Poll Ballots - Week 9 - 2014

 

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) - Just won a 34th straight game against a MMA opponent and a 29th straight game against an opponent from WNY.  Locally, the Crusaders are in a league of their own.

2. Jamestown (AA) - Jumped on North early in the rematch at their place and never let them back up. Zack Panebianco has raised his game and Quinn Lee Yaw gives the Red Raiders one of the best bigs in WNY.  That combination, along with the improved play of sophomore Zacc Kinsey makes them the team to beat in Class AA through my eyes, heading into the postseason.

3. Williamsville North (AA) - The Spartans' recent surge hit a bump in the road at Jamestown last week.  But they'll be at home or on a neutral court the rest of the way, beginning with a possible home game against Niagara Falls.  The last time the Wolverines visited Hopkins Road was in 2006, when Jonny Flynn popped off for 38 points, prompting the classic quote from coach Chuck Swierski in response to what happened - "Jonny Flynn happened".

4. Clarence (AA) - After a close call with Lancaster to ensure a three-way tie in ECIC I, the Red Devils could need to do it all over again to force a rubber match with the Spartans on the big court.  If they draw the Redskins in the quarterfinals, Clarence High School will be jam-packed on Friday night.

5. Timon/St. Jude (MMA) - The Tigers were able to capitalize on the absence of Justin Jones and get the win at St. Joe's on Thursday  night, which should give them the #2 seed in the Manhattan Cup playoffs.

6. Lockport (AA) - The Lions moved ahead of the Blue Devils in the polls after taking the rematch at their place.  Now, in order to keep its season alive, Lockport must win at Kenmore West - a place they lost earlier this season, in what should be the marquee matchup of the quarterfinals.

7. McKinley (A1) - Despite recent losses to Clarence, East, and Middle College, I still think the Macks are the team to beat in Class A.  They'll likely need to get past Williamsville East on Friday to keep its streak streak of reaching the semifinals in tact.  An appearance at Buffalo State would be a 15th straight for McKinley.

8. Kenmore West (AA) - The Blue Devils move up a spot on this ballot after beating the Marauders on Friday night.  The win gave them good karma, as they went on to win the coin toss the following morning, ensuring a home game for its rematch with Lockport, one of just three teams to defeat West this season.

9. St. Joe's (MMA) - It's been a tough stretch for the Marauders recently.  They've lost five of their last seven, including three straight.  The absence of Justin Jones from the lineup isn't helping the immediate success of St. Joe's, but others have gained valuable minutes in his place.  

10. Amherst (A2) - This final spot came down to a "body of work" thought process.  The Tigers finished 15-3 on the season and won ECIC III outright.  They also won at Williamsville South, who just won at Iroquois, to force a share of the ECIC II crown.

 

Small Schools

1. Olean (B1) - The three 1,000 point scorers (Wil Bathurst, Nick Schmidt, & Sam Eckstrom) along with the point guard who has nearly 400 career assists and makes the team go (Luke Hennessy), will play their final home game at Olean High School this Friday night.  What a ride they have given the residents of Olean.

2. St. Mary's (MMA) - Season sweeps of Nichols & Park, unbeaten against MMA small schools, a road win at Fredonia last week, and wins earlier in the year against Clarence and Middle College.  This team deserves this spot right now.

3. East (B2) - Middle College swept McKinley to win the Yale Cup after East split with the Macks, but I'm keeping East ahead of them on my ballot - here's why:

The Panthers split with the Kats, winning the more recent meeting without the services of 6-8 Tyree Tyson .  After watching both games they played against each other, the two are very close.  Looking at the body of work for both teams, East has double digit wins over Aquinas & Timon, while Middle College has losses to St. Mary's & St. Joe's.  And with the return of Tyson just days away, the Panthers will be even tougher the next time we see them.

East will face either Emerson or Wilson on Friday.  Middle College gets Cassadaga Valley that night.  Go ahead and book both teams a place in their respective semifinals.

4. Middle College (C1) - See above.

5. Nichols (MMA) - Despite their best efforts to give the game away a couple of times on Saturday afternoon, the Vikings pulled out the rematch versus Park in overtime to move up a spot.

6. Park (MMA) - The Pioneers have played well despite not having Fred Foster and Hunter Anderson in their lineup.  If those two return for a postseason run, Park could still be playing when the Manhattan Cup final rolls around.

7. Fredonia (B1) - The Hillbillies will either host Newfane on Friday night, or be faced with beating Bennett for a third time this season.  

8. Barker (C1) - The unbeaten Raiders could face their stiffest challenge of the season on Friday against the WNY Maritime Charter/Portville winner.

9. Cleveland Hill (B2) - The ECIC IV champs could be eying up a third game against Lackawanna on Friday for the right to advance to Buff State.

10. Sherman (D) - The quest to repeat as Section VI Class D champs begins at home against North Collins on Friday evening.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

Comments

[Billy Foel]

Wondering why defending state champion Albany Academy didn't make the list. They have had 2 bad games but also beat schools on a national schedule. Beating Long Island Lutheran was extremely impressive as well.

[TML1000]

Well...Albany is not in section VI.

[centercourt]

I did consider Albany Academy for #10 in the small school poll, but I just felt Sherman had a slightly better body of work. Plus I'd take the Wildcats over Albany Academy on a neutral court - they'd have too much athleticism for them.

[StateChamps2003]

Centercourt - You used the "R" word. I'm telling McShea.