In this March 2022 file photo, Jamestown boys basketball coach Ben Drake gives instructions to his players during a Section VI playoff game at Buffalo State Sports Arena. OBSERVER File Photo

Ben Drake’s coaching success in Western New York basketball circles is well known and now the rest of the Empire State is taking notice.

The former Jamestown High School boys mentor was notified this week by the Basketball Coaches Association of New York that he will be inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame next month in Glens Falls.

Joining Drake in the Class of 2026 are Larry Jones and Al Monaco of Section VI, Brian Cross of Section 7, Kurt Ehrensbeck of Section 4, Maurice Hicks of New York City, Robert Mayo of Section 11 and Bob McVean, former coach at Rochester Institute of Technology.

For Drake, the honor is in recognition of his remarkable 25-year tenure at his high school alma mater during which he compiled a 425-131 record (.764); won 17 Erie County Interscholastic Conference Division 1 championships, seven Section VI titles and three Far West Regional crowns; made 22 trips to the sectional final four at Buffalo State; and earned three trips to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association final four in Glens Falls, reaching the championship game twice.

As a high school player, he was The Post-Journal’s Player of the Year for the 1989-90 campaign and followed that with a standout career at SUNY Brockport. Upon his graduation, he finished in the top 10 in 10 different categories, including consecutive games with a 3-point field goal (23, first); career free-throw percentage (.843, second); and career points (1,266, seventh). In combination with a strong commitment to the classroom, he was a third-team CoSIDA Academic All-American as a senior, the first Brockport male to be so honored. He was inducted into the Brockport Hall of Fame in 2010.

Drake, who had previously served as athletic director at Keshequa Central School, was named the varsity boys basketball coach at Jamestown in 1998. He stepped down as the Red & Green’s head coach following the 2022-23 season, but still serves as Jamestown Public Schools’ athletic director.

The NYS Basketball Hall of Fame induction will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 19 at Harding Mazzotti Arena (formerly Cool Insuring Arena) in Glens Falls where the Hall of Fame is located.