So here are the best dunkers*
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- February
- 26
*-this is a list from court-siders, etc., at County Center this week, of the best dunkers in the history of area basketball. It is by no means meant to be a defining list, and surely we will have left some great dunkers off the list. So if you have any favorites, please feel free to add them via your comments below.
Also, we borrowed a few of the more recent dunk doctors from Kevin Devaney’s blog.
Those listed are in no particular order.
We apologize in advance for any misspellings of names, starting with the first one. We’re working from memory and suggestions here. Thanks
Rasul Salahuddin, Mount Vernon.
Bill Pleas, Mount Vernon.
Al Collins, Port Chester.
Andre Battle, Yonkers.
Daymon Yizar, Rye Neck.
Lowes Moore, Mount Vernon.
Curtis Moore, Mount Vernon.
Bill Brickhouse, Peekskill.
Bernard Toone, Gorton.
Charlie Criss, Gorton.
George Finney, Hamilton.
Eddie “Sky” Walker, Ossining.
Ray Williams, Mount Vernon.
Ed Felix, Yonkers.
Ben Gordon, Mount Vernon.
Wayne Penn, Hamilton.
Mike Young, Mount Vernon.
Kenny Wilkens, Somers.
Bill Schwartzkopf, Westlake.
Jason Ston, Blind Brook.
Greg Draddy, Rye.
Rashad James, White Plains.
Sherrod Wright, Mount Vernon.
Mookie Jones, Peekskill.
Mike Kach, Carmel.
Kevin Jones, Mount Vernon.
Jimmy McGhee, New Rochelle.
Geoff McDermott, New Rochelle.
Elton Brand, Peekskill.
Shawn James, Peekskill.
Melquan Bolding, Stepinac.
Keith Benjamin, Mount Vernon.
Taj Finger, Fox Lane.
Eric Mingo, Martin Luther King.
Billy Tibbs, Hamilton.
Curtis Dennis, Blessed Sacrament.
PS, for a period in the late 1960s and early 1970s, dunking was prohibited in high school basketball. We’re told that in those days, people would get to games early—even the referees would come out onto the court early—to watch teams such as the great ‘71 Mount Vernon team throw ‘em down during layup lines.
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on Tuesday, February 26th, 2008 at 5:43 pm by Carp.
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I go back to th early 80’s and have to say that Rasul Salahuddin is the best dunker I’ve seen over the years. I would add one name to those being considered, Jimmy McGhee of NewRo, I believe class of ‘85. In one game he got the ball out alone on a break and by the time I got to the basket his sneakers were at almost my eye level and I’m 6’2”.
Consider Jimmy McGhee considered. He’s on the list as of now.
I also forgot to put Kevin Jones on the list. So he’s on now, too.
Two other Stepinac players definitely belong on that list: Llewelyn Cole and Chris Watson. They are each about 6’6”-6’7” and put on some dunking exhibitions at Stepinac in the early 90’s.
Alva Cooper from White Plains and Keith Manning from Mount Vernon also certainly deserve some mention.
Does anyone know if/where any of the following played ball in college?
Al Collins
Eddie Walker
Ed Felix
George Finney
Shawn James
I’ll try to check on the college ball for those guys.
In the meantime, give me an era for Cooper and Manning (Hey, Cooper Manning is Eli and Peyton’s older brother).
You should add Richie Carlos from New Rochelle in the lat 80’s. 5’10 and could jump out of the gym!
Keith Manning started his sophomore and junior years at MV in the mid-90’s (maybe ‘96, ‘97 or ‘98) then apparently didn’t play his senior year – I don’t know why. He was about 6’4” and was a tremendous leaper.
Alva Cooper played around the same time at White Plains – he was about 6’0” but could really get off the floor. He played in the post at WP. I don’t remember him dunking that often, but when he did it was something.
Rick….was there anybody in Section 1 history who, lb. for lb.,was a better leaper than the little big man “Charlie Criss” ?
Rick.. Any word on where Manny Lopez or Eric Mingo are playing college ball?? They won a state championship in 05 i believe with MLK and both regularly dunked in games.
Hey Hoops Fan-
Al Collins went on to play at U. of Alaska at Anch.
Rick- As for another great dunker and eventual Div 1 player from PC- Jimmy Owens (around ‘84) was one of the best!
PC Fan,
I remember Jimmy Owens – he could really get off the floor. Where did he end up playing college ball?
A few of the other great Portchester players I remember are Anthony Faust, Tony Grier, Lou Vincent and Wayne James. Not too mention some non-Portchester HS guys like Rashamel Jones and Earl Johnson. Bill Dorsett was another great player – I don’t remember if he ever playing any ball after high school.
Hoops Fan-
Jimmy Owens ended up playing at St. Joe’s. Foust played baseball and basketball at Fordham. All those guys were my childhood heros! Wayne James had an unforgettable game against Peekskill and Todd Scott one year in the sectional tourn. which was played at SUNY Purchase. For all of PC current success, they really have a deep tradition of solid ballers. Webber Dr. was the home to some great bball back then!
Got this info from a guy who’s on the list:
Al Collins: WCC & Alaska-Anchorage
George Finney: Bowling Green U
Ed Felix: WCC, don’t know where he finished up at.
Also, two more great dunkers – Carl Farmer (Fox Lane “75”) & Tony Silva (Walter Panas “76”).
Daymon Yizar was a great all around low post player and he also went to Wagner. Do you have any memories of him Rick?
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