(Justin Jones has helped keep Canisius at #1 all season. Photo by Elliott Jerge)
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 Saturday 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) - Have occupied this spot the entire season so far. Completed the regular season sweep over St. Joe's with an 11-point win on Saturday afternoon, to remain unbeaten in the MMA. This week presents a pair of huge tasks. First, there's Nichols at home tonight, the same team and place the Crusaders last lost to a MMA opponent. Then Canisius travels to face Cathedral Prep on Thursday, an outstanding and well-coached team.
2. Jamestown (AA) - After taking care of visiting Amherst on Tuesday night, the Red Raiders fell to Greece Athena (ranked #3 in NYS Class A) in a thrilling regional final rematch at the RAP Classic. The 2014 CC MVP, Zack Panebianco was sensational in both games, dropping over 30 in each contest. Jamestown's showing in that game, along with owning wins over three ranked large schools (Amherst, Olean & St. Joe's) gets them this spot.
3. McKinley (A1) - Stayed undefeated in Yale Cup I after pulling out an exciting win against Middle College on Thursday. The Macks own a win over Williamsville North from the start of the season, but won't face another ranked large school until sectionals. Only losses on the season for McKinley are Nichols & Canisius, who happen to play tonight.
4. Williamsvillle South (A1) - The Billies played two more ECIC II opponents this week and continued to roll. South hasn't won a league game by less than 12 points this season.
5. Amherst (A2) - After falling at Jamestown by 10, the Tigers got back into the win column with blowout wins over Pioneer and Sweet Home.
6. Williamsville North (AA) - The Spartans beat Bennett by more points (33) than the Tigers scored (31). Visit Clarence tonight, but the big one comes this Friday night when North will look to make a big statement at Jamestown in the 'Game of the Week'.
7. Nichols (MMA) - The Vikings return to the place where it all happened tonight. In the MMA semifinals last season, Nichols went into Canisius and shocked the WNY basketball world by beating the Crusaders. They went on to win the Manhattan Cup in the next game against Timon. But I think we all remember what happened on January 6th, when Canisius went to Nichols looking for revenge. The Vikings do not want to be defined by that loss and are eager to show that last year was no fluke, but that the first meeting this year was. Tonight is huge!
8. Olean (A2) - The Huskies chance to basically clinch CCAA I West was delayed, when Olean's school closing postponed its visit to Fredonia last night. The game against the Hillbillies will be their last test until sectionals roll around.
9. St. Joe's (MMA) - The Marauders are coming off of a fun week - games against Park & Canisius. St. Joe's competed well against what may be the two best teams in WNY and will be a dangerous team to face in the Manhattan Cup playoffs. Wednesday night, St. Joe's hosts the team I have below them on this ballot...
10. Timon (MMA) - The Tigers backed up the vote of confidence I gave them last week after watching them battle with Canisius, by putting one on visiting Niagara Falls. The pollsters still went with North Tonawanda, who needed overtime to beat Falls and who lost to Timon. I guess the other pollsters have their own illogical reasoning. Tomorrow night should be a fun game between Timon & St. Joe's, two teams who have looked very even this year.
Small Schools
1. Park (MMA) - Put on quite the display at St. Joe's Wednesday night and then routed Niagara Catholic on Friday. The Pioneers are at St. Mary's tomorrow and host Walsh on Saturday.
2. Fredonia (B2) - They'll have to wait a couple more weeks for the big showdown with Olean. In the meanwhile, they get Dunkirk this week and host Cardinal O'Hara on Saturday.
3. St. Mary's (MMA) - Got a 38-point performance from Takal Molson in a loss at Nichols last week. The Lancers would love to steal one from Park, easier said than done, when they host the Pioneers tomorrow.
4. East (B2) - Haven't played since win over Middle College. Back on the hardwood this week, hosting Bennett and at South Park.
5. Middle College (C2) - The Kats have dropped two of their last three, but neither were bad losses (East & McKinley). The win over Lancaster was a solid one, as Middle College came back in the game to force overtime and pull it out in the extra session.
6. Sherman (D) - The Wildcats are 16-0 and appear well on their way to an undefeated regular season, after losing just one game prior to Glens Falls last year.
7. Salamanca (C1) - The injury reports on Twitter suggest Jared Fish is back in practice, getting some limited work in. They'll need him for a back-loaded schedule that includes: Cuba-Rushford, Silver Creek, Randolph, Portville, & Tapestry.
8. Silver Creek (C1) - The Black Knights have won five straight since falling at Salamanca, including taking a pair against Randolph and trouncing Maple Grove.
9. Randolph (C2) - The Cardinals hang on to this spot, despite falling again to Silver Creek, because of their head-to-head win over Tapestry and for being the only team to beat Salamanca in CCAA I East so far.
10. Tapestry (C1) - Picked up a nice win and a whole bunch of sectional power points against Class A Grand Island.
-centercourt
-centercourt
Comments