The 2023 CC MVP
Canisius, Senior
26.5 PPG / 11.5 RPG / 2.3 APG / 1.3 SPG
– Three-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– POY in the Monsignor Martin Association
– MVP of Tom Keenan Memorial Tournament
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– All-Tournament Team at Burger King Classic
– Career-High 43 pts in win over Niagara Falls
– Had 26 pts & 19 boards in a win at Nichols
– Had 23 pts & 20 boards in a win over Amherst
– 2 games scoring over 40 pts
– 5 games scoring over 30 pts
– 9 games scoring 28+ pts
– 19 games scoring over 20 pts
– Canisius HS all-time scoring leader
– Shot 53% from the field on season
– 21 games with 8+ rebounds
– 15 double-doubles
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Career 1,000 point scorer
First Team All-Centercourt
Jaiden Harrison
Timon, Junior
22.1 PPG / 6.9 RPG / 4.0 APG / 2.6 SPG
– Three-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– Manhattan Cup Champion
– Monsignor Martin Association Champion
– MVP of the Manhattan Cup
– First Team All-Catholic
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Career-high 37 pts in win over Nichols
– Had 31 pts & 10 boards in state semi win
– 6 games scoring over 30 pts
– 8 games with 29+ pts
– 7 games with 6+ assists
– 11 games with 8+ rebounds
– 7 double-doubles
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– Centercourt Dime Dropper
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Career 1,000 point scorer
Jalen Duff
Lew-Port, Senior
27.8 PPG / 6.8 RPG / 4.3 APG / 3.2 SPG
– Five-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– Section VI Class B1 Champion
– POY in the NFL
– MVP of Section VI Class B1 Tournament
– MVP of Newfane Tip-Off Tournament
– Game MVP of Class B1 Championship
– Game MVP at the NFL/ECIC Challenge
– WNY Scoring Leader
- Season-high 37 pts in a win over CSAT
– Had 32 pts & 8 stls in a win over Albion
– Had 33, 14 R, & 5 A in his final HS game
– 10 games with 30+ pts
– 15 games with 25+ pts
- All 24 games with 20+ pts
– 8 games with 6+ assists
– 10 games with 4+ steals
– 7 double-doubles
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– Centercourt Dime Dropper
– 2,291 Career Points (5th All-Time)
Xander Fletcher
Niagara Wheatfield, Senior
23.8 PPG / 4.5 APG / 3.3 RPG / 2.6 SPG
– Three-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– First Team NFL
– Game MVP at Centercourt Classic
– Game MVP at NFL/ECIC Challenge
– Section VI Class A1 All-Tournament
– Career-high 41 pts in win over Sweet Home
– Had 30 pts in a half in win over Sweet Home
– 4 games scoring over 30 pts
– 9 games with 28+ pts
– 14 games over 20 pts
– Had 10 assists in win over Ken West
– 7 games with 7+ assists
- 5 games with 4+ steals
– Drilled 8 treys in win over Lew-Port
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– Centercourt Dime Dropper
– Career 1,000 point scorer
Nichols, Junior
27.4 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 3.6 APG / 2.4 SPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– First Team All-Catholic
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Scoring leader in the MMA
– Career-high 53 pts vs St. Francis
– Scored 51 pts in win at Canisius
– Had 38 pts & 13 boards in win at St. Mary's
– 3 games over 50 pts
– 10 games over 30 pts
– Led WNY with 95 treys
– Drilled 11 treys vs St. Francis
– 2 games over 10 treys
– 4 games over 7 treys
– 7 games with 8+ rebounds
– 4 games with 6+ assists
– 5 games with 4+ steals
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– Career 1,000 point scorer
Niagara Falls, Senior
16.7 PPG /11.4 RPG / 2.8 SPG / 2.3 APG / 1.2 BPG
– Section VI Class AA Champion
– NFL Champion
– First Team NFL
– MVP of Section VI Class AA Tournament
– Game MVP of Class AA Championship
– Game MVP at Cataract Classic
– Career-high 26 pts in 3 games
– 8 games over 20 pts
– Had 20 rebounds vs Lew-Port
– 22 games with 8+ rebounds
– Had 5 blocks in win vs Lockport
– 7 games with 4+ steals
– 18 double-doubles
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
Second Team All-Centercourt
Amherst, Junior
23.2 PPG / 5.7 RPG / 3.5 SPG / 2.1 APG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– Section VI Class A Champion
– ECIC II Champion
– First Team All-ECIC
– First Team ECIC II
– Game MVP at Centercourt Classic
– Game MVP at Jolly Boys Showcase
– Season-high 37 pts vs Louisville Central
– Had 27, 14 rebs, & 5 stls in win at South
– 2 games over 30 pts
– 8 games with 25+ pts
– 14 games over 20 pts
– 5 games with 8+ rebounds
– 8 games with 4+ steals
– 3 double-doubles
– Shot 53% from the field
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Career 1,000 point scorer
Lucus Brown
Salamanca, Junior
20.5 PPG / 7.2 RPG / 2.8 SPG / 2.0 APG
– Three-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– CCAA I West Champion
– POY CCAA I West
– Game MVP at IAABO Showcase
– Section VI Class B2 All-Tournament
– Season-high 36 pts in win at Fredonia
– Had 27 & 11 boards in win vs All-Limestone
– 3 games over 30 pts
– 7 games with 26+ points
– 10 games over 20 pts
– 8 games with 8+ rebounds
– 6 games with 4+ steals
– 4 double-doubles
– Shot 84% FTs
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– All-Centercourt Defender
– Career 1,000 point scorer
Nick Moore
Amherst, Senior
16.1 PPG / 7.1 RPG / 5.0 APG / 3.2 SPG
– Three-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– Section VI Class A Champion
– ECIC II Champion
– POY All-ECIC
– POY in ECIC II
– Game MVP of Class A2 Championship
– Game MVP at NFL/ECIC Challenge
– Section VI Class A2 All-Tournament
– Season-high 23 pts vs Hamburg
– 6 games with 20+ pts
– 9 games with 6+ assists
– 10 games with 4+ steals
– 6 double-doubles
– 1 triple-double
– Centercourt Dime Dropper
– All-Centercourt Defender
– Career 1,000 point scorer
Amir Moye
Health Sciences, Freshman
17.9 PPG / 4.3 APG / 4.0 RPG / 2.0 SPG
– Charter Cup Champion
– POY Charter Cup
– Tom Keenan Memorial All-Tournament
– Career-high 28 points at Canisius
– Had 20 pts & 10 assists in win over Nichols
– 8 games with 20+ points
– 5 games with 6+ assists
– 4 games with 4+ steals
– Led WNY with 91% FTs made
– Centercourt Dime Dropper
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
Timon, Junior
15.6 PPG / 3.4 APG / 3.0 SPG / 2.5 RPG
– Manhattan Cup Champion
– Monsignor Martin Association Champion
– First Team All-Catholic
– Career-high 29 pts vs Canisius
– 5 games over 20 pts
– Shot 51% from the field
– 6 games with 5+ assists
– 7 games with 4+ steals
– All-Centercourt Defender
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
Third Team All-Centercourt
Nakyhi Harris
Timon, Sophomore
18.7 PPG / 6.8 RPG / 2.9 APG / 1.9 SPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– Manhattan Cup Champion
– Monsignor Martin Champion
– Second Team All-Catholic
– Game MVP at Cataract Classic
– Career-high 33 pts twice (Maritime & Park)
– Had 22 pts & 13 boards in win vs St. Joe's
– 3 games over 30 pts
– 12 games over 20 pts
– 9 games with 8+ rebounds
– 5 double-doubles
Trey Drake
Jamestown, Senior
15.5 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 2.0 APG / 1.2 SPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– ECIC I Champion
– POY in ECIC I
– First Team All-ECIC
– Game MVP at Centercourt Classic
– Game MVP at United Way Showcase
– Career-high 32 pts in win vs Bishop McDevitt
– 6 games over 20 pts
– 8 games with 8+ rebounds
– 3 double-doubles
– All-Centercourt Defender
– Career 1,000 point scorer
Mekhi Williams
McKinley, Senior
20.0 PPG / 3.2 RPG / 2.7 APG / 2.1 SPG
– Section VI Class A1 Champion
– Yale Cup I Champion
– POY in Yale Cup I
– MVP Class A1 Tournament
– Game MVP Class A1 Championship
– Career-high 34 pts in win vs Clarence
- 2 games over 30 pts
– 6 games with 26+ pts
– 14 games over 20 pts
– Had 7 assists in win vs Middle College
– Shot 85% FTs
Randolph, Senior
18.1 PPG / 5.2 RPG / 1.5 SPG / 1.2 APG
– NYSPHAA Class C State Champion
– Far West Region Class C Champion
– Section VI Class C Champion
– CCAA I East Champion
– First Team CCAA I East
– MVP of Section VI Class C Tournament
– Game MVP of Class C Championship
– Game MVP at Centercourt Classic
– NYSPHAA Class C All-Tournament
– Career-high 33 pts in win over Nichols
- 3 games with 30+ pts
– 6 games with 25+ pts
– 11 games with 20+ pts
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
Luke Granto
Canisius, Senior
13.0 PPG / 4.3 APG / 3.3 RPG / 1.3 SPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– First Team All-Catholic
– Tom Keenan Memorial All-Tournament
– Career-high 28 pts in win vs O'Hara
– 5 games over 20 pts
– 16 games in double figures
– MMA leader in APG
– Had 12 assists vs Nichols
– 10 games with 5+ assists
– Led MMA in FT shooting 86%
– Sank 3 FTs in last second win at Jamestown
– All-Centercourt Defender
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– Centercourt Dime Dropper
Fourth Team All-Centercourt
North Tonawanda, Senior
17.5 PPG / 9.4 RPG / 3.3 APG / 2.4 BPG / 2.1 SPG
– First Team NFL
– Game MVP at NFL/ECIC Challenge
– Career-high 31 pts vs Williamsville East
– Sank 7 treys vs Williamsville East
– Had 22, 13 rebs, & 6 blks in win vs Ken West
– Had 18, 16 rebs, & 5 asts in win at Lancaster
– 6 games with 20+ pts
– Double figures in every game
– 15 games with 8+rebounds
– 4 games with 4+ blocks
– 12 double-doubles
– Led team in pts, rebs, ast, blks, & stls
– All-Centercourt Defender
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
Roy-Hart, Senior
24.3 PPG / 12.0 RPG / 4.1 SPG / 2.6 APG
– POY in Niagara-Orleans League
– Olean Tip-Off All-Tournament
– Career-high 36 pts in win vs Albion
– 6 games over 30 pts
– 16 games over 20 pts
– Double figures in every game
– Career-high 20 rebounds vs Newfane
– 20 games with 8+ rebounds
– Career-high 10 steals in win vs Akron
– 12 games with 4+ steals
– 14 double-doubles
– 1 triple-double
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Career 1,000 point scorer
Fredonia, Senior
15.4 PPG / 6.0 RPG / 5.2 APG / 1.3 SPG
– Section VI Class B Champion
– First Team CCAA I West
– MVP of Section VI Class B2 Tournament
– Career-high 26 pts vs Allegany-Limestone
– 7 games with 20+ pts
– Led WNY in assists
– 13 assists in win at Olean
– 3 games with 10+ assists
– 9 games with 6+ assists
– 11 games with 7+ rebounds
– 5 double-doubles
– 3 triple-doubles
- Shot 81% FTs
– Centercourt Dime Dropper
– Career 1,000 point scorer
Lew-Port, Senior
20.0 PPG / 5.8 RPG / 3.1 SPG / 2.1 APG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– Section VI Class B1 Champion
– First Team NFL
– Section VI Class B1 All-Tournament
– Newfane Tip-Off All-Tournament
– Career-high 37 pts in win at Grand Island
– Had 32, 7 rebs, & 6 stls in win vs CSAT
– 3 games with 30+ pts
– 14 games with 20+ pts
– Drilled 7 treys in Class B1 Final win
– 7 games with 8+ rebounds
– 7 games with 4+ steals
– 3 double-doubles
– Shot 81% FTs
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– Career 1,000 point scorer
Xavier Benton
Health Sciences, Senior
13.9 PPG / 5.8 APG / 2.3 SPG / 1.8 RPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– Charter Cup Champion
– First Team Charter Cup
– MVP of St. Francis Tournament
– Game MVP at Centercourt Classic
– Career-high 29 pts in a win vs Tapestry
– Drilled 7 treys in vs Tapestry
– 4 games over 20 pts
– Had 10 assists in win at Maritime
– 18 games with 5+ assists
– Shot 86% FTs
– Centercourt Dime Dropper
– All-Centercourt Defender
Fifth Team All-Centercourt
Carson Swanson
Westfield, Sophomore
27.7 PPG / 5.9 RPG / 5.1 SPG / 4.1 APG
– POY CCAA II West
– MVP of Westfield Winter Classic
– Southwestern Holiday All-Tournament
– Olean Tip-Off All-Tournament
– Career-high 46 pts in win at Silver Creek
– Had 34 & 11 stls in win vs Chautauqua Lake
– 7 games with 35+ pts
– 9 games with 30+ pts
– 14 games with 25+ pts
– 20 games with 20+ pts
– Led WNY in steals
– 16 games with 4+ steals
– 5 games with 6+ assists
– 4 games with 8+ rebounds
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– Career 1,000 point scorer
Drew Hind
Randolph, Sophomore
17.1 PPG / 6.1 RPG / 4.0 APG / 3.3 SPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– NYSPHAA Class C State Champion
– Far West Region Class C Champion
– Section VI Class C Champion
– CCAA I East Champion
– POY in CCAA I East
– MVP Tully Tournament
– Career-high 26 pts in a win vs Portville
– 10 games with 20+ pts
– Had 8 assists in state championship
– 4 games with 6+ assists
– 4 games with 8+ rebounds
– 2 double-doubles
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
Cleveland Hill, Senior
21.3 PPG / 9.1 RPG / 2.7 SPG / 1.6 APG / 1.3 BPG
– ECIC IV Champion
– POY in ECIC IV
– First Team All-ECIC
– Career-high 39 pts in win at Holland
– 3 games over 30 pts
– 7 games with 25+ pts
– 13 games with 20+ pts
– Career-high 15 rebounds twice
– 15 games with 8+ rebounds
– Had 7 steals in a win over Holland
– 6 games with 4+ steals
– 8 double-doubles
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
Williamsville South, Senior
18.2 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 3.7 APG / 3.3 SPG
– First Team ECIC II
– Second Team All-ECIC
– Game MVP at Jolly Boys Showcase
– Section VI Class A2 All-Tournament
– Career-high 28 pts in a win at Will East
– Career-high 15 rebs in a win at Will East
– 9 games over 20 pts
– 21 games in double figures
– 3 games with 8+ rebounds
– Had 8 assists & 6 stls in win at Starpoint
– 9 games with 4+ steals
– 7 games with 5+ assists
Dorian Facen Jr.
Williamsville East, Senior
16.2 PPG / 5.1 APG / 5.0 RPG / 3.6 SPG
– Two-time All-Centercourt Top 60 selection
– First Team ECIC II
– Section VI Class A1 All-Tournament
– Career-high 36 pts vs Williamsville South
– 3 games over 30 pts
– 8 games over 20 pts
– Had 14 assists in a win at Starpoint
– 9 games with 6+ assists
– 5 games with 8+ rebounds
– 10 games with 4+ steals
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
Honorable Mention
Of the next 35 players honored below, none were more accomplished this season than Southwestern senior Matthew Pannes. The First Team CCAA I West selection & career 1,000 point scorer opened the season with a Game MVP award against Cheektowaga and later earned MVP of the Southwestern Holiday Tournament. He erupted for a career-high 47 points in a win at Olean and also turned in a 43-point, 9-rebound effort in his team's win in Dunkirk. In the postseason, he led the Trojans to a pair of road wins in the loaded Class B2 bracket, hanging 33 points & 12 boards on Tapestry, followed by a 33-point, 5-steal outing against Roy-Hart. In all, Pannes eclipsed 30 points in five games, scored over 20 in 16 contests, and grabbed at least 8 rebounds in 8 games.
Matthew Pannes – Southwestern, Senior
* First Team CCAA I West
23.7 PPG / 6.0 RPG / 2.7 APG / 1.6 SPG
Chase Welch – Park, Senior
* Second Team All-Catholic
20.7 PPG / 5.3 RPG / 3.4 APG / 2.8 SPG
Juilenn Clements – Lackawanna, Senior
* Player of the Year in ECIC III
19.4 PPG / 5.9 RPG
Anthony DeCapua – Allegany-Limestone, Senior
* First Team CCAA I West
17.8 PPG / 5.8 RPG / 2.0 APG / 1.3 SPG
Andy Herrick – Salamanca, Senior
* First Team CCAA I West
17.5 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 2.6 APG / 1.5 SPG
Evan Myers – Newfane, Senior
* First Team N-O
16.9 PPG / 6.0 RPG / 1.1 SPG / 1.0 APG / 1.0 BPG
Jack DeRose – Olean, Senior
* First Team CCAA I West
16.1 PPG / 2.1 APG / 1.6 SPG / 1.5 RPG
Grayson White – Clarence, Senior
* First Team ECIC I
16.0 PPG / 11.4 RPG / 2.1 BPG / 1.5 SPG / 1.3 APG
Nation Howard – Orchard Park, Senior
* First Team ECIC I
15.8 PPG / 4.1 RPG / 3.7 SPG / 3.4 APG
Isaiah Odom – St. Joe's, Senior
* First Team All-Catholic
15.3 PPG / 4.2 RPG / 2.1 APG / 1.1 SPG
Jemery Clark – Depew, Senior
* First Team ECIC III
14.8 PPG / 7.8 RPG / 2.5 SPG / 1.7 APG
Nasier Starks – St. Mary's, Senior
* Honorable Mention All-Catholic
14.6 PPG / 2.3 APG / 1.7 RPG / 1.0 SPG
Logan Reaska – St. Francis, Senior
* Second Team All-Catholic
14.2 / 11.0 RPG / 1.8 APG / 1.7 BPG
Jack Harrington – Lancaster, Senior
* First Team ECIC I
14.0 PPG / 6.7 RPG / 1.7 APG / 1.2 SPG / 1.0 BPG
Matt Horning – East Aurora, Senior
* First Team ECIC III
14.2 PPG / 7.0 RPG / 2.0 SPG / 1.8 APG
Blake Kopta – Clymer, Senior
* First Team CCAA II West
14.1 PPG / 2.7 RPG / 2.1 SPG / 1.4 APG
Jaiden Huntington – Randolph, Senior
* MVP of Class C State Championship
13.8 PPG / 6.8 RPG / 1.5 APG / 1.0 SPG
Sammy Marry – St. Francis, Senior
* Honorable Mention All-Catholic
13.5 PPG / 5.0 RPG / 3.3 APG / 2.0 SPG
Sam Greco – St. Joe's, Senior
* Second Team All-Catholic
13.1 PPG / 5.0 RPG / 1.9 APG / 1.5 SPG
Sean Paige – Jamestown, Senior
* First Team ECIC I
12.3 PPG / 6.9 RPG / 2.8 APG / 2.2 SPG
Malachi Parker – Timon, Senior
* Honorable Mention All-Catholic
11.0 PPG / 2.5 RPG / 2.0 SPG / 1.3 APG
Davon Wade – Niagara Falls, Senior
* First Team Niagara Frontier League
10.7 PPG / 8.2 RPG / 1.0 SPG / 60% FG
Derek Ebersole – North Collins, Junior
* Player of the Year CCAA II East
23.4 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 3.9 APG / 3.1 SPG
Ray Cortes – Silver Creek, Junior
* First Team CCAA I East
23.1 PPG / 12.5 RPG / 2.8 APG / 2.4 SPG
Shamere Davis – MST Seneca, Junior
* Player of the Year Yale Cup II
18.5 PPG / 5.3 RPG / 2.0 SPG / 1.1 APG
Parker Rey – Nichols, Junior
* Second Team All-Catholic
16.4 PPG / 10.3 RPG / 2.0 APG / 1.0 SPG / 1.0 BPG
Sajon Beasley – McKinley, Junior
* First Team Yale Cup I
16.4 PPG / 3.0 APG / 2.7 SPG / 1.8 RPG
Nate Errington – Frontier, Junior
* First Team ECIC I
15.7 PPG / 12.6 RPG / 1.2 SPG / 1.0 BPG
Davion White – Fredonia, Junior
* Second Team CCAA I West
13.9 PPG / 6.7 RPG / 2.1 APG / 1.3 SPG
Daryl Montgomery – Cheektowaga, Junior
* First Team ECIC III
13.6 PPG / 5.7 RPG / 1.7 APG / 1.0 SPG
Omarion Ralands – Niagara Falls, Junior
* Second Team NFL
11.9 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 2.0 SPG / 1.8 APG
Shawn Watson – Niagara Wheatfield, Junior
* Second Team NFL
11.3 PPG / 8.5 RPG / 2.9 APG / 1.6 SPG
Sam Platt – Pioneer, Sophomore
* First Team ECIC III
19.5 PPG / 8.4 RPG / 1.8 APG / 1.5 SPG
Jaydian Johnson – Jamestown, Sophomore
* Second Team ECIC I
12.9 PPG / 4.7 RPG / 3.7 APG / 2.0 SPG
Justus Kleitz – Iroquois, Freshman
* First Team ECIC III
17.4 PPG / 3.2 RPG / 2.7 APG / 2.5 SPG
Centercourt 6th Man of the Year
St. Francis, Junior
7.0 PPG / 3.0 RPG / 1.9 APG / 1.2 SPG
Sometimes a 6th Man is good for a quick contribution off the bench and some solid minutes. With the really good ones, you don’t lose anything when they come into the game. When Nolan Edwards checked in for the Red Raiders, they were even better. A high energy player with a fluid game at both ends, Edwards played with a passion that his teammates would feed off. With a smooth shot, tough defense, good floor awareness, and a knack for chasing down a long rebound, he makes himself a factor in every game. Edwards buried 40 treys on the season, with 19 of them coming over his final six games. He scored in double figures on 11 occasions including the last six games of the season, had a pair of games with four 3-pointers, & a season-high 7 rebounds in a win over Nichols. When a starter became unavailable at season's end, Edwards got the start over the final three outings. He scored 20 pts, to go with 5 assists, 5 boards, & 4 steals in the first start and then, helped lead St. Francis to the Manhattan Cup Semifinals with a win over Nichols in the next start.
All-Centercourt Defenders
First Team
Griffin Nelson – Randolph, Sophomore
Sammy Marry – St. Francis, Senior
Ahmir Dunn – Amherst, Junior
Kyree Jones – Lockport, Senior
Luke Granto – Canisius, Senior
Second Team
Jacob Humphrey – Timon, Junior
Nick Moore – Amherst, Senior
Mo Khalil – Depew, Senior
Keegan Whitfield – Fredonia, Senior
Trey Drake – Jamestown, Senior
Third Team
Lucus Brown – Salamanca, Junior
Michael Frederick – Allegany-Limestone, Senior
Andy Herrick – Salamanca, Senior
Ephraim Strong – Niagara Falls, Junior
Stash Foster – Williamsville North, Sophomore
Fourth Team
Dion Anderson – St. Joe's, Senior
Patrick McNeill – North Tonawanda, Senior
Shaun Kolnacki – Williamsville East, Senior
Xavier Benton – Health Sciences, Senior
Kevin Borden – McKinley, Senior
Centercourt #BOOM Squad
James Robinson – Niagara Falls, Senior
Dorian Facen – Williamsville East, Senior
Dylan Evans – Orchard Park, Senior
Grayson White – Clarence, Senior
Kevin Borden – McKinley, Senior
Shane Cercone – Canisius, Senior
Jamel Johnson Jr. – Roy-Hart, Senior
Zack Phillips – Cleveland Hill, Senior
Logan Reaska – St. Francis, Senior
Lamborghini Lucas – Bennett, Senior
Lorenzo Lewis – Dunkirk, Senior
Patrick McNeill – North Tonawanda, Senior
Jemery Clark – Depew, Senior
Jordan Alexander – Amherst, Junior
Ben Dickinson – Newfane, Junior
Jacob Humphrey – Timon, Junior
Jaiden Harrison – Timon, Junior
Shawn Watson – Niagara Wheatfield, Junior
Parker Rey – Nichols, Junior
Amir Moye – Health Sciences, Freshman
Centercourt Sniper Squad '3'
Jakye Rainey – Nichols, Junior
Mike Hahn – Fredonia, Junior
Bobby Beilein – Lew-Port, Senior
Lucus Brown – Salamanca, Junior
Chase Welch – Park, Senior
Jalen Duff – Lew-Port, Senior
Jaiden Harrison – Timon, Junior
Jack DeRose – Olean, Senior
Drew Hind – Randolph, Sophomore
Carson Conley – Randolph, Senior
Jaiden Huntington – Randolph, Senior
Andrew Romesser – Akron, Senior
Carson Swanson – Westfield, Sophomore
Xander Fletcher – Niagara Wheatfield, Senior
Emir Lindsay – I-Prep, Junior
Hunter Johnson – Cassadaga Valley, Junior
Sam Greco – St. Joe's, Senior
Will Lindsrtom – St. Mary's, Senior
Kobe Genco – Eden, 7th Grader
Luke Granto – Canisius, Senior
Evan Myers – Newfane, Senior
Centercourt Dime Droppers
Ethan Fry – Fredonia, Senior
Landon Braman – Newfane, Junior
Kylan Davis – CSAT, Junior
Nick Moore – Amherst, Senior
Xavier Benton – Health Sciences, Senior
Jaiden Harrison – Timon, Junior
Gabe Ramadhan – Allegany-Limestone, Senior
Jalen Duff – Lew-Port, Senior
Luke Granto – Canisius, Senior
Xander Fletcher – Niagara Wheatfield, Senior
Trace Hill – Akron, Junior
Carson Swanson – Westfield, Sophomore
Gionni Zelasko – St. Joe's, Sophomore
Marco Gallo – St. Mary's, Senior
Amir Moye – Health Sciences, Freshman
Centercourt Coach of the Year
Randolph Cardinals
In 2011, Jamestown was on a run and had reached the Far West Regionals at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester. I managed to finagle a courtside sponsor seat at centercourt for their big game against Irondequoit. It was that night that I got to know Kevin Hind.
A close friend of Jamestown coach, Ben Drake, Hind was there in support of his buddy and sat directly next to me. We talked basketball throughout the game and hung intensely on every possession of what would be an epic victory for the Red Raiders. I learned that night that he was an excitable, diehard basketball guy, who really knew the game.
If you watch Hind on the sidelines, you’ll see a passionate and fiery leader, locked in on every possession at both ends. Constantly pacing, squatting, pointing, yelling, literally coaching every second of the game. He always looks thirsty! If he begins the contest in two layers, one is coming off. If you are sitting near the sidelines or seated at the table, you will feel the intensity throughout.
I’ll never forget hearing a mom from an opposing team in reaction to his style, saying “those poor kids.” She saw an intensity through one lens without perspective. The truth is, those kids are lucky. They're fortunate enough to play in a program that begins laying the foundation in grade school where the varsity basketball coach is also a teacher and strong community man (Pictured left are all the state championship contributors playing together in grade school). He lives just down the road from the school. His wife, Laurie, does the scorebook. His son, Drew, is the team's star point guard. Randolph basketball is a family that extends well beyond the court. The players feel loved and cared about. They spend time at the coaches house together. The program has consistently created teams that become a reflection of their coach. His passion and love for the game is mirrored by the players on the floor and the resulting product is what makes Randolph basketball such a fine display of high school hoops.
Games in Randolph are an experience. Crowds reach capacity in the tight gym with bleachers on both sides and the atmosphere that ensues is intoxicating. The pregame introductions are unique. The student section is always large & loud. Players & coaches from area teams in the Southern Tier can be spotted on hand in the crowd. If you're ever there on senior night, you'll get to hear and watch an emotional presentation from the coach. And once the ball tips, two things are guaranteed – the 3-pointers will be flying and the defensive effort is impressive.
The accomplishments over the years speak volumes and really demonstrate the ascent of the program under his guidance. Randolph has 20 or more wins in three of the last four seasons, with the pandemic-shortened season preventing a fourth. The Cardinals have also been undefeated league champions in each of the last four years, winning 44 straight games in league play. Hind has amassed 381 career victories and led his teams to 8 Section VI Championships.
Last spring he contacted me to express interest in bringing the Cardinals back to the Centercourt Classic, reminding me that they'd be very good. I promised him a spot against an opponent to be determined, but warned that he'd face a serious challenge with whatever the matchup was. "Awesome, thank you – we'll play anybody," he responded. I chose to pair them with Nichols, a team with some serious talent, that came into the matchup ranked #2 among WNY small schools with wins over Canisius, Lockport, and two wins over Rochester Class AA power Aquinas. I had just dropped Randolph from the small school Top 10 following a home loss to Southwestern. When I saw Hind on the afternoon of the game he thanked me again for having them and said, "we're ready".
The game that ensued between Randolph & Nichols on February 4th was the very essence of what I envisioned the Centercourt Classic to be – a fiercely competitive battle between two relevant teams with standout players that you'd never see in league play or the postseason. The game would end up in overtime and stole the show. Randolph showed the casual fans that may have been dismissive of small school Southern Tier basketball a shining example of how competitive the best teams down there really are, along with how enjoyable the basketball product is to watch. The game left the place buzzing. Players from several different teams were on hand to see it and spent the rest of the evening talking about it. For the next two weeks I'd be hearing from people about how impressed they were with that team. It put Randolph basketball squarely on the map for fans that didn't hail from the south. They were no longer simply thought of as "good for a Southern Tier small school" – they earned everyone's respect and opened a lot of eyes. I received a text from Hind just before midnight that evening "So fun, thanks for believing in us."
When the postseason began two weeks later, Randolph marched through the local competition in Section VI Class C by an average margin of 22 points with no game closer than 17 points, earning a trip to the Far West Regionals. As I was moving onto the court to take a team photo following the championship win over Frewsburg at JCC, I heard Carson Conley (pictured above on Third Team) ask a reporter "do you know if that Centercourt guy is here"? I introduced myself to Conley as he was holding the Game MVP plaque following the championship win. He thanked me for the opportunity to play in the Classic and said it was his favorite moment of the season, even better than today. Even better memories than a CC Classic or a sectional title were about to follow.
The team would spend the night in Rochester the following week on the eve of the Far West Regional for an 11 am tip the following day. Their opponent was the team from Lyons that had been highly state-ranked, well ahead of Randolph all season. They were led by an elite talent in JC Walker, an athlete you usually see on Class AA squads but rarely if ever in Class C. I had scouted Lyons a couple nights earlier when they beat Pembroke to advance and watched Walker take over & dominate with a 34-point performance. Randolph would be the underdog for sure. They would also be the perfect team to face the challenge Lyons presented. The Cardinals quickly jumped in front by double figures, held Walker to 1 point in the first half, and never trailed in a 10-point victory to advance to Glens Falls for just the second time in school history, after Hind led a team there in 2004.
First up was the #1 ranked team in the state, Moravia, who had won it all 2017. I spoke briefly with Hind before the state semifinal as his team stood waiting to take the court. He went over the challenges Moravia presented and acknowledged how tough the game would be. "But we're ready, so we'll see," he told me. The Cardinals took a three-point lead into halftime and extended it in the second half. They were the better team throughout and sent NYS #1 packing, advancing to the state championship game against Haldane.
Once again, the Cardinals jumped in front early behind a barrage of 3-pointers. They led by six points at halftime after sinking 8 bombs. Six more triples went in in the 3rd quarter for Randolph, who took an 18-point lead into the final frame of the state championship game with just a pair of two-point FGs. The last eight minutes of the season were wild, as Haldane mounted a furious comeback. But Hind and the Cardinals stayed true to themselves until the end. With all the momentum favoring Haldane in the final minute in a three-point game, it was spacing, ball movement and the confidence in what had got them there that led to Drew Hind swinging to an open Jaiden Huntington for his 8th 3-pointer of the game. It would be the game-winner. The last three desperation shots by Haldane fell short in the waning seconds of a three-point game. The buzzer rang and the red light lit up the backboard. Game over, Randolph was a state champion!
The elation and celebration was a culminating moment that had literally been years in the making. It began in grade school, where the players & their coach first became like a family and grew…as the slogan reads on the team's gear – TOGETHER. The patriarch of this special family in Randolph is Kevin Hind, the 2023 Centercourt Coach of the Year!
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