2019-2020 Lewiston-Porter Lancers Boys Basketball Preview
Last winter, Lewiston-Porter Boys Basketball had one of their most dominant seasons in program history. The Lancers went 21-4 (11-1 NFL), beat perennial powerhouse Niagara Falls to capture the Niagara Frontier League title, and went on to win Section VI Class A2 title and the overall Class A title. The last time the Lancers were NFL champions was in 1985, and the last time they won a Section VI championship was all the way back in 1978. The Lancers’ season came to an end in the NYSPHSAA Far West Regional, where they fell to Pittsford-Mendon, the eventual state finalists.
Lew-Port lost a lot of talent to graduation last year. Trent Scott (1st team All-NFL, 3rd team All-WNY), a 1,000 career point scorer for the Lancers, was a reliable three-point shooter and could perform under pressure. Zachary Clayborne (All-Area Honorable Mention) was the heart and soul of the team. He did all the dirty work for the Lancers, taking fouls, grabbing rebounds, and dishing the ball out to his teammates. The loss of Scott and Clayborne, along with Jake Kasbaum, Jason Boslet, and big man Joe Powers will leave holes for younger players to step up.
Much of Lew-Port’s recent success can be attributed to the stellar play of guard Roddy Gayle. A 1st team All-WNY selection, 2nd team All-NYS selection, and the NFL Player of the Year, he will look to make more spectacular plays on the court this winter. Now a sophomore, Gayle has received offers from Syracuse, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, Wake Forest, Rutgers, and Niagara U. He will be attracting many eyes from across the nation to the Lancers this season.
Along with Gayle, Lew-Port returns freshman point guard Jalen Duff (2nd team All-NFL, All-WNY Honorable Mention) and fan-favorite Jack “Bernie” Bernstein. Both are outstanding three-point shooters and will be a handful for opposing teams. Also, Mehki Starks, a former Niagara Catholic and Niagara Falls player, will be joining the team and is expected to be an impact player for the Lancers as well.
The team will look to continue last year’s success, and are looking to repeat as NFL and Class A2 Champions. Coach Matt Bradshaw is challenging his players this season with a very tough schedule. They open the season on December 4th against Park, the defending CHSAA Champions, and they will take on Class C NYSPHSAA finalists Middle Early College on January 22nd.
SCHEDULE
12/4 vs The Park School of Buffalo – 6:30pm
12/10 @ Grand Island – 6:30pm
12/13 @ Canisius High – 5:30pm
12/14 @ Canisius High – 3:00pm
12/17 vs CSAT – 7:00pm
12/20 vs Ken-East – 7:00pm
1/3 @ Depew – 6:15pm
1/7 @ Niagara Wheatfield – 6:30pm
1/10 @ Ken-West – 6:30pm
1/14 vs North Tonawanda – 7:00pm
1/17 vs Lockport – 7:00pm
1/22 vs Middle Early College HS – 7:00pm
1/28 @ Niagara Falls – 6:30pm
1/31 vs Aquinas Institute – 7:30pm
2/4 vs Grand Island – 7:00pm
2/7 @ Ken-East – 6:30pm
2/11 @ CSAT – 6:30pm
2/15 vs Bishop Kearney – 3:00pm
2/18 NFL Crossover Game – TBA
2/19 NFL Championship Game – TBA