Poll ballots - Week 2

As a pollster for the Buffalo News, I'm asked to send in my weekly ballots ranking the top ten large and small schools.  The polls are based on the games played through Sunday of each week.  Here's a look at how I see them and some of the rationale used to get there.

 

Large Schools

1. Niagara Falls (AA) - If they don't receive ten first place votes, someone needs their head checked.  I repeat, Falls is back.

2. Jamestown (AA) - Looked real good for three quarters against Williamsville South, then were fortunate to get the win after the Billes came storming back.

3. Williamsville South (A1) - If Aaron Adams is wearing a uniform instead of a cast or if they play the Red Raiders anywhere else but Jamestown, they are still number two. But rankings should be result based, not hypothetically driven.

4. Canisius (MMAA) - After seeing the Crusaders in the Wilson Tipoff Tournament, I didn't think they'd be sitting behind three other teams.

5.  Williamsville North (AA) - After a close call with Lancaster, they travel to Orchard Park on Tuesday night.  ECIC I will be a fun race to follow this season.

6. Riverside (A2) - With their non-league schedule complete after winning on the road against the Quakers, the Frontiers now shift the focus towards winning the Yale Cup.

7. East (A2) - The Panthers face a big test next week in the Rush Henrietta Tournament, opening against Section V's defending AA champ, the East Orientals. 

8. St. Joe's (MMAA) - They looked like a well-oiled machine against Lackawanna, then looked like they hadn't ever practiced together against Aquinas.  That inconsistency slides them down a spot.  We'll see which team wants to play the Presidents tonight.

9. McKinley (AA) - The Macks get a whole month off after beating Orchard Park, with their next game after the New Year against South Park.  McKinley still moves up a spot, because...

10. Bishop Timon-St. Jude (MMAA) - slid down two spots.  Why?  Cheektowaga had a larger margin of victory over Nichols than the Tigers, and Timon needs to step up its schedule.  Home games against Oracle Charter and MST Seneca, and a home tournament including Maritime Charter, Buffalo Academy of Science, and Iroquois isn't exactly a meat grinder for a large school in the MMAA. 

 

Small Schools

1. I-Prep at Grover (C) - Took care of business against Iroquois last week.  Face a big challenge at St. Joe's tonight.

2. OTC Middle College (C) - Defeated Nichols by 11 after a long drive south to St. Bonaventure.  The day after Christmas, they return to face Olean.

3. Wilson (B2) - Had no trouble beating Medina on Friday.  Host Lew-Port December 30th.

4. St. Mary's (MMAA) - Picked up a nice win against Clarence at the AdPro ECIC/Monsignor Martin Challenge.

5. Newfane (B1) - Conventional wisdom has Lackawanna as the favorites in Class B1.  My preseason pick was these Panthers, and I'm very comfortable with that.  Williamsville North would be wise not to look past Newfane in the Jolly Boys Tournament.

6. Tapestry Charter (C) - These guys are 5-0, and have now scored at least 90 points three times. 

7. Portville (C) - Won all three games they played this week, including a 15 point win over Archbishop Walsh.  They face Randolph in the championship game for the small schools at the IAABO Tournament on December 26th.

8. Dunkirk (B1) - Led by Vincent Bomasuto, the Marauders have started 3-0, most recently winning at Olean by 16.  Could this be the team to dethrone the Huskies as league champs?

9. Maple Grove (C) - Measuring stick game against Westfield this week was postponed.

10. Tonawanda (B1) - The Warriors are off to a good start.  The TNT rivalry game on Wednesday, at 7 pm in NT, looks to be a very good one.

 

Let me know how you'd have the teams ranked and where you disagree with my rankings.

 

-centercourt

Comments

[WNYHOOPS]

Centercourt, you never gave a review of the Jamestown game. I wanted to hear your opinion of the game and the atmosphere. I know you're going to say Jamestown got a lot of calls, but those refs definitely missed a lot of calls both ways. How much did Paige impress you, do you think he's worthy of 1st team all WNY.

[centercourt]

WNYHOOPS -

Sorry about never posting anything on the Jamestown/South game. It was the third game I saw on Saturday and following a two-hour drive home, along with some family functions on Sunday, hoops went on the back burner.

Luckily, one of the JV games went to OT, so Fredonia and Bennett were still playing when I arrived. The experience there is very cool. It's a long way down to the court from where you first walk in, which makes it very unique.

After hitting up the concession stand, I took a few flights of stairs down and found myself at court level where the Red Raiders were gathered and waiting to take the court, doing the pregame dancing and chanting. I saw head coach Ben Drake, who I had never met before, so I introduced myself and asked if he got the link for this blog I had emailed him. I quickly got the impression that he wasn't interested in that exchange and moved on.

I thought the crowd surprisingly lacked energy except for the small student section. I could see that place being electric if a game of major consequence was being played there. It made me wish I had seen the Riverside playoff game from a couple of years ago. Definitely a gym I'm anxious to return to.

I thought the Red Raiders played great for three quarters and Will South didn't play particularly well all game. Jamestown has more depth and that was a factor. I like what Adam Cecchini brings off the bench and was surprised Chris Carlson wasn't a starter. I think highly of Carlson and did last year also. I really think he's a post player most teams would love to have.

How much did Jaysean Paige impress me? A ton. He is so athletic and his game is really well-rounded. He has improved quite a bit from his sophomore year. It's still very early, but it's hard to imagine a player with that much talent, leading that good of a team, not earning an All-WNY spot.

That desperation shot by O'Connell at the end of the game was incredible, even if it didn't go in. An exciting ending to a near come back. I left with no doubt that those two schools are just a notch below Falls and both are capable of beating them if the stars were aligned correctly.

Looking forward to making another trip down there some time. I looked for you when I was there, but it's tough when you don't know who you're looking for. Next time stop over and say hello. Let me now your thoughts on the game or on my assessment of things.

[WNYHOOPS]

Great to hear you enjoyed the trip centercourt. Yeah I thought the crowd was a little quiet and the "event staff" a little small this year, which made for a somewhat "quiet" night in comparison to many past games at the Mac. Overall, I felt it was a great game between two of the best teams in WNY. That was the first time seeing Licatta play, and his ability to knock down shots was unbelievable. The kid is just a true athlete, and I hope his QB career pans out as much as our other local talent has at UB.

All I know is that Jaysean Paige is most likely the most talented basketball player to come out of Jamestown since Maceo Wofford. This kid is an all around talent who can not only throw down dunks like none other, but can also pull up and take a long range shot and nail it. I'm really looking forward to watching Paige hone his talents over the next two seasons, and lead Jamestown to greatness.

And next time I'll be sure to introduce myself, if I knew what you looked like...haha

[hoopster]

Thought Paige was no where near some of the pre-season hype coming out of Jamestown last year. He had a good year as part of an excellent Jamestown team. This is a different year and he's a different player on a different team. Much too early to say with any certainty who will be a first-team selection. But I would say it's likely we'll see players from Jamestown, Will South, Canisius, Niagara Falls and Grover(Holland as a 3rd team selection in 2010, most likely of anyone in WNY to be on 1st team).

I agree with CC. Paige is a very strong candidate for an All-WNY spot, but to earn a first team nod he'll have to nudge teammate Butts to the side unless the Red Raiders claim a state championship imo. Looking forward to seeing the Raiders again this year as they are always among the cream of the crop.

[Skip]

It is way too early to talk All WNY... Impressive win for North last night too

[JellyDonut]

NT's Montesanti brothers tossed from last night's game vs. Ken East.

[centercourt]

I agree the All-WNY talk is premature.

When I say that I think Paige will earn an All-WNY "spot", I mean any spot on one of the first four teams. Things are too wide open this season to begin naming the top five players in December.

[hoopster]

I agree on all counts. And I shoulda threw a few more teams out there, but since we all agree way too early. As an example Canisius fans were touting Blair Helton as not only a first team selection, but POTY of the year as well based on early to mid-season performances. Think he either ended up as a 2d or 3rd team member. Don't recall which. On the other hand there were some flying a little further under the radar that earned all-wny recognition. The way Keith does it however gives Chris Holland a leg up on everyone since he is the highest returning All-wny'er.

[PJB]

In the James vs NF game Butts struggled early with a number of turnovers when asked to handle the ball vs pressure, Paige looked more explosive and composed IMO.From that game Paige looked better and Jamestown was formitable in last three qtrs after falling behind early