by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
John came to Bennett as a sophomore, and immediately became a star in basketball. As the starting point guard John was named 1st team all-high in both his junior and senior years. In 1989 John also was named 1st team all-WNY in basketball, More important to John, the Tiger basketball squad went undefeated in “Yale Cup” action during the ’86/’87 season, capturing the cup with a won 13 lost 0 record. The Tigers defeated Newark HS in the far west regional, before losing their first game at the state championship at Glens Falls, NY, finishing with a 22 win 1 loss record, ranked 7th in NYS. John
finished his three year career at Bennett with over 1,015 points.
John attended Samford U. (AL) on a basketball scholarship. John’s work with the 4/11 charity brings him back to Buffalo every summer to promote a Yale Cup alumni basketball exhibition.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Steve had an active athletic career while at Bennett, competing in Cross Country in the Fall of the year, Swimming in the Winter and Baseball in the Spring. Steve’s best performance was in baseball. A four year varsity player, he was a starting outfielder in his junior and senior seasons.
Steve achieved All-High and All-WNY honors in baseball in 1987 He was also an All-High swimmer in 1986 and ;87. The championship teams Steve played for include Columbia Cup Cross Country champs in 1986, and Cornell Cup baseball co-champs in 1985. Steve was captain and team MVP of his swimming squads that finished in third place three years in a row in Syracuse Cup competition, and captain of the 1986 Cross Country squad that finished a respectable 5th place in Section VI, Class B competition.
The popular Steve Samson was also voted as Class President in his senior year. Steve still resides and works in the WNY area.
