This past Friday, 2/18/21, the Warwick Valley High School Boys Basketball Program and the Hall of Fame Committee, recognized two former Wildcat on their induction into the Warwick Boys Basketball Hall of Fame. Also recognized were other Hall of Fame inductees who were in attendance at the ceremony. Through their efforts, commitment and past accomplishments on the hardwood as former Wildcat’s, they have all helped shape the history of Warwick Wildcat Basketball.
The Class of 2022 consisted of former Wildcat student/athlete Matthew Ferguson and Michael Mann who were Matt was a multi-sport athlete at Warwick where he also excelled in football as a receiver.
Matt has taught at the Vernon Middle School in Vernon, New Jersey as a 6th grade Math teacher for 34 years. He served as the boy’s varsity basketball coach for 16 years and won numerous league, county and sectional championships. Matt also coached varsity football and Track n Field for over 30 years. Matt is recognized as one of the top coaches in the state of New Jersey.
Matt received the prestigious WVHS C. Ashley Morgan Male Athlete of The Year Award during his senior year in 1984. He also won the Boy’s sportsmanship Award during his senior year.
Coach Folino who coached Matt on the 18-2 junior varsity team during the 1981-82 season said: “Matt is one of the best players I have ever coached. I knew when I had him as a sophomore that he would one day be a coach. Matt’s work ethic, coachability, knowledge and commitment to academics and his passion for basketball has made him a true role model for past, present and future Wildcat’s.”
Matt’s most memorable high school moment was: Beating an undefeated Cornwall team his senior year. We were huge underdogs but were able to overcome many injuries during the year to finish the season with the big upset.
Michael Mann, a graduate of the WVHS Class of 1998, was a four year varsity player and three year starter. He played under Coach Dennis Carroll, 1995-97 and Coach Charles Harris, 1997-98. He was captain during his junior and senior year. Michael was called up from the junior varsity team during his freshman year and helped the Wildcats win the 1995 Section IX Class B championship. He was a major contributor during the playoffs that year.
Michael was one of the top defensive players in Section IX during his career. He led the team in steals during his junior and senior year. He also led the team in assists his junior and senior year. Michael was a multi-athlete who also excelled in football and baseball. In football he won numerous awards his senior year and was selected as the team MVP. He was Section IX’s best receiver during his junior year but he unselfishly made the switch to quarterback during his senior year to help lead the Cats to a Section IX playoff berth. In baseball he was a four year varsity player and starter. He was the MVP during his senior year.
Michael won the prestigious WVHS – C. Ashley Morgan Male Athlete of The Year Award his senior year. Micheal was honored to win this award as his older brother Anthony Mann and his grandfather Anthony Piggery also won this award when they were student/athletes at WVHS.
Coach Carroll said: “Michael was one of the best athletes that I ever had the opportunity to coach in my coaching career. He was our best defender and was very unselfish on offense as he always looked to set up his teammates to score.”
Michael ’s most memorable high school moment was his Freshman year when he helped the 1995 team win the Section IX Class B Basketball Championship. Playing on that team was so rewarding as we came together as a team to win the championship. Congratulations Matt and Michael on your induction into the Boy’s Basketball Hall of Fame!
If you would like to nominate a former Warwick Wildcat basketball player for consideration for induction into the Hall of Fame contact Tom Folino at 845-988-6564 or e-mail at tfolino1@optimum.net.
Tom Folino
Warwick Boys Basketball Hall of Fame
Director
