Leading off today: A pair of major-college football prospects landed large-school classifications player of the year honors this morning from the New York State Sportswriters Association.
Defensive lineman and tight end T.J. Wheatley, who had a dominating season while leading Canisius to a perfect season and the first state Catholic High School Athletic Association championship, was selected player of the year in Class AA.
The Class A player of the year is Jordan Fredericks, a running back who capped a stellar varsity career by leading Lawrence to a 12-0 record and a Long Island championship in the fall. He committed to Syracuse University before the season.
Wheatley has numerous major-college offers and is expected to announce shortly. His father left his position as a Buffalo Bills assistant coach last week to join Jim Harbaugh's staff at the University of Michigan, one of the schools recruiting Wheatley.
The combination of Canisius winning the CHSAA crown and Jamestown capturing the NYSPHSAA championship gives the Class AA a distinct Western New York feel. Joining Wheatley from Canisius on the first team are linebacker Brad Zaffram and kicker Michael Tarbutt. Jamestown played QB Nikkolas Holland, receiver Stephen Carlson, offensive lineman Joe Mistretta and defensive back Zack Panebianco on the first team.
Today's announcement caps a pretty good 24 hours for Panebianco, a two-way football starter who went over 1,000 career points in basketball Tuesday by scoring 31 for the Red Raiders in an 89-53 victory vs. Clarence.
"It was his night," coach Ben Drake told The Buffalo News. "He's a great kid, one of the best I've ever coached. He deserves all the accolades."
Archbishop Stepinac also placed a trio of players on the Class AA first team, and Longwood had two picks.
Fredericks is joined on the Class A first team by teammates Melik Mavruk, a defensive lineman, and Simon Jones, a linebacker. Carey also landed three players on the first team -- offensive lineman Anthony Catapano, defensive lineman Jorge Cequera and linebacker Connor Colasurdo.
Sayville, Sweet Home and Poly Prep all landed two players apiece on the first team.
A few links related to the all-state football team announcement:
• 2014 Class AA all-state team
• 2014 Class A all-state team
• 2014 Class B all-state team
• 2014 Class C all-state team
• 2014 Class D all-state team
• Recent NYSSWA players of the year
• All-state teams, 2000-14
• Final 2014 AA-A state rankings
• Final 2014 B-C-D state rankings
A big thank you goes to the NYSSWA's Steve Grandin, who spent considerable time last month editing the all-state teams with the help of a top-notch network of sources across New York.
Shaker tops Shen: Becky Rossier scored six of her game-high 23 points in overtime for 16th-ranked Shaker in a 52-44 victory over No. 3 Shenendehowa on Tuesday as two Section 2 girls Class AA basketball powers ranked in the state battled in a Suburban Council North showdown.
