Best of the Best Upstate: Middle School Notebook

Best of the Best Upstate: Middle School Notebook

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

BUFFALO, NY – Middle School is a time where a young person tries to find themselves. When it comes to basketball it is a chance for them to test themselves against their peers.

The Best of the Best inaugural showcase presented by a Bay Area Hoops and Last 1 Best 1 provided the stage for these youngsters. They all had a chance to go through stations before putting those skills against their peers.

Here are the players who took advantage of the stage.

Tre Paulfrey | 2025 | Olmstead: is a nifty ball handler capable of getting to the rim comfortably. He never looks rattled against pressure. Paulfrey pushes the ball up the court under complete control. As his decision making improves he could be something special.

Jordan Alexander | 2024 | Maryvale: is a rare mix of an offensive sniper and a defensive stopper. He had a nice consistent jumper for a player this age. His form was almost textbook but found the bottom of the net often. He worked the defensive end of the floor with plenty of energy.

Shymere Madden | 2023 | Cardinal O’Hara: plays with a lot of Heart & Hustle. He is full of energy on both ends of the floor. This ball hawk is locked in defensively. He took pride in being a menace.

Rico Evans | 2023 | Cheektowaga: was a straight enforcer on the floor. He flexed his muscle by crashing the boards or making offensive opponents uncomfortable. He is one of few players at this age who locked in defensively. His offensive game will continue to become polished with development.

Alex Hayes | 2024 | Saint Marks: has a good looking jumper with solid form. He never looked to force shots and played in rhythm. 

Justin Blue | 2023 | Cheektowaga: had the ball on a string through traffic. His poise against relentless pressure showed his ability to control the tempo under duress. He was able to get into the lane at will with the ability to score inside with either hand. 

Ahmir Dunn | 2024 | Park School: is a scoring machine in the making. He can score from anywhere on the floor. This lefty pulled up in rhythm for a smooth looking jumper. He also created space with his array of moves. Growth and development will help harness his skills.

Luke Russ | 2023 | St. Joseph Collegiate: is a big body wing who played hard. His handle was serviceable for a player his size. 

Liam Huran | 2025 | Orchard Park Middle: was exceptional from the perimeter. He demonstrated his range to a few steps beyond the high school three-point line. The smooth release of his jumper made it difficult for defenders to contest. 

Greg Brooks | 2025 | Meritime: has an excellent basketball IQ for a player his age. He had poise and groove handling the basketball. His ability to also use his angles made is hard on defenders to stay in front of him.