WRFA’s Collin Wood chats with Ben Drake, who is stepping down from the head basketball coach position at Jamestown High School. Drake, who in 25 years racked up numerous achievements, reflects on his time coaching.

Ben Drake

After 25 seasons as the Jamestown High School Basketball Coach, Ben Drake is stepping down.

Drake will remain the District’s Athletic Director.

His announcement ends a coaching tenure that has turned Jamestown into one of the state’s elite basketball programs, amassing 425 wins, 17 Erie County Interscholastic Conference Division I titles, seven Section VI titles, three appearances in the New York State Public High School Association Final Four, most recently in 2022, and two appearances in the state title game in 2011 and 2014.

Drake said he’s stepping away to focus more on family and ministry.

The district will begin an immediate search for the program’s next leader.

Coach Ben Drake talks with Collin Wood and discusses his 9-2 (5-0) Red Raiders team. They are off to a hot start, and are in pursuit of yet another SECTION VI title.

Jamestown High School Basketball

The Jamestown High School Basketball team is headed to the State Championships in Glen Falls on Thursday.

Jamestown Public Schools are encouraging the community to cheer on the team when they depart from Jamestown High School at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, March 17.

The Raiders play in the State Semifinals on Friday night at 7:45 p.m. versus Green Tech. If they win, they play in the State Championship game on Saturday night at 8:45 p.m. versus the winner of Mt. Vernon versus Baldwin game. All games are played at Cool Insuring Arena.

All games will be streamed online via the subscription service, NFHS network, at nfhsnetwork.com, and locally on WJTN.