Section V's best big men: Franklin's basketball star tops the list

Perhaps the best big man in Section V, 6-foot-8 senior Terence Thompson stands in the center of Franklin's resurgence.

Franklin coach Joseph Jackson said his program turned around four years ago, but the arrival of twin brothers Terence and Clarence Thompson from Northeast as sophomores put the Bulldogs on track to becoming a contender for the first time since capturing their 14th Section V title in 2001.

Jackson witnessed firsthand how programs can turn around after playing on Wilson's first two title teams in 1985 and 1986. He sees a similar trajectory at Franklin, in the present and the future with a promising junior varsity team. For now, the towering Terence Thompson is one of the area's most-feared centers, and players and coaches often refer to the Franklin star as Section V's best player, regardless of position.

Section V Class AAA has proven to be a grudge match, but Franklin (9-5) is right in the mix. Jackson isn't surprised, thanks to the presence of Terence Thompson.

"Our players trusted in us. Our athletic director believed in me and (assistant coaches) Vaughn Boler and Jeff Curtis. Curtis has won championships and is a great asset for us. We feel like everything is going in the right direction," Jackson said.

Franklin's Terence Thompson no longer a 'hidden gem'

Terence Thompson was a "hidden gem" when he transferred to Franklin for the 2021-22 season with his brother, Clarence.

Jackson met the Thompson twins when they were younger and visited their home. But their growth spurts were so significant that Jackson didn't recognize them when they arrived to Franklin. Sha'mere Freeman set the tone before the Thompsons arrived, and Shawn Goins' addition gave Franklin a promising future.

Terence is the taller Thompson brother. His work ethic is impeccable and his length is "A-1". He scores at will when not double teamed, and to avoid swarms in the paint, Thompson expanded his game to the 3-point line and can even handle the rock.

Bookmark this: Section V boys basketball scores for the 2023-24 season

Defense is Terence Thompson's calling card. His length is a deterrent when he's not blocking a shot. He can defend the perimeter too, as he showed against McQuaid guard Henry Fox in a Jan. 17 win. He also anchors Franklin's full court presses.

Despite being the focus for every team, Terence Thompson has posted many 20-20 games, including a 23-point, 22-rebound, 12-block, 10-assist quadruple double against Wilson in a Rochester City Athletic Conference contest Jan. 12. Kollin McCullough, a 6-foot-3 forward who transferred from East High, has a nice inside-outside game and has given Franklin a talented big man duo to bully the block.

"Terence really changes the game for us. A lot of teams are intimidated by his size," Jackson said.

Brighton's Reggie Smith Jr. a 'special kid'

Brighton senior center Reggie Smith Jr. is not only the program's leading scorer, he's the first boy to score 1,000 points at the school.

On Wednesday, Smith Jr. scored 24 points in a win over Churchville-Chili, but needed just five points to surpass 1,000 in the first quarter and improve the Bruins to 7-6. The 6-foot-6 center almost reached the mark with a 17-point performance at Webster Schroeder on Jan. 17. Smith Jr. spoke about his chances on making history after that contest.

"It means a lot knowing my name is going to be up there in the trophy case and in the gym. Knowing I'm going to be the first person in history, it means a lot. I'm very proud of myself," Smith Jr. said last week.

Smith Jr. is having a monster senior season. He scored 108 points through the first three games, which included a 40-point night in the season opener. He was a star post player as a sophomore but evolved his outside game as teams cloud him in the paint. He handles the ball often and hit a step-back midrange jumper from the baseline at Schroeder.

Brighton coach Dave Tisa said Smith Jr. is a complete player now because of his hard work. Coach likes how he has developed into a leader and nice person. The Bruins have had great players like Troy McPherson, Isaac "Ike" Nelson and Courtney Cliburn in recent years, but Tisa said Smith Jr. is in a class of his own. Smith Jr. is averaging 25 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks.

"I've never coached anybody who can do it all like he can," Tisa said. "He's a special kid and special player. It's been a pleasure knowing him and being around him."

Penfield's frontcourt of the future

Penfield (10-3) has a frontcourt to be reckoned with for the near future as junior Patrick Emling and freshmen Jackson Green and Jake McCarthy emerge.

Penfield has strong guards but Emling is their "glue guy" and captain. He's a stretch forward and three-level scorer who dropped 30 in a 58-55 win over Fairport on Wednesday to split the season series, scoring from the 3-point line and on hard drives. Emling is averaging 13 points and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes.

"He's having a phenomenal season for us," coach Jason Ellis said.

Green and McCarthy are "monsters" standing at 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-7, respectively. McCarthy's defense on Fairport's Aidan White was praised, forcing the Red Raiders' star into a well-contested 3-pointer in Wednesday's final seconds. Green was also applauded, picking up four fouls in a rough paint battle in attempt to deny White with three-quarter fronts. Green is averaging 7 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. McCarthy is averaging 5 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks.

"It's great seeing the way they've matured over the season so far," assistant coach Adam Bendlin said. "They're playing really tough competition every night. They've answered the call."

Fairport's Aidan White a multi-sport star

Fairport senior Aidan White has proven to form a great 1-2 tandem with guard LaShard Lowry.

White was the All-Greater Rochester Boys Volleyball Player of the Year after guiding the Red Raiders to an unbeaten state championship season, but he can ball too. White works best with his shoulder down to score tough paint buckets, but plays the perimeter too, can control the boards, and is a key paint defender for coach Scott Fitch's Red Raiders (10-4).

Coach Ellis referred to White as one of Monroe County's best big men.

"This year it's just a down low presence from me on both offensive and defensive. Also facilitating when I need to, manning the boards, everything like that," White said.

Section V big men

All players nominated by Section V coaches and Democrat and Chronicle staff. Coaches can email mslaughter1@gannett.com to nominate their athletes.

Justice Allen, East Rochester: The sophomore is averaging 12 points and 9 rebounds over last five games.

Ray Allen, East Rochester: The sophomore is averaging 9 points and 6 rebounds across the Bombers' last five contests.

Isaiah Ballard, Irondequoit: Regarded as one of Monroe County's best bigs, Ballard has 24 points and 25 rebounds in Friday's win at Eastridge.

Joey Baller, Webster Thomas: The junior power forward plays well above his size at 6-foot-1 and has a good back-to-the-basket game. Baller is even a 3-point threat; 9 ppg, 6 rpg; 35% 3-pointers.

Michael Bischoping, Pittsford Mendon: The senior forward is averaging 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Jayden Capers, Bishop Kearney: The 6-foot-4 sophomore has contagious energy. His hustle plays often sparks the Kings. Capers defends well individually and as a help defender, and is an asset on the offensive glass. He reminds coach Kevin Goode of Dennis Rodman; 5.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.8 orpg.

Mike Cathey, Greece Odyssey: The junior forward/guard began the season with eight double-doubles. Had a season high 29 points and career high 21 rebounds against Northstar Christian; 18 ppg, 15 rpg, 2 spg.

Jair Cutler, Brockport: Began the season with three double-doubles. Posted season highs of 18 points and 13 rebounds against Greece Olympia, and 5 blocks against Greece Athena; 8.4 ppg, 8 rps, 2.1 bpg, 73% free throws.

Boston DeWitte, Webster Thomas: The senior center makes plays that don't appear on the scoreboard. DeWitte is a versatile defender who often guards team's best player, regardless of position. His ability to switch out on guards and perimeter scorers has changed the dynamics of games; 6 ppg, 5 rpg.

Nate Doll, Caledonia-Mumford: The senior center is averaging 19 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals.

Patrick Emling, Penfield: (See above).

Jackson Green, Penfield: (See above).

Terry Griffin Jr., Greece Olympia

Ian Hinrich, Keshequa: The 6-foot-1 junior center is averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Merritt Holly, LeRoy: The senior forward became the program's all-time leading scorer Friday, surpassing Brendan Fulmer's (1999-2003) mark of 1,554. Holly scored 21 points against Avon and needed just six points to break the record.

Merritt Holly 21 points, 10 rebounds, broke program's previous scoring record of 1,554, ending the night with 1,575 and counting.

JJ Johnson, Lyons: The 6-foot-5 sophomore center is tough to stop. Worked all summer on his game to prepare for a larger offensive role. Johnson constantly faces double and triple teams, but he's still proven to be a solid scorer and passer. His first dunk of the season came in a win at Avon. "He's come a long way from his freshman year. He's pretty dominant," coach Dean Schott II said; 19.8 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 3.2 bpg, 69% field goals.

Jaiyden Jones, McQuaid: Does everything for the Knights. Is more of a post but also handles the ball rock; 16.1 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 apg, 2.1 spg.

Nick Leonard, Victor

Tremier Lewis, Gates Chili

Chris Leysath, Aquinas: The senior is averaging 17 points and 12.5 rebounds.

Keone Manigault, UPrep

Jake McCarthy, Penfield: (See above).

Kollin McCullough, Franklin: (See above).

Max Michalski, Pittsford Sutherland: The senior is averaging 21 points and 10.5 rebounds and 72.4% shooting from the field. Coach John Nally has "never had anyone close to (those numbers) in my 24 years here". Michalski is a two-time Section V all-tournament selection, was tournament MVP during the Knights' 2023 section championship run, and made second team all-county last year in "easily" the toughest league last year with Athena, Irondequoit and Pittsford Mendon.

Harlan Novy-Marx, Harley Allendale Columbia: The sophomore forward had a big 18-point, 12-rebound, 9-block performance against School of the Arts, and a 27-point, 14-rebound, 5-block outing in a Finger Lakes West first place battle against Bloomfield; 12.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3 spg, 1.8 bpg.

Connor Osier, Greece Athena: The senior three-sport athlete (football, basketball, baseball) is a Division I University of Houston baseball commit. Creates many assists, shuts down opponents and has played well against Section V's best bigs. "He is an important piece to our success this season (15-0)," coach Mike Setzer said; Averaging 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks and 56% field goals.

PJ Ostrowski, Wayne: The senior forward/center is averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds.

DePatrick Overstreet, Geneva

Michael Rowland, Avon: The 6-foot senior forward "plays like he's 6-foot-7" as Avon's biggest player since the team's center tore his ACL in November, coach Rob Fries said. Rowland has shined on both sides and guards teams' best post players. He began career as an eighth-grade shooting guard and has evolved into one of the area's best forwards for an Avon program with three Section V titles in four straight finals trips; 18 ppg, 11 rpg.

Brennen Russo, Eastridge: The senior baseball star last hooped as a freshman on JV. Tough player who guards teams' best post players and goes all out every game. Averaging close to a double-double. "I've tried to get him to come back and play the last few years. ... He fits in great. He's an athlete, a gamer, blends in well with the kids and has been a great addition," coach Dan Roser said.

Mason Santini, Mount Morris: The senior center is averaging 11.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks for a very balanced scoring squad with six players averaging between 8 and 13 points.

Justin Smith, Batavia: The junior is averaging 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Reggie Smith Jr., Brighton: (See above).

Ben Sneddon, Hilton: Averaging 22.7 points and 10 rebounds.

Hunter Streb, Spencerport: The 6-foot-2 junior has good height but better footwork and technique on boxing out for boards; averaging 13.5 points and 10 rebounds.

Graylin Strong, Rush-Henrietta: The 6-foot-3 senior is a "gritty" forward averaging 9.2 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.6 steals.

Jalen Taggert, Rush-Henrietta: The 6-foot-4 sophomore forward/shooting guard is a "smooth" players; averaging 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block.

Yacoub Tarawally, World of Inquiry: The senior power forward/center is averaging 14 points, 9 rebounds and 1 block.

Terence Thompson, Franklin: (See above).

Maddox Volpe, Bishop Kearney: The 6-foot-5 sophomore is a raw talent with a knack for jumping over players for rebounds. He defends heavier players well and fights for loose balls; 5.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.5 bpg.

Alex Webb, UPrep

Quinn Wilson, McQuaid: The 6-foot-6 sophomore center is improving rapidly. Coach Jack Leasure said Wilson is "one of the best young players around"; averaging 6.5 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Aidan White, Fairport: (See above).

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V basketball's best big men: Terence Thompson tops the list