Best Coach in GR??

[kendallbench07]

i just wanted to know what people thought....whos the best coach in GR

[sectionvcrazyfan]

I think his record speaks for himself- Mike Rapone from Notre Dame

[kendallbench07]

I did some research on him and its quite an easy choice, 497 wins, 23 division titles, seven section v titles, and 2 states titles, i dont think any coach in gr comes close

[Section5sportsguy]

Well if other schools in the league could recruit.... haha just playing. How about a write-in vote for Joe Zam?

[section5fan]

If anyone argues that it's not Rapone, then just close this thread.

[boobiemiles]

no kidding. maybe we should just make this a "Top 5 Coaches in GR" thread

[SUman1515]

so who would be coming in at second?

[bcherry8]

I think number 2 could be Coach Holly at OA. Not only has he had many successful teams and alot of wins, but he stresses character and sportsmanship with the team as well. It has been a long time since i have heard of anyone on one of Coach Holly's teams getting in trouble, either with behavior or academics

[Section5sportsguy]

I think number 2 could be Coach Holly at OA. Not only has he had many successful teams and alot of wins, but he stresses character and sportsmanship with the team as well. It has been a long time since i have heard of anyone on one of Coach Holly's teams getting in trouble, either with behavior or academics

Thats a good pick, the man always seems to keep his teams competitive, even with a severe lack of talent. Coach West of Attica isnt as good a coach, he gets on his players and lowers their confidence, making them perform worse. He also makes horrible decisions sometimes during games, and plays some kids that have no business playing yet in a close game.

[Attica Coach]

Thats a good pick, the man always seems to keep his teams competitive, even with a severe lack of talent. Coach West of Attica isnt as good a coach, he gets on his players and lowers their confidence, making them perform worse. He also makes horrible decisions sometimes during games, and plays some kids that have no business playing yet in a close game.


Coach West is a great coach. He has adapted his style to fit his players strengths. His strategy in the past was to take advantage of outside shooters like Dan Carlson and Rob Crowley. Before that he stressed a philosophy that enhanced the skills of inside players like Mike Medbury. Not only is he a good coach on the court, but his players all do well in the classroom. His players have also been some of the more respectfull people in the school. Coach West has groomed teenagers to be great players and more importantly great people.

[Monkey0713]

Coach West is a great coach. He has adapted his style to fit his players strengths. His strategy in the past was to take advantage of outside shooters like Dan Carlson and Rob Crowley. Before that he stressed a philosophy that enhanced the skills of inside players like Mike Medbury. Not only is he a good coach on the court, but his players all do well in the classroom. His players have also been some of the more respectfull people in the school. Coach West has groomed teenagers to be great players and more importantly great people.

Very well said. But I still do agree with some of what section5sportsguy said, especially the part about lowering of the confidence.

[easyrsaidthandone]

Well if other schools in the league could recruit.... haha just playing. How about a write-in vote for Joe Zam?

Joe Zam was a hard working guy who was run out of the game for ludicrous reasons. ASk the ref that kicked him out because joes brother said something..What a farse right ken Torrens.

[sirdunksalot07]

any more?

[secvfan]

i just wanted to know what people thought....whos the best coach in GR

Yes Rapone is the best coach in the GR and West has always been surrounded by good players, but what about coaches in the past 5 years who have took over programs and made progress such as Lyndonville, Kendall, Alexander, BB, Holley. Where would rate these coaches 1-5?

[easyrsaidthandone]

I have to do this.Joe Z in 5 years at elba, won a sectional title for the first time since 1972. His team also won the gr title for the first time ever. The winning % when he was their was amazing and his elba teams were expected to win. I should also mention that until Joe arrived in Elba they had beaten ND once in there long rivalry. I believe while he was at elba they knocked ND out of the playoffs twice, beat them 2 times in ND and3 times in elba. and yes I like Joe Zambito. But like him or not, the man could coach.

[secvfan]

I have to do this.Joe Z in 5 years at elba, won a sectional title for the first time since 1972. His team also won the gr title for the first time ever. The winning % when he was their was amazing and his elba teams were expected to win. I should also mention that until Joe arrived in Elba they had beaten ND once in there long rivalry. I believe while he was at elba they knocked ND out of the playoffs twice, beat them 2 times in ND and3 times in elba. and yes I like Joe Zambito. But like him or not, the man could coach.

If you had to go with new coaches in the past 5 years. You look at Lyndinville Dellinbac (MSP) He has been in sectional Championship twice and then maybe Kendall and Alexander coach. Kendall had a good team 3 years ago and Alexander shared the league with Attica last year the first time in ten years. Alexander record under the coach 0-18, 3 -15, 9-6, in league last year 9-9 over all and this year 5-6. not spetacular record but has done a great job for talent at Alexander.

[bcherry8]

I have to do this.Joe Z in 5 years at elba, won a sectional title for the first time since 1972. His team also won the gr title for the first time ever. The winning % when he was their was amazing and his elba teams were expected to win. I should also mention that until Joe arrived in Elba they had beaten ND once in there long rivalry. I believe while he was at elba they knocked ND out of the playoffs twice, beat them 2 times in ND and3 times in elba. and yes I like Joe Zambito. But like him or not, the man could coach.
Well said, cant argue with that.

[joeZam1]

Thanks Men, appreciate the props! Do miss coaching and hope to get back into it someday:)

[shootthe3]

Thanks Men, appreciate the props! Do miss coaching and hope to get back into it someday:)

props to you coach your kids always played hard would it be hard for you to coach against Elba or is that something you would really look forward too I understand if you dont want to answer that good luck in the future coach elba's loss will definately be someone elses gain

[joeZam1]

I believe that someday I would like to get back into coaching. The situation would have to be correct for me and my family. But to be totally honest with ya, I sit and games and watch and my blood really gets flowing, so yes, the sooner the better.

[shootthe3]

I believe that someday I would like to get back into coaching. The situation would have to be correct for me and my family. But to be totally honest with ya, I sit and games and watch and my blood really gets flowing, so yes, the sooner the better.

I bet it does good luck too you hope to see you on the bench soon

[Attica Coach]

I believe that someday I would like to get back into coaching. The situation would have to be correct for me and my family. But to be totally honest with ya, I sit and games and watch and my blood really gets flowing, so yes, the sooner the better.

Joe,
Have you ever considered taking a JV or assistant job to get yourself back into coaching? I know it would be hard going from being in charge of a program to a secondary position, but it seems to work out for coaches in the pros and in college.

[elbamom]

Well if other schools in the league could recruit.... haha just playing. How about a write-in vote for Joe Zam?

Joe would have my vote. He's the only Coach that had Mike Rapone's Number and that is not an easy thing to do. Mike Rapone is a Great Coach, but I am sure if you asked him, he would agree that he would rather not have to face a Joe Zambito coached team.

[quesadilla]

Joe would have my vote. He's the only Coach that had Mike Rapone's Number and that is not an easy thing to do. Mike Rapone is a Great Coach, but I am sure if you asked him, he would agree that he would rather not have to face a Joe Zambito coached team.

I think a lot of people would have to agree with that. Zambito is a great coach.

[joeZam1]

Joe,
Have you ever considered taking a JV or assistant job to get yourself back into coaching? I know it would be hard going from being in charge of a program to a secondary position, but it seems to work out for coaches in the pros and in college.

It would be hard, but if the situation is correct I would consider it. I spend alot of my off time from work in Florida and am currently floating around the possibility of coaching football there. I would like to be a football defensive coordinator at the varsity level, that I would most definitely do. I often think about being back in the GR. ( I still have all my scouting reports) LOL--Thanks for the support everyone. If I was to coach Basketball, I would consider coaching JVs at a school where eventually I could have the chance to move up the ladder.

[UNCTarheels]

It would be hard, but if the situation is correct I would consider it. I spend alot of my off time from work in Florida and am currently floating around the possibility of coaching football there. I would like to be a football defensive coordinator at the varsity level, that I would most definitely do. I often think about being back in the GR. ( I still have all my scouting reports) LOL--Thanks for the support everyone. If I was to coach Basketball, I would consider coaching JVs at a school where eventually I could have the chance to move up the ladder.

The State of Florida? or Florida, NY? Orange County................ Section 9

[joeZam1]

The state of Florida. My fiance lives there with her family and what a mecca it is for high school football.

[orangefan74]

Joe would have my vote. He's the only Coach that had Mike Rapone's Number and that is not an easy thing to do. Mike Rapone is a Great Coach, but I am sure if you asked him, he would agree that he would rather not have to face a Joe Zambito coached team.

Let's not get crazy. Joe is a very good coach but I wouldn't say - and I am sure neither would he - that he had coach rapone's "number". You must have a very selective memory to make that statement.

[Former GR Leaguer]

Let's not get crazy. Joe is a very good coach but I wouldn't say - and I am sure neither would he - that he had coach rapone's "number". You must have a very selective memory to make that statement.

And now easyrsaidthandone shall respond......................

[easyrsaidthandone]

And now easyrsaidthandone shall respond......................

Sure, why not? I would say it was a classic confrontation whenever Mike and Joe met. 1 Great coach and 1 on his way. The last couple years, Joe did beat Mike twice in ND, Twice in Elba and knocked ND out of the playoffs twice. But, it was always a great game. I have the highest regards for coach Rapone.

[TurnTwo]

Sure, why not? I would say it was a classic confrontation whenever Mike and Joe met. 1 Great coach and 1 on his way. The last couple years, Joe did beat Mike twice in ND, Twice in Elba and knocked ND out of the playoffs twice. But, it was always a great game. I have the highest regards for coach Rapone.

Coach Rapone is a complete class act.

[secvfan]

Coach Rapone is a complete class act.

Besides winning records you go by the character of team and the attitudes of players and what they do in the community during the season. On that you go with Rapone who always turn out great kids and Joe Z. is great coach when it come to win games but what about the character of the team and what they do during basketabll season I would say he does poor job. I know this will piss people off but that is just one person opinion.

[joeZam1]

While it is great that we live in America and can have our own opinion, I would really like to know (honestly) what the poor thing is? our teams were scholar athlete just about every year...1 year 4 bball players were at a party, yes, does that form your opinion of me? Other than that Im not sure what you could be poking at? Im pretty sure many schools have kids who party during the season and Im sure the coaches will say "please, dont go there"

[UNCTarheels]

Besides winning records you go by the character of team and the attitudes of players and what they do in the community during the season. On that you go with Rapone who always turn out great kids and Joe Z. is great coach when it come to win games but what about the character of the team and what they do during basketabll season I would say he does poor job. I know this will piss people off but that is just one person opinion.

I'll admit I'm not that familiar with this situation but reading about it on this site for the past year does help me out a little bit.

Like Coach Zambito said, one incident! you can't take the one incident where players were caught at a party and label Coach Zambito based on that incident. Was he successful while he was at Elba? Yes he was! did he win a Sectional Basketball title at Elba? Yes he did! Did he have a positive effect on his players while at Elba? I think the overwhelming answer is, Yes he did! To steal my friend Jetcole47's catchphrase.........nuff said

[sectionvcrazyfan]

Coach Rapone is a complete class act.

one of the classiest in section 5

[joeZam1]

Any coach who thinks their players don't fall into the party category from time to time is kidding themselves. It happens everywhere...some are better at catching it and attempting to stop it, some just cover their eyes and pretend it doesn't happen.

I watched Joe coach - he had a lot of success. He is a loud person and has a look to him that he always looks mad. However knowing people who know Joe (I don't think I have ever talked to him - so this is 2nd hand) I hear he is a very nice guy.

Its just a juvenile type thing to jump on the bandwagon - especially the bad side of an issue. Its popular to put people down and so a lot of people hear about what happened to Joe and say, "yea he is a bad guy and his kids were bad and his teams had not character," when they really know absolutely nothing about the situtation.

Chad, Thanks for the props. Its funny (for real) about the loudness of my voice. No doubt it echoes and I think thats what confused many people. When I was giving instructions many thought I was yelling, so when I was yelling many thought I was "coach gone wild", especially in Lyndonville. And that "mad look" was definitely an intense look.But believe me, I'd rather hug a friend than hit an enemy...:)

[Former GR Leaguer]

While it is great that we live in America and can have our own opinion, I would really like to know (honestly) what the poor thing is? our teams were scholar athlete just about every year...1 year 4 bball players were at a party, yes, does that form your opinion of me? Other than that Im not sure what you could be poking at? Im pretty sure many schools have kids who party during the season and Im sure the coaches will say "please, dont go there"

Unfortunately at this party a teenager lost his life. The problem I had with the whole situation (besides the teenager losing his life) was that when the players involved were suspended for several games, the prevailing theme out of Elba was that the team was playing through the adversity of missing several of its key contributors. This point was brought up several times in the Batavia Daily News as Elba made its run through sectionals later in the year, referencing all that they had overcome. I would not call that adversity. Adversity is what you face while trying to perform a task successfully against circumstances you cannot control. Being at that party was something that the suspended players had control over.

As I stated previously on the football forum, events such as this have unfortunately dogged Mr. Zambito ever since, and have cast a negative light on him in some people's eyes, deserved or not.

[joeZam1]

Unfortunately at this party a teenager lost his life. The problem I had with the whole situation (besides the teenager losing his life) was that when the players involved were suspended for several games, the prevailing theme out of Elba was that the team was playing through the adversity of missing several of its key contributors. This point was brought up several times in the Batavia Daily News as Elba made its run through sectionals later in the year, referencing all that they had overcome. I would not call that adversity. Adversity is what you face while trying to perform a task successfully against circumstances you cannot control. Being at that party was something that the suspended players had control over.

As I stated previously on the football forum, events such as this have unfortunately dogged Mr. Zambito ever since, and have cast a negative light on him in some people's eyes, deserved or not.

First of all, for you to bring that up is dispicable. Secondly, you mean to tell me that losing a friend isnt adversity? You think it was easy for Ciaci Zambito,Tim Maid, Lucas and Jed Torrey and all the others that werent at that Party? And the ones that were there, you honestly do not think they suffered? If you dont think we all went through troubles you are sadly mistaken. The boys hung together as did the girls, they came together, we came together.It was a sad thing that happened, but if you think anyone condoned any behavior you are again mistaken. Can a coach totally control what his players do on a Saturday night, if you think so, again you are mistaken. Any coach that thinks they can are in a dream world. It was a terrible event and I feel sorry for all those involved, but to throw that on ME is downright GROSS!!

[Attica Coach]

A coach/parent can do their best to teach right from wrong and reinforce good decision making, but a player/person is ultimately responsible for their own decisions.

Feel free to hold a coach accountable for his/her own actions.
Feel free to hold a coach accountable for their players behavior on the athletic field.
Feel free to criticize a coach on how they discipline their players.

BUT.....

Criticize the PLAYER for their actions when they are out on their own.

I don't know Coach Z. but he cannot in any way be held responsible for the actions of his players when they are at some party.

[Section5sportsguy]

A coach/parent can do their best to teach right from wrong and reinforce good decision making, but a player/person is ultimately responsible for their own decisions.

Feel free to hold a coach accountable for his/her own actions.
Feel free to hold a coach accountable for their players behavior on the athletic field.
Feel free to criticize a coach on how they discipline their players.

BUT.....

Criticize the PLAYER for their actions when they are out on their own.

I don't know Coach Z. but he cannot in any way be held responsible for the actions of his players when they are at some party.

Attica Coach, you should be the football teams strength and conditioning coach.

[TopShelf]

Attica Coach is too good of a soccer coach to make the switch, although I'm sure he could. Another sectional title coming next season?

[Former GR Leaguer]

"Being at that party was something that the suspended players had control over.

As I stated previously on the football forum, events such as this have unfortunately dogged Mr. Zambito ever since, and have cast a negative light on him in some people's eyes, deserved or not."

Where did I pin the responsibility of the players being at a party on you? Cripes, I wrote that UNFORTUNATELY these events have dogged you ever since, deserved or not. I swear, it's like talking to a two year old sometimes.

Don't think that I don't feel bad for the kid that died, his family, or his friends. Believe me, I felt bad when I read an article in the Daily News either right before you won sectionals or right after saying the tragedy that happened earlier in the year was "a thing of the past"(this was NOT a quote from you, it was from who wrote the article, so don't go flying off the handle saying I'm putting words in your mouth). How's that supposed to make his parents feel? I bet its still not a "thing of the past" to them.

I'm sorry about bringing up an incident that no doubt still hurts the Elba community, but for you to just say that four kids got caught at a party, doesn't cover the extent of what happened. UNFORTUNATELY, what did happen has shaped people's opinion about you. Once again, is that fair, absolutely not. Were those kids your responsibility? On the playing field/court, yes. Outside of that, no. But because they were athletes, people will look to the coach to some extent, which is not fair, but that is how it goes.

Good luck with a fresh start in Florida.

[Monkey0713]

hhhmmmm......wow!

[secvfan]

hhhmmmm......wow!

I didn't mean to start a big debate about this. As a coach you know all the kids who try out for the team and even though the kid is great ballplayer but is a trouble maker, you have to be aware of that before you make cuts on a team. Do I pick this kid who is a great student or do I take chance with this kid who is in and out of trouble? Those are the question you have to think about and if you take a chance you have be responsible for the good and the bad. Coaches mold kids on and off the court for those four years while in the program, so you are well aware of each player flaws. Players look up to coaches and most of the time the player are a reflection of the program. Elba had a good program under Zam but off the court and behind close doors I don't think so. :eek:

[joeZam1]

I didn't mean to start a big debate about this. As a coach you know all the kids who try out for the team and even though the kid is great ballplayer but is a trouble maker, you have to be aware of that before you make cuts on a team. Do I pick this kid who is a great student or do I take chance with this kid who is in and out of trouble? Those are the question you have to think about and if you take a chance you have be responsible for the good and the bad. Coaches mold kids on and off the court for those four years while in the program, so you are well aware of each player flaws. Players look up to coaches and most of the time the player are a reflection of the program. Elba had a good program under Zam but off the court and behind close doors I don't think so. :eek:

Yeah, I can see why you would think that, because all coaches except me cut kids who arent the model citizen. And for the record, I believe the kids that I have coached have been great kids. And yes, me having the kids at my house every tuesday to watch film, talk about school and life in general, hang out with friends , drinking pepsi and eating a piece of pizza..thats a terrible thing to do, I guess to try and keep kids in a good place, Im just Mr. Oger..Sorry:cool:

[Levelheaded]

Besides winning records you go by the character of team and the attitudes of players and what they do in the community during the season. On that you go with Rapone who always turn out great kids and Joe Z. is great coach when it come to win games but what about the character of the team and what they do during basketabll season I would say he does poor job. I know this will piss people off but that is just one person opinion.

Joe Z. cared (and still does care) as much for the kids he coached as any coach in the GR past, present and future. All schools have issues and all schools have student/athletes that attend drinking parties. It doesn't make it right, just the way it has been since the beginning of time. Notre Dame has always tried to handle their issues "in house", holding the student athlete accountable without the sting of public scrutiny. Elba's tragedy was a very public situation, however, Coach Z. can't be held accountable for the actions of those present that sad day. Both coaches have turned out great kids that have done their communities proud year around.

[shootthe3]

Joe Z. cared (and still does care) as much for the kids he coached as any coach in the GR past, present and future. All schools have issues and all schools have student/athletes that attend drinking parties. It doesn't make it right, just the way it has been since the beginning of time. Notre Dame has always tried to handle their issues "in house", holding the student athlete accountable without the sting of public scrutiny. Elba's tragedy was a very public situation, however, Coach Z. can't be held accountable for the actions of those present that sad day. Both coaches have turned out great kids that have done their communities proud year around.

very well said i couldnt agree more

[hilly]

Unfortunately at this party a teenager lost his life. The problem I had with the whole situation (besides the teenager losing his life) was that when the players involved were suspended for several games, the prevailing theme out of Elba was that the team was playing through the adversity of missing several of its key contributors. This point was brought up several times in the Batavia Daily News as Elba made its run through sectionals later in the year, referencing all that they had overcome. I would not call that adversity. Adversity is what you face while trying to perform a task successfully against circumstances you cannot control. Being at that party was something that the suspended players had control over.

As I stated previously on the football forum, events such as this have unfortunately dogged Mr. Zambito ever since, and have cast a negative light on him in some people's eyes, deserved or not.

I might be late to this, but you are wrong my friend.
Kids party, kids do stupid things and kids grow from doing stupid things. Yes, a kid lost his life and there is no joking about that. But, I know a lot of the kids that were there and they are not bad kids for doing what you and I did while we were in high school. No it's not a good thing for kids to party, but they are going to. It was overcoming adversity for those players that were not star athletes, but filled in when they had to. It was overcoming adversity when they had to deal with a teammate - that dealt with a very tough situation - to get through what she had to.
You make a lot of good posts, but I must go against you on this one. These are kids that dealt with a very tough situation. I wouldn't blame Joe, Nowak, O'Geen or any of the kids.

[Former GR Leaguer]

I might be late to this, but you are wrong my friend.
Kids party, kids do stupid things and kids grow from doing stupid things. Yes, a kid lost his life and there is no joking about that. But, I know a lot of the kids that were there and they are not bad kids for doing what you and I did while we were in high school. No it's not a good thing for kids to party, but they are going to. It was overcoming adversity for those players that were not star athletes, but filled in when they had to. It was overcoming adversity when they had to deal with a teammate - that dealt with a very tough situation - to get through what she had to.
You make a lot of good posts, but I must go against you on this one. These are kids that dealt with a very tough situation. I wouldn't blame Joe, Nowak, O'Geen or any of the kids.

Hey, no problem, that is your opinion, and that is fine. But please do not think that I am blaming Mr. Zambito (or any other coach at Elba at the time) for the players' actions at that party, or what ended up happening at that party. I've repeatedly stated that it wasn't his fault. My point was more in relation to how what happened at that party has affected how some people view Mr. Zambito, or what they perceive his reputation to be. secvfan offered his opinion on the character of Mr. Zambito's team, and Mr. Zambito took offense to it, offering the example that while some of his players were caught at a party, it happens all the time in any other school district. I took issue with this statement because while players do get caught at parties all the time, the party in question was different due to the fact that unfortunately it ended with someone losing their life. All in all, I guess my point is that the people that view Mr. Zambito negatively use more than his admittedly loud voice as a reason for their dislike. Unfortunately for Mr. Zambito, they also use an incident that he had no control over as another reason. Like I said in an earlier post, best of luck to a fresh start for Mr. Zambito in Florida, hopefully he can use a clean slate there to his benefit, should the opportunity present itself.

As for the adversity thing, it was just my opinion. I know that doesn't mean that much on this board, but I just felt that losing the contributions of those four players was more of a "paying the consequences" type of thing rather than "facing adversity" type of thing because the suspended players had control of their own actions. I would look at Elba's curent situation as "facing adversity" due to the fact that Hoover has missed time due to injury, something he could not control. But hey, just my opinion, all the Zambito-backers can begin burning me at the stake.

Finally, not that it relates too much to this, but I didn't drink in high school (ask any teammate/classmate) as you suggested. It was my choice, and while I did have teammates who did, I didn't look down on them because of it. It annoyed me that they put the success of our teams at risk, but what are you going to do? I'm not trying to come off as "holier than thou", but it wasn't something that I partook in, so maybe that's why I have a hard time understanding some of the logic in these posts.

[joeZam1]

dO YOU THINK THE PARTY EFFECTS THE WAY PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE GOLF COACH, SWIMMING COACH, SOFTBALL COACH, TENNIS COACH ETC.. AT ELBA. AND AGAIN ASK THOSE KIDS THAT WERE NOT AT THE PARTY IF IT WAS ADVERSITY TO THEM. WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE HOW OTHERS FEEL. HAVE YOU EVER LOST A FRIEND, I HAVE AND ITS VERY DIFFICULT..AND THEN TO HAVE THE EMOTION OF PLAYING BBALL ON TOP OF IT..GET REAL...WHOS YOUR "TEAMMATE" I WOULD LOVE TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU DID DURING THE SEASON...

[Former GR Leaguer]

dO YOU THINK THE PARTY EFFECTS THE WAY PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE GOLF COACH, SWIMMING COACH, SOFTBALL COACH, TENNIS COACH ETC.. AT ELBA. AND AGAIN ASK THOSE KIDS THAT WERE NOT AT THE PARTY IF IT WAS ADVERSITY TO THEM. WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE HOW OTHERS FEEL. HAVE YOU EVER LOST A FRIEND, I HAVE AND ITS VERY DIFFICULT..AND THEN TO HAVE THE EMOTION OF PLAYING BBALL ON TOP OF IT..GET REAL...WHOS YOUR "TEAMMATE" I WOULD LOVE TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU DID DURING THE SEASON...

With all due respect, I haven't heard many complaints about the golf coach, swimming coach, softball coach, tennis coach, etc. They seem to keep a pretty low profile just going about their business. Come to think of it, I didn't know Elba fielded a golf, tennis, or swimming program.

I'll admit it, I didn't do too much during the season (or before/after the season for that matter), mainly homework, watched some tv, went to practice/games, came home when the streetlights came on. Basically your typical boring teenager.

As for the adversity, yeah, I can see your point about the reserves having to pick up the slack. It's just in my opinion, any amount of time the suspended players had to make up, any shape they had to get back into, any skills they had to sharpen was directly related to the time they missed due to their bad decision, not adversity.

[joeZam1]

U made my points exactly. Why I am being crucified at the stake when Im 1 coach out of many. And just to get the facts strait 3 starters, not just subs were NOT at the said party. And im pretty sure if you ask Coach Nowak, he will tell you that the kids did all come together at that point. Everyone is definitely entitled to their opinion, but please, think clearly about all the issues involved..All the best....coach z

[stevekerr]

best coach in GR is lee dillenbeck ( spelling) he consistently takes a bunch of rag tag players and turns them into a team that can win games, he is always video taping other teams and obviously knows how to analyze and figure out how to compete, greatest coach and hes a great guy- u guys need to look past the stats- rapone has a lot of wins because ND is a private school.. dillenbeck takes country boys from lyndonville and turns them into a team- give him credit he deserves it

[shootthe3]

best coach in GR is lee dillenbeck ( spelling) he consistently takes a bunch of rag tag players and turns them into a team that can win games, he is always video taping other teams and obviously knows how to analyze and figure out how to compete, greatest coach and hes a great guy- u guys need to look past the stats- rapone has a lot of wins because ND is a private school.. dillenbeck takes country boys from lyndonville and turns them into a team- give him credit he deserves it

your joking i hope he has had like 3 good teams

[sectionvalum]

best coach in GR is lee dillenbeck ( spelling) he consistently takes a bunch of rag tag players and turns them into a team that can win games, he is always video taping other teams and obviously knows how to analyze and figure out how to compete, greatest coach and hes a great guy- u guys need to look past the stats- rapone has a lot of wins because ND is a private school.. dillenbeck takes country boys from lyndonville and turns them into a team- give him credit he deserves it

Other than Coach Rapone, the best GR coach is Gary Kurkowski.

[shootthe3]

Other than Coach Rapone, the best GR coach is Gary Kurkowski.

I agree with you 100% that guy is a great coach

[TJ12]

your joking i hope he has had like 3 good teams

That's 3 more than Kendall has had.You're coach is a joke!!He stands on the sidelines the whole game with his hands in pockets.They administration really needs to look at hiring the J.V coach to take over the varsity next year.Those kids had absolutely no direction this year and Leicht has been a huge part of it.

[Former GR Leaguer]

best coach in GR is lee dillenbeck ( spelling) he consistently takes a bunch of rag tag players and turns them into a team that can win games, he is always video taping other teams and obviously knows how to analyze and figure out how to compete, greatest coach and hes a great guy- u guys need to look past the stats- rapone has a lot of wins because ND is a private school.. dillenbeck takes country boys from lyndonville and turns them into a team- give him credit he deserves it

What does being a private school have to do with it? If you're insinuating recruiting, please, name me some recruited players, I'd love to know.

[bcherry8]

What does being a private school have to do with it? If you're insinuating recruiting, please, name me some recruited players, I'd love to know.
Tell me about it. It makes no difference

[stevekerr]

i am sure throughout rapones coaching career that players were recruited. quality players are also more likely to attend ND because of its prestige rather than lyndonville as well. my point is that dillendeck has a knack for getting his team to win games, despite the fact that they usually lack a significant amount of talent.

[boobiemiles]

shootthe3 is definately not from kendall..... maybe elba?

[orangefan74]

i am sure throughout rapones coaching career that players were recruited. quality players are also more likely to attend ND because of its prestige rather than lyndonville as well. my point is that dillendeck has a knack for getting his team to win games, despite the fact that they usually lack a significant amount of talent.

Again, who? You obviously don't know what you're talking about. If it is true how come we never hear from a person that was "recruited" but decided to say no. If he gets them all he should be coaching at duke not nd!

[shootthe3]

That's 3 more than Kendall has had.You're coach is a joke!!He stands on the sidelines the whole game with his hands in pockets.They administration really needs to look at hiring the J.V coach to take over the varsity next year.Those kids had absolutely no direction this year and Leicht has been a huge part of it.

good try but im not from kendall sorry

[shootthe3]

shootthe3 is definately not from kendall..... maybe elba?

good try boobie not from elba either

[TJ12]

good try but im not from kendall sorry

UH...yeah you are Phil.

[ref301]

i am sure throughout rapones coaching career that players were recruited. quality players are also more likely to attend ND because of its prestige rather than lyndonville as well. my point is that dillendeck has a knack for getting his team to win games, despite the fact that they usually lack a significant amount of talent.

The same theme in yet another thread. I don't think that Rapone actively recruits. I do think that because of his well deserved reputation that parents and players gravitate toward ND (from a baskeball perspective, of course. Not talking about a religion based education). The advantage that any private school has is that they are not limited by he pre-determined boundary of the public school district. Thus, their potential talent pool is larger.

[stevekerr]

well said, i honestly have no idea if he has recruited, there are advantages though like you said

[Former GR Leaguer]

"i am sure throughout rapones coaching career that players were recruited."

"i honestly have no idea if he has recruited"

Look everybody! John Kerry, disguised as SteveKerr, has joined the discussion board.

[stevekerr]

yeah lolz

[TurnTwo]

Apparently John Kerry has the vocabulary of a fourteen year old girl. LOLZ!!!

[shootthe3]

UH...yeah you are Phil.

sorry tj 12 not phil and definately not from kendall

[TJ12]

sorry tj 12 not phil and definately not from kendall

Sorry,my bad.I was thinking of 3ptchampion.

[TurnTwo]

Tony streb's quote upon being hired---"IF IT AINT BROKE DONT FIX IT". sounds like something the school should have thought of before they got rid of coach zambito, the coach of the year his last season. i find this a bit ironic. he was awarded the best coach yet not good enough for elba. a school that has now fallen into a pit of despair and failure. GOOD THINKING ELBA, REAL SMART MOVE. :-)

Obviously the Board felt their personality conflict with Joe was more important than the team's success.

[joeZam1]

And the funny thing is, I never felt like I had a problem with the board. Until I was let go, i thought they liked the job I did..Starting to think their problem wasnt with me, but with my family.....I feel for the kids in elba that share my beliefs, as well as the parents that have supported me and my staff..I really feel awefull, believe it or not, I would love to fix it.:rolleyes:

[collegeballer]

I agree with what every has said about coach rapone, he is a great coach and has accomplished a lot. However I do feel that attica caoch dan west is second in line. Say what you want about how big the school is or whatever, but every year reaches his players in different ways, and changes his coaching stratgies toward his best players and has great success. The one down side is our production, or lack of production in sectionals.

Joe, I hope you are able to get yourself back in to coaching wherever it may be im sure you will be successful.

[boobiemiles]

This year, the best coach in the genesee region was oa coach merrit holly.
THIS YEAR-he was the best.

he took a team who had just lost their best player, possible for the season, and who had expectations of being a .500 team, to one which went 10-0 to start the season. the squad which had been "dismissed by injury-Hilly" to start the season by beating Northstar christian, future sectional champs. big wins over attica(x2), elba, w-c, pembroke, and several other close games helped to show how good of a coach he was this year. whether it was preparation and gameplan to gametimes adjustments and composure, coach holly was the best. he took the team against a great team in ND, which seemed unbeatable at the time, and they gave the greatest half of basketball anybody could ever have, only to have the only flaw in the regular season. Finally the team surged through the playoffs to a team which, to the point invincible, and nearly untouchable to anybody in NYS. An overtime loss to ER was an awful loss to end a great season, as our total loss margin was 7 points on the season

[TopShelf]

This year, the best coach in the genesee region was oa coach merrit holley.
THIS YEAR-he was the best.

he took a team who had just lost their best player, possible for the season, and who had expectations of being a .500 team, to one which went 10-0 to start the season. the squad which had been "dismissed by injury-Hilly" to start the season by beating Northstar christian, future sectional champs. big wins over attica(x2), elba, w-c, pembroke, and several other close games helped to show how good of a coach he was this year. whether it was preparation and gameplan to gametimes adjustments and composure, coach holly was the best. he took the team against a great team in ND, which seemed unbeatable at the time, and they gave the greatest half of basketball anybody could ever have, only to have the only flaw in the regular season. Finally the team surged through the playoffs to a team which, to the point invincible, and nearly untouchable to anybody in NYS. An overtime loss to ER was an awful loss to end a great season, as our total loss margin was 7 points on the season

I can't disagree with that.

[Hoopaholic]

This year, the best coach in the genesee region was oa coach merrit holly.
THIS YEAR-he was the best.

he took a team who had just lost their best player, possible for the season, and who had expectations of being a .500 team, to one which went 10-0 to start the season. the squad which had been "dismissed by injury-Hilly" to start the season by beating Northstar christian, future sectional champs. big wins over attica(x2), elba, w-c, pembroke, and several other close games helped to show how good of a coach he was this year. whether it was preparation and gameplan to gametimes adjustments and composure, coach holly was the best. he took the team against a great team in ND, which seemed unbeatable at the time, and they gave the greatest half of basketball anybody could ever have, only to have the only flaw in the regular season. Finally the team surged through the playoffs to a team which, to the point invincible, and nearly untouchable to anybody in NYS. An overtime loss to ER was an awful loss to end a great season, as our total loss margin was 7 points on the season


You don't just be a good coach one year. He has always been a good coach. Difference is this year was all the intangibles (mainly players). The chemistry and the players really bought into their roles. That's what allowed them to be successful. Not to mention a talented and hardworking group of players. If he went 0-20 next year he'd still be a good coach.

[boobiemiles]

You don't just be a good coach one year. He has always been a good coach. Difference is this year was all the intangibles (mainly players). The chemistry and the players really bought into their roles. That's what allowed them to be successful. Not to mention a talented and hardworking group of players. If he went 0-20 next year he'd still be a good coach.
yeah good point. i'm just saying that this year, he outcoached everybody he went up against, and definately was the best, including being better than rapone this year i believe

[Section5sportsguy]

This year, the best coach in the genesee region was oa coach merrit holly.
THIS YEAR-he was the best.

he took a team who had just lost their best player, possible for the season, and who had expectations of being a .500 team, to one which went 10-0 to start the season. the squad which had been "dismissed by injury-Hilly" to start the season by beating Northstar christian, future sectional champs. big wins over attica(x2), elba, w-c, pembroke, and several other close games helped to show how good of a coach he was this year. whether it was preparation and gameplan to gametimes adjustments and composure, coach holly was the best. he took the team against a great team in ND, which seemed unbeatable at the time, and they gave the greatest half of basketball anybody could ever have, only to have the only flaw in the regular season. Finally the team surged through the playoffs to a team which, to the point invincible, and nearly untouchable to anybody in NYS. An overtime loss to ER was an awful loss to end a great season, as our total loss margin was 7 points on the season

Coach Holly is in my opinion the current best, not all-time best (easily Rapone). I went to a few Oakfield games on top of the times they played Attica, and I have seen firsthand how well he coaches. He lost his most talented player before the season (Davis) and was able to lead a team of role players to a 10-0 mark, and a 20-4? record. Without his star he found a way to turn his role players into one well-oiled machine that was very successful. One can tell coach Holly left his stamp on the team by the tenacious defense they play for 32 minutes and his team concept that made every individual on the squad a key component of success.
There may be an outcry for me saying hes better then Rapone, but Ill give an example: When Attica played Notre Dame, they're defense appeared to be lost and they had no answer to stop Wolfley or even the supporting cast. Oakfield was a different story, as they played some of the best defense I have seen, you could tell Holly had his team well prepared.

[orangefan74]

yeah good point. i'm just saying that this year, he outcoached everybody he went up against, and definately was the best, including being better than rapone this year i believe

Are you crazy? He is a good coach and has always done a nice job. But how can you say he had a better year than coach rapone? Hasn't beat him in 3 years plus head to head and this year his team melted down and blew a 25 point halftime lead to lose! Not to mention the fact he was coaching a team with equal if not better talent. Give him credit but don't lose your mind!

[grallstar12]

i have a lot of respect for both coaches, but i think this one is pretty easy..coach rapone is without a doubt the best in the league

[lancers14te]

Are you crazy? He is a good coach and has always done a nice job. But how can you say he had a better year than coach rapone? Hasn't beat him in 3 years plus head to head and this year his team melted down and blew a 25 point halftime lead to lose! Not to mention the fact he was coaching a team with equal if not better talent. Give him credit but don't lose your mind!

Both great coaches, but i think Rapone gets the slight edge because of the OA game at ND. To come back from 25 takes more than just talent from the players. You need to keep your players calm and confident, and there's no other coach who does it better than Rapone. Take nothing away from Coach Holly though, he's a great coach and did great things in the GR this year, and unfortunatly lost to a great ER team.

[BravesRTops]

Both great coaches, but i think Rapone gets the slight edge because of the OA game at ND. To come back from 25 takes more than just talent from the players. You need to keep your players calm and confident, and there's no other coach who does it better than Rapone. Take nothing away from Coach Holly though, he's a great coach and did great things in the GR this year, and unfortunatly lost to a great ER team.
Very well said. I think if just based on this year alone, Coach Holly was the best coach in the GR's for all the reasons said by Busch. Also congrats to coach Pcionek (sp?) on leading the Lancers to the finals. Very underrated team that hit their stride at the end of the season.

[lancers14te]

Very well said. I think if just based on this year alone, Coach Holly was the best coach in the GR's for all the reasons said by Busch. Also congrats to coach Pcionek (sp?) on leading the Lancers to the finals. Very underrated team that hit their stride at the end of the season.

He did a great job of keeping us aware that we COULD beat a team like ND even though the two times we played them in the regular season obviously showed we had no business doing so. He kept our heads up and he is a huge reason we got to where we got. It was a heck of run and I'll never forget it. If things would have just gone a little better, OA would have been in the same place we were.

[BravesRTops]

He did a great job of keeping us aware that we COULD beat a team like ND even though the two times we played them in the regular season obviously showed we had no business doing so. He kept our heads up and he is a huge reason we got to where we got. It was a heck of run and I'll never forget it. If things would have just gone a little better, OA would have been in the same place we were.
Extremely good post and all of the GR's were cheerin for you guys against Fillmore

[boobiemiles]

Are you crazy? He is a good coach and has always done a nice job. But how can you say he had a better year than coach rapone? Hasn't beat him in 3 years plus head to head and this year his team melted down and blew a 25 point halftime lead to lose! Not to mention the fact he was coaching a team with equal if not better talent. Give him credit but don't lose your mind!
looks like nd lost to a team they beat by 15 points both times before in the season in sectionals... how many schools in ny have beaten er?? thats right. i didn't see the coaching there when elba was making a run in the 4th quarter... the 25 point comeback was the only bad half of basketball holly coached all year... and how many adjustments do you want a coach to make at halftime of a 49-24 game.

[orangefan74]

looks like nd lost to a team they beat by 15 points both times before in the season in sectionals... how many schools in ny have beaten er?? thats right. i didn't see the coaching there when elba was making a run in the 4th quarter... the 25 point comeback was the only bad half of basketball holly coached all year... and how many adjustments do you want a coach to make at halftime of a 49-24 game.

Never said nd could beat ER or that thay should not of beat elba again. But it has been said everywhere that beating a team 3 times is very difficult. Don't compare losing to a team on its third try in the last minute to that epic meltdown by OA at ND. I think coah holly is great and deserves alot of credit - but he had the "horses" this year and should have won alot of games. Talk to me after 28 seasons with not one losing record!

[bcherry8]

Never said nd could beat ER or that thay should not of beat elba again. But it has been said everywhere that beating a team 3 times is very difficult. Don't compare losing to a team on its third try in the last minute to that epic meltdown by OA at ND. I think coah holly is great and deserves alot of credit - but he had the "horses" this year and should have won alot of games. Talk to me after 28 seasons with not one losing record!
I was under the impression that they DID win alot of games. 18 of them to be precise. And, one more than ND.

[boobiemiles]

Never said nd could beat ER or that thay should not of beat elba again. But it has been said everywhere that beating a team 3 times is very difficult. Don't compare losing to a team on its third try in the last minute to that epic meltdown by OA at ND. I think coah holly is great and deserves alot of credit - but he had the "horses" this year and should have won alot of games. Talk to me after 28 seasons with not one losing record!
hahahahahahaha.... you got me....


unless i was talking about who was the best coach in the GR. THIS YEAR... i said that several times. that he was the best coach. THIS YEAR....
28 winning seasons w/o a losing record is great. but i don't understand what your previous records had to do with what you do in one year. at the start of a season every coach is even. what you did in the past is a different topic


ND had the game against elba won but they let the game slip away. People from ND have even told me that a lot of the blame should have been on the coach...

the 25 point comeback game, oakfield still had a chance to win it in the end. the last few minutes of the game, oa held on and fought to keep it a one possession game. everything was there to win, and in all actuallity, oa should have won that game.

With oa down 6 to er late in the 4th quarter, it seemed to be over, but holly got the players composure together and coached like he had been doing all year. they finished by tieing it up at the end. the greatest situation a coach could ask for when coming back against a formidable opponent

in the elba game, nd fell apart in the last few minutes. where the coach is needed more than anything. you could see it in the faces of the players that elba was going to win as soon as they had tied it up. you didn't see anything there to stabilize the players. Elba had all the emotion, and nd wasn't able to fight back into the game, even when they were only down three...


i have no problem saying rapone is the best coach in the GR. but Coach Holly was the best THIS YEAR. as i had emphasized earlier. Had ND lost Bo or francis before the season, do you think they would have had such a hot start as they did?

[sectionvalum]

I think Coach Rapone would agree that Coach Holley did not lose that game. Coach Holley threw everything he had at ND in the second half to stop the bleeding. It was up to his players to step up and close the deal and they couldnt.

[TurnTwo]

I agree 100% with BoobieMiles.

Based on the circumstances and the fact that he was able to pull his team together and win the GR, Coach Holley is a unanimous pick for this year's Genesee Region Coach of the Year.

However, if I'm the A.D. at a school hiring a basketball coach and those two resumes show up on my desk, I take Rapone hands down.

[Section5sportsguy]

I agree 100% with BoobieMiles.

Based on the circumstances and the fact that he was able to pull his team together and win the GR, Coach Holley is a unanimous pick for this year's Genesee Region Coach of the Year.

However, if I'm the A.D. at a school hiring a basketball coach and those two resumes show up on my desk, I take Rapone hands down.

That would be one lucky school. I have not met Coach Holly personally, but I have met Mike Rapone, and he is as classy as they make em' coach wise.

[bcherry8]

hahahahahahaha.... you got me....


unless i was talking about who was the best coach in the GR. THIS YEAR... i said that several times. that he was the best coach. THIS YEAR....
28 winning seasons w/o a losing record is great. but i don't understand what your previous records had to do with what you do in one year. at the start of a season every coach is even. what you did in the past is a different topic


ND had the game against elba won but they let the game slip away. People from ND have even told me that a lot of the blame should have been on the coach...

the 25 point comeback game, oakfield still had a chance to win it in the end. the last few minutes of the game, oa held on and fought to keep it a one possession game. everything was there to win, and in all actuallity, oa should have won that game.

With oa down 6 to er late in the 4th quarter, it seemed to be over, but holly got the players composure together and coached like he had been doing all year. they finished by tieing it up at the end. the greatest situation a coach could ask for when coming back against a formidable opponent

in the elba game, nd fell apart in the last few minutes. where the coach is needed more than anything. you could see it in the faces of the players that elba was going to win as soon as they had tied it up. you didn't see anything there to stabilize the players. Elba had all the emotion, and nd wasn't able to fight back into the game, even when they were only down three...


i have no problem saying rapone is the best coach in the GR. but Coach Holly was the best THIS YEAR. as i had emphasized earlier. Had ND lost Bo or francis before the season, do you think they would have had such a hot start as they did?
Well said. And you keep making me think that you are TopShelf because of the avatar

[Hoopaholic]

That would be one lucky school. I have not met Coach Holly personally, but I have met Mike Rapone, and he is as classy as they make em' coach wise.

Coach Holly is equally as classy

[bcherry8]

Coach Holly is equally as classy
Definitely

[GRbballno1]

I recall a close game that Merritt Holly was coaching when one of his best -- and most "emotional" -- players picked up a technical for being unsportsmanlike to the ref. Merritt sat the kid down for the rest of the game, regardless of the fact that it severely hurt his team's chances of winning. They ended up losing that game, but I gained a great deal of respect for Coach Holly because of that move. Preaching sportsmanship before victory is something that's lost on a lot of people. Definitely a classy guy.

And if Rapone's and Holly's resume' showed up on my desk as AD, I'd fire my whole basketball coaching staff and just take 'em both. Too close to call, they're both excellent. Rapone's just got more years and more titles under his belt.

[bcherry8]

I recall a close game that Merritt Holly was coaching when one of his best -- and most "emotional" -- players picked up a technical for being unsportsmanlike to the ref. Merritt sat the kid down for the rest of the game, regardless of the fact that it severely hurt his team's chances of winning. They ended up losing that game, but I gained a great deal of respect for Coach Holly because of that move. Preaching sportsmanship before victory is something that's lost on a lot of people. Definitely a classy guy.

And if Rapone's and Holly's resume' showed up on my desk as AD, I'd fire my whole basketball coaching staff and just take 'em both. Too close to call, they're both excellent. Rapone's just got more years and more titles under his belt.
What game was that? Im not in basketball mode anymore, lol

[GRbballno1]

Not this season. All I recall was that it was a home game for Oakfield. And I do remember the player, but I won't mention him for the sake of the integrity of the board.

[boobiemiles]

haha it was probably molaro... he managed to get t'd up almost every week

if it has been in the past three years... we have lost 4 home games in the last 3 years

3 were not close. i wasn't at the one 3 years ago which we lost, and i don't remember the team

[GRbballno1]

Who were the three that weren't close? Maybe I'm not recalling correctly.

[boobiemiles]

Who were the three that weren't close? Maybe I'm not recalling correctly.
this year we didn't lose at home
last year was like a 10 point game the whole way against nd
two years ago we got blown out by elba, and lost by like 15 to ND, and another loss that i can never remember. it was a 1 point game i think, i wasn't there

[sectionvalum]

I agree that coach Holley is a very good coach. However, it seems that he doesn't always have the killer instinct to bury a team and put the game out of reach. For instance, at Bergen OA was up 18 when he dumped the bench in the second quarter. That resulted in a huge run putting Bergen in a position to win. I understand that everybody on the team should play but this is varsity. Kids should understand that they might not play all the time at that level.

[GRbballno1]

Must've been one of the two ND games, it wasn't a blowout.

[BravesRTops]

I recall a close game that Merritt Holly was coaching when one of his best -- and most "emotional" -- players picked up a technical for being unsportsmanlike to the ref. Merritt sat the kid down for the rest of the game, regardless of the fact that it severely hurt his team's chances of winning. They ended up losing that game, but I gained a great deal of respect for Coach Holly because of that move. Preaching sportsmanship before victory is something that's lost on a lot of people. Definitely a classy guy.

And if Rapone's and Holly's resume' showed up on my desk as AD, I'd fire my whole basketball coaching staff and just take 'em both. Too close to call, they're both excellent. Rapone's just got more years and more titles under his belt.
It was jason Kirkum, the infamous stupid and selfish day