stetz

Alden – Matt Hay

Holland 

 

**************************************

 

Niagara Frontier League

Niagara Wheatfield -  TJ Robinson, Xander Fletcher 

Lew-Port -  Jalen Duff  

Grand Island – Logan Sionko

Niagara Falls  

North Tonawanda  

Kenmore West  

Lockport  

CSAT  

Kenmore East  

 

**********************************

 

Niagara-Orleans

Newfane –  Sam Capen, Michael Carmer 

Akron –  Adam Mietz, Mitchell Holtz, Jake Mazza  

Roy-Hart –  Gavyn Boyle, Tommy Ragonese, Rhett Goodwin 

Medina -  Brian Fry, Tyler Chinn, Jarin Rhim

Albion – Bailey Blanchard

Wilson –   Mike Miller

Barker –  Joey Brandt 

 

********************************

 

CCAA I West 

Olean – Jason Brooks, Zion James 

Fredonia –  Tyler Putney, Nick Whitfield 

Salamanca -  Jarod White, Lucas Brown 

Allegany-Limestone -  Tyler Curran 

Southwestern –  Aidan Kennedy,  Nate Johnson, Calvin Ricker

Dunkirk – Christian Ortiz 11, A'Marion Tell 

 

***********************************

 

CCAA I East

Randolph – Ashton Bushey

Chautauqua Lake – Luke Waters 

Portville 

Silver Creek 

Falconer 

Gowanda 

 

****************************************

 

CCAA II West 

Sherman -  John Swabik, Keith Gormley, Gerald Carris

Cassadaga Valley -  Wyatt Harrington, Braden Lebaron

Panama -  Connor Cooper 

Westfield -  Darien Swanson

Clymer –  Hunter Wassink

Brocton  

Maple Grove 

Falconer 

 

**********************************************

 

CCAA II East 

Ellicottville -  Clayton Rowland, Leif Jimerson, Wyatt Chudy, Logan Grinols  

Franklinville –   Logan Frank , Blake Frank  Matt Peters

North Collins -  Chris Smith, Mitchell Warsaw, Matthew Sweet

Cattaraugus-Little Valley –  Kordell Oakes, Josh Halterman, Gage Furl

Pine Valley -  Wayne Libby, Bryce Sercu, Cameron Hayes

Forestville -  Javier West

 

**************************************

 

Teams with New Coaches (14)

 

Niagara Falls – Carlos Bradberry

Ken West – Ryan Hogan

Grand Island – Chris Simpson

South Park – Kyle Perla 

Middle College – Randy Rich

City Honors - Michael Mills

Medina – Eric Hellwig

Wilson – Rob Linhart

Barker – Jake Haight

Albion – Travis Downs

Tonawanda – Scott Foster

Rob Culver – Frewsburg

Robert Slisz – Pine Valley

Lucas Brawdy – Gowanda

 

***************************************

 

Classification Changes (31)

 

Health Sciences moves up from Class A2 to Class AA

South Park moves up from Class A2 to Class A1

Williamsville East moves down from Class A1 to Class A2

Ken East moves down from Class A1 to Class A2

Iroquois moves up from Class B1 to Class A2

Lake Shore moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

Emerson moves down from Class A1 to Class B1

East moves down from Class A2 to Class B1

Depew moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Medina moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Burgard moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Lackawanna moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Tonawanda moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Springville moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Alden moves down from Class B1 to Class B2

Lafayette moves down from Class A2 to Class B3

Eden moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Olmsted moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Fredonia moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Roy-Hart moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Maritime moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

JFK moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Southwestern moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Wilson moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Cleveland Hill moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Allegany-Limestone moves down from Class B2 to Class B3

Salamanca moves up from Class C2 to Class C1

Riverside moves up from Class D to Class C1

Silver Creek moves down from Class C1 to Class C2

Cassadaga Valley moves down from Class C1 to Class C2

Franklinville moves down from Class C2 to Class D

 

****************************************

 

Preseason Polls

**  Seven of the 10 teams that appeared in the 2020 Preseason Large School Poll were Top 10 teams when the season ended, and I was 8 of 10 predicting the Top 10 small schools in 2020

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius

2. Park

3. St. Joe's

4. Jamestown

5. Health Sciences

6. Niagara Falls

7. Lancaster

8. Amherst

9. South Park

10. McKinley

 

Small Schools

1. Timon

2. Tapestry

3. O'Hara

4. Middle College

5. Bennett

6. Newfane

7. Akron

8. East Aurora

9. Nichols

10. Randolph

 

**************************************

 

Predictions

 

 MMA - Canisius

Yale Cup I - McKinley

Yale Cup II - Olmsted

ECIC I - Jamestown

ECIC II - Amherst

ECIC III – Cheektowaga

ECIC IV – Springville

NFL – Niagara Falls

N-O - Newfane

CCAA I West – Fredonia

CCAA I East - Randolph 

CCAA II West - Maple Grove

CCAA II East - Ellicottville

 

*********************************************

 

Manhattan Cup

Only twice in the last seven seasons, have I accurately predicted the winner and both times I got it right, I picked Canisius.  Well duh.  

** Canisius **

 

Class AA 

Final Four:  

Niagara Falls, Health Sciences, Jamestown, & Lancaster

** Jamestown **

 

Class A1 

Final Four:

McKinley, Ken West, South Park, & North Tonawanda

** South Park **

 

Class A2  

Final Four:  

Amherst, Cheektowaga, Williamsville East, & Lew-Port

** Amherst **

 

Class B1 

Final Four:  

Olean, Bennett, East Aurora, & East

** Bennett **

 

Class B2 

Final Four:

Newfane, Akron, Depew,  & Medina

** Newfane **

 

Class B3

Final Four:

Fredonia, Allegany-Limestone, Southwestern, & Maritime

** Fredonia **

 

Class C1

Final Four:

Tapestry, Middle College, Salamanca, & Riverside

** Tapestry **

 

Class C2

Final Four:

Randolph, Maple Grove, Holland, & Ellicottville

** Randolph **

 

Class D

Final Four to reach JCC:  

Sherman, Franklinville, Pine Valley, & Clymer

** Sherman **

 

-centercourt