2007-2008

[The1andONLY51]

How does section v look for the upcoming year?

[DrewVT6]

I don't see the favorites changing in AAA(R-H, East, Fairport) or AA(Athena, McQuaid) or A where Aquinas would have to be a pretty heavy favorite again.

BB (or is it B2 this year?) I don't see anyone able to stop Charlotte unless they get into some off court issues.

B is a toss up as usual.

With the combination of the C classes into C1 and C2 and with Campbell-Savona's upheaval it should make things pretty interesting.

In D, with Finney graduating 98% of their scoring from the past season and with Whitesville losing their big two it should make for a wide open race.

[UNCTarheels]

What do you mean by Campbell-Savona's Upheaval? Could you clarify what you mean by that?

[UNCTarheels]

AA Level 1

Fairport-Kevin Downey & Co. The Developement of 6'7" Center Mark Bertucci will help decide Fairports fate in the end.

Rush-Henrietta -Dane Miller is the go to guy if he gets some help from the Supporting cast they could win Sectionals.

AA Level 2

East-High-Norman Simmons, 6'10 Jazz Huffman, Bobby Bell & Ruben Balkum all return for their senior year and should lead East to a Sectional title. With all this "Fire Power" they should challenge R-H or Fairport for the overall title. Balkum has been getting postive remarks from recruiting websites on his play this summer.

A Level 1

Franklin-Last years success should carry over to this year, with 8 guys scheduled to return from last year, they should win Sectionals.

A Level 2

The most competitive of the two classes with all 8 schools having successful Basketball programs in recent years.

Newark-6 guys back from last season led by Tyshaun Stephens

Aquinas -10 guys back from last season Sectional Title team, led by Tim Crilly, Jonathan Jones & Nick Piccone along with Todd Wingate & Tyler Patterson. The Little Irish are probably the favorite in this class.

Batavia-under acheived last season, hoping to rebound this season led by Mike Hoy & improving 6'6" 230 lbs Big man Bryan "Big Daddy" Anderson

Geneva, Marshall, Pal-MAC & S.O.T.A were all hit hard by graduation especially S.O.T.A & Marshall, so this is a rebuilding year for those schools

Class BB

Charlotte -Loaded with Talent, all of it returning should get back to regionals led by Terrell Moore 6'1" 224 lbs, Jordan Major, Gerald Williams and big man 6'6" Theo Smith, Junior Guard Sonny Elliot is very fast and a good ball handler.

Freddie Thomas -Tons of talent if they can put it all together and play as a team and stay on the court, last year was marred by academic problems. Guards Saquan Moore, Terrance Finley, Tyrone Wilcox & Nate Dukes can all score in bunches and are very fast. Lack of Defense and Lack of size could come into play again and prevent them from advancing very far into sectionals.

Hornell-New coach, same story: Alot of talent, Ryne Hunt, Steve Smith, Jordan Blades & D.J Schwartz are the leaders, Hunt has the ability to score and should increase his PPG this year. Schwartz steps into the leader role and he too can score in bunches. Junior Kyle Murphy up from J.V's will move into the point guard role and is a solid "Floor General". Not sure if they have the Athletic Ability to stay with Charlotte but I wouldn't take them lightly.

Class B

Wellsville-is this the year they finally win Sectionals? I think they've made 5 straight trips to the sectional finals but have come up empty handed every time. A lot of talent returns, Jr. Point guard Tom Hennessy, 6'3" James Braunscheidel, 6'7" Alan Ackley & Ethan Kalkhof are the Main Weapons but several younger players are up from J.V's and looking to help out.

Bishop-Kearney-Two time defending champion, lost there best player and scoring Champ Anthony Terry but the Well isn't dry so to speak, 10 guys return from last years sectional title team, It's very likely we'll see a Wellsville/Kearney Championship game for the 3rd straight year.

Class CC

Campbell-Savona-In Campbell they don't rebuild they "Reload" and although 6'7" Big man Zach Simpson & "all Everything" guard Will Cornett graduated theres plenty of talent left in the tank. Seniors Camden Wright & Maynard Crane will take over the leadership duties vacated by Cornett & Sean Mourhess. Wright & Crane will be counted on to take over the scoring duties as well, Wright proved last year in the Prattsburgh series that he's capable of scoring points when needed. Crane has the ability to score 15-20 ppg if he needs to, in the past theres been other guys that score and he did the dirty work, now it's his turn to score. Junior Adam Matula up from J.V's is a speedy guard who can score he may run the point. Other key returnees will be Shooter Tim Parker, 6'5" Senior Josh Poplaski & Bruising Forward Trevor Thompson. Juniors Nate Smalt & Tom Overhiser both big forwards will also help down low. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see C-S in the Sectional Finals again, they just might have to work for it a little harder than they've had to in the past. They can't take anyone for granted and have to keep working hard everyday in practice.

Lyons -always very good, only returns 5 players from last years squad, but it's very likely they have some talented J.V Kids coming up.

East-Rochester-Talented backcourt returns with Sean Michele & Anthony Danizio both returning, they don't bring back much size but all together have 10 guys set to return from last season.

Perry-Could be a rebuilding year as star Guard Gary Kwiecien graduated and they only bring back 5 players from last season.

Oakfield-Alabama-Team to keep an eye on, they bring back 8 players total led by scoring threat James Davis. Lack of size could come into play during sectionals, unless they have a big man coming up from J.V's

Letchworth-coming off their runner up finish last year, Talented Big Man Derek Buttles graduated but they do get a few key players back, led by 6'4 Brent Owens & Guard Travis Tones Letchworth should remain competitive.

Class C

No clear cut favorite in this class, should be "Wide Open"

Bolivar-Richburg-7 players return from the runner up team last season in this class. Led by Guards Nate Shively & Caleb Pruch B-R could emerge as the favorite, Lack of size could hinder them.

Clyde-Savannah-Potentially the most talented team in the classification, however potential doesn't win games. Guards Corey Hall & Marty McKinney have proven they can score but unfortunately have proven they don't like to play defense either. Forward Dennis Mckinney 6'4" & Center William Robertson 6'7" 190 lbs both return as well. Sophomore Bryant Fischer is another potential star. all together 9 players return from last season.

Red Jacket-Reigning Sectional Champs, lost quite a bit of talent but have some good kids returning, Scott Walker and Sean Sutton will be the leaders. Could be a "Dark Horse" come sectional time.

Harley Allendale-Columbia-Another team full of potential, 6'6" Big Man Anthony "A-Train" Simmons is a potential P.O.Y if he decides to play up to his potential. Guards Santino Cinotti & Jonathan Benjamin are both capable of taking over games. If Coach Gibbs can get these guys to play together and play defense they could win sectionals.

Class DD

Elba- "Twin Towers" Casey Hoover 6'5" & Ian Woodworth 6'5" form an intimidating frontcourt, with guard Rocco Zambito and Co. Elba could be in the hunt for a sectional title.

Notre-Dame-Early Favorite in most "Experts" eyes, with 9 players back and a couple of players up from J.V. Christian Bochicchio 6'3", Mike Teresi 6'4", Zach Kraus 6'3" & Inel Duverson 6'3" Notre-Dame is going to be rather big, Kevin Francis & John Whelehan return to lead the Backcourt, Notre-Dame could be in the hunt for a sectional title for the first time in a long time.

Jasper-Troupsburg-Fast, guard oriented team with 5 guys who can shoot, that's J-T Basketball. A dangerous team with Guards Caleb Drake, Ryan Hadley& Connor Thomas. Undersized forwards Randy Graham 6'0" & Jim Willis 6'0" also return. 6'3" Sophomore Brennan Thurber may start the year on Varsity.

Class D

Prattsburgh -Lost Big men Eli Applebaum & Patrick Wright to Graduation along with Rebounding Forward Jake Socola & Shooter Kyle Parker, but Floor General Wade Fuller returns for his senior year and may have to score a few more points than he's accustomed to. Seniors Doug Lewis 6'3" & Marshall Stanley 6'3" will take over the frontcourt and have been working hard this summer to improve. Senior Logan Wheeler will be counted on to provide leadership and do the dirty work. Sophomore Garrett Parker will be asked to take over his brothers duties of hitting key threes and provide some depth at the guard position. Juniors Brandon Smith & Ryan Caron will provide depth coming off the bench.

Northstar Christian -6'4" Muscular forward Jaanai Beckford returns to try and win that elusive sectional title, after two straight runner up finishes. Guards Dave Valle & Alex Dell'Aiera return to help Beckford in his quest. Beefing up the schedule a little would help.

Geneva DeSales -Brendan Costello will lead the way, the 6'1 Junior guard will be in his 3rd full season with the Saints and can score. If he gets some help from the supporting cast, the Saints could be in the hunt.

Houghton-Young talented team that could surprise some people, Sophomores Jake Merril & Jimmy Estruch are part of the youth movement. Seniors Trent Shatto & Michael Williams will provide leadership and Shatto can score. 6'4" Matt Conklin is the big man and 6'0" Greg Wright is a solid forward. Although they probably won't blow anyone out this is a "Up and Comer" that could be a Sleeper.

Whitesville-Always a contender, they lost 7 Seniors including Class D Player of the year and 1st team all state pick, Dan Heisey. Along with Kyle Brubaker. Guards Brett Stevens & Coley Lewis-Ellison will try to emulate Heisey & Brubaker. Not sure what they have coming up from J.V's but Whitesville at least on paper looks to be rebuilding.

[DrewVT6]

In AA, you can't forget Athena. They came on strong at the end of last year and this year led by 6'7 Brian Benson, they'll be a tough team to beat.

I really hope that the guys for East keep it together off the court because they have so much potential as a team. If they can get their academics in order and keep their nose out of the wrong business they have the potential to make a good run in the state tournament. They just have so much size and athleticism along with a great coach.

In DD, Elba will be a contender IF and only IF they get guard play.

As for Campbell-Savona's upheaval, I meant their almost complete turnover in talent from the team that won states. They are one of the teams however, that you expect to win no matter who's in the starting 5 based on great coaching. They just aren't going to dominate teams like they have the past 4-5 years. Since they're not head and shoulders better than the rest it should really opens things up in the C2 classification.

[sflcards45]

Don't sleep on Canisteo-Greenwood. The Ryan twins are both athletic and can play inside and out. They have a point guard - think his name is Wallace - who is pretty quick. Shoots a little floater in the lane, athletic. Don't know about their outside shooting, but they could give people a scare.

As for the turnover at C-S, I gotta agree with UNC. C-S has made it to 6 straight sectional finals, and it seems as though every year there are whispers that they can't overcome losing the latest crop of seniors. But it's the system that works, and the kids buy into it. Crane certainly has the ability to take over offensively when he wants to - it's a matter of keeping it together mentally for him. They have better outside shooting this year than last year - Wright, Matula, and Parker can all hurt you from deep. They aren't going to have a dominant post, but their bigs are hard working - Overheiser is borderline crazy and will go all out on every play. Smalt has a good build. And Poplaski is by far the most improved kid in the program. He was getting raves from college coaches at our camp last week.

[oldschoolball8888]

I think Elba, N-D, J-T, and GV are the top 4 teams.

[DSport]

Although Prattsburgh lost a lot of height, They gained some shooting and depth. It will be nice to have more then one option from outside. I think their defence will be tough if they press a lot. They have several fast guys to compliment Fuller this year.

[RCfan32]

Class CC should be interesting, yes East Rochester returns 2 solid guards, but they are small, Campbell is always a powerhouse, Lyons is known for its talented athletes, but only returns 5 players from last year. Marion a tough one last year only returns 2 players. Red Creek brings back all the athleticism, and talent. Plagued by coaching difficulties this group of 10 returning players will be dangerous (if their new coach can get them set off right) thats 5 different coaches in 5 different years for these young boys. Have both size and speed, it will be fun to watch them. Gananda also had a very strong season last year, but what can they do with the loss of their 4 best players last year? Letchworth is a very solid team and with great success last year should be looking to do the same returning Brent Owens and many others. O-A was also solid last year, good inside - outside game but graduated many players, and James Davis seems to be overrated in my eyes after seeing how O-A barely beet RC last year. With all that said Class CC should be very interesting this year.

[Blackburn11]

Considering other teams yes ER is small. But they have 4 interchangable big men ranging from 6'1 to 6'3 all who have the ability to play bigger than they really are. I'm expecting big things out of their big men to go along with Danizo and Michele's tandum.