15 hours Ago
Lindsay Kramer | [email protected] Syracuse, N.Y.
— Syracuse.com ‘s All-CNY small school boys basketball team features all-stars who had all the right moves during the 2024-25 season. There are four player of the year finalists: Nolan Brunelle of Jordan-Elbridge, Tucker Burnett of Marcellus, Miles Nelen of Cooperstown and Jackson Ruane of Waterville.
The winner will be revealed at syracuse.com ‘s | The Post Standard’s annual All-CNY Sports Awards presented by Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists . The show begins at 6 p.
m., Tuesday, June 24, 2025, inside the Liverpool High School Auditorium. More details can be found here .
Here are the 2024-25 All-CNY small school boys basketball players. All-Central New York boys basketball all-star Drew Baker of Hamilton at the 2024-25 winter All-CNY photo shoot at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.Y.
on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Lia Garnes | Contributing photographer) Lia Garnes Name: Drew Baker School: Hamilton Class: Senior Position: Center What’s next for you? Going to St. Lawrence to continue my education and basketball career.
Who inspires you? Lawrence Moten gave me a lot of great personal advice and I love his game. What is your favorite memory from this season? Hitting my 1,000th point on Valentine’s Day. We honored my coach, which was really cool, and we beat a team that we had narrowly lost to earlier in the season.
What is your favorite quote from your favorite sports movie? “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” — Timo Cruz.
I’ve always liked “Coach Carter,” and this monologue is awesome. If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? Mr. Fantastic from the “Fantastic Four.
” He’s going to get all my boards and lock up on defense. All-Central New York boys basketball all-star Ben Bianco of Cazenovia. Lia Garnes | Contributing photographer Name: Ben Bianco School: Cazenovia Class: Senior Position: Point guard What’s next for you? Lacrosse Who inspires you? My parents.
They’ve worked extremely hard their whole lives and I’m able to do great things in life because of that hard work. What is your favorite memory from this season? My last home game ever. We beat Jordan Elbridge at home in sectionals.
If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? Batman. He has two personalities and knows when to focus. All-Central New York boys basketball all-star Landon Bregou of Faith Heritage.
Rich Barnes | Contributing photographer Name: Landon Bregou School: Faith Heritage Class: Junior Position: Small forward What’s next for you? College basketball Who inspires you? My dad, because he always pushes me to be my best and reach for my full potential, but at the end of the day, he never puts any pressure on me and lets me walk out onto the court and just play the game I love. What is your favorite memory from this season? Beating undefeated Oriskany on the road. What is your favorite quote from your favorite sports movie? “It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.
” — “Rocky” If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? The Hulk, because our two-man post game would be unstoppable. All-Central New Yorkboys basketballall-starNolan Brunelle ofJordan-Elbridge at the 2024-25 winter All-CNY photo shoot at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.Y.
on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Lia Garnes | Contributing photographer) Lia Garnes Name: Nolan Brunelle School: Jordan-Elbridge Class: Junior Position: Guard What’s next for you? Currently, I am heading into baseball season while continuing to get shots up in the gym. Who inspires you? I’d say my parents, brother, family and friends.
Knowing that they push me to be the best I can every day while also supporting me only makes me want to work harder and succeed in things that I do. What is your favorite memory from this season? One of my favorite memories from this season had to have been breaking the all-time leading scoring record. Many people might think that this night was all about the points but in reality, seeing my community, friends and family all come together was by far the best part.
Knowing I accomplished something for my school was truly a great feeling. What is your favorite quote from your favorite sports movie? “When you are not practicing, someone else is getting better.” — Allen Iverson.
This quote shows there is always time to put in extra and if you want it you can go get it. If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? Swiper the Fox from “Dora the Explorer.” Lockdown defense.
All-Central New York boys basketball all-star Tucker Burnett of Marcellus at the 2024-25 winter All-CNY photo shoot at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.Y. on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
(Robert Grossman | Contributing photographer) (Robert Grossman | Contributing photographer) Name: Tucker Burnett School: Marcellus Class: Junior Position: Point guard What’s next for you? Travel basketball this spring and summer with Hoop Roots, then back for my senior year at Marcellus. Who inspires you? My parents. Both my mom and dad have been so supportive and encouraging in all my years playing basketball.
They understand my passion and I can’t thank them enough. What is your favorite memory from this season? Winning our school’s first-ever basketball state championship. It is something all of us will have for the rest of our lives.
I won’t ever forget our team and what we accomplished. It’s unexplainable. I can’t explain it.
What is your favorite quote from your favorite sports movie? “I wanted to win, but I wanted my teammates to win and be a part of that as well.“ ― Michael Jordan, in “The Last Dance.” MJ’s mindset has always fascinated me, and his dedication and desire to win are something I admire.
If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? Lightning McQueen. He’s got the competitiveness, or the drive, for winning. I need that from a teammate and he’d run the floor well too.
All-Central New York boys basketball all-star Jacob Burns of Madison at the 2024-25 winter All-CNY photo shoot at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.Y. on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
(Lia Garnes | Contributing photographer) Lia Garnes Name: Jacob Burns School: Madison Class: Senior Position: Point guard/shooting guard What’s next for you? College Who inspires you? My grandpa for helping introduce me to the game and my dad for training me and being my coach. What is your favorite memory from this season? Winning at South Lewis vs. DeRuyter.
What is your favorite quote from your favorite sports movie? “If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball,” from “Dodgeball.” If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? Toothless from “How to Train Your Dragon” because I would ride him and fly. All-Central New Yorkboys basketballall-starMarcus CastineofSackets Harbor at the 2024-25 winter All-CNY photo shoot at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.
Y. on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Lia Garnes | Contributing photographer) Lia Garnes Name: Marcus Castine School: Sackets Harbor Class: Senior Position: Guard What’s next for you? College Who inspires you? My brother had inspired me to play basketball because he passed away last summer and before that, he told me that I was going to go places with this, and to chase my dreams.
So here I am. What is your favorite memory from this season? Going to Binghamton for the final four because the whole time we were down there, it just felt like a time you couldn’t forget, everybody having fun, creating memories. And for us to make it to the final four back-to-back, we were just blessed to be there.
What is your favorite quote from your favorite sports movie? “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
” This is my favorite quote because it really speaks to the common human that we are constantly underestimating ourselves and always have fear of our potential. If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? I’d probably say Kobe because he knew the game and was a great teammate. All-Central New York boys basketball all-star Carter Cookinham of Poland at the 2024-25 winter All-CNY photo shoot at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.
Y. on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Robert Grossman | Contributing photographer) (Robert Grossman | Contributing photographer) Name: Carter Cookinham School: Poland Class: Senior Position: Point guard What’s next for you? Baseball season Who inspires you? My sister Logan, because I always looked up to her and tried to be better than her.
What is your favorite memory from this season? When we beat Town of Webb in overtime. We hit a buzzer-beater to send the game to overtime and win the game. What is your favorite quote from your favorite sports movie? “If you ain’t first, you’re last.
” — Ricky Bobby. It is a very competitive quote that I relate to because I am very competitive. If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? Jackie Moon.
He seems like a fun guy to be around and he will bring the team alive. All-Central New York boys basketball all-star Mitchell Donegan of Marcellus at the 2024-25 winter All-CNY photo shoot at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.Y.
on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Lia Garnes | Contributing photographer) Lia Garnes Name: Mitchell Donegan School: Marcellus Class: Senior Position: Guard What’s next for you? Playing football at St. Lawrence.
Who inspires you? My family has inspired me the most in my sport because they motivate me to be the best version of myself. My family never misses a game of mine, which also pushes me to play as hard as I can every single night. What is your favorite memory from this season? My favorite memory from this season was winning the state championship.
This is a memory I will never forget and I will always cherish it. Not many people can say they are state champions, and I’m so grateful to have that with this group. What is your favorite quote from your favorite sports movie? “All I wanna do is go the distance.
” — Rocky Balboa. This is my favorite quote because it shows how you should value the journey and the lessons you learn along the way. If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? I would want Anakin Skywalker as my teammate because he would be very loyal to our team.
Also, he hates to lose. If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? Air Bud because he plays good defense. All-Central New York boys basketball all-star Justin LaMunion of Madison at the 2024-25 winter All-CNY photo shoot at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.
Y. on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Lia Garnes | Contributing photographer) Lia Garnes Name: Justin LaMunion School: Madison Class: Junior Position: Center What’s next for you? College Who inspires you? My father.
He’s always pushing me so I can get better. What is your favorite memory from this season? Making it to OCC for the Section III Class D finals. If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? Spider-Man All-Central New York boys basketball all-star Miles Nelen of Cooperstown.
Mark DiOrio | Contributing photo Name: Miles Nelen School: Cooperstown Class: Junior Position: Point guard What’s next for you? AAU basketball Who inspires you? My cousin Tyler Bertram What is your favorite memory from this season? Winning sectionals If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? My teammates Christian Lawson, Jackson Crisman, Ben Lewis, Brody Murdock and Cooper Coleman are good enough. All-Central New York boys basketball all-star Jackson Ruane of Waterville. Lia Garnes | Contributing photographer Name: Jackson Ruane School: Waterville Class: Senior Position: Guard What’s next for you? Attending Utica University and playing basketball.
Who inspires you? I would say my Dad. He was the one who introduced me to this sport and he has been alongside me the whole way. Also, he has been my high school head coach for the last two years.
What is your favorite memory from this season? Scoring my 1,000th point. It was a really cool experience and I’m just glad I could do something that will be in the record books. What is your favorite quote from your favorite sports movie? “It ain’t about how hard you hit.
It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.
” — “Rocky.” I looked back at this quote frequently throughout the season and it helped me to stay motivated even when things were tough. If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? I would want to have the Hulk as a teammate.
He would dominate the paint and I could just throw lobs to him. Also, he would be crazy on defense. All-Central New York boys basketball all-star Dom Sandy of Marcellus at the 2024-25 winter All-CNY photo shoot at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.
Y. on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Lia Garnes | Contributing photographer) Lia Garnes Name: Dom Sandy School: Marcellus Class: Junior Position: Center What’s next for you? Travel basketball Who inspires you? LeBron James because he is the GOAT.
What is your favorite memory from this season? Going to the team dinner after games. Getting food with the team after a win is always a good experience. What is your favorite quote from your favorite sports movie? “Obsession is gonna beat talent every time.
” — “Hustle.” This is my favorite quote because it mentions how consistency is key. All-Central New York boys basketball all-star Garrett Thompson of Tully.
(Dennis Nett | [email protected]) dennis nett | [email protected] Name: Garrett Thompson School: Tully Class: Senior Position: Guard What’s next for you? College Who inspires you? I would say my parents and my grandpa inspired me the most in basketball.
My parents made my journey of basketball possible for me. They took the extra time out and took me to camps, tournaments, etc, to get better. My grandpa was the one who started my journey by buying a basketball for me at a garage sale when I was little and I’ll always remember that.
What is your favorite memory from this season? Winning a very tough game at Sackets Harbor while being in foul trouble and the team overcoming adversity. I’ll also remember coach getting a tech during the game, and after we all went to Chipotle. What is your favorite quote from your favorite sports movie? “I don’t play defense” — Bill Murray.
I like the quote because I find it funny and the movie is also really good. If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? Peter Griffin, because “Family Guy” is my favorite show to watch and I think we would have great chemistry as teammates. All-Central New York boys basketball all-star Howard Wright of Onondaga Central at the 2024-25 winter All-CNY photo shoot at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.
Y. on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Lia Garnes | Contributing photographer) Lia Garnes Name: Howard Wright IV School: Onondaga Class: Junior Position: Point guard What’s next for you? AAU basketball Who inspires you? Lebron James and Kyrie Irving.
LeBron because he’s the GOAT and Kyrie because he played with LeBron on the Cavs. What is your favorite memory from this season? Hitting 1,000 points. What is your favorite quote from your favorite sports movie? “You’ll be the death of us, Smalls.
” — “The Sandlot”. I don’t really know why, people just say it a lot. If you could have any fictional character as your teammate in your sport, who would it be? Bugs Bunny because he has major bounce.
Coach of the year All-Central New York boys basketball coach of the year Scott Cotter of Marcellus at the 2024-25 winter All-CNY photo shoot at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.Y. on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
(Robert Grossman | Contributing photographer) (Robert Grossman | Contributing photographer) Name: Scott Cotter School: Marcellus Years coaching: 10 Who inspires you to coach? MY grandfather, Jim Weeks, a Marcellus alumnus, was the all-time leading scorer at SUNY Morrisville for 61 years, a member of the Morrisville Hall of Fame, and was drafted by the Syracuse Nationals in 1957 in the NBA draft. Growing up, he inspired me to get into basketball. I loved listening to his stories, we have a book full of articles and things from when he played.
I love going back through and looking at those. It is neat to see the journey basketball led him on in his life. He really grew my passion for basketball and I looked up to him a lot for that.
He passed away a few months before I got the head coaching position at Marcellus. I would love to be able to have one more day with him, watch one of our games and have that moment with him now. Tom Dotterer.
I was fortunate to be able to spend several years around him coaching baseball. While it isn’t specific to basketball, I am a better dad, teacher and coach because of my time around him. He looked at life and all things through such a unique lens.
He loved what he did and who he did it with, challenged everyone around him every day to think differently about life and sports. He was an intellectual giant, and perhaps most impressive for someone who coached for 40+ years, he was always able to stay ahead of the game. It never passed him.
He has influenced my life in so many ways. The most inspiring are the kids. To be able to be around them every single day, through the highs and the lows, they are so resilient.
To share the gym with them each day, their passion for the game, each other, and the drive to be successful is inspiring. What is your favorite sports memory from this season? Three favorite memories from this season: No. 1.
After the state finals, walking out of the locker room and seeing our players embracing with their friends, fans and families. To see them share in that moment as state champions was something I will never forget. A lot of emotions because it was the end, regardless of the outcome, there wasn’t anything more they could do.
It was a special moment to see a group of people who gave up so much all season long for us to be successful, get to share the ultimate goal and highest level of success. No. 2.
The bus ride home, the last five miles, seeing the community support was unbelievable. We were escorted through the village by the everyday heroes of our own community, police, fire, and EMS, sirens blaring, horns honking and streets blocked off, people lining the sidewalks on our return home from Binghamton. We get to the parking lot at the school and there were more people, family, friends, and people in the community.
A really special moment, so neat to see what something like basketball can do to unite and bring all different groups and ages of people together. No. 3.
After the buzzer sounded, I embraced my coaching staff and a few players. I turned around and saw my wife looking down at our 3-year-old running around on the court. He sees me, runs at me with his arms wide, the best hug.
Throughout the season, I miss a lot of time with them, dinners, bedtimes, different activities and events. They allow me to coach and understand the time and effort that goes into it. To be able to have a moment with my wife and son was so special.
An embrace I will never forget. If you could have any historical figure on your team, who would it be? Either Thomas Edison or Alexander Graham Bell. They seem to have realized the importance of communication way before most people, which is essential in our program and a pillar to our success.
What is your favorite quote from your favorite sports movie? “Remember, kid, there’s heroes and there’s legends. Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. Follow your heart, kid, and you’ll never go wrong.
” The Sandlot. I am not a movie person, but one of the first sports movie quotes that popped into my head. Second team Kade Schneider, Beaver River Perry Planck IV, Cato-Meridian Christian Lawson, Cooperstown Kevin Jefferson, Fabius-Pompey Westin Retzos, Faith Heritage Zack Petucci, Herkimer Andrew Jones, Holland Patent Dom Izzo, Little Falls Isaiah Spence, Lowville Nicholas Hays, Oriskany Nate Fortman, Phoenix Tallen Prior, Phoenix Reid Danforth, Skaneateles Connor Bastedo, Tully Allen Morey, Waterville Jayden Smith, West Canada Valley Contact Lindsay Kramer anytime: Email | Twitter MORE BOYS BASKETBALL All-state boys basketball teams revealed for Class AAA, AA, A; 34 Section III players receive honors All-state boys basketball teams revealed for Class B, C, D; 34 Section III players earn honors Former All-Central New York boys basketball player of the year picks new college home Final state boys basketball rankings: Section III team ends year at the top Live scoreboard, recaps for Sunday’s high school basketball state championship playoffs (2 games).
