A few weeks ago, Matt Hartman was awoken by a call he was waiting to receive.
On the line was Nichols Athletic Director Robert Stewart, who was calling to offer Hartman the position of boys basketball coach. Hartman recalls accepting the job immediately after Stewart finished speaking. After processing what happened, Hartman texted his fiancee minutes later to tell her he got the job.
Hartman, 26, has been trusted to lead a high-profile program at a high-profile school that went 12-12 last season and advanced to the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association semifinals.
“Once I put my name out there and applied, I decided right then that if I was lucky to get the job that I was going to take it,” Hartman said. “We’re going to build a special program here.”
Hartman joins Nichols after spending three seasons on the men’s basketball coaching staff at Daemen University. He also was a volunteer student assistant on the men’s basketball team at Hilbert College.
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Nichols’ Hezekiah Hall dribbles against Niagara Falls last season. Hall is expected to return to lead Nichols this season.
The team enters a new era with Jakye Rainey and Parker Rey having graduated. Stepping up to lead the program will be senior Hezekiah Hall and junior Tre Paulfrey.
Hartman’s staff will feature Pat Moore, Mark Stahlka and Jerell Thompson. Moore played at the University at Buffalo, Stahlka was Nichols’ junior varsity coach last season and Thompson coached modified basketball at Sweet Home last season.
“Nichols is a good place and a great high school job in the best high school league in Buffalo,” Hartman said. “I think it’s a place that cares about basketball and athletics. More importantly, they care about developing fine young men, and that’s why I was interested in the job.”
Hartman not only secured his first head coaching job, he has been busy planning for his wedding, he and his fiancee close on a house in 10 days and he just got a full-time job at XGen Elite. Life couldn’t be better for him, and Stewart is optimistic Hartman’s positivity will trickle down on the program.
“We are very excited to have coach Hartman lead our basketball program and become part of our Nichols community,” Stewart said in an email. “He brings a lot of positive energy and we are all looking forward to the 24-25 season.”
Haskell joins Warhawks
Jeff Haskell wasn’t looking to return to coaching, but when a friend suggested in May that he look at West Seneca West, it piqued his interest.
Haskell had multiple conversations and decided to apply to become the varsity boys basketball coach. After talking with Principal John Brinker, Athletic Director Marisa Fallacaro-Dougherty and her husband, Joe, the current girls basketball coach, Haskell liked what he could bring to the program and hopes he can replicate what Joe has done with his program.
Haskell, a former boys basketball coach at Franklinville, is the father of Dani, who plays at St. Bonaventure. Dani is second all-time on the New York State Public High School Athletic Association girls basketball scoring list.
“I’m excited because I know the entire staff is committed,” Jeff Haskell said. “After talking to Marisa, I know they’re committed. I had a feel for the district for the last few years and what kind of people they are. I’ve been excited to get involved in West Seneca schools in some shape or form, and I think this is a great fit.”
Haskell also conferred with former West Seneca boys basketball coach Reuben Owens about the job, and it gave him more reason to apply and got him excited about coaching the team. In 2020, Haskell moved to West Seneca with his wife and had years to gain knowledge of the school before deciding he wanted join the athletics department. The team went 1-19 last season. Jon Ceccarelli departs Frontier’s junior varsity staff after eight seasons to join Haskell’s staff.
“I was fortunate enough to know Reuben throughout his tenure because he’s a good friend of mine,” Haskell said. “He spoke highly of the school and the kids. I’ve had a relationship with their school and knew what kind of school they are. I was looking to get back into it when my family moved to West Seneca in 2020. I think with the coaches we have, we hope to get things going in the future.”
Timon makes new hires
Bishop Timon-St. Jude has hired Bill Goc to coach its baseball team and Kevin Overdorf to lead the lacrosse team. The baseball team went 2-13 a season ago and the lacrosse team finished 3-10. Both Goc and Overdorf are 1998 graduates of Bishop Timon.
Bennett loses starters
Reigning All-WNY first-team selection cornerback Demari Clemons announced he has enrolled at Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio. Clemons is a three-star recruit, according to 24/7 Sports, with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Syracuse and others. Following him to Massillon is quarterback Sherrad Bennard III. Clemons and Bennard led Bennett to the NYSPHSAA Class AA semifinals last season.
Flames bring back wrestling
Williamsville East is bringing back its wrestling program for the first time since the 2016-17 season after running a joint program with Williamsville North over the last few years. Vinny Catanzaro will coach the team. Catanzaro was a Section VI champion in 2018 at Williamsville North and wrestled collegiately at Mercyhurst.
St. Joe’s gains Blenman
All-WNY large schools second-team selection Nate Blenman has enrolled at St. Joe’s. The junior is a 6-foot-6 center, coming of a season averaging 14.1 points, 10 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game in his first varsity season with Amherst. Blenman was an ECIC II first-team selection and had 16 double-doubles.