The fourth state rankings for the 2016 the season have been released by the NYSSWA. Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:
They have this "We do not rank teams below .500 policy". I have never agreed with this policy, because if you really want to the best 25 teams in a classification represented in a somewhat accurate order, simply looking at records and standings will be very misleading. But whatever right? Policy is policy, thus teams like Middle College & East, who we all know are among the top 20 teams in NYS Class C (more likely top 10 for both) have to wait until they collect a bunch of lopsided league wins to counteract losses to highly ranked large schools from December's nonleague schedule. Basically, punishing teams for creating and playing a challenging schedule designed make the team better. But like I said, policy is policy, and as long as they stay consistent with that, we'll live with it.
But once you become inconsistent with your own policy, you quickly lose credibility. That's what I've caught the state rankings doing this week, and that inconsistency makes a mockery of the same rankings in other classifications. Here's what I discovered:
Mount Vernon had been #14 in NYS Class AA last week with a record of 1-1. After collecting one win and two losses, with the second loss to Green Tech (#19 in NYS Class AA), Mount Vernon's record dropped to 2-3. But it didn't drop them out of the state rankings - instead, you will find Mount Vernon sitting at #24 this week in NYS Class AA with a 2-3 record.
Let me guess - you're confident Mount Vernon is in fact a top 25 team in Class AA and feel that a heavy front-loaded schedule is responsible for the sub .500 record, but come postseason time, Mount Vernon will be right there in the mix?? And they are undoubtedly better than other teams you could have put in the #24 spot that Lockport (with a 7-2 record) occupied last week, right??
Well, I would agree 100%. Mount Vernon should be ranked. They are a top 25 team in Class AA. Duh!!! But you can't just decided that in this particular case, an exception is warranted. Stick to your inane, stupid, illogical policy that if you are below .500, you couldn't possibly be a team deserving of rank. Let's not try getting it right this week just because it's 'Big Bad Mount Vernon'. Instead, stand up and proudly exclaim "We do not believe Mount Vernon is a top 25 team at this time. The sluggish 2-3 start suggests that Mount Vernon is no longer a top 25 power, at least not at this time. This is our policy."
If it makes sense to the state rankings panel that Middle College is not one of the best 20 Class C teams in this state because they lost to Park and UPrep, then stay consistent. If East (who just beat Class AA #24 Lockport) is to receive no consideration as a top 20 team in Class C because they have losses to the likes of Bishop Kearney, Edison Tech, McKinley, Timon, & Middle College before getting to eat up the cupcakes on its schedule, then don't make exceptions for other teams. Lots of teams are worthy of the exception granted to Mount Vernon.
Class AA
No Teams Ranked
Class A
Park #1
Canisius #4
Amherst #13
McKinley #16
Williamsville South #24
Class B
Olean #1
Walsh #6
St. Mary's #15
Health Sciences #20
Class C
Tapestry #5
Class D
Franklinville #10
** According to the rankings...
- Lockport's consecutive losses to Aquinas & East got them dropped from the rankings in Class AA.
- Amherst bumped up five spots, from #18 to #13 in NYS Class A, after winning the Anthony Parlato Memorial Tournament.
- Williamsville South, who had been #20 in NYS Class A, falls to #24 after traveling to NYC and losing at Chaminade, who was ranked #9 in NYS Class A. If South was Mount Vernon, they may have moved into the top 10 for that loss...
- McKinley moves up seven spots in NYS Class A, from #23 to #16, following wins over Nichols & Cheektowaga.
- Franklinville slid four spots to #10 in NYS Class D after suffering its first loss of the season.
For the complete NYSSWA rankings, click here.
-centercourt
Comments