I have often said that one of the great things about the high school basketball community I immerse myself in every winter is the relationships made along the way. Last night, I received a very sad news about the passing of my friend Larry Regan, one of the first relationships I made 14 years ago when I began calling myself centercourt.  He is the reason I picked a moniker for myself and he was a major influence on what I began doing then and still do today. 

I became a bit of a high school basketball junkie in the 2006 season and spent a couple years attending several games, watching very intently.  In the early portion of the 2008 season, December 2007, I discovered the Buffalo News Prep Talk Blog.  It was a forum available to high school sports fans like myself to discuss the action.  I began checking that forum daily and early in January 2008, I entered the discussion.  One of the main names that provided the most quality insight, always written in a thoughtful and positive manner, was a person calling himself "hoopster".  The very first time I ever put anything in print regarding high school basketball, a response came from the mighty hoopster.  I’ve always said it was that initial quality interaction they got me hooked on not just watching the action, but talking about the action.

 

There were several other people who commented in this forum as well, because in 2008 things like Twitter weren’t around yet and the old-timers took advantage of this method to communicate.  But there was something about his words and the way he wrote that made me want to get to know what seemed like a very kind soul behind the moniker hoopster.  I emailed Keith McShea, the lead high school sports writer at the Buffalo News at that time, and asked him if he would contact the person calling himself hoopster and let him know that the guy calling himself centercourt would like to meet him.  I left Keith my phone number and shortly there after I received a phone call from the legend himself.  I can still remember specifics from that phone call and where in my house I stood as I learned that hoopster was Larry Regan, the father of Nichols sophomore sensation Will Regan and senior stand out Jim Regan.  A friendship was born that day and only grew stronger over the last 14 years.

We began speaking in person at all the games and communicating more regularly on the phone. He was not only the father of prominent players from a very prominent program, he was also a former referee.  He seemed to know everybody from the high school basketball scene and everything about it. Larry taught me so much about some of the inner workings of things and all the different personalities that existed throughout the hoops community, particularly those in the Monsignor Martin Association.  But even as Larry painted me a picture of the rest of the league, the adversaries and rivals of the Nichols program,  he always spoke of others intelligently and respectfully.  

We had become quite close by the 2010 season, when his son Will was a senior. That season would mark the greatest in the Vikings history, as the team claimed a Federation Championship in Class A.  During a podcast I did at the start of last season with Beyond the Ball, I was asked about some of the most memorable moments I’ve had in my time on the scene.  One of my answers to that question was the moment after the CHSAA state championship game in 2010.  As Larry stood proudly at the top of the stands in Canisius College Koessler Center, his now state championship son Will walked up into the stands following the post game ceremonies and embraced his father.  If you listen to back to me describing that moment on the podcast, you can hear the crack in my voice from emotion as I describe it.  It was a beautiful father-son moment and I was so happy for my friend that he got to have it.  

After that 2010 season, the Buffalo News Prep Talk Blog changed to a format where commenters needed to register first.  That effectively derailed the forum that had originally brought us together.  At the start of the 2011 season, I began my site, The View From Centercourt.  Larry encouraging me to keep the conversation going and start my own thing was one of the driving forces behind my decision. 

 

As I worked hard in those early years to build the Centercourt brand, hoopster was always one of the first to comment on my site with the most positive and affirming messages.  His positivity and kindness encouraged me to continue what I was doing and feel good about it.  He made people feel important, special, and cared about.

 

Over the last several years, after all of his kids were done with high school, Larry and I still spoke regularly.  When he had an opportunity to catch a high school game during the regular season, he would call to get my opinion on what games he should check out and then invite me to meet him out for a bite to eat before hand.  It was during those times that we would get caught up on each other’s personal lives and share stories about our children and his grandchildren.  Larry was a great man and an even greater family man.

 

Below is just a small sample of the comments he left on my site over the years, which illustrate the man I’m trying to describe.  Please take some time, read them over, and consider the impact that the approach he took left on others.  Until we meet again my friend, heaven will get to enjoy that hearty laugh of yours while we cherish the great memories you gave us!

 

-centercourt 

 

 

The first comment he ever left on my site :

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Very impressive CC! Always said right after Keith there wasn't anyone more devoted to hs hoops or more knowledgeable. This is a great addition to local coverage of high school basketball. A great thing for the kids, coaches, players, schools and fans! Hopefully the idiots who ruined the prep talk comments section won't rear their ugly mugs, or at least comments, here. if they do, I am quite certain you'll deep six them quickly!

On behalf of WNY fans of the game we thank you!

 

Offering his opinion:

Generally speaking bad form to keep starters in while a blow out is in progress. There are legitimate reasons to keep some of your better players in at times like these. If I knew more would be better able to make a judgment on this situation.

 

After Canisius won the 2011 Manhattan Cup:

Congratulations to the Crusaders and especially Gordon Lyons. A great kid from a great family. Nice to see him have such a great game and get some serious props by earning the cup mvp. A sour taste to be sure for Joe's tonight, which in no way diminishes a truly outstanding season.

 

End of season blues:

Too bad the season is coming to a close. Things are picking up on CC's board. Earl, while you may feel like a grandfather, you look like a great grandfather. 🙂 Congrats on an excellent year. Yes, Guest2 I am lame, especially the last week or so. The screen names are half the fun on these boards, so screen name or no screen name I plead guilty. 

 

hoopster or jokester?? :

CC has hit a milestone in the infancy of his blog!! Congrats. To celebrate he's arranged to have the Buff State pizza maker provide everyone with 2 free slices of pizza tonight at the Buff State Arena. God bless CC!!!

 

Spittin facts at his buddy Jack Herlan:

Jack, you were never an assist man. You always wanted the rock!!

 

Holding me to a standard:

Hey all! Hoops season can't be far away. McShea got out of the football trenches (about time) for a second and plugged the start of practice on Monday 11/7/11 in today's paper. Nice recognition for the Crusaders. Expectations must be high on Delaware Ave., not sure if that's a good thing or not so good. Hey CC! Where's the preseason CC review?! You're slacking old man!!

 

After the release of a season preview:

I hope everyone realizes the time, effort and thought that goes into this kind of production, and all for the love and enjoyment of high school basketball. Pretty amazing. Thanks CC! I am chairman of the CC adulation/appreciation society!

 

Great advice to another basketball Dad:

I hear you Dad. However, I always liked writing about other teams and players, especially since you get to know so many of them so well as kids and not just opposing players as well as their parents. It's a great experience. Enjoy the ride!

 

Always the diplomatic one:

Park, I would suggest being more diplomatic. What happens if Park’s ability to play a out of area schedule goes away? Something to think about. As I’ve said many times in the past if you burn all your bridges you’re left on an island. While the MMA is far from perfect it is the only league in WNY in which Park fits. Good luck the rest of the year.

 

There's only ONE Manhattan Cup:

Every team in the MMA should be playing for the Manhattan Cup! Timon could actually win it this year. Too bad they don’t have that chance.

 

The last comment he ever left on my site, following the release of the 2021 All-Centercourt Team:

WOW! Hi tech! You’ve come a long way CC from the days of Norman Dale. Bravo!