It was a moment of great pride for Saratoga County sports, as Ben Drake was inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday. The ceremony took place in Glens Falls, recognizing Drake’s incredible contributions to the game, both as a player and a coach.
Drake, a former coach at Jamestown High School for an impressive 25 years, earned induction for his outstanding coaching record and legacy. During his tenure at his alma mater, he compiled a stellar 425-131 record (.764 winning percentage), led the team to numerous championships including 17 Erie County titles and seven Section VI crowns.
Before becoming one of the area’s most respected coaches, Drake was a standout player himself. He earned The Post-Journal’s Player of the Year award in high school and finished his career as a top ten performer in various categories at SUNY Brockport, including free-throw percentage and points scored. His academic achievements were also recognized, and he was inducted into the Brockport Hall of Fame.