Section 4 Legends: A Vote for the Greatest
The USA TODAY Network has launched a celebration of the most impactful high school boys basketball players from New York's Southern Tier, spotlighting a generation that has left an indelible mark on the sport. As part of the tribute, readers are being asked to cast their ballots in an online poll that will determine the all‑time greatest player in Section 4 history.
The roster of candidates reads like a who's who of New York basketball lore. Names such as Ernie Davis, King Rice, and Jim Ryder appear alongside other standouts whose scoring feats have become part of local legend. Their stories are stitched together by a common thread of excellence, perseverance, and community pride.
Ernie Davis, a Heisman‑winning alumnus of Elmira Free Academy, once held the record for the most points scored in Section 4 with 1,648. Though that mark has since been eclipsed, Davis remains a benchmark for greatness. Toby Foster, who amassed 2,231 points at Candor between 1995 and 1999, now sits second on the all‑time list, while Charles Gelatt, with 1,912 points at Chenango Valley, and Zubayr Griffin, who finished with 2,161, round out the top tier of scorers.
Other notable figures include Austin Grunder, who reached exactly 1,900 points at Trumansburg and occupies the sixth spot on the career scoring chart, and Bob Lazor, who led Norwich to back‑to‑back state championships in 1993 and 1994 with 1,444 points. More recent achievements feature Nolyn Proudfoot, whose 1,762 points and 29.6‑point average as a sophomore have already drawn national attention.
King Rice stands out as perhaps the most decorated player in Section 4 history, having scored 1,374 points at Binghamton while earning McDonald's All‑American honors. Brett Rumpel, whose senior season was cut short, finished with 1,588 points and posted eye‑catching averages of 45.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, and nearly five assists per game. Finally, Jim Ryder capped his high school career with 2,238 points and nearly 600 assists, establishing himself as the all‑time leading scorer in Section 4.
The poll not only invites fans to reminisce but also to consider how these high school stars have translated their talents into college careers. Many of the players have gone on to compete for prominent programs such as Syracuse University, Canisius College, DePaul University, Monmouth University, SUNY Cortland, Arizona State University, Western Reserve Academy, St. Bonaventure University, Manhattan College, and Siena College, further extending the Section 4 legacy onto national stages.
Community members, alumni, and basketball enthusiasts alike are encouraged to participate in the vote, which will run through the end of the season. The outcome will be celebrated in a special feature that highlights the winning player's impact on the Southern Tier and beyond, underscoring the enduring influence of these high school legends on the fabric of New York basketball.