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I played for Coyle High (actually I sat on the bench) in the late 60s and I remember a game against Durfee High when Ernie Fleming made something like 18 for 18 foul shots. Ernie was the best HS basketball player I ever saw.
Manny Papoula. When I was about 10 years old, my buddy and I would go go the Durfee games and I would just wish for the day that I could put on a Durfee uniform. The reason being Manny Papoula. Manny was so dominant on the Offensive and Defensive end. He never changed expressions as I remembered and just held his ground against bigger players. So my vote is for Manny because of the lasting impression he left on me to someday run out on that court in front of 3 thousand hollering fans while our school band played, "When the Saints go marching in." And guess what, it happened, thanks to Manny and his presents.
Chris was the best player to come out of Durfee but Michael Herren was the best high school player I ever saw. He dominated by the sheer force of his will. Not a great leaper but was so quick off his feet he would sometimes get multiple offensive rebounds and put in his owned missed shots. He made everybody around him better. I also want to say Juddy McDonald who played with him was an outstanding shooting guard.
Cory Luz was a fine basketball player in his days, He was a team player and a huslter on the court for coach karam.
As a high school basketball player and playing on the same team as Skippy's grandson, I would vote for either of the Herren's or Skip. Chris should win because he was the best player ever to come out of Durfee and because he made it to the NBA. His brother was nothing short of amazing according to the stories i've heard and from the videos of skip's state tournament wins. Although Skippy may not of been the best, he is easily top five and no doubt the best coach high school coach ever to come out of this area and could have made an impact on a higher level of basketball if he attempted to.
Players of the 2000s:
Avery Oliver, Bobby Bailey, BJ McDonald...anyone?
Its a shame that you guys dont mention Michael Herren in any of this talk. he won back to back state titles along with back to back player of the years. at the time the only other player to do that was patrick ewing. ed rodergiues said that michael herren was the best player he ever coached against. back to back state titles is all you need in my opinion to be considered one of the best if not the best durfee basketball has had to offer.
and juddy mcdonalds name isnt even on this list thats a joke
Jeff Caron was one of the best players in my era and since he was on the team with another very good player I feel that sometimes he didn't get the credit he should have like he would if he was on his own. I also believe that what hes doing with the kids now is nothing short of amazing his story I believe is a real success story because he did so well in high school, played in college then coaches and is right back at aurfee giving back to the kids and one hell of a coach at that bringing the boys very far as we all can see, thats why my vote goes to him
As young boys, my father used to bring my brother and I to see Durfee basketball in the early '70's when it was played at the Bank Street Armory. I marveled at Whiting, Mercer, and Fiola- how good they were individually- how good Durfee's team was- and how well coached they were (I remember Durfee killing the clock against Boston English(?), Ken Fiola getting a pass under the basket all alone, and Fiola dribbling the ball back out to kill the clock instead of taking the easy bucket). Only Skippy could establish that kind of discipline in a seventeen year old.
I grew up in Somerset, playing with Al Attar's older sons, Mike and Steve. Between listening to my father and spending time with the Attar's I got an apreciation for just how accomplished Al was a basketball star at Durfee and later on at Holy Cross.
I got to play basketball while at Somerset against Brian O'Neil. I've often thought that if Brian had a little more foot speed and jumping ability he may have been the best ever to come out of Durfee, because he was certainly the smartest basketball player I played against- great court awareness, great passer, and a helluva shooter.
I didn't get to see Mike Herren play ball, but I read and heared about him all the time- and I was torn about my vote- it's difficult to vote for the best Durfee player. There are a number of ways to interpret that- best while at Durfee, best at Durfee or anytime thereafter, most accomplished, best basketball resume, etc. If I'd looked at it from a highest impact or most valuable player to his team, then I very well may have cast my ballot for Mike Herren.
I did get to see Mike's brother Chris on several occassions. Chris was Brian O'Neil with the added attributes! He was fun to watch, but I wondered when I watched him whether or not he would hold up to the pressures the hopes and expectations of a basketball crazed community can heap on you. It was because of this that I always rooted for Chris in college, and cringed when he selected BC as his first choice. I always thought Chris would have been more successful getting out of range of the "hanger ons".
If my father and Charlie Frascatore were still alive they'd probably tell me that I should vote for Andy Farrissey. Heared plenty about him growing up, but he was well before my time.
Of course there's Skippy- don't know what he was like as a basketball player, but it was sure fun to watch him coach- it was even more fun to play in several exciting games against his team and watch him work the ref's, and push them a little too far on a couple of occassions. Skippy is a class act, who's touched and improved innumerial lives through his coaching and teaching. If it were a poll about greatest high school basketball coaches, Skippy's my pick, hands down!
The dozen players listed in the poll are certainly a who's who of Durfee basketball. With tremendous respect for the others listed, and at the risk (and maybe even hope) of sparking tremendous debate amongst my brother Chris, and other friends that cherish our memories of High School basketball, I cast my vote for Ernie Fleming. His achievements in the Tech tournament and at Jacksonville U. are unmatched in my humble opinion.
Dan Gendreau- Somerset High School, Class of '82
CORRECTION TO PREVIOUS MESSAGE
With "other" you don't seem to click. Just type whom you want to vote for into the bar below "Other." Then submit the vote. Again, please leave a comment, if you want.
The 'Other" is strictly up to you. And we appreciate it if, when you select "other", you come back to "comments" and tell us whom you think is Durfee's best all-time player.
Thank you.
Greg Sullivan
Please let us know the names of the OTHERS in your poll.... Curiosity