by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Ross Nwachukwu was a four year starter at first singles at Bennett from 1987-1990. Built more like a linebacker than a typical tennis player, Ross featured a power game. Ross’ career record at Bennett was 50 wins and 2 losses. Ross lost one match in his freshman year and one in his sophomore year. Ross participated in the Section VI Tournament all four years, qualifying for the NYSPHSAA (state) tournament in his junior and senior seasons. In 1989 Ross became the first player in WNY tennis history to win a medal in state competition, winning the silver medal at Future Stars Academy in Rochester. Ross was recognized as a high school All-American after both his junior and senior years in high school.
After high school Ross earned a full tennis scholarship to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. There Ross accumulated 180 wins, an all time record for Drake University. Ross later became assistant coach at Drake, and later head coach of Division I Kansas.
Ross played professional tennis “on and off’ for four years on the “satellite” tennis tour. His self-proclaimed highest achievement in tennis was victories over two top 100 ranked players in the world, Steven Campbell and Byron Black.
Ross holds four Buffalo MUNY tennis titles to his credit, and is currently a teaching professional at the Village Glen in Williamsville.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Bob Lanier was an outstanding basketball player. Leading Bennett in scoring in his junior and senior years, he made first team All High in each of those years. In addition, he was named to the All-WNY first team during his senior year. Lanier led all Yale Cup scorers his senior year, averaging 25 points per game, as was the main man as Bennett captured the Yale Cup and the Board of Education Playoff Trophy. Bennett has won only 9 Yale Cups in its 77 year history, and there is little doubt they would not have won the city championship without his superb scoring and defensive skills.
His storied basketball career after graduating from Bennett is synonymous with success. Highlights include leading St. Bonaventure University to the 1970 Final Four, as well as being named first team AllAmerica. A high achieving 14 year long professional career in the NBA was culminated with is induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts on May 11, 1992.
Bob Lanier’s off-court recognition rivaled his on-court production. He was the 1974 recipient of the Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award by the Professional Basketball Writers’ Association. He was presented the Jackie Robinson Award in 1981 by the YMCA of Buffalo and Erie County, and he is the former president of the NBA Players’ Association.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Curtis Aiken was a four-year starter at point guard for Bennett. Curt was named All-High as a sophomore, and first team All Western New York after both his junior and senior years. Curt was also named a USA Parade All-American, Adidas and McDonald All-American after his senior year. The New York State Sportswriters’ Association named Curt Aiken Co-Player of the Year in New York State in 1983. After Curt’s junior year he attended the Converse All Star Camp and attained a “Five Star” rating, which led him to being one of the most highly recruited players in local basketball history.
From the team contribution standpoint, Curt led Bennett to The Buffalo News #1 small school ranking after both the ’82 and ’83 basketball seasons. Bennett participated in the state NY SPHSAA basketball tournament both years, capturing the state public school class “B” championship at Glens Falls, NY in 1983.
Curt finished his high school career with 2,162 points, setting all WNY scoring records. This was the 5th highest point total in New York State history, and was accomplished in the era before the three point shot. Curt’s 65 point effort three games into his senior season set the Yale Cup single game record. In the two post-season games allowed at the time, Curt participated in the McDonald’s All American Classic in Washington, DC and the Dapper Dan Classic in Pittsburgh, PA. Perhaps Curt’s most memorable performance was in leading the Western Zone scholastic team to its first ever medal (gold) in the 1982 Empire State Games.
Curt earned a basketball scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. Curt graduated on time as a Communications major, and left Pitt as the #7 leading scorer in school history. He still lives in Pittsburgh and works for Coca-Cola, the firm that hired him while still a student at Pitt.
Curtis Aiken combined a charismatic personality with a crowd-pleasing style of play which made him a crowd favorite everywhere he played. His scoring touch, deft ball handling skills and tricky passes made Curt perhaps the most publicized schoolboy basketball player in WNY annals.
