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) - Four more wins for the Crusaders this week. As expected, they proved to be too much for Aquinas in a 14-point win, and found a way to win a close one over elite PA power, Cathedral Prep. They get a chance to show off their league dominance this week with games against Timon, St. Mary's, & St. Joe's all on tap.
2. Williamsville North (AA) - Pounded Frontier behind what was a WNY season-high 45 point outburst from Sterling Taplin (sophomore Brandon Roach of Olmsted dropped 50 the following night). Tonight is the moment these guys have been waiting for - a chance to go into Jamestown and take ECIC I away from them.
3. Clarence (AA) - Downed West Seneca West by 25 last week. The Red Devils finish out their schedule with Orchard Park and Lancaster this week.
4. Jamestown (AA) - They host the Spartans tonight, where they can either win and force a three-way tie for first place in ECIC I, and bow to North and send them home with a league championship. Road trip!
5. St. Joe's (MMA) - I had already dropped them down from the number two spot prior tp this past week, when they suffered a bad loss at Nichols and an even worse loss at Aquinas. But even with their recent play, they stay ahead of the next three on this ballot because they beat them all this season. They will look to win a ninth straight regular season game over Timon on Thursday, before visiting Kenmore West on Friday. Then it's rivalry time at the Koessler Center on Sunday.
6. Timon (MMA) - Less than spectacular showings against Olean (18-point loss) & Bishop Kearney (23-point loss) at home this week. Tomorrow they host Canisius, not exactly a get well game, before visiting St. Joe's on Thursday.
7. Lockport (AA) - It looks as if the Lions will be earn a share of the NFL crown with only Kenmore East left on their league schedule. Friday, Lockport travels to Batavia for a little sectional preparation.
8. McKinley (A1) - A tough home loss to Middle College makes it all but certain that the Macks will not be hoisting the Yale Cup for a third straight season.
9. Kenmore West (AA) - The Blue Devils are hoping their cross-town rivals, Kenmore East, can pull off a miracle victory over Lockport this week so they can have the NFL crown all to themselves.
10. Iroquois (A1) - I got another look at the Chiefs this week and saw a completely different squad than the one that was trounced by Clarence. The leaders of ECIC II got out of Hamburg with a win on Saturday and can claim sole possession of the league title with a win over Williamsville South on Thursday.
Small Schools
1. Olean (B1) - The Huskies were wildly impressive and entertaining in a dominant performance at Timon, and followed it up with a season sweep of Bishop Kearney on Friday. Nick Schmidt eclipsed 1,000 point for his career this week, becoming the third Olean starter to do so. Just imagine how many assists Luke Hennessey has compiled in his four-year career.
2. Middle College (C1) - Rumor has it that the Yale Cup is enroute to ECC for delivery to the Kats in anticipation of them taking care of business this week, after taking care of McKinley on Saturday.
3. East (B2) - The Panthers looked back on track as they evened the score with Middle College last week. Despite looking like the better than the Kats, I'm keeping them behind Middle College until they do what the Kats did this weekend, win at McKinley.
4. St. Mary's (MMA) - Won a fourth straight against Nichols and remain unbeaten against MMA small schools. This week, the Lancers are at Park , Fredonia, & St. Francis, and also host Canisius.
5. Park (MMA) - The Pioneers will get a chance to move up this week with games against St. Mary's, Niagara Catholic, and Nichols ahead.
6. Nichols (MMA) - The Vikings put one on St. Joe's at the beginning of the week, but couldn't get past what is becoming a growing nemesis in St. Mary's. They'll finish off the regular season with a visit from Park on Saturday.
7. Fredonia (B1) - Undefeated league champs of CCAA West I will brush up on their postseason skills with a nice nonleaguer against St. Mary's on Wednesday.
8. Barker (C1) - It's official, the Raiders are N-O champs for the first time since before the wheel was invented.
9. Cleveland Hill (B2) - Holland visits Tuesday night to decide the league championship in ECIC IV. The Golden Eagles finish their regular season Friday night at home against North Tonawanda.
10. Sherman (D) - The Wildcats will look to stay undefeated in league action this week, heading into postseason run.
-centercourt
Is it safe to assume that the Cleveland Hill/St. Mary's game originally scheduled for 1/23 won't be played this season? If so, will Cleve Hill add an 18th regular season game or leave it as is?
Posted by: Brian | Monday, February 10, 2014 at 01:52 PM
Brian -
Correct, the game was not rescheduled.
Posted by: centercourt | Monday, February 10, 2014 at 07:25 PM
I know that Coach Drake doesn't want me singing his praises but....if you were at the game last night you saw the difference between a well coached team and a superbly coached team. This is why Jamestown will never fall like Niagara Falls has and like all teams do. An extremely well run program run by the best coach in WNY, and that's the bottom line
Posted by: The Bottom Line returns | Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 09:28 AM
I'm surprised I haven't read you praising the revamped facilities in Jamestown. First class all the way. Between the crowd that turned out last night and the new renovations, it was a college basketball atmosphere there. Jamestown looks like they'll be a very tough out, even in a parity-riddled Class AA this year.
Posted by: centercourt | Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 11:12 AM
CC, good to hear you made the trip down to the Mac'. The renovations turned an already fantastic HS gym, into better than most D-3 and D-2 colleges I've seen...
Hopefully the crowd was raucous last night and welcomed you to a good show.
Obviously the loss of Kellam this year has been very evident and the majority of the team playing on the state playoff football team, got them off to a slow start. However, I think they are now beginning to find their legs, and Panebianco is raising his game to another level and to one of the top PG's in WNY.
I look forward to the Raiders being back at Buff St, and to shut up the critics on who the best team in AA is right now.
Posted by: WNYHOOPS | Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 12:39 PM
Last night at the Roy-Hart game against Barker I saw a great show before the Varsity game even started. In addition to the honoring of Roy-Hart Coach Mark Rydza, who is retiring after 25 years at the Rams helm, the pre game ceremonies also featured a Roy-Hart salute to the N-O champion Raider cagers and to Haight, who has earned All-Western New York football honors and is the Raiders all-time career scoring leader. In addition, the pre game introductions saw the Barker players each present Rydza, who is also the Rams long-time golf coach and an avid links enthusiast, with presents of golf balls. Like I said it was a great show put on by Roy-Hart!!!
Posted by: From the North | Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 08:22 AM
Sam Castranova (21 pts), lead Williamsville South past Sweet Home 70-54. The Billies are heading into a show down on Thursday at Iroquois, who defeated Starpoint 64-57 behind Phil Bowen's 36 points. If the Billies win, they will win at least a share of the ECIC II title, if the Chiefs prevail, they win the ECIC II outright and the number 1 seed in class A-1. It should be a great game.
Posted by: Logos | Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 09:15 AM
That is awesome North. We should start a collection to erect a statue of you holding all of your son's awards. We can't leave out the dunce hat though, just wouldn't feel right without it. Now go scrape off a spot in your yard where you want it placed.
Here's the template:
http://cleanupjamaicaqueens.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/dunce-cap-6706052.jpg
Next step: Find Sculptor
Posted by: Are You Serious | Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 09:39 AM
Do you have an obsession with from the north?
Posted by: sal | Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 09:05 PM
Are you serious is obviously a bully who is unhappy with his life. Hope someone is there to shoot you down every time you are proud of your kids. Really what is worse? A guy who constantly tlks of his children or a blog troll who only comes on here to be a prick? Maybe a basketball opinion sometime. It is the view from centercourt not the view from North's cowardly enemy! Why doesn't centercourt just block this guy from commenting?
Posted by: William | Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 09:17 PM
It's my fault I should of left the part out about Jake but the point I was trying to make was the respect between the two schools. When they announced the starting five from Barker and they each gave the coach a sleeve of golf balls you should of seen the coach smile.
Posted by: Darrin J Haight | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 05:49 AM
Who cares about ANY OF THIS!!! It's all about Syracuse!!! Tyler Ennis is da man! 24-0! Nice 2 know that after the HS season ends I still have 2 Syracuse games 2 go 2 in Buffalo, 2 in New York City and 2 in Dallas! By then maybe it will b spring...
Posted by: McShea is God | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 10:31 AM
Sticks and stones Buffalo Bill. Sticks and stones.
Posted by: Are You Serious | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 12:45 PM