The third state rankings for the 2017 the season have been released by the NYSSWA. Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:
Class AA
No teams ranked
Class A
Park #2
Canisius #3
Williamsville South #8
Timon #23
St. Francis #24
Class B
Health Sciences #5
East Aurora #6
Dunkirk #15
Lackawanna #21
Class C
Chautauqua Lake #2
East #4
Class D
Ellicottville #5
Sherman #7
** According to the rankings...
- The news in Class AA is even more bleak than last week. Section V now has four teams ranked from the state's highest classification: Fairport, Aquinas, UPrep, & Bishop Kearney. Three of those teams have losses to our teams. Aquinas fell to Canisius, UPrep lost at Falls, and Bishop Kearney lost at Timon. However, I still can't bring myself to disagree with this. The team from Section VI that warrants the most consideration for a ranking is Niagara Falls. But the top results supporting the Wolverines being ranked happened at home to start the season - taking Park to OT and beating UPrep. Since then, they lost the rematch to UPrep, lost to Rochester East, and lost at NT.
- Park is your new CHSAA state champion, thanks to Cathedral Prep. Canisius made the trip to Erie, PA and lost to the Ramblers, which dropped them to #3 behind Park. For some reason, Byram Hills jumped Park and landed at #1 in NYS Class A, so I must assume they will knock the Pioneers off in the Federation Tournament.
- Williamsville South loses in the Class A state semifinal to Elmont. The Billies are ranked 3rd among public schools in NYS and are presently projected to face the defending state champions, who are coached by a man with a serious beard.
- Timon remained #23 in NYS Class A despite its loss to Williamsville South. I applaud the decision to not drop the Tigers, who are a top 25 team in Class A all day.
- St. Francis is now state ranked! I can't remember ever seeing this in my time on the scene, which dates back to the 2008 season. The Red Raiders deserve it and are more than worthy of their slot right next to Timon.
- Health Sciences takes on Glens Falls (in Binghamton) for the NYSPHAA Class B state championship. Remember, this is not a prediction, but according to the rankings - they are the second highest ranked public school in NYS. I'd love to see the Falcons join me in Binghamton this year. They face Rochester's Early College, ranked #16 in NYS Class B, on Thursday night at Villa Maria College in the I-90 Showcase.
- The weird development of the week in the state rankings occured in the latter portion on the Class B rankings. Dunkirk jumped from #22 to #15. Lackawanna fell from #17 to #21. Dunkirk won one game last week, while Lackawanna won two games. Neither team lost. Hmmm.
- It's Chautauqua Lake vs. Waterville for the NYS Class C state championship. The Thunderbirds are up to #2 in the state. I'm curious to see which approach they take in the Class C crossover against East - attempt to score 122 points or dig in defensively.
- In Class D, Ellicottville & Sherman are battling for the right to lose to Avoca, now #1 in NYS, in the Far West Regional. Still no love for Franklinville in the Class D top 20. I'm telling you, they're good and should be ranked. They have a potential meeting with Chautauqua Lake on Friday if both teams win first round matchups in the IAABO Tournament.
- Did anyone notice how North Tonawanda, who owns wins over Niagara Falls and Health Sciences, got dropped like they were hot from the Class A rankings after losing to Lockport? The Jacks potential matchup at Amherst on Friday would be a fascinating battle of teams with some big strong athletes and battles in the paint for rebounds would not be for the faint of heart.
- This has to be the first time since 2009 that Middle College hasn't cracked the state rankings by now. I know they're now in Class B and I'm not trying to make the case for them. Just found it interesting. Don't count them out, history is on their side.
Click HERE for the complete NYSSWA State Rankings.
-centercourt
Comments