(#1 Park & #3 Amherst gave fans a show Friday night at the ADPRO Public/Private Challenge / Photo by Larry Scheur)
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. Park (MMA) - Against a fired up team from Amherst, the Pioneers turned a 10-point deficit into a four-point lead in just four minutes. Some serious offensive firepower that is off to a 5-0 start and still hasn't benefited from a healthy Joe Jones.
2. Canisius (MMA) - Made a skilled South team look pedestrian offensively for three quarters at the ADPRO Challenge. No team in WNY gets more from the post, and the Crusaders showed they can still bring the pressure with their guards - something they'll do even better when Justin Jones returns.
3. Amherst (A2) - The Tigers showed they were ready for the big lights as they battled with Park and looked like they could win it for much of the contest. An early loss that stings as badly as that one should only help Amherst down the road.
4. McKinley (A1) - Through five games, the Macks' average margin of victory is 88-49, including two games scoring over the century mark. East comes calling tonight, one of the city games I look forward to every season.
5. Williamsville South (A1) - The Billies took some lumps against Canisius on Saturday night, but like Amherst in its loss to Park, they should be better for it. South will certainly see pressure again, and will have to handle it better down the road. Matt Foster's return will be a big boost for the Billies as well.
6. Starpoint (A2) - Tough, scrappy, and confident are three words that quickly come to mind about this group. Despite having the Spartans ranked below Timon last week, my hunch told me Starpoint would beat the Tigers, which they did in the ADPRO Challenge, in one of the event's best games.
7. Lancaster (AA) - Lancaster basketball is unbeaten (5-0) and tied for first place in ECIC I, including wins over Jamestown, South Park, & Nichols. A very interesting nonleague game with Tapestry looms the day after Christmas.
8. Lockport (AA) - Lockport basketball is also unbeaten (6-0) and tied for first place in the NFL. The Lions already own league wins over Lew-Port, North Tonawanda, Niagara Wheatfield, and Grand Island, along with a 13-point win over St. Joe's in the championship game of the Lockport Tournament.
9. St. Joe's (MMA) - The Marauders had a disappointing showing in last weekend's trip out to Holy Trinity, but rebounded nicely this week with a victory over Niagara Falls at the ADPRO Challenge.
10. Niagara Falls (AA) - The Wolverines have to be behind St. Joe's right now, after a head-to-head loss on a neutral court. They did come back with a solid win over North Tonawanda the following night to keep pace in league with Lockport.
Small Schools
1. Olean (B1) - I sent out a tweet last week that predicted the Huskies would arrive in Glens Falls on Friday, March 11th, with a record of 25-0. I'll stand by that one.
2. Middle College (C2) - The Kats made it out of East High with a one-point victory last week. Tomorrow they host Health Sciences in what should be a wildly entertaining game.
3. Walsh (MMA) - I got my first look at the Eagles over the weekend and loved what I saw. They handed Maryvale its first loss by playing smart, sound basketball, knocking down shots, and getting the ball into the hands of Tavien Kemp, who is a player.
4. East (C1) - The Panthers' only win was against Burgard by 28 points, but the Bulldogs own a win over I-Prep. East lost to Middle College by a point last week, before dropping a pair to Class AA Rochester schools, Edison Tech & Bishop Kearney.
5. Health Sciences (B2) - The Falcons are 6-1, with their lone loss coming at Park. They are deep & athletic, and pose a real threat to Middle College on Tuesday night.
6. St. Mary's (MMA) - Pulled out a win on the road at Fredonia, after falling behind by double figures at the half. Played well against Jamestown for nearly three quarters this weekend, but lost focus defensively in the second half, something you can't afford to do in big games.
7. Tapestry (C1) - Five straight wins for the Thunderhawks since their season-opening loss to St. Mary's. Their next game is a big one - against Lancaster in the Buffalo Hoop Group tournament at St. Francis.
8. East Aurora (B1) - I think the Blue Devils are a top ten team and might be the next best team in Class B1 after Olean. East Aurora had a very respectable showing at Amherst last week, losing there by 14 points. For some perspective on my Olean prediction above, the Blue Devils lost there by 30.
9. Nichols (MMA) - Bounced back nicely after the loss to Kenmore West, with a quality 16-point win over RCMCS of Rochester. The Vikings face Canisius this week, a rematch of last year's Manhattan Cup Final, with a little less hype surrounding this year's matchup.
10. Franklinville (D) - The Panthers are now 6-0, including wins over Burgard, Riverside, and most recently Pioneer, who they beat by more than Cheektowaga did in the same week.
-centercourt
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