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.
Large Schools
1. Canisius (MAA) - Watching the Crusaders fourth quarter scoring surge against Cathedral Prep erased any doubt I had left as to which team deserved to be ranked number one. I wrote last week that Canisius passed the ball better than any team in WNY, and that's exactly how they defeated the Ramblers. Whether in transition or a half court set, the Crusaders unselfishly find the open shooter and bury their shots. Even when Matt MacDonald was scorching the basket in the fourth quarter, he passed up a good look to swing it to Matt Hart, who had an even better look, and drilled it.
2. Niagara Falls (AA) - I asked Cathedral Prep's AD and Burger King Classic director, Bill Flannigan, which team he thought was better during the Canisius game. He said the two were so close, we were lucky to have that topic up for debate. I agree, and think the Canisius/Falls...Falls/Canisius topic has been the best topic of debate this season. For now, NFHS deserves to fall a spot.
3. St. Joe's (MMA) - The Marauders are the proud new owners of the most significant win by a WNY team this season. Trust me, the Aquinas team they beat is a really good one - just ask Bishop Kearney or Canisius. The Lil Irish have four players on their team who will play Division 1 athletics next year. There's room at the top of this ballot if the Marauders win on Friday night.
4. Jamestown (AA) - Drop one spot as St. Joe's moves up. If the Red Raiders had beaten Aquinas, they'd have gotten a bump too.
5. Bishop Timon/St. Jude (MMA) - The stretch run begins this week for the Tigers with St. Mary's visiting tonight and Bishop Kearney coming in on Friday.
6. McKinley (A1) - Handed East its biggest league loss in the last two seasons.
7. Kenmore West (AA) - Unbeaten through a round of the non-Falls portion of the NFL schedule. Visit the Wolverines on Friday with a share of first place at stake.
8. Riverside (A2) - With both meetings against McKinley still ahead, the Frontiers top win remains against Hutch-Tech.
9. Williamsville East (A1) - The Flames are amidst a 10-game win streak since losing to St. Joe's in early December.
10. Hutch-Tech (A1) - May need to run the table in the second half of its league schedule for a shot at the Yale Cup.
Small Schools
1. Olean (B1) - Let's see, I mentioned they should go independent next year and that they will likely top the polls for the next three years. I'm running out of things to say in this space, so I'll just quote their fans - Huskies, Huskies, Go-Go-Go!
2. St. Mary's (MMA) - Lost to St. Joe's by six and to Canisius by three. The Lancers get their last chance to knock off one of the "Big 3" tonight when they travel to Timon.
3. Tonawanda (B1) - The only team in WNY that has yet to taste defeat.
4. OTC/MEC (C1) - If the Kats can take care of business Friday against MST Seneca, they'll have completed the first round of league play unscathed.
5. Depew (B1) - After second straight loss this week, the Wildcats have lost the momentum of their tournament championship win against the Lancers.
6. East (B1) - Were really missing speedy point guard Johnathon Lewis in their loss at McKinley. I'm keeping them here, ahead of the Lakemen, for beating Riverside - who beat Wilson by 19.
7. Wilson (B2) - There are some very good players in the N-O league, but I think the Lakemen benefit from having the league's best player in point guard Tyler Martin.
8. Archbishop Walsh (MMA) - Led at halftime and trailed by just a point entering the fourth quarter at St. Joe's last week.
9. MST Seneca (C2) - The loss to City Honors dropped them two spots 0n this ballot. The Indians will be on the move again on next week's ballot - which direction depends on how they do against OTC/MEC on Friday.
10. I-Prep (C2) - Slide down a spot to stay behind MST Seneca and to allow Walsh to move up.
-centercourt
Willy East might have won 10 straight but look who they have beat. They might have a better record but they are not better than North and already lost to them. I think EA, Amherst, Frontier are all better too. Still can't beleive they beat Clarence. Def the most overated team in the top 10.
Posted by: jj43 | Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Good job by CC on his ballot. U certainly can make a case 4 Joe's at 3. I still think Jamestown and Timon r better. Though Timon/Joe's 2 me is a tie.
However I don't get CC's love affair w Depew I think Dunkirk should b in the Top 10 ahead of them they lost 1 game 2 Olean and it was close. I realize they play a lame scheudle but I think ECIC 3 is really bad this year.
Glad 2 hear Pat is ok. Friday has 2 b KILLING CC that he can only do 1 game I think there r like 6 he wants 2 b at! Can he clone himself???
Posted by: McShea is God | Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 01:25 PM
What kills me is that just a week earlier, Lockport @ Ken West looked like the best game on a Friday, and a week later there are so many quality games.
There's no love affair with Depew. Like East, they are a small school in a large school league. They have a signature home win against St. Mary's, while East has a signature home win against Riverside. I think St. Mary's would beat Riverside.
Jamestown & Timon may be better than Joe's. There's really no way to know for sure right now. Lots of answers in the coming weeks.
Posted by: centercourt | Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 02:10 PM
Anyone know what time the Walsh v. Canisius game is tomorrow at Canisius?
Posted by: WNYHOOPS | Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 07:28 PM
Wny hoops it's at. 6:30
Posted by: Roundman | Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 07:33 PM
halftime nc up 2 on st. joes
Posted by: guest | Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 07:48 PM
Wow nc must be ready to play .......big surprise they can stay with joes
Posted by: Roundman | Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 08:10 PM
I think I might have to stop and watch that game. Looking forward to seeing Whepley play and of course Canisius. Between Walsh and Olean High, the Olean area is quite the basketball breeding ground.
Posted by: WNYHOOPS | Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 08:37 PM
st. joes won by double digits
Posted by: guest | Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 08:51 PM
St. Mary's wins 73 -71. They shot amazing tonight. They couldn't miss. They had 10 team threes.
Posted by: Lucky13 | Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Ultra impressive effort by St. Mary's tonight to defeat Timon. They shot brilliant over the last three quarters and flat-out wanted it more than Timon, winning the loose ball battles and hustling for rebounds. The Lancers have been on the verge of a big-time upset all season long and absolutely deserved to walk out of South Buffalo winners Tuesday.
Fun game and environment to watch. Timon in many ways were exposed as a very poor outside shooting team other than Williams and Kobis. I still think the Tigers got as much talent as anybody to win, but if they want to go anywhere come postseason crunch time they better get a heck of a lot more from Bryant Fulton and Ryan Dougherty. They were complete non-factors tonight.
In fact, Kobis, Williams and DiMillo Gibbs scored all but 8 of Timon's 71 points.
Meanwhile, Reddin and Simmons were beasts for Mary's, and they got a much more complete game from the castmates Tuesday, whether it came via scoring, passes or key hustle plays. That's a sign of really strong coaching.
My unsung hero award for the game goes to ST. Mary's Nicc Johnson, who hit a pair of huge three-pointers in the third quarter.
Nothing should be taken for granted in the top half of the MMA this year. Let this serve as proof.
Posted by: Patrick Moran | Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 11:16 PM