Poll Ballots - Week Six

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. St. Joe's (MMA) - The Canisius/Falls debate was fun while it lasted, but there is no argument for any team other than the Marauders at number one right now .

2. Canisius (MMA) - Not an enjoyable weekend for the Crusaders, who followed up a rivalry loss with a loss at Rochester East on Saturday.   Hosting Timon on Thursday is a must-win for both the league race and team morale.

3. Jamestown (AA) -  I considered the Red Raiders for number two because of the relative ease they've had in their victories this year. 

4. Niagara Falls (AA) - Now there's only five schools in the NFL that have yet to beat the new Falls.  They were without starter Ramir Burton and his backup, Stefon Caffee, in loss to Ken West.   It's still a game the Wolverines are capable of winning, and should have won.

5. Bishop Timon/St. Jude (MMA) - Very impressive win against Bishop Kearney, even if they didn't have 6-10 Chinonso Obokoh.  Still only number five because of home loss to St. Mary's just days earlier, and still behind NFHS, who beat them head-to-head.

6. Kenmore West (AA) - The sentiment this year has been that there is a clear top six in WNY.  When your resume reads only losses to Canisius & Falls and key win against Falls, it's time they joined the party...make it a top seven.

7. McKinley (A1) - The quality of the Ken West win trumps what the Macks have to offer and bumps them down a spot for now. Key Yale Cup matchup tonight has them hosting.....

8. Riverside (A2) - the Frontiers, who need to win tonight to avoid falling two games behind the Macks in the battle for the Cup. 

9.  Williamsville East (A1) - The Flames will attempt to run the table in ECIC II and grab the top sectional seed over the next three weeks.

10. Hutch-Tech (A1) - Picked up a nonleague win against Orchard Park on Friday and host East in a rematch of a one-point game the Engineers won earlier this year, this Friday.

 

Small Schools

1. Olean (B1) - Looking forward to seeing the Huskies in action again tonight for the biggest game Olean has hosted in a long time.

2. St. Mary's (MMA) - Looking forward to seeing the Lancers tonight as well (at Walsh  at 6:30, which is right around the corner from Olean).   They were so impressive in their win at Timon, that I honestly think they have a legitimate chance of being the first small school to win the Manhattan Cup since Nichols did in 2007.

3. Tonawanda (B1) - They continue to trail OTC/MEC in the poll and I'm not sure why.  The Warriors are unbeaten, including a win over East Aurora, who beat OTC/MEC.

4. OTC/MEC (C1) - Continue to show separation between them and the rest of Yale Cup II with a solid win against MST Seneca on Friday.

5. Depew (B1) - The Wildcats need a big second half in ECIC III for any shot at the title, beginning this Friday when they host Amherst, who already handed them one loss.

6. East (B1) - The last time the Panthers were sitting this far under the radar, WNY basketball blogs were non-existent.

7. Wilson (B2) - The Lakemen must be feeling a little uneasy about the week ahead - at Medina, who took Wilson to OT in the first meeting, and at Newfane, who has rolled through the N-O since losing at Wilson and has a score to settle.

8. Archbishop Walsh (MMA) - If the Eagles are primed for an upset, this is the week to do it with St. Mary's coming to their little gym.

9. Silver Creek (C2) - The Black Knights suffered long enough for their loss to Randolph (their only loss of the season) and return to this ballot after picking up a big win against Portville.   

10. Dunkirk (B1) - With Silver Creek returning to my top ten, it only left one spot open.  I couldn't see having one but not the other between MST Seneca and I-Prep, and since Seneca just lost again on Friday, I dropped both.  That made room for these Marauders, who are very highly touted by those who have watched them.  Only one loss (to Olean by three) and a lot of blowout wins.  I will finally see them tonight, so expect some movement in one direction or another next week, based on what I see tonight.

 

-centercourt

Comments

[StateChamps2003]

CC - LIke the comment next to 'East'. Funny because it's so true.

[McShea is God]

I thnk it's crazy that Jamestown was not #1 in the Buff News poll this week. They have been KILLING teams all year and they lost 1 game all year 2 a team ranked #2 in the State. They were in the State final last year. No respect. If I had a vote I would have gone Jamestown, Timon, Joe's, Canisius, McKinley, Falls, K West....Timon lost at Joe's who seems 2 play ever game at home in OT and crushed B Kearney who crused Joe's. And losing by 3 at Falls is basically a win on a neutral court. It's funny they honor the coach but don't give him the respect in the polls. So again just shocked Jamestown was not #1 in the poll this week. I plan on having a smoke w Pat Moran 2 c what he thinks about Timon getting screwed out of #2 after crushing Kearney a team Joe's lost 2.