Poll ballots - Week 9

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 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.

 Week 1   Week 2   Week 3   Week 4   Week 5   Week 6   Week 7   Week 8

 

My first vote is cast for Week 9 as the most difficult to sort out at the top of the large schools.  Talk about getting into some grey area.  Regardless of how I ranked the top five, someone is making an argument against it, because there's one that can be made. 

 

Large Schools

1. Niagara Falls (AA) - My knee jerk reaction was to drop them after losing its first game of the season, but once I analyzed everything, I couldn't find a team that should be ahead of them right now.   They beat Jamestown and the Red Raiders recently lost to Williamsville North and have three total losses, so that didn't work for me.  The Billies weren't going to jump Jamestown after losing to them.  Falls is also the only team to defeat Aquinas, who beat both St. Joe's and Canisius by more than 20 points.  They are one of four teams in WNY to go unbeaten in league action.  At the end of the day, the Wolverines body of work warrants the top spot.  Falls enters the postseason at 17-1 and the one loss was a nail biter, by one point, on the road.  So what about St. Joe's, who just beat them?

2. St. Joe's (MMAA) - The Marauders win over Falls was thrilling and warants major respect, which it's getting by jumping South and Jamestown on my ballot.  Had they beaten Canisius on Tuesday, you couldn't deny them the top spot.  But they didn't and enter the Manhattan Cup playoffs as the two seed because of that loss and a coin toss. 

If Joe's is voted number one, Canisius could make the case that they beat Joe's, who beat Falls, in the same week, so they're number one.   If Canisius was number one, Falls and South are looking for some answers.  I kept Falls at number one, and they just lost to St. Joe's, who I kept ahead of Canisius after losing to them this week. 

See what I mean about grey area? 

3. Jamestown (AA) - They are surpassed by the Marauders for accomplishing what they did not, although I think they might get a second chance soon enough.

4. Williamsville South (A1) - The Red Raiders moving back a spot means the Billies have to also, due to their loss at Jamestown.

5. Canisius (MMAA) - These guys have to feel the most slighted of all.  Two big wins this week gets them the same spot?  Did I mention Canisius sells the best pizza?

6. East (A2) - Won the Yale Cup in 2007, 2009, & 2011.  Went to Glens Falls in 2008 (led by Jamal Webb) and surrendered the Cup to eventual state champion, OTC,  last season in a game that 2nd team All-WNY guard Domonique Jackson missed.  Not a bad five year run for the Panthers.

7.  Bennett (A1) - Deserving of this spot after earning a season sweep against McKinley.  The Tigers will be a dangerous team in Class A1.

8. McKinley (AA) - Trivia time - when was the last season the Macks didn't walk next door to play in the semifinals at Buffalo State?  If they can keep the streak alive, a Wolverine team with something to prove will likely be waiting for them.

9. Lancaster (AA) - The Redskins earned a first round bye and a home game on Friday night, meaning they are one win away from a long awaited appearance at Buffalo State.

10. Maryvale (A2) - I'm sure the Flyers feel they deserve this spot, and I agree.  But they couldn't have been happy about Depew (who they've beaten twice already) winning the coin toss to set them up with a potential date with Riverside.

 

Small Schools

1. I-Prep at Grover (C) - The Presidents have been waiting all season for the sectionals to begin.  Now that its here, the goal is to win six in a row.

2. Dunkirk (B1) - I finally got to see the Marauders in action last week.  Vincent Bomasuto & company are for real...but so are the rest of the teams looking to join them in the semifinals.

3. Newfane (B1) - In my preseason preview last year, I called the Panthers a "talented young squad that may be a year away from something special".  By this time next week, Newfane could be one win away from that something I was referring to.

4. Wilson (B2) - The Lakemen are a win away from a fifth straight trip to the semifinals.  In Class B2 and up, only Jamestown, McKinley, Olean, and Lackawanna have a longer streak going.  That's pretty good company.

5. St. Mary's (MMAA) - Loss to Walsh wasn't expected, but also wasn't a shocker. It would be if it happened again Tuesday night at the Koessler Center.

6. Tonawanda (B1) - When was the last time the Warriors were favorites to win a playoff game and reach the semifinals?

7. Tapestry Charter (C) - The Thunderhawks are ready to write the next chapter to their storybook season.  The team lost in the pre-quarterfinals last season after scoring 40, just under half of their average total per game this season.

8. Maple Grove (C) - It's finally time to find out just how good they are this season.  Remember, until the Pine Valley loss where the Red Dragons were without some key contributors, they were ranked ahead of Dunkirk and had the same results against common opponents

9. OTC Middle College (C) - The Kats overtime loss at I-Prep is a sharp reminder of how talented they are.

10. Lackawanna (B1) - If the Steelers can repeat their recent result against JFK, they'll be right back where they are every season.

 

-centercourt

Comments

[jackherlan]

Glad I didn't have to vote this week. Might be a little clearer by the end of next week, then again you never know.

For what it's worth -

Top5 v. Top 5 whole season -
St. joes - 2-1 beat Can. and NFalls lost to Can.
Nfalls - 2-1 beat James. and Can. lost to Joes
James - 1-1 lost to Falls beat WSouth
WSouth - 1-1 beat Can. lost to James.
Can. - 1-3 lost to South, Falls , Joes , beat Joes.

I am pretty sure I said it earlier in the year that on any given night I think any of these teams could beat any of the other ones. And the only poll that really matters is the last one.

Hope everybody has fun the next couple of weeks. :-)

[TML1000]

I wouldn't bump Joe's ahead of Jamestown. I know you like to look at losses simply as losses but there is no way Jamestown loses to North with Paige playing...it simply doesn't happen. The game did happen, but I can't weight it the same as if they had lost to North with a full team.

[TML1000]

Nt leads op 31-21 at half...surprising stuff. Best nt has played this year by far.