When it comes to career accomplishments, there's no shortage of accolades for Cheektowaga senior Dominick Welch.
He passed 1,000 career points as a sophomore and is the program's all-time leading scorer.
"I never imagined that. It just seemed to happen," he said. "I became a better scorer and then I started reaching milestones."
"Funny story," when I was coaching about six year ago, he was a 7th grader playing on the modified team and my assistant says 'coach you've got to come check out this kid I've got. I think you're going to like him,'" Head coach Pat Cullilan said. "So I watch the game and I say 'you were wrong Tony, I love him.'
But there is still one name and one mark Dom is chasing: Ritchie Campbell -- the former Burgard star who set the Western New York scoring more with 2,355 points nearly 30 years ago.
"I believe I can could," Dom said of breaking the record this season. "I can do better than I did last year."
The senior needs 648 points and to score 30 points to per game to reach that mark. After averaging 29 as a junior, his style of play makes it a real possibility.
"I'm a dog," he said laughing.
"People are going to laugh when you hear him say that, but it's true how he does it. When he's on the court he's totally a different animal. He's all business. He's no non-sense, aggressive. Knows what he wants and goes and gets it. It's a mentality you don't see in a high school kind. It's fun to watch, there's no question about that."
"I'm all cool off the court, but on the court, I'm nobody's friend unless you're my teammate."
"Sometimes he does things and it's like 'whoa, he just did that.' nothing surprises me with what he can do, but that doesn't mean i don't want to see more of it. Keep it coming, Dom."
***SUPER 7 COUNTDOWN***
#1 – Dom Welch, Cheektowaga Basketball
#2 – Ryan Miller, Bishop Timon Hockey
Scored the game-winner in overtime against Hamburg to lift the Tigers to their first win of the season, 4-3. Miller scored twice against the Bulldogs.
#3 – Aviance Clark, Depew Basketball
Scored 23 points in the Wildcats’ season opening 60-44 win over West Seneca West.
“Avi played one of the best games I have seen from a high school girl in the last few years. Her defense was outstanding. She's responsible for the defending our opponents top players each week. Her uncanny awareness on the offensive end of the court is just special."
#4 – Tom Held, Orchard Park Hockey
Stopped 38 of the 40 shots he faced in net as the Quakers and Crusaders battled to a 2-2 tie in the season opener on Monday at HarborCenter.
“The first 5 minutes Canisius came out really strong. Tom kept us in the game by having such a great start. He was in the zone most of the night keeping the puck in front of him and playing the angles. Tom is a great senior leader on the team and his play was calming to many of the guys playing in their first varsity game. He was unbelievable in the 3rd period and in overtime, not allowing any more goals. Canisius was throwing everything they had at him in overtime but Tom was able to stay strong and cover any loose pucks around him.” - Josh Dannecker, Head Coach
#5 – Trey Lilly, Tonawanda High School
Scored 12 points in the Warriors season opening win over Akron.
“Trey Lilly gives 100% every practice and game. I don't believe I have had a player who works harder in my ten years at the varsity level.” – Coach Hughes
#6 – Jada Brenon, Nichols Hockey
Earned a shutout in the Vikings 3-0 season opening win over Havergal. Brenon stopped all 16 shots she faced.
“Jada was solid in net in our first win. She was peppered a few times in the first and stood tall and then made some huge saves later in the game when Havergal pressured us hard. In a game where shots against are inconsistent, it can be hard for a goaltender to stay hot and when only up by a goal, one bounce could change the momentum of the game despite whether we are controlling the game or not. It was obvious that Jada was focused for a full 45 minutes and as a coach you can't ask for more from your goaltender. She came up with some big saves at big times and played a huge factor in our first win of the season.” – Shelley Looney, Head Coach
#7 – Robbie Nuchereno, Nichols Hockey
Stopped all 24-shots he faced in the Vikings 2-0 win over Brunswick, Connecticut.
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