As a pollster for the Buffalo News, I'm asked to send in my weekly ballots ranking the top ten large and small schools. This is the last time I'll vote this season, so these ballots represent where the teams finished. Here's a look at how I see them and some of the rationale used to get there.
Large Schools
1. Canisius (MMA) - Undefeated in the MMA, winners of a third straight Manhattan Cup, and advanced to the CHSAA state championship game. Also had an 18-point victory over the Macks.
2. McKinley (A1) - Became the first Section VI school to win a Class A state championship since Class AA was added with an amazing postseason run.
3. Jamestown (AA) - Returned to the top of Class AA after winning a second straight title in ECIC I, all with just a single senior on the roster.
4. Niagara Falls (AA) - The Wolverines opened their season with a win over Bishop Kearney, and as it turned out, it was the only victory Falls would register over a non-Niagara Frontier League opponent all season. If you could only have one nonleague win to hang your hats on, beating the Class AA state champion Kings was a pretty good one.
5. Amherst (A2) - Undefeated ECIC III champions and Class A2 champions who saw its 20-game winning streak ended in the game of the year, at the hands of the Class A state champions, McKinley.
6. Timon/St. Jude (MMA) - Got a big boost at season's end with the return of a healthy Donte Williams to the lineup, and then the inspiring comeback of Ryan Dougherty from ACL surgery in the fall, and reached the Manhattan Cup final.
7. St. Joe's (MMA) - Once again, the Marauders proved their worth by sweeping Timon, winning at McKinley, and pushing Bishop Kearney to the end. They also saw their season end in the Manhattan Cup semifinals for a second year in a row.
8. Clarence (AA) - A very competitive and talented Red Devils team found themselves in a crowded ECIC I and Class AA.
9. Kenmore West (AA) - Flipped the script on Williamsville North by winning the quarterfinal matchup at their gym to advance to Buffalo State.
10. Williamsville North (AA) - The Spartans get slotted right behind the Blue Devils, who narrowly ended their season. Williamsville North's season included wins against Jamestown, Clarence, and Batavia - a far better resume than any other team vying for this final spot.
Small Schools
1. Olean (B1) - When the Huskies beat Canisius back in December, the thought of them not returning to Glens Falls seemed unfathomable. They'll no doubt be hungrier than ever next season, but the losses of Pat Scholla and Max Portlow will be significant and tough to overcome.
2. Silver Creek (C2) - Chill Showtime! A truly unique and highly entertaining team, the Black Knights enjoyed their greatest season in program history. One of two Section VI teams to reach Glens Falls this year.
3. St. Mary's (MMA) - The Lancers caught fire at season's end and once again represented Class B in the CHSAA, after knocking off Nichols twice in February.
4. East (B2) - Getting past Olean without the services of Jonathan Kinley proved to be too much for the Panthers. However, East returns to Class B2 next season, and brings all five starters back as well.
5. Middle College (C1) - Won a second straight Class C1 crown and proved they belonged with the big dogs in the Yale Cup, tying East for second place in Yale Cup I.
6. Oracle Charter (C1) - A break through season for the Phoenix that included an 18-game winning streak, playing in the C1 title game, and a road win against a certain Class A state champion from Elmwood Avenue.
7. Nichols (MMA) - A very bright future for the Vikings was already shining this year, as they scored wins over Olean, Cleveland Hill, St. Mary's, and Frontier.
8. Cleveland Hill (B2) - The unbeaten ECIC IV champs had wins this season over North Tonawanda, Maryvale, Roy-Hart, and a pair of victories over Lackawanna.
9. Lackawanna (B1) - The Steelers' fiercly competitive group blew past Depew and East Aurora in the postseason to advance to the Class B1 final.
10. Portville (C2) - Faced a Maple Grove team on a 17-game winning streak that had been ranked most of the season in the semifinals, and took them apart at the seams in a 67-39 rout. The Panthers also pushed Silver Creek in the C2 final before bowing out. Portville had just three losses on the season - all to the Black Knights.
-centercourt
Here are my ALL-TIME BEST TEAMS From WNY since I have been watching starting in 1984:
1) NIAGARA FALLS 2005. 2) 1984 SWEET HOME. 3) 2010 NICHOLS. 4) 1988 LASALLE. 5) 1995 LASALLE. 6) 2001 TIMON. 7) 1996 TRADITIONAL. 8) 2001 TRADITIONAL. 9) 1987 BENNETT 10) 1984 BENETT. 11) 1992 ST JOE'S 12) 2002 NIAGARA FALLS. HON MENTION: 2011 JAMESTOWN. Most exciting team to watch: 1988 BURGARD
Posted by: fullcourt1 | Monday, March 25, 2013 at 12:33 AM
Have not been watching as long as Full court... But since around 88 i have been watching.
1. NFHS 05
2. LaSalle 88
3. Nichols 88(no way that 2010 was better than these guys or LaSalle 88
4.LaSalle 95
5.Traditional 96
Posted by: jay | Monday, March 25, 2013 at 11:00 AM
Don't agree with you on NICHOLS; I don't think they even made it out of BUFFALO in 88 as TURNER-CARROL won FEDS that year. The best LAETTNER ERA teams at NICHOLS were probably 85 and 86 with the TORGALSKIS. The 2010 team deserves props for winning FEDS over 2 powerhouses ( JD and Long Island Lutheran). I also should mention that 99 TURNER CARROL belongs on my list as they won FEDS and shredded the NYC REP by 40 in the SEMIS.
Posted by: fullcourt1 | Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 12:59 AM
Agree with turner Carrol 100 percent ..Also from my view the , competition was way better back then ..Their were a few guys on nichols that wouldnt start on some of these teams...you may be right about Nichols ..i remember Lasalle beating Laettners teams , but I think you are correct the Torgalskis may have been gone.
Posted by: jay | Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 09:29 AM
Turner/Carroll won in 1988. Kevin McCarley and James Hollis led the team!
Posted by: TC | Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 08:29 PM
PAL/ACE info. tryouts will be 5pm on April 16th for the fr/so. game and 6:30 on the 16th for the jr/sr game. The games will be played at 6pm and 7:15 on April 18th. Games and Tryouts will be held at Niagara Falls HS. Any frosh or soph trying out MUST of played varsity this past season. any questions contact me at 228-7916
Posted by: Sal Constantino | Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 09:38 PM
Traditional won states in 1999, 2000 and 2001. They also won the Federation in 2001.
Posted by: BBBfan | Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 09:28 AM
The Turner Carrol team that had Leonard Stokes as a senior and Julius Page as a Junior is my pick for second best team of all time. Heard the '84 sweethome team was great, but a little b4 my time. The Nichols 2010 team was great, rolling over teams in the fed, and Wil Reagan and Stan Weir were significant D1 recruits both ending up at UB, after Will had a year at Virginia. But Stokes went to Cincinnati and played overseas, and Page ended up at Pitt. I think Karon Barnes played d1, and big man Habeeb was a Bona recruit for a while. Clearly the 2005 Falls team was the best, with an NBA lottery pick, nba d-league player, and at least 7 d1 players on the roster, along with a Super Bowl champion. Paul Harris also did a great job coaching that team.
Posted by: Tarheel23 | Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 03:55 AM