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Vory Billups

Vory Billups

by | Feb 17, 2023

In a rare account of our Bennett Sports Hall Of Fame biographies, these two inductees will be included in one space, since their three year varsity basketball careers were so parallel.

Teammates on the varsity basketball squads of 1981 -’82, 1982-’83, 1983-’84, Vary and Junie both had All-High and AIIWNY careers. The 6’7″ Billups, and the 5’8″ Hemphill formed a perfect compliment to each others skills. In their sophomore year Bennett won the Section VI, Class B title. In their junior year Bennett won the Class B title again, and went on to win the N.Y. State Public High School Class B championship at Glens Falls, N.Y. , then lost to Bishop Laughlin H.S. of Brooklyn for the overall Federation (public-private school) title. That squad was led by All-American Curtis Aiken. In 1983 Aiken graduated, and the question lingered, “how will the Tigers fare without their All-American guard? Whereas Billups and Hemphill languished in teammate Aiken’s huge shadow for two years, they came to the fore on their own in their senior year. The Tigers won the “Yale Cup” in 1984, repeated as the N.Y.S. Public School Class “B” champions, and won the Federation, Class B, overall championship versus the private school champion. The bar was set high, and the Tigers led by this pair of stars gave a truly Hall Of Fame performance. The Tigers could not have accomplished this without both of their AII-WNY stars. Coach Larry Veronica recalls both players as stellar defensive players, as well as scorers. “The memory of Vary blocking shots with that impeccable timing that possessed, and Junie so often stealing the ball from anyone foolish enough to dribble against him, will live with me forever.” “Their leadership and work ethic were exemplary.”

Three year varsity career achievements;

Wins 65 – Losses 11
All-High, AII-WNY 1983 and 1984
Yale Cup champions, 1984

Section VI, Class “B” titles – 3
N.Y.S. Public School Championships – 2
N.Y.S. Federation (overall) Championships – 1

Marvin “Junie” Hemphill

Marvin “Junie” Hemphill

by | Feb 17, 2023

Junie Hemphill went on to star in a highly successful NAIA basketball program at Cumberland (KY) College. He also became a Physical Education teacher and restauranteur in Memphis, TN.

Vory Billups, who also played two years of varsity tennis at Bennett, went on to St. Bonaventure U. on a basketball scholarship, after being named 8th team All New York State at the center position. Unfortunately, a medical condition stopped Vory’s college basketball career before it ever got started. After graduation from St. Bona., Vory became a college admissions recruiter, and is presently the Director of Admissions of Atlanta Tech College. Vory is also involved in charity work for young student athletes.

Martin “Chip” Motley

Martin “Chip” Motley

by | Feb 17, 2023

“Chip” Motley was a three sport varsity athlete at Bennett. Motley played football in his senior year, and two years of basketball, but his athletic claim to fame was in track and field. Chip ran track all four years of high school, and the Tigers were undefeated “Scalp & Blade” champions all four of those years.

During his track career, Chip competed in the 1 1 0 high hurdles, the 1 00 and 220 yard dashes, 440 yard run, long jump, high jump and the mile relay. Motley turned in outstanding times in the 1 00 yard dash, 1 0.2, long jump 21 ‘5″, and 1 600 m. relay of 3:25.3, a city record at the time. However, his “specialty” became the high jump. Motley was #2 in the city as a sophomore with a jump of 6’2″. As he perfected the “Fosbury Flop” style of jumping, Motley set a city record as a junior with a leap of 6′ 6 1 /4″. In his senior year Motley eclipsed his own record, turning in a 6′ 8″ effort. This made him the All-High and AII-WNY champion. In the State track meet following the season, he repeated his 6’8″ jump, narrowly missing at 6’ 1 0″, to take second place in N.Y.S. Motley was named “Super 7” athlete of the week.

Motley’s track career rose to an even higher level after high school at Erie Community College. He became a Junior College All American. Motley was named ECC’s Athlete of the Year, and is in ECC’s Track Hall of Fame.

Motley presently resides in Buffalo, and is a member of the Buffalo Police Force.

Elvira Brinson

Elvira Brinson

by | Feb 17, 2023

Brinson was a three sport star in each of her four years at Bennett. Although she was outstanding in volleyball and softball, her most proficient sport was basketball. Elvira was captain and team MVP in both her junior and senior seasons. She earned first team All-High as a senior, and set the single game scoring record for girls with an incredible 52 points in one game.


In volleyball, she was a four year player. She was the captain and team MVP in her junior and senior seasons, attaining All-High status as a senior.

Brinson was also a standout in softball, playing four years on the varsity girls softball team.


Her accomplishments led to her being named the school’s top female athlete in 1 984, her senior year. For her outstanding athletic accomplishments she earned a full scholarship to Sam Houston University in Texas.


She currently resides in Buffalo and works in the family business.

Steven Brucato

Steven Brucato

by | Feb 17, 2023

Steve Brucato was a star performer in three sports while at Bennett. He competed three years in baseball, playing centerfield, first base and pitching, three years of football as a quarterback and kicker, along with four years of ice hockey.

Arguably, Steve may be the most prolific scorer in ice hockey to ever come out of the Buffalo Public Schools. Steve scored an incredible 70 goals in 21 games during his senior year. Steve also scored the winning goal in overtime in the league championship game. That was Steve’s 5th goal of the game, with one assist, in a 6 to 5 victory.

Steve was on the league All-Star team all four years of high school, and league MVP his junior year, and Bennett MVP his junior and senior season. Steve is still active in hockey and baseball, In 2011 Steve led his team to the Labatt Blue Pond Hockey championship, and can be found on the baseball diamond several nights a week.

Steve still resides in Buffalo, and is the manager of Gabel’s on Hertel Avenue. He also is a regular at Bennett sporting events.