Photos: 2022 All-WNY boys basketball large and small schools first teams
Meet the 2022 All-Western New York large and small schools first teams in boys basketball as selected by The Buffalo News with input from coaches and basketball observers. Canisius' Declan Ryan is the Allen Wilson Buffalo News Player of the Year.
Declan Ryan
Canisius high school basketball player Declan Ryan has been named the Allen Wilson Buffalo News Player of the Year.
Declan Ryan
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Declan Ryan had a dominant season, averaging 20.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He was named the Class A state player of the year.
Declan Ryan
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Canisius star Declan Ryan led the Crusaders to the Manhattan Cup and the state Catholic High School Athletic Association Class A championship.
Max Schneider
Max Schneider, Williamsville East, 5-9 senior guard: One of the best in the area with the ball. Schneider beat defenders with his speed or he would casually take a deep a 3-pointer. He averaged 27.1 points (second in Section VI), 7.2 assists and 4.3 steals per game.
Max Schneider
LARGE SCHOOLS: Max Schneider, Williamsville East, 5-9 senior guard: Holds the Flames’ records in career points (1,737), assists (586), steals (270), and 3-pointers (192). Not only is he first-team All-WNY, but if there were an All-Heart team, he’d be first team as well with how dedicated he is on the court. Schneider will continue his basketball career at The College of Saint Rose.
Seth Joba
LARGE SCHOOLS: Seth Joba, Orchard Park, 6-7 senior center: Even at 6-foot-7, he wasn’t just size on the court. He displayed athleticism and skill as well. He put up 16.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and four blocks per game, and was named the ECIC I Player of the Year and first-team All-ECIC. He had 12 double-doubles and four games of 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Seth Joba
LARGE SCHOOLS: Seth Joba, Orchard Park, 6-7 senior center: Season high was 33 points against Sweet Home. He plans to spend next season as a post-graduate at Bridgton Academy (Maine). He has Division I offers from Canisius College and Monmouth University.
Justin Glover
LARGE SCHOOLS: Justin Glover, St. Joseph’s, 5-9 senior guard: One of the most impressive talents in Western New York, from his deep shooting range to his crafty handles. He plays the game with a calm demeanor, and averaged 18.8 points, 5.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds and three steals.
Justin Glover
LARGE SCHOOLS: Justin Glover, St. Joseph’s, 5-9 senior guard: Leaves the Marauders as their all-time leader in assists, steals and 3-pointers, and is third in scoring. He has signed with Daemen College.
Shane Cercone
LARGE SCHOOLS: Shane Cercone, Canisius, 6-3 junior guard: He occasionally wore a Batman mask before and after games, and it was fitting because on the court, Cercone was the Crusaders’, well, caped crusader. He averaged 20 points and nine rebounds and scored his 1,000th point during the season.
Shane Cercone
LARGE SCHOOLS: Shane Cercone, Canisius, 6-3 junior guard: First-team All-Catholic, a two-time Monsignor Martin champion and a Class A Catholic state champion. He has Division I offers from the University at Albany and Fairfield University.
Nick Moore
LARGE SCHOOLS: Nick Moore, Amherst, 6-1 junior guard: Was the Tigers’ man during their historic regular season. He averaged 16.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.9 steals per game, and had nine 20-point games and five double-doubles. He scored 20 points and made a key defensive play in Amherst’s victory against Health Sciences in the Class A2 final, the Tigers’ first sectional title since 2017. His play led Amherst to a 23-3 record, including a 16-game win streak, and an appearance in the Class A state semifinals.
Nick Moore
LARGE SCHOOLS: Nick Moore, Amherst, 6-1 junior guard: His play led Amherst to a 23-3 record, including a 16-game win streak, and an appearance in the Class A state semifinals.
Kevin Thompson
SMALL SCHOOLS: Kevin Thompson, Bishop Timon, 6-4 senior guard: Averaged 20.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.5 blocks (led Monsignor Martin) and 2.1 steals. Led Timon to the Manhattan Cup final and eclipsed 1,000 career points.
Kevin Thompson
SMALL SCHOOLS: Kevin Thompson, Bishop Timon, 12: Will continue his basketball career at D’Youville University. The top moments from his career include winning the 2020 Class B Monsignor Martin championship and scoring a career-high 35 points against St. Joseph’s.
Declan Ryan and Massimo Moretti
SMALL SCHOOLS: Massimo Moretti, St. Mary’s, 6-9 senior forward/center: After moving from Naples, Italy, to Lancaster, Moretti dominated on the basketball court and helped the Lancers win the Class B Catholic state championship. An All-Catholic first-team selecction, he averaged 21.4 points, 14.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks while shooting 60% from the field and 44% from 3-point territory. He led the Monsignor Martin in rebounds (359) and double-doubles (19). He said his top moment was posting 34 points and 28 rebounds against Nichols.
Massimo Moretti and Declan Ryan
SMALL SCHOOLS: Massimo Moretti (right), St. Mary’s, 6-9 senior forward/center: He led the Monsignor Martin in rebounds (359) and double-doubles (19). He said his top moment was posting 34 points and 28 rebounds against Nichols.
Lucus Brown
SMALL SCHOOLS: Lucus Brown, Salamanca, 6-1 sophomore guard: Whether it was with his deep shooting range or his ability to slash to the basket, Brown was able to score in the flow of the offense. He averaged 21.2 points per game to go along with 5.5 rebounds and four steals as he led the Warriors to their first Class C state semifinal and their first sectional title since 1968. He had 10 games of 20 or more points and an average of 29.3 points per game in final three postseason games. He was named to the all-state first team in Class C.
Lucus Brown
SMALL SCHOOLS: Lucus Brown, Salamanca, 6-1 sophomore guard: Had 10 games of 20 or more points and an average of 29.3 points per game in final three postseason games. He was named to the all-state first team in Class C.
Nick Whitfield
SMALL SCHOOLS: Nick Whitfield, Fredonia, 6-5 senior forward: Although he’s committed to play quarterback for St. Francis (Pa.), he also was impressive on the basketball court in one of WNY’s most competitive leagues. The CCAA Division I West Player of the Year, he averaged 23.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.6 blocks.
Nick Whitfield
SMALL SCHOOLS: Nick Whitfield, Fredonia, 6-5 senior forward: His top moments of the season include scoring 48 points versus Dunkirk and reaching 1,000 career points. Was named to the Class C all-state first team in football.
Tyler Curran
SMALL SCHOOLS: Tyler Curran, Allegany-Limestone, 6-2 senior guard: Led the Gators on an impressive run as underdogs to the Class C state semifinal, the program’s best playoff performance in school history. He averaged 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. His favorite moments were the state semifinal appearance, along with beating Olean in the Class B final after losing to the Huskies three times this season, and winning three sectional titles. He’ll attend St. Bonaventure, where his dad, Steve, is an associate men’s basketball coach.
Tyler Curran
SMALL SCHOOLS: Tyler Curran, Allegany-Limestone, 6-2 senior guard: His favorite moments were the state semifinal appearance, along with beating Olean in the Class B final after losing to the Huskies three times this season, and winning three sectional titles. He’ll attend St. Bonaventure, where his dad, Steve, is an associate men’s basketball coach.
Harry Scull Jr.
Staff Photographer
I'm a Springville native, a Buffalo State graduate, an award-winning photojournalist. I've been with The Buffalo News since 1996. I'm passionate about covering high school sports and music.
Here is the annual All-Western New York boys basketball teams as selected by The Buffalo News with input from coaches and basketball evaluator…
He joins Darren Fenn in 1997, Adam Weir in 2013 and Stafford Trueheart in 2016 as Crusaders who have won Western New York’s most prestigious boys basketball honor.
All-WNY teams selected by The Buffalo News with input from coaches and talent evaluators. Teams in each league selected by coaches in each league.
Here are the All-Western New York boys basketball small schools second and third teams as selected by The Buffalo News with input from area coaches and talent evaluators.