(McKinley & South could play earlier than anticipated. Photo by Buffalo News)
- Fans who have been checking the polls, reading box scores, or actually getting out to the games, and drooling about the potential of McKinley/Williamsville South sectional final in Class A1 might get that matchup much sooner than expected. Based on the way sectional power points are shaking out, it looks like they would be on course to meet up in the semifinals instead. Furthermore, that would be played on the first night of Buff State week.
- 20 games are back!!! The NYSPHAA voted to approve the maximum number of varsity contests inceasing back to 20 games. The vote passed by a 20-2 margin. This means more nonleague games and the potential for many more high profile games between the area's top programs. I will be throwing out plenty of suggestions.
- In CCAA I East, Salamanca beat Silver Creek, but lost to Randolph. Randolph beat Salamanca, but lost to Silver Creek. Silver Creek hosts Salamanca on February 12th in a game that could decide the league champ. I think tip should be moved to 8 pm that night, so I can catch it all after the Nichols/Park game that night (6 pm tip).
- Most impressive about Salamanca & Silver Creek being tied for first place in the competitive CCAA I East - both have had to win with key starters missing extended time due to ankle injuries, Jared Fish for the Warriors and Trevon Thompson for the Black Knights.
- Cheektowaga's Zak Ciezki, Silver Creek's Bill Brooks, and Williamsville East's Nicholas Clough are all recent additions to the 1,000 point club.
- How about this stat line from Silver Creek's Bill Brooks: 20 points, 23 rebounds, 10 blocks, & five assists in a 74-33 win against Maple Grove.
- To the best of my knowledge, the season-high for points scored in a game in WNY is 40, scored by St. Francis' Kordell Holness-Lightbody and Health Sciences' Tyron Lott. Cody Johnson of Cassadaga Valley and Craig Paige of Lew-Port have both turned in 39-point games, and Takal Molson of St. Mary's scored 38 points last night.
- The above mentioned Tyron Lott scored 40 points coming off of a 35-point night. He's a freshman.
- On the last day of January, I'll try to predict the four team that will arrive at Buffalo State in March for the Class B1 semifinals:
Depew, Burgard, Albion, & East Aurora
- Unfortunately, the Manhattan Cup Finals at Canisius College are the same night as the Class B1 semifinals and one of the Class AA finals at Buffalo State.
- East Aurora has been a pretty scrappy team this season, considering its lineup has been almost exclusively underclassmen and its senior scoring leader, Mike Coatsworth, is out for the season with an injury.
- Speaking of season-ending injuries, St. Joe's lost senior starting center Ed Tabone last week to a broken wrist.
- Two MMA teams hoping for a boost from returning big men - Canisius & Timon. The Crusaders have been winning without TJ Wheatley, as he takes his time taking visits and making the right choice about where he'll attend college to play D1 football next year. Timon awaits the return of Tyree Coble, who will provide some needed size for the Tigers. Coble started for Timon last year.
- In the crazy NFL, once ruled by Niagara Falls, the one team that has yet to falter is North Tonawanda. They survived a scare from Ken West and needed overtime to get past Falls, but the Lumberjacks are the league's lone unbeaten.
- Wilson, who saw its streak of six straight appearances at Buff State end two seasons ago, is unbeaten in the N-O and appears to be a school with a good chance to get back to the dance.
- Health Sciences threw 117 points on the scoreboard in a win, the most I've seen scored in WNY in years. The Falcons' leading scorer that night equaled the total scored by the opposition (35 pts).
- Lew-Port has scored over 80 points in five wins this season. I'm hoping that scoring punch arrives at Buff State in a month from now so we can all see it.
- Student sections are on the rise everywhere and it makes high school basketball environments so much better.
- The entire Lancaster basketball team, including the coach, shaved their heads for Bald for Bucks, a cancer fundraiser.
-centercourt
HENNINGER over WESTHILL 59-48 if anyone cares. HENNINGER'S Speed and Defensively Intensity was too much for WESTHILL.
Posted by: FULLCOURT | Sunday, February 01, 2015 at 01:34 AM
The Henninger/Westhill result is interesting in couple ways.
- It's the first game Westhill has lost to a team from NY since the 2013 season.
- St. Joe's played Henninger to a three-point game on 12/29/14.
Posted by: centercourt | Sunday, February 01, 2015 at 02:46 PM
AGRRED; it is going to one wild ride come OOST-SEASON!
Posted by: FULLCOURT | Sunday, February 01, 2015 at 03:14 PM
Meant to say POST-SEASON
Posted by: FULLCOURT | Sunday, February 01, 2015 at 03:15 PM
Another interesting possible playoff matchup is in B-2 where East could possibly have to travel to Fredonia in a QUATERFINAL matchup. I believe as of today, East is a 6 seed and Fredonia is a 3. This could of course change, especially if East wins league games against their remaining 'A' schools, South Park, Hutch Tech and McKinley. Takes me back to 2003 when a Eric Rawls and Ace Narvaez Grover Cleveland team traveled to Olean for quarterfinal game and lost by 5. Olean would end up going to Glens Falls that year.
Wilson and Cleve-Hill seemed locked into the 1 and 2 seeds. But I could definitely see East closing the season strong and finishing 4th or 5th. Either way, East v. Fredonia on 2/18 could be a playoff preview.
Posted by: StateChamps2003 | Tuesday, February 03, 2015 at 03:13 PM
did Wilsons trips to Buff st end when their Class C rating ended>>??they have always had good leadership and Ive seen them play but I fear they may be a repeat of the Barker Raiders last year who cruised the the "NO" league only to crumble under real competition. They have a Jake Haight style player and the similarities are close. The Lakemen have deeper bench though I would say but if they are the #2 team in B2 we wont have anyone going much past Rochester. However I have not seen the other players in this mix and that could be a whole different look from here. Ive seen Newfane give games away to Alion by a few points as well as Akron and Medina. And Newfane doesnt even have an identity. The Bradley kid I liked and was impressive and he had a good supporting cast. What a difference a game makes when you have a game plan an execute it or when you go out and play streetball. I cant wait to see more on the level of competition in B1 and B2.....I been out of the loop due to reasons beyond my control....good to see all your smiling faces again!!
Posted by: GAME | Sunday, February 08, 2015 at 08:39 PM