The 2026 All-Centercourt Team: The Best in WNY

2026 Centercourt MVP
WNY’s Player of the Year

Dane Brown
Grand Island, Junior
23.7 PPG / 7.9 RPG / 1.8 SPG / 1.8 BPG
– Two-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– Class A Far West Regional Champion
– Section VI Class A Champion
– Section VI Class A1 Champion
– NFL Champion
– MVP of Section VI Class A1 Tournament
– First Team Niagara Frontier League
– Game MVP at the Cataract Classic
– Career-High 39 pts & 12 R in Regional win
– Scored 35 pts & 12 R in win vs Buffalo Arts
– 5 games scoring 30+ points
– 13 games scoring 25+ points
– 20 games scoring 20+ points
– Career-High 18 Rebounds vs Lew-Port
– 15 games with 8+ Rebounds
– Recorded 6 double-doubles
– 2nd in WNY with 82 triples
– Shot 47% from 3-point range
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– Centercourt Board Member
– Centercourt Swat Team
– Career 1,000 point scorer (1,278)

First Team

Dominic Gonzalez
Jamestown, Senior
19.7 PPG / 3.6 APG / 3.6 RPG / 2.3 SPG
– Three-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– Section VI Class AAA Champion
– ECIC I Champion
– MVP of Section VI Class AAA Tournament
– Player of the Year in ECIC I
– All-ECIC Selection
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– 25 pts in a win vs Nichols
– 25 pts in a win at St. Francis
– 24 pts, 8 R, & 6 A in win vs Health Sciences
– 9 games coring 20+ points
– 6 games with 6+ assists
– 7 steals in a win vs Will South
– 5 games with 4+ steals
– 6 triples in a win vs Clarence
– Made 10/11 FTs in win vs Orchard Park
– All-Centercourt Defender
– Career 1,000 point scorer (1,142)

Tre Paulfrey
Nichols, Senior
20.2 PPG / 5.6 RPG / 3.5 APG / 2.4 SPG
– Two-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– Player of the Year in the MMA
– MVP of the Jim Kramer Classic
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Game MVP at the Cataract Classic
– 2nd in the MMA in scoring
– Career-High 40 pts in a win vs Park
– 32 pts & 10 R in a win vs Aquinas
– 30 pts in a win at Health Sciences
– 12 games scoring 20+ points
– 6 games with 8+ rebounds
– 6 games with 4+ steals
– 4 games with 6+ assists
– 9 triples in a win vs Park
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– Career 1,000 point scorer (1,281)

Will Szablewski
St. Mary’s, Senior
17.0 PPG / 9.6 RPG / 4.4 APG / 2.0 BPG / 1.2 SPG
– Three-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– Player of the Year in the MMA
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Led the MMA in assists
– Led the MMA in rebounds
– Led the MMA in blocks
– 27 pts, 14 R, & 6 B in a win vs Akron
– 19 pts, 22 R, & 7 A in a win vs Clarence
– 15 pts, 14 R, & 8 A in a win at Timon
– 9 games with 20+ points
– 6 games with 14+ rebounds
– 16 games with 8+ rebounds
– 9 games with 6+ assists
– 7 blocks vs Canisius
– 7 games with 3+ blocks
– All-Centercourt Defender
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Centercourt Dime Dropper
– Centercourt Board Member
– Centercourt Swat Team
– Career 1,000 point scorer (1,336)

Charlie Croff
Lockport, Senior
29.6 PPG / 11.6 RPG / 2.6 SPG / 2.3 APG
– Three-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– NFL Player of the Year
– Game MVP at Lockport Rotary Club
– Game MVP at NFL/ECIC Challenge
– Career-High 42 pts & 14 R win vs Will East
– 40 pts & 16 R in win vs Will South
– 10 games scoring 30+ points
– 15 games scoring 25+ points
– 20 games scoring 20+ points
– Career-High 19 R & 33 pts vs Niag Wheatfield
– 18 games with 8+ rebounds
– 7 games with 4+ steals
– Recorded 15 double-doubles
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– Centercourt Board Member
– Lockport’s All-Time Scorer (1,678)

Amir Moye
Health Sciences, Senior
23.6 PPG / 4.7 APG / 4.1 RPG / 3.1 SPG
– Three-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– Section VI Class AAA Finalist
– Yale Cup Champion
– Player of the Year in the Yale Cup
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Section VI Class AAA All-Tournament Team
– Career-High 57 pts in a win vs Burgard
– 35 pts in a win at St. Francis
– 2 games scoring 34 points
– 5 games scoring 30+ points
– 11 games scoring 20+ points
– 7 games with 6+ assists
– 9 games with 4+ steals
– Made 22/27 FGs in a win vs Burgard
– Career 1,000 point scorer (1,260)

Second Team

Tacari McCray
Olmsted, Senior
22.1 PPG / 7.4 RPG / 5.5 APG / 4.4 SPG
-Two-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– Class B Far West Regional Champion
– Section VI Class B Champion
– Section VI Class B1 Champion
– Yale Cup II Champion
– MVP of the Section VI Class B1 Tournament
– Player of the Year in Yale Cup II
– 36 pts in a Crossover win vs Tapestry
– 2 games scoring 30+ points
– 26 pts & 13 R vs Tapestry
– 11 games scoring 25+ points
– 17 games scoring 20+ points
– 13 games with 8+ rebounds
– 2 games with 10 assists
– 11 games with 6+ assists
– 19 games with 4+ steals
– Recorded 11 double-doubles
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– Olmsted all-time scorer (1,832)

Harlem Brannon
Ken West, Senior
24.2 PPG / 8.1 RPG / 4.7 APG / 4.7 SPG
– Three-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– First Team Niagara Frontier League
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Game MVP at Jolly Boys Showcase
– Section VI Class AA All-Tournament Team
– Ken-Ton All-Tournament Team
– Career-High 43 pts & 10 R vs Lancaster
– 38 pts vs Sweet Home
– 35 pts & 10 R in a win vs CSAT
– 23 pts, 10 R, & 9 A in a win vs Will South
– 5 games scoring 30+ pts
– 16 games scoring 20+ pts
– 13 R in a win vs Niagara Wheatfield
– 15 games with 8+ rebounds
– 8 games with 6+ assists
– 9 stls in a win vs Niagara Wheatfield
– 14 games with 4+ steals
– Ken West’s all-time steals leader (297)
– All-Centercourt Defender
– Centercourt Dime Dropper
– Ken West’s all-time scorer (1,336)

Justus Kleitz
Iroquois, Senior
32.6 PPG / 6.0 APG / 5.3 SPG / 3.9 RPG
– Four-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– ECIC III Champion
– Player of the Year in ECIC III
– All-ECIC Selection
– Section VI Class A2 All-Tournament Team
– Greg Martin All-Tournament Team
– Career-High 52 pts in a win vs Holland
– 47 pts, 7 R, & 7 S in a win vs Cheektowaga
– 42 pts & 13 A in a win vs Lake Shore
– 4 games scoring 40+ points
– 15 games scoring 30+ points
– 19 games scoring 20+ points
– 2 games with 13 assists
– 10 games with 6+ assists
– 2 Games with 9 steals
– 16 games with 4+ steals
– Centercourt Dime Dropper
– Iroquois all-time scorer (2,184)

Derren Brooks
Akron, Junior
19.6 PPG / 13.2 RPG / 3.3 APG / 3.2 BPG
– Two-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– Section VI Class B2 Finalist
– First Team Niagara-Orleans League
– MVP of the Jack Silvernail Tournament
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Section VI Class B1 All-Tournament Team
– Career-High 32 points in win vs Randolph
– 27 pts, 21 R, & 7 B in win vs East Aurora
– 11 games scoring 20+ points
– 2nd in WNY in rebounds
– 2 games with 21 rebounds
– 16 games with 12+ rebounds
– 22 games with 8+ rebounds
– 6 games with 6+ assists
– Led WNY in blocks
– 2 games with 8 blocks
– 12 games with 3+ blocks
– Shot 66% on all FGs
– All-Centercourt Defender
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Centercourt Board Member
– Centercourt Swat Team

Elijah Farmer
Jamestown, Senior
16.6 PPG / 9.6 RPG / 2.1 APG / 1.6 SPG / 1.2 BPG
– Two-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– Section VI Class AAA Champion
– ECIC I Champion
– Section VI Class AAA All-Tournament Team
– First Team ECIC I
– All-ECIC Selection
– Career-High 29 pts in a win at Will North
– 3 games scoring 25+ points
– 8 games scoring 20+ points
– 2 games with 15 rebounds
– 10 games with 10+ rebounds
– 18 games with 8+ rebounds
– 4 games with 3+ blocks
– Made 5 triples in a win vs Frontier
– Recorded 7 double-doubles
– Centercourt #BOOM Squad
– Centercourt Board Member
– Centercourt Swat Team

Third Team

Gary Alexander
St. Joe’s, Sophomore
14.0 PPG / 4.8 RPG /4.1 APG / 2.5 SPG
– Manhattan Cup Finalist
– First Team All-Catholic
– 23 pts in a win vs Orchard Park
– 22 pts in a win vs Jamestown
– 4 games scoring 20+ points
– 10 rebounds in a win vs Park
– 4 games with 8+ rebounds
– 10 assists in a win vs Park
– 9 assists in a win vs St. Francis
– 5 games with 6+ assists
– 6 steals in a win vs Timon
– 5 games with 4+ steals
– Made 9/10 FTs in a win vs Jamestown
– Centercourt Dime Dropper
– All-Centercourt Defender

JJ Shanklin
St. Joe’s, Sophomore
15.7 PPG / 6.8 RPG / 4.2 APG / 2.9 SPG
– Two-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– Manhattan Cup Finalist
– First Team All-Catholic
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Career-High 28 pts in a win vs Park
– 23 pts in a win vs St. Francis
– 4 games scoring 20+ points
– 2 games with 11 rebounds
– 4 games with 8+ rebounds
– 10 assists in a win vs McQuaid
– 9 games with 5+ assists
– 6 steals in a win vs Park
– 6 games with 4+ steals
– Centercourt Dime Dropper

Jack Cullinan
Canisius, Junior
11.2 PPG / 6.8 RPG / 3.7 APG / 1.0 SPG
– CHSAA Class A state finalist
– Manhattan Cup Champion
– Monsignor Martin Association Champion
– MVP of the Manhattan Cup
– First Team All-Catholic
– CG Jesuit Invatational All-Tournament Team
– Tom Keenan All-Tournament Team
– Led Canisius in rebounds & assists
– Game-winning shot at buzzer vs St. Joe’s
– Career-High 26 pts in a win vs O’Hara
– Scored 24 pts in a win vs Park
– 12 rebounds in a win at Timon
– 5 games with 10+ rebounds
– 10 games with 8+ rebounds
– 10 assists in a win vs Timon
– 4 games with 6+ assists
– Shot 78% FGs in 2 wins vs Park
– Centercourt Dime Dropper

Aidan Neumann
Wilson, Senior
23.5 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 3.0 APG / 2.6 SPG
– Two-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– Niagara-Oleans League Champion
– Player of the Year in Niagara-Orleans
– MVP of the Wilson Tip-Off Tournament
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Game MVP at the Cataract Classic
– 38 pts in a win vs Cardinal O’Hara
– 35 pts, 5 R, & 5 S in a win vs Medina
– 28 pts & 11 R in a win vs Tully
– 5 games scoring 30+ points
– 10 games scoring 25+ points
– 15 games scoring 20+ points
– 6 games with 8+ rebounds
– 6 games with 4+ steals
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– Career 1,000 point scorer (1,400)

Jack Giancola
North Tonawanda, Senior
15.3 PPG / 9.9 RPG / 2.0 APG / 1.1 SPG
– Section VI Class AA Champion
– MVP of Section VI Class AA Tournament
– First Team Niagara Frontier League
– Scored 30 pts in win vs Niagara Wheatfield
– 27 pts & 12 R in win vs CSAT
– 24 pts & 12 R in win at Sweet Home
– 22 pts & 13 R in win vs McKinley
– 7 games scoring 20+ points
– 6 games with 13+ rebounds
– 18 games with 18+ rebounds
– Recorded 12 double-doubles
– Shot 61% FGs
– Centercourt Board Member

Fourth Team

Greydan Barnwell
Lew-Port, Senior
16.9 PPG / 6.3 RPG / 5.2 APG / 2.0 SPG
– Two-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– Section VI Class A1 Finalist
– First Team Niagara Frontier League
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Game MVP at NFL/ECIC Challenge
– Game MVP at the Cataract Classic
– Section VI Class A1 All-Tournament Team
– Career-High 40 pts, 10 R, & 7 A vs Dunkirk
– Scored 31 pts, 5 A, & 4 S in a win vs NT
– 8 games scoring 20+ points
– 13 assists in a win vs Ken East
– 10 games with 6+ assists
– 12 rebounds in a win vs South Park
– 6 games with 8+ rebounds
– 7 games with 4+ steals
– Recorded 4 double-doubles
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– Centercourt Dime Dropper
– Career 1,000 point scorer (1,179)

RJ Koopman
Fredonia, Senior
16.8 PPG / 6.7 APG / 5.0 RPG / 3.0 SPG
– Section VI Class A2 Champion
– CCAA I Champion
– MVP of Section VI Class A2 Tournament
– First Team CCAA I
– 26 pts in a win at Clarence
– 22 pts in each Class A2 Tournament game
– Shot 8/11 on FGs in Class A2 Tournament
– Shot 6/8 from 3-pt in Class A2 Tournament
– 8 games scoring 20+ points
– 2nd in WNY in assists
– Career-High 13 assists in win vs Culinary
– 7 games with 10+ assists
– 14 games with 6+ assists
– 9 steals in a win vs Cheektowaga
– 7 games with 4+ steals
– Centercourt Dime Dropper

K’Vion Tell
Dunkirk, Junior
26.2 PPG / 2.9 RPG / 2.7 APG / 1.4 SPG
– CCAA I Champion
– Player of the Year in CCAA I
– MVP of the Westfield Tournament
– MVP of the Chautauqua Lake Tournament
– Career-High 36 pts in a win vs Cass Valley
– 3 games scoring 35+ points
– 9 games scoring 30+ points
– 14 games scoring 20+ points
– Made 7 of 10 3-pt shots vs Cass Valley
– 5 games banging 6+ 3-pointers
– Centercourt Sniper Squad
– Dunkirk’s all-time scorer (1,151)

Nas Young
Health Sciences, Senior
16.1 PPG / 5.3 APG /3.7 SPG / 2.1 RPG
– Two-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– Section VI Class AAA Finalist
– Yale Cup Champion
– First Team Yale Cup I
– Career-High 31 pts in a win vs Hutch Tech
– 26 pts, 6 A, & 6 S in a win vs Burgard
– 5 games with 20+ points
– 10 assists in a win at McKinley
– 7 assists & 7 steals in a win vs Hutch Tech
– 8 games with 6+ assists
– 10 games with 4+ steals
– 4 games with 4 triples

Eric Davis Jr.
Global Concepts, Senior
18.1 PPG / 6.7 RPG / 2.3 SPG / 1.3 APG / 1.2 BPG
– Section VI Class C Champion
– MVP of the Section VI Class C Tournament
– MVP of the Depew Holiday Tournament
– Player of the Year in ECIC V
– Career-High 32 pts in a win vs Holland
– 2 games scoring 30+ points
– 29 pts & 8 R in a win vs West Seneca West
– 24 pts & 12 R vs Tapestry
– 10 games scoring 20+ points
– 2 games with 12 rebounds
– 10 games with 8+ rebounds
– 7 games with 4+ steals
– Recorded 4 double-doubles

Fifth Team

Shaun McGrath
Sweet Home, Senior
17.7 PPG / 7.8 RPG / 2.8 APG / 1.4 SPG
– Two-Time All-Centercourt Selection
– ECIC II Champion
– Player of the Year in ECIC II
– All-ECIC Selection
– MVP of the Ken-Ton Tournament
– Game MVP at Jolly Boys Showcase
– Career-High 27 pts in win vs Cheektowaga
– 9 games scoring 20+ points
– 12 games with 8+ rebounds
– 3 games with 5+ assists
– Recorded 5 double-doubles

Christian Gill
Canisius, Junior
11.3 PPG / 3.1 APG / 3.1 RPG / 1.3 SPG
– CHSAA Class A state finalist
– Manhattan Cup Champion
– Monsignor Martin Association Champion
– All-Catholic Selection
– CG Jesuit Invatational All-Tournament Team
– Led Canisius in points & steals
– 20 pts, 5 A, & 5 S in a win at Jamestown
– 3 games scoring 20+ points
– 13 games scoring in double figures
– 8 rebounds vs St. Joe’s
– 3 games with 6+ assists
– 4 steals in both wins vs St. Francis

Elijah Jones
Canisius, Junior
10.9 PPG / 6.4 RPG / 1.5 APG / 1.3 SPG
– CHSAA Class A state finalist
– Manhattan Cup Champion
– Monsignor Martin Association Champion
– All-Catholic Selection
– Game MVP at the Centercourt Classic
– Tom Keenan All-Tournament Team
– 22 pts in a win vs St. Mary’s
– 15 pts & 12 R in the Manhattan Cup Final
– 13 games scoring in double figures
– 12 rebounds in a win at Jamestown
– 9 games with 8+ rebounds
– Recorded 4 double-doubles

Andrew Lindstrom
St. Francis, Senior
19.6 PPG / 4.5 RPG / 2.2 SPG
– First Team All-Catholic
– Live Like Luca All-Tournament Team
– Career-High 37 pts in a win vs Timon
– 30 pts in a win vs South Park
– 5 games scoring 25+ points
– 12 games scoring 20+ points
– 7 steals in a win vs Cardinal O’Hara
– 6 steals in a win vs Lake Shore
– Shot 68% FG in a win vs Timon
– Shot 65% FG in a win vs South Park
– Career 1,000 point scorer (1,016)

Kameron Barge
Park, Senior
20.8 PPG / 4.7 RPG / 4.6 APG / 3.1 SPG
– All-Catholic Selection
– Led the MMA in scoring
– Career-High 34 pts vs Canisius
– 33 pts scored vs St. Joe’s
– 32 pts, 7 R, 6 A, & 5 S vs Timon
– 4 games scoring 30+ points
– 11 games scoring 20+ points
– 11 steals in a win vs Buffalo Arts
– 8 games with 4+ steals
– 10 assists in a win vs O’Hara
– 7 games with 6+ steals
– Centercourt Dime Dropper
– Career 1,000 point scorer

Honorable Mention

Jaleel Flowers – Buffalo Science, Senior
* Centercourt #BOOMSquad
23.1 PPG / 8.8 RPG / 3.0 SPG / 1.9 APG

Jacob Ferranto – Sherman, Senior
* Player of the Year in CCAA II
22.0 PPG / 12.4 RPG / 3.0 APG / 2.3 SPG

Michael Horton – Panama, Senior
* First Team CCAA II
22.1 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 2.7 APG / 2.6 SPG

Roger Markham – Southwestern, Senior
* First Team CCAA I
16.9 PPG / 4.5 RPG / 4.5 APG / 2.1 SPG

Jerrell Nealy – Medina, Senior
* Section VI Class B1 All-Tournament Team
16.6 PPG / 8.7 RPG / 2.0 APG / 1.7 SPG

Maximus Parmentier – Falconer, Senior
* First Team CCAA I
16.1 PPG / 8.2 RPG / 3.3 APG / 2.6 SPG / 1.4 BPG

Blake Gerstung – Akron, Senior
* First Team Niagara-Orleans League
15.6 PPG / 3.0 RPG / 2.1 APG / 1.7 SPG

Benjamin Gerstung – Akron, Senior
* First Team Niagara-Orleans League
15.2 PPG / 5.9 RPG / 3.8 APG / 1.5 SPG

Carson White – Clymer, Senior
* MVP of the Section VI Class D Tournament
15.0 PPG / 5.1 RPG / 2.6 SPG / 1.5 APG

Donovan Dowdy – Fredonia, Senior
* First Team CCAA I
14.9 PPG / 8.0 RPG / 3.1 APG / 1.6 SPG / 1.3 BPG

Gavin Johnson – Jamestown, Senior
* Section VI Class AAA All-Tournament Team
14.5 PPG / 3.9 RPG / 2.3 APG / 1.2 SPG

Elijah Greene – Park, Senior
* All-Catholic Selection
14.5 PPG / 7.3 RPG / 1.5 APG / 1.5 SPG / 1.4 BPG

Finn Taberski – Orchard Park, Senior
* First Team ECIC I
14.0 PPG / 2.7 RPG / 1.8 SPG / 1.2 APG

Anthony Johnson – Middle College, Senior
* First Team Yale Cup II
13.9 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 3.7 SPG / 2.9 APG / 1.3 BPG

Jaden Clark – Middle College, Senior
* First Team Yale Cup II
13.8 PPG / 5.4 RPG / 2.8 SPG / 2.0 APG / 1.0 BPG

Brody Monaco – Orchard Park, Senior
* First Team ECIC I
13.0 PPG / 7.1 RPG / 1.7 SPG / 1.6 APG

Ethan DeVantier – North Tonawanda, Senior
* Section VI Class AA All-Tournament Team
12.9 PPG / 3.3 RPG / 2.4 APG / 2.0 SPG

Ryan Hough – Wilson, Senior
* First Team Niagara-Orleans League
12.3 PPG / 8.7 RPG / 2.0 SPG / 1.8 APG

Sean Munzert – Williamsville South, Senior
* First Team ECIC II
12.2 PPG / 10.7 RPG / 2.8 APG / 1.3 SPG

Mitchell Masiello – Nichols, Senior
* All-Catholic Selection
12.0 PPG / 4.9 RPG / 2.6 APG / 1.0 SPG

Jaylin Coleman – Tapestry, Senior
* Player of the Year in ECIC V
11.8 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 4.3 SPG / 2.5 APG

Liam Horan – St. Joe’s, Senior
* All-Catholic Selection
11.1 PPG / 4.2 RPG / 1.5 APG / 1.0 SPG

Brandon Singletary – MST, Junior
* First Team Yale Cup II
21.6 PPG / 8.0 RPG / 3.1 SPG / 2.2 APG / 1.0 BPG

William Duliba – Forestville, Junior
* Player of the Year in CCAA IV
17.9 PPG / 3.8 APG / 3.0 RPG / 2.5 SPG

Greyson Goehle – Williamsville North, Junior
* First Team ECIC I
17.4 PPG / 3.3 RPG / 2.4 SPG / 2.0 APG

Jaden Wood – Olmsted, Junior
* Section VI Class B1 All-Tournament Team
13.7 PPG / 2.9 APG / 2.6 SPG / 2.0 RPG

Louis Porter – Niagara Falls, Junior
* Led the Wolverines in points & rebounds
10.7 PPG / 7.6 RPG / 2.7 APG / 1.4 SPG

Abdiel Medina – South Park, Junior
* First Team Yale Cup I
10.7 PPG / 4.2 RPG / 3.5 APG / 2.3 SPG

Jake Castiglia – Grand Island, Junior
* Section VI Class A1 All-Tournament Team
10.3 PPG / 4.3RPG / 1.9 APG / 1.8 SPG

Aaron Bell – Tapestry, Junior
* MVP of the Section VI Class B2 Tournament
9.5 PPG / 4.3 RPG / 2.0 APG / 1.2 SPG

Jude Gerbec – Holland, Sophomore
* First Team ECIC V
24.5 PPG / 4.1 RPG / 3.5 SPG / 2.8 APG

Kobe Genco – Eden, Sophomore
* First Team ECIC V
19.4 PPG / 4.2 RPG / 2.9 APG / 1.6 SPG

Michael Wylke – Lew-Port, Sophoore
* First Team Niagara Frontier League
18.7 PPG / 3.8 RPG / 2.4 APG / 1.8 SPG

Jose Castro Jr. – Global Concepts, Sophomore
* First Team ECIC V
14.2 PPG / 6.6 RPG / 5.4 APG / 2.5 SPG

KJ Wilkes – Grand Island, Sophomore
* Centercourt Dime Dropper
9.8 PPG / 3.3 APG / 3.0 RPG / 1.2 APG

Ca’Marii Staples – McKinley, Freshman
* First Team Yale Cup I
15.4 PPG / 4.4 SPG / 3.8 APG / 3.0 RPG

Centercourt 6th Man of the Year

Justin Benning – Nichols, Senior
10.2 PPG / 2.8 RPG / 1.9 SPG / 1.4 APG
When the 2026 Season began, Justin Benning was tasked with being the 6th man for a balanced Nichols team. Benning entered his senior season with high hopes, and while a spot in the starting lineup is what every three-year varsity player wants to have, he took it as an opportunity to contribute, be a great teammate, and help to build team chemistry. On the season, he scored in double figures 14 times and shot 42% from downtown. In a win at Olmsted, he shot 80% from the field and followed that performance up by shooting 67% in the opening round of the Jim Kramer Classic. His efficiency was on full display in a 19-point outing to start the New Year when the team thumped Aquinas, making 88% of his attempts from the field. When Nichols traveled to St. Mary’s in mid January, Benning’s timely 3-point shooting was the catalyst for the surge of momentum the Vikings used to separate on the scoreboard and claim victory. By the last week of January, Benning got the nod in the starting lineup. What ensued was fantastic to watch – a senior loved by his teammates thriving with the increased opportunity. Four games with 5 triples and another with 4 treys. Against Health Sciences in the regular season finale, his didn’t miss, going 5/5 from long range. Benning finished the 2026 season as the team’s 3rd leading scorer and was 2nd in steals. He scored in double figures in the last 5 games of his career, averaging 17 points per game over those games.

All-Centercourt Defenders

Centercourt Locksmith
Darnell Galimore – Canisius, Senior

– Dominic Gonzalez – Jamestown, Senior
– Mychael Whitt – Health Sciences, Junior
– Jahzi Lanzot – St. Joe’s, Senior
– James Robertson – Kenmore West, Junior
– Landon Patterson – St. Joe’s, Sophomore
– Jayvon Funderburk – Tapestry, Senior
– Matthew Tulshi – St. Mary’s, Junior
– Matthew Zielinski – St. Francis, Senior
– Mekaih Patterson – Sweet Home, Senior
– Jonathan Neville – Grand Island, Senior
– Harlem Brannon – Ken West, Senior
– Brodie Hill – Akron, Senior
– Jack Africano – Amherst, Junior
– Max Mancabelli – Orchard Park, Junior
– James Engelbach-Schafer – St. Mary’s, Junior
– Gary Alexander IV – St. Joe’s, Sophomore
– Derren Brooks – Akron, Junior
– AJ Weissenburg – Williamsville North, Senior
– Blake Suitor – North Tonawanda, Senior
– Andrew Bebak – Nichols, Senior

Centercourt #BOOM Squad

Captain of the Squad
Ryan Hough – Wilson, Senior

– Will Szablewski – St. Mary’s, Senior
– Damone Parker Jr. – Buffalo Science, Senior
– Benjamin Gerstung – Akron, Senior
– Maximus Parmentier – Falconer, Senior
– Elijah Jones – Canisius, Senior
– Evan Newbie-Mckinnie – St. Francis, Senior
– Jaleel Flowers – Buffalo Science, Senior
– Elijah Greene – Park, Senior
– Julen Fontaneda – Nichols, Senior
– Mitchell Masiello – Nichols, Senior
– Elijah Farmer – Jamestown, Senior
– Tacari McCray – Olmsted, Senior
– Jivion Westbrook – Niagara Falls, Senior
– Jacob Ferranto – Sherman, Senior
– Julius Jackson – South Park, Senior
– Mac Capen – Newfane, Senior
– Eric Davis Jr. – Global Concepts, Senior
– Brody Sparks, North Tonawanda, Senior
– Dane Brown – Grand Island, Junior
– Isaiah Guerrero – Health Sciences, Junior
– Derren Brooks – Akron, Junior
– Brandon Singletary – MST, Junior

Centercourt Sniper Squad

Centercourt Sharpshooter
Kobe Genco – Eden, Sophomore

– Dane Brown – Grand Island, Junior
– K’Vion Tell – Dunkirk, Senior
– Greydan Barnwell – Lew-Port, Senior
– Blake Gerstung – Akron, Senior
– Tacari McCray – Olmsted, Senior
– Greyson Goehle – Williamsville North, Junior
– Charlie Croff – Lockport, Senior
– Carlton Farmer – Salamanca, Senior
– Matthew Meetze – Will South, Sophomore
– Trelin Warrior – Salamanca, Senior
– Aidan Neumann – Wilson, Senior
– Jahzi Lanzot – St. Joe’s, Senior
– Israel Wilson – St. Mary’s, Senior
– Tre Paulfrey – Nichols, Senior
– Justin Benning – Nichols, Senior
– Marque Sudduth – Park, Junior
– Brandon Singletary – MST, Junior
– William Duliba – Forestville, Junior
– Brady Konst – Williamsville East, Freshman

Centercourt Dime Droppers

Centercourt Dime King
Jonathan Neville – Grand Island, Senior

– RJ Koopman – Fredonia, Senior
– Tacari McCray – Olmsted, Senior
– Justus Kleitz – Iroquois, Senior
– Greydan Barnwell – Lew-Port, Senior
– Jose Castro Jr. – Global Concepts, Sophomore
– Garrison Heichberger – Springville, Senior
– Muhamed Muhamed – Burgard, Senior
– Blake Suitor – North Tonawanda, Senior
– Jackson Prynn – Barker, Senior
– Will Szablewski – St. Mary’s, Senior
– Kamron Barge – Park, Senior
– JJ Shanklin – St. Joe’s. Sophomore
– Gary Alexander – St. Joe’s, Sophomore
– Jack Cullinan – Canisius, Junior
– Manny Sanchez – Forestville, Senior
– Harlem Brannon – Ken West, Senior
– Brady Waring – Eden, Senior
– Shane Hardy – Williamsville East, Senior
– Max Mancabelli – Orchard Park, Junior

Centercourt ‘Boardroom’

2026 Chairman of the Boards
Grant Beadle – Westfield, Senior

– Derren Brooks – Akron, Senior
– Jacob Ferranto – Sherman, Senior
– Will Szablewski – St. Mary’s, Senior
– Jack Giancola – North Tonawanda, Senior
– Asra Ngarmbo – Amherst, Senior
– Blake Waterman – Forestville, Senior
– Sean Munzert – Williamsville South, Senior
– Payton Bradley – Salamanca, Senior
– Charlie Croff – Lockport, Senior
– Omar Taylor – Olmsted, Senior
– TJ Domino – Iroquois, Senior
– Elijah Farmer – Jamestown, Senior
– Shamus George – Wilson, Senior
– Joey Insera – Timon, Senior
– Emon Shaw – Burgard, Senior
– Dane Brown – Grand Island, Junior
– DJ McClure – Cheektowaga, Junior
– Alan Hoelzle – Silver Creek, Junior
– Mason Debo – Cassadaga Valley, Freshman

Centercourt Swat Team

Centercourt Sultan
Derren Brooks, Akron Senior

– Grant Beadle – Westfield, Senior
– Will Szablewski – St. Mary’s, Senior
– Asra Ngarmbo – Amherst, Senior
– Dallas Hernandez – East, Senior
– Treyvon Jones – McKinley, Senior
– Evan Pauly – Williamsville South, Senior
– Avahn Jackson – Kenmore West, Senior
– Julius Jackson – South Park, Senior
– Joey Insera – Timon, Senior
– Kuol Deng – Timon, Senior
– Maximus Parmentier – Falconer, Senior
– Donovan Dowdy – Fredonia, Senior
– Elijah Farmer – Jamestown, Senior
– Dane Brown – Grand Island, Junior
– Alan Hoelzle – Silver Creek, Junior
– Dominic Polino – Ellicottville, Junior
– Mason Debo – Cassadaga Valley, Freshman

Centercourt Coach of the Year

Kyle Husband, Canisius

Canisius assistant coach John Ricotta remembers me asking back in the fall, who the Crusaders would even be starting. I remember asking him that as well. I also remember asking the same question to Canisius head Coach Kyle Husband multiple times in off-season conversations. It wasn’t that I doubted the team would be good, I just wasn’t sure what varsity experience his team was back with.

After upsetting a St. Joe’s team with elite talent to win the Manhattan Cup in 2025, the Crusaders returned just one starter, Jack Cullinan, who was inserted into the starting lineup midway through his sophomore year and the only returning piece that played valuable minutes in the championship game.

Another perfect opportunity for a coaching masterpiece by Husband and his staff awaited them in 2026. Fast-forward a few months and all those Crusaders are household names among local hoops fans, after becoming Monsignor Martin Association & Manhattan Cup Champions, finishing as the #1 program in the area.

A 1996 graduate at Canisius, Husband is synonymous with bringing success to Delaware Avenue. He won the Manhattan Cup as a player during his senior season, when the Crusaders ended an 11-year title drought and defeated St. Joe’s. In 2005, at age 26, he was given the opportunity to coach at his alma mater. In his first season, Canisius won the Manhattan Cup for the first time in 7 seasons.

Husband’s sideline energy is stoic, with bursts of intensity. He doesn’t get lost in the game arguing calls with the officials or wasting emotion over a mistake. There is no performing for the fans sitting near the bench or across the way, and no conversation with the people at the table. Husband doesn’t turn to bark at his reserves when a player on the floor misses an assignment. Instead, he’s fully immersed in the battle unfolding on the hardwood and what his team is doing to control the action.

He learned the game from his father, Kevin, a man whose coaching style was high in expectation and mirrored the uncompromising ways of Bob Knight. “He was my first coach and pushed me harder than anyone to be my best,” Husband said of his father.

Husband’s coaching style is rooted in toughness. He demands it. His teams play with passion, chemistry, and resolve. In an era of nonstop training, year-round play, summer camps, and extra workouts, Husband continues to succeed with old school values. His players aren’t kept immersed in the program in the offseason and don’t enter into a new season burned out or overwhelmed. Instead, the Crusaders take the court every season looking hungry, focused, and ready to compete.

Husband has always given much of the credit to his assistant coaches. Pat Cullinan was his first assistant coach when he took over the program, before he took the head coach position at St. Mary’s. Ricotta was also with the team, then in a student-assistant role and today he remains a vital part of the staff. John Cullinan joined the staff in 2009 and has been part of all but one of Husband’s Manhattan Cup championships. Stafford Trueheart, a two-time state champion, Federation champion, and 2016 Centercourt MVP – WNY’s Player of the Year, returned home to his alma mater to work under Husband.

The model of consistency at Canisius is so prevalent, that winning on Delaware Avenue is not just the expectation within the program, but also what’s anticipated by those who follow the scene closely, regardless of what’s left in the cupboard at the end of each successful season.

“Every year presents a different challenge, it comes down to getting guys to buy-in to what he knows works,” Canisius assistant Ricotta said.

So what works? The simple answer Husband will give you is the basic blueprint to basketball success: Play hard, stay committed defensively, and share the ball. But it’s the manifestation of that philosophy that demonstrates the coaching brilliance of Husband & his staff that fans have enjoyed watching for 22 seasons.

A program that wins as consistently as the one Husband has built at Canisius does things consistently. Players enter the gymnasium dressed in a shirt & tie with their Canisius coat and their energy is all business. They warm up the same way every time. When games reach halftime, they run to the locker room as a team (hang onto your papers if you’re sitting at Centercourt when they do it). If a player hits the floor, two players race over to help him up. The team stands in unison when timeouts are called, greeting the players that race off the floor to their bench. When you’re waiting to talk to one of the players after the game, expect him to come out with the rest of the team. The Crusaders always leave the locker room as a team.

When you watch Canisius basketball, you see a team that’s tough and plays basketball the right way. You see a team that always comes to compete. What you don’t see are the things Husband does to shape that. Heavy preseason conditioning, running hills that challenge the mental and physical toughness of players. Intense, college style practices that move quickly. Players talking during drills, creating a high energy environment with an emphasis on competing. Sprints until a drill is done correctly. Downtime at a practice on Delaware Avenue is kept to a minimum. The focus is always on getting better.

Everything at Canisius is earned. Everyone is replaceable and no player, regardless of talent or potential, is ever led to believe they will play varsity before they’ve earned that opportunity. Crusader squads are often deep and senior heavy, a roster full of the guys who have bought in and earned their place. Each player has an important role and embraces it for the greater good.

When the Crusaders defeated St. Joe’s on February 10th as Jack Cullinan’s baseline jumper swished through the nets at the buzzer, the Canisius student section, known as the Blue Crew, stormed the court and swallowed up the home team in a moment of celebration. It was the Centercourt ‘Game of the Week’ and we were on hand doing a live broadcast. Color commentator, Ryan Mountain, suggested a live interview with the hero of the game as Coach Husband was corralling his players out of the celebration and toward the locker room. As we attempted to hand Cullinan a headset, he hesitated to reach for it, saying he needed to clear it with his coach first. “After” yelled Husband, gesturing for Cullinan to first head to the locker room.

“I needed to talk to my team about celebrating after a regular season win like that,” Husband said. “Act like you’ve been there, what are we celebrating? I could see if we just won a Manhattan Cup Championship.”

“His resume speaks for itself. He personally changed my life when he made me understand I’m only as good as the guy next to me,” LaTerrance Reed, the 2015 Centercourt MVP, WNY’s Player of the Year from Canisius said. “From there, I understood my coach’s goal was to not only have guys buy into culture, but build a brotherhood on and off the court. His practices are tougher than games, his intensity never drops so it makes you rise to the occasion. Coach is a man of few words, but when he speaks, he means it and every player gets it. But it’s fun to win, once you understand what he wants from the defensive end and how hard he wants you to play, the intensity, everything else falls in line and it’s just fun.”

Sounds tough because he is. There are high expectations within the program for academics, conduct, and effort, which ultimately leads to success. Husband is not interested in being friends with his players and doesn’t try to be liked. Husband’s priorities are making the team better and program success. There is also a deep sense of connection between the players and an immense amount of pride associated with being part of that program. Chemistry grows every year when the team travels out of state for a Jesuit Tournament after Christmas. For the players & the staff, it provides an opportunity to do things together like dining and recreation, building team bonds off the court.

I remember Husband saying to me in December, “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, we’re not a very good basketball team right now”.

By season’s end, the Crusaders had a WNY-best 11 victories over Top 10 Large school programs, went 15-1 against Monsignor Martin Association competition and won 12 straight games, culminating in a Manhattan Cup championship.

After 22 seasons as head coach on Delaware Ave., Husband is the all-time winningest coach at Canisius, 2nd all-time in the MMA to the late Mel Palano (544), and 7th all time in WNY with 449 victories.

The Manhattan Cup Championship victory was the 20th win of the season for the Crusaders, marking the 14th time Husband’s team has won 20 or more games in a season. When he took over the program, St. Joe’s had a stranglehold on all-time Manhattan Cup championships with 18 compared to the 9 won by Canisius. After Husband‘s team downed their rivals for a second straight year to hoist the Manhattan Championship Cup for the 12th time during his tenure, the Crusaders have pulled even with St. Joe’s, as both programs now have 21 championships all-time.

“Canisius and basketball have been the foundation of so many lessons that carry on for me today – drive, motivation, hard work, responsibility, teamwork, trust, and love,” Husband said in 2023 when he was inducted into the Canisius High School Hall of Fame.

In the 2026 season, there were more talented teams than Canisius, but there wasn’t a better team. That’s coaching. He’s the best high school basketball coach in WNY and there’s no debate. While this isn’t a career achievement award, it presented the perfect opportunity to highlight his success over the last 22 seasons. It’s my honor to name Canisius’ Kyle Husband the 2026 Centercourt Coach of the Year.

–🏀centercourt🏀