Prep Talk

All-Western New York players say thanks to the people who help them on and off the court.

By Keith McShea

It's a BIG week for us here as we prepare for Saturday's annual All-Western New York basketball issue.

Here's a look at some key upcoming dates:

Friday: As we did during football season, we will have a special digital tipoff to the All-WNY festivities. Lauren Mariacher and I will host a special PrepTalkTV episode in which we will reveal the first team selections in boys and girls basketball. It will first air at 11:30 a.m. at buffalonews.com (following the Bucky & Sully Show and GustoTV) and will be available throughout the day.

Saturday: The complete 55th annual All-WNY boys basketball team and complete 33rd annual All-WNY girls basketball team will be unveiled, as will The News Players of the Year, in our special keepsake edition.

The All-Western New York edition will again feature a wraparound poster page cover and will also include the final poll winners, the all-league teams from every division in Western New York, the all-time WNY basketball teams and scoring leaders, and more.

Here's a look at last year's wraparound cover poster page, which was taken at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery (our apologies, some of the links are outdated).

Here are all top 40 All-WNY players introducing themselves in a video released Saturday:

Wednesday, April 10: I will discuss this year's team and our selection of it as well as our special issue in a live chat at 9 p.m. Along with the post-All-WNY football chat, it is usually one of our most lively discussions of the year. 

Monday, April 15: The second annual Prep Talk/BCANY boys basketball banquet will be held from 6-9 p.m. at Ilio DiPaolo's Restaurant, 3785 South Park Ave., Blasdell 14219.

Honored will be the Allen Wilson Player of the Year, the entire All-WNY team and many other players, as well as the Basketball Coaches Association of New York Western New York chapter's coaches of the year. Honorees have been contacted or will be in the coming days.

Tickets to the event are $20 ($18 for BCANY members) and can be reserved by forwarding payment (make checks out to BCANY) by April 10 to Al Monaco, 1956 Hanley Drive, Lake View, 14085; after April 10, email amonaco@williamsvillek12.org or kmcshea@buffnews.com for information.

The event is supported by The Buffalo News, BCANY, ADPRO Sports, Ilio DiPaolo's Restaurant and UNYTS.

Other businesses or associations who are interested in sponsoring the event or taking out ads in the special souvenir program should email me at kmcshea@buffnews.com.

St. Joe's players and coaches celebrate the big win.

Read Miguel Rodriguez's story on Super Monday's championship games here.

Niagara-Wheatfield players celebrate their win in the locker room after the game.

Read Miguel Rodriguez's story on Super Monday's championship games here.

St. Joe's Klapp leads the Marauders to the Niagara Cup.

Read Miguel Rodriguez's story on Super Monday's championship games here.

Niagara-Wheatfield won its second straight Section VI Division I (large school) hockey title by beating Clarence 7-2.

Read Miguel Rodriguez's story on Super Monday's championship games here.

A strong performance by junior Ryan Funk helped Clarence beat Lockport to advance to the semifinals at Buffalo State.

Read about the game and other key games from the busy Quarterfinal Friday in our report for Saturday's paper.

Williamsville East defeats Hamburg and West Seneca West beats Sweet Home to advance to the Section VI Division II championship on Super Monday.

Read more about Tuesday's hockey action in our report for Wednesday's paper.

Bishop Timon-St. Jude celebrates 4-3 win over Canisius and looks to the championship game against St. Joe's Monday at First Niagara Center.

Read more about Tuesday's hockey action in our report for Wednesday's paper.

Watch Mark Mulville's video report of Canisius' 72-60 victory over St. Joe's to close out the Monsignor Martin Association regular season .

Read more about the game in our game report from Sunday's News.