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 (MMA) - In a shocking development, the Crusaders defeated Niagara Catholic to advance out of the quarterfinals. Canisius is gearing up for its fourth straight Manhattan Cup, a feat that would match only St. Joe's, who did it in 90, 91, 92, & 93.
2. Jamestown (AA) - The defending Class AA champions are back at Buff State for a ninth straight year, to face an unfamiliar and very balanced opponent, Lockport. A win for the Red Raiders would earn a third meeting against one of the next two teams on this ballot.
3. Williamsville North (AA) - It sounds like there was quite the gathering on Hopkins Road Friday night, anticipating a possible upset as the Spartans hosted traditional Class AA force, Niagara Falls. Instead, North took care of business by building a 20+ point first half lead. Now back in the semifinals after missing last season's, they'll have to win a third meeting against Clarence to keep playing, after splitting with the Red Devils during the regular season.
4. Clarence (AA) - The Red Devils seem to win every other game they play against Williamsville North. Good news for a team that lost to them the last time they played. The most exciting semifinal this year on paper will be the first one to tip off this week.
5. Lockport (AA) - The Lions played what was likely their best game of the season at Kenmore West on Friday night to earn their first trip to the semifinals since 2006, when a Jonny Flynn-led Niagara Falls squad ended their campaign.
6. McKinley (A1) - The Macks beat Williamsville East in the quarterfinals by 15, to earn their 15th straight trip to the semifinal round of the Section VI postseason - the longest streak of its kind. They'll face Hamburg on Thursday night.
7. Timon/St. Jude (MMA) - Nearly upset by St. Francis on their court yesterday. Now the Tigers will need to knock off St. Mary's to earn a third game against Canisius and a second straight trip to the Manhattan Cup final.
8. Amherst (A2) - The Tigers draw Lew-Port in the Class A2 semifinals after the Lancers knocked off East Aurora by five in the quarterfinals. Amherst owns a pair of 11-point wins over those Blue Devils this year.
9. Kenmore West (AA) - The Blue Devils found themselves on the wrong end of lopsided quarterfinal against Lockport. West finished its season 15-4, with the biggest win coming back in December against those same Lions.
10. St. Joe's (MMA) - Ended their season with five consecutive losses, after beginning the year with wins over the likes of Middle College, McKinley, Timon, & Cheektowaga.
Small Schools
1. Olean (B1) - Anyone know how the Huskies will be next year? Kidding - I just wanted to illustrate the point that the only thing anyone in Olean is thinking about is now, as in a state championship run, now. A familiar Buff State foe in Depew awaits the Huskies in the semifinals.
2. St. Mary's (MMA) - I bumped the Lancers up to #2 last week, and they responded by knocking off St. Joe's in consecutive games at their place and on a neutral court. The Lancers are now a win against Timon away from getting back to the Manhattan Cup Final for a second time in three seasons.
3. East (B2) - The return of Tyree Tyson should be on Tuesday night, when the Panthers take on Health Sciences. All eyes will be on his progress, because one week from his return is the overall Class B final - you know, the Olean/East game we've drooled over since November.
4. Middle College (C1) - The Kats put one on Cassadaga Valley to earn a return trip to JCC, a place they've now reached for five straight seasons. The heavy Class C favorite's next opponent is Allegany-Limestone, a team with wins over Randolph & Holland this season.
5. Nichols (MMA) - The Vikings played Canisius pretty tight at their place back in January. The rematch is Wednesday night in the same gym. They've got the size to bang with the Crusaders. Could Nichols really.....
6. Fredonia (B1) - The Hillbillies face Tonawanda on Tuesday night, after whalloping Bennett on Friday. They're one win away from a date with Olean, and two wins away from shocking the world!
7. Park (MMA) - The Pioneers season came to a crashing thud against Nichols yesterday, after falling behind 27-2 to start the game. The good news for the new MMA power that formed in the blink of an eye, they're all back next year. And if they have another off-season like the one prior to this year, look out!
8. Barker (C1) - Following Portville's 39-point loss to the Raiders on Friday, Panthers' head coach Fred Caya said Barker was better than advertised and that Jake Haight was the real deal. Barker enters tomorrow night's Class C1 semifinal against Silver Creek with a 19-0 record, the same mark those Black Knights had last season at this time as they were en route to Glens Falls. Dream big Barker - it's your year.
9. Cleveland Hill (B2) - Routed Gowanda in the quarterfinals, after the Panthers had beaten Lackawanna by 10 points to get there. The Eagles' matchup with Salamanca on Wednesday is a great game on paper.
10. Sherman (D) - The only team that I know of in WNY with an 18-man roster before JV call-ups, which has to account for about 73% of the boys in that school. Looking forward to seeing the Wildcats again on Friday at JCC.
-centercourt
CC - I may be wrong, but didn't McKinley lose to Grand Island in 2002 before Buff State? It was an upset for sure.
Posted by: StateChamps2003 | Sunday, February 23, 2014 at 07:46 PM
Maybe they lost in the semi-final round but it was before Buff State that year?
Posted by: StateChamps2003 | Sunday, February 23, 2014 at 07:47 PM
The year you are thinking of was when they lost in the semifinals to Grand Island in a game played at Kenmore West.
Posted by: centercourt | Monday, February 24, 2014 at 09:18 AM
Yes! That's it. So it was the semi-finals just not at Buff State. Odd.
Posted by: StateChamps2003 | Monday, February 24, 2014 at 09:56 AM
You know what's 'odd' - the fact that I had 2 pay $2.72 for a slice of pizza last year and $1.88 for a drink. Even my 10 year old thought that was a joke. Hopefully that changes 2nite.
And what IDIOT put the AA semis on Day 1? Will the marketing genius please stand up? I am sure if this person was in charge of the Olympics the USA Finland Bronze medal game would have been played Sunday and the Canada Sweden game Saturday?
Posted by: McShea is God | Monday, February 24, 2014 at 01:11 PM
I believe Buff St women had a conference tourney home game then...the other semi that year was Bennett over Lk Shore.
Posted by: TML1000 | Monday, February 24, 2014 at 03:07 PM
if lockport plays the way they did on friday they will win AA in section VI
Posted by: guest | Monday, February 24, 2014 at 03:36 PM
Thank god... no more Barker talk. The boys from the southern-tier again showed them NFL boys how to play ball.
Speaking of which nice win for Jamestown tonight. Props to Dougherty, the kid looks a JV player but has the skills and shot that is matched by few.
Going for 4 of the 5 last championships this Saturday night, go Raiders.
Posted by: WNYHOOPS | Monday, February 24, 2014 at 09:31 PM
And for those of you that were in attendance last night, watch this beauty from Quinn Lee Yaw...
http://lms.usatodayhss.com/buffalo/articles/item/12307-yaw-hits-the-shot
Posted by: WNYHOOPS | Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 07:59 AM
Barker is in the NOL.
Posted by: TML1000 | Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 02:15 PM