I still remember the day a tall, skinny 8th grader walked into the gym, and I wondered if Otto had hired a ball boy for the season. Then I watched him play and knew Lancaster had something special. I could spend this whole article writing about all the accomplishments Joe has had on the court, and I will touch on those, but I would rather talk about Joe off the court.
When people see a player as good as Joe, usually their first thought is, "boy is he talented". Which is true, he is, but I don't think they realize how hard Joe works to be good. I don't think they realize the time and effort Joe puts in during the offseason, when he could be spending his summer days relaxing. Two summers ago, when all the gyms and everything were shut down, I offered the players the opportunity to come to my house and I would put them through workouts in my driveway. Joe was the first one to say he was in, and once players saw he was in others followed. Three days a week Joe, and a handful of other players, came over at 10 in the morning so I could put them through some of the hardest workouts I could think up. They did everything from lift weights, speed drills, box jumps, agility drills, running hills pulling weights and other cardio exercises. Each day I would watch them leave dripping sweat, sore and dead tired, thinking they wouldn't be back. Each day Joe led them back and he was there pushing himself and his teammates to get stronger and faster.
This kind of work ethic is a big reason Joe is even playing this season. After suffering a devastating knee injury last year, there was a question as to whether Joe would even be able to return this year given the time frame. Often times people see the injury and then they see the comeback. What they don't see are the hours of physical therapy and stretching just so you can have full mobility in your leg again. They don't see the weeks of small exercises to gain the strength just to be able to walk and run the same again. They don't see the months of hard work to get back to playing at the level Joe is playing at now. They don't get to see the mental struggle of everyday just wanting to be able to play, but knowing it is months away and you have so much hard work ahead of you. Joe could have given up or half assed his physical therapy at any point over the last 12 months. But that isn't how Joe operates. In fact, Joe worked so hard he made it back to competing ahead of schedule.
Now for Joe on the court. I have no doubt that if Joe hadn't missed the majority of last season, he would be Lancaster's All-Time leader in points, rebounds and a few other categories. As it is he will finish in the top 5 in scoring, 2nd in rebounds and 2nd in blocks. Joe will go down as one of Lancaster's greatest basketball players to ever step on the court. This season Joe will surely be adding a few more awards to his already pretty full mantle. Joe has been named MVP of a number of tournaments. He was named to the All-ECIC 2nd team in 2019-20. He was also named to the ECIC 1 1st team, All-Western NY 5th team, the All-Centercourt team and was an All-State Honorable Mention that year as well. However, Joe's favorite trophy is the 2019-2020 Class AA Section 6 Championship one. Joe was the center piece of the team that brought home the Championship for Lancaster for the first time in over 60 years. Joe's talent and hard work have been a joy to watch over these past 5 years. Coach Otto had this to say about Joe, "I have had the pleasure of coaching him since 8th grade. I have watched him grow from a nervous, skinny kid into a confident young man. He is very coachable and well liked and respected by teammates and other coaches. His parents should be very proud of him, I know I am."
As good of a player as Joe is on the court, he is a better person off. Just ask my son, who now asks how Joe did and brags to all his friends that he knows Joe, because Joe volunteered his time to come give my son's baseball team pitching lessons. Joe is always willing to talk to and give his time to the younger kids. Whether Joe knows it or not there are a lot of little kids who look up to him as a role model, and frankly I'm not sure those kids could have picked a better one. Joe, I wish you the best of luck in the future and know, you will go down as a Legend!
Here are some questions Joe answered for me:
1) What are your plans after graduation?
Attending college and continue to play basketball.
2) Where and for what?
Undecided, for electrical and computer engineering.
3) What is your favorite athletic moment you were involved in?
Winning the Class AA Sectional Championship in 2019-20 for basketball.
4) What is your favorite athletic moment you were NOT involved in?
I went to the Bills playoff game vs the Patriots this year. It was freezing but it was my first Bills game that wasn’t a preseason game.
5) What is your favorite team?
L.A. Lakers
6) Who is your favorite athlete?
The one and only LeBron James.
7) What is your favorite movie?
Step Brothers
8) Who is your favorite band/artist?
Huuugggeeee Queen fan.
9) Do you have any pregame rituals?
I sit by myself on the bench and dribble, try to clear my mind and mentally prepare for the game.
10) What is your favorite post game meal?
McDonalds with the team.
11) What is your favorite memory of high school?
The team Elmira trip in 2019, taking that weekend to get closer as a team and hangout somewhere without parents was an awesome experience.
12) What athletic event still leaves a bad taste in your mouth?
Our championship season being cut short by COVID. I’ll take it to my grave that we were a state champion caliber team! (I will second that)
13) What is the best advice you have received?
Everyone comes to a point in their life where they want to quit, what you do in that moment determines who you are.
14) What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
My dog is my best friend.
15) Who do you look up to the most?
Kobe Bryant was a big inspiration for me in terms of his life away from basketball and his work ethic while he played.
Here are some questions Joe's parents were kind enough to answer:
1) What is your favorite sports memory of Joe?
Mom- My favorite sports memory is when Joey made the LHS Varsity Basketball Team as an 8th grader attending Lancaster Middle School. It was such an honor to see Joe try out AND make the team, growing each day and working hard to play the sport he has loved since the age of 3.
Dad- My favorite sports memory ever is when Joe and the rest of the Lancaster High School Boys Basketball program won the Section VI Championship.
2) What is your favorite nonathletic memory of Joe?
Mom- My favorite nonathletic memory is of the third grade Como Park Elementary talent show when Joe sang solo on stage, Bruno Mars " When I was Your Man". It was so brave, so perfect!
Dad- My favorite nonathletic memory of Joe is how he handled his knee injury. Joe could have broken several records among other things lost due to the injury and never once complained or asked why me? Also, just hanging out eating chicken wings.
3) What is your proudest parent moment?
Mom- My proudest parent moment was watching Joe over the last 12 months deal with not only an unthinkable ACL injury but more so the lack of sportsmanship and decency that contributed to his injury. An injury that stole so much from this kid both mentally and physically and then to see his determination looking only straight ahead, working so hard and taking the high road every step of the way back. Nothing but proud of Joe.
Dad- Proudest parent moment was having a school lunch monitor approach me and compliment Joe, sharing how nice of a person he is.
4) Anything you would like to say to Joe, or about him?
Mom- Joe your love of sports was clear from the time you were little. As proud as you've made us over the years taking to the field and court, it is the smart, kind, and funny you that we love the most! Can't wait to see what you do in this amazing life ahead!
Dad- My advice to Joe as he goes forward in life is that hard work is what separates you from others. Keep working hard...Love Dad!
