Poll Ballots 2017 - Week 9

(Ryan Bradley of Canisius tries to finish over Timon's Master Radford)

 

Large Schools

1. Williamsville South (A1) - The Billies quest for a third straight overall Class A title and trip to the Far West Regional begins on Friday night.

2. St. Francis (MMA) - Kept the Red Raiders here for earning a share of the league title, while sweeping the third place team (Park).

3. Park (MMA) - The Pioneers remain #3 ahead of Timon due to winning their game more handily (15 points) than the Tigers did in the rematch (one point in OT).

4. Olean (A2) - The longest win streak in Section VI and a 10-point win over Timon just one week ago seems to have been disregarded by some.  I'm not ready to look past that win yet.

5. Timon (MMA) - If the Tigers win a coin toss, they could end up as the #1 seed in the Manhattan Cup playoffs after earning a regular season share of the Monsignor Martin title with Frannies.  Another result that has been disregarded by many is Timon's win over Amherst, based on the News' poll results, which is another result I'm not looking past yet.

6. Amherst (A2) - After finishing up their regular season with a six-point win over Hamburg, the Tigers received three first place votes in the News' poll this week.  They head into a loaded Class A2 playoff with a 17-3 record, an ECIC II title, and the number one seed.

7. Canisius (MMA) - The Crusaders enter the Manhattan Cup playoffs needing to play their way in with a third game against St. Joe's, one of two MMA large school Canisius beat this year along with a split versus St. Francis.

8. Kenmore West (AA) - Even though the Blue Devils drew Lancaster in the quarterfinals last year, it seems like they have an annual win-or-go-home this time of year with Williamsville North.  The Spartans visit on Friday and the winner heads to the wide open Class AA semifinals.

9. Lancaster (AA) - ECIC I champions for the first time since 1995, when getting to Buff State wasn't even a thing yet.  Now that getting there is a thing, the Legends look to make a third straight trip to the college on Grant Street under head coach John Otto.

10. South Park (A2) - Yale Cup champions for the first time since 1986, which was one of my preseason predictions.  Another was them winning Class A2.  We will know two weeks from now.

 

Small Schools

1. East Aurora (B1) - Clinched a share of the ECIC III title with Cheektowaga, who they split with. I watched them defeat Maryvale last week and was very impressed with the team's defense and cohesion.  Also knocked off Batavia last week.

2. Health Sciences (B2) - The Falcons should be ready for some action on Friday after a long 18-day vacation.  They'll need to be well-rested, as their opponent is likely Middle College - the only small school to beat them this season.

3. St. Mary's (MMA) - Last week saw the Lancers coast to a 24-point win over Walsh, before finishing a sweep of Nichols, who had just beat O'Hara.

4. Cardinal O'Hara (MMA) - Rough week for O'Hara after losing three straight games to Nichols, St. Joe's, and Park.  The Hawks have definitely been a team with two different faces this year.  The question is which team shows up for the playoffs?

5. East (C2) - Loses to McKinley & South Park last week cost the Panthers the Yale Cup.  Still plenty to play for though, as East looks to make a run in Class C, beginning this Friday.

6. Medina (B2) - The back-t0-back champs of the N-O just completed an undefeated campaign in league play.  Now the Mustangs ride the Section's second longest win streak in to the playoffs.

7. Middle College (B2) - Despite a solid season, the Kats find themselves as the #5 seed in Class B2, which sets up a rematch with Health Sciences in the quarterfinals.  Beating the Falcons twice in one season would definitely be earning their way to Buff State.

8. Franklinville (D) - Lost a coin toss to Ellicottville, meaning they will have to get past Pine Valley on Friday for a third meeting with the Eagles at JCC in the semifinals, who have a bye to the semis in a six-team bracket.

9. Chautauqua Lake (C1) - If I had to push all my chips forward on one team in Section VI to be crowned, it would be the Thunderbirds.  

10. Randolph (C2)  - I opted for the Cardinals in this last spot over Ellicottville, who they split with this season.  Randolph's league title in CCAA I East, along with a nine-game win streak deserved some acknowledgement.

 

- centercourt

Comments

[PXJ]

Monsignor Martin Title is not decide yet. Both St Francis and Timon are 11-2 with St Francis playing St Mary's and Timon playing Walsh.

From head of MMA

Standings include all games in the MMHSAA.
tie breaker is
a. Head to head
b. division record
c. wins over common opponent
d. flip of a coin

[StateChamps2003]

Last week, Dominick Welch was one of seven finalists named for the prestigious Mr. Basketball for the State of New York. Past WNY players to win the award include Jonny Flynn ('07), Leonard Stokes ('99) and Keith Robinson ('86).

[Dave Thomas Sr.]

Congratulations South Park!!! Dave ThomasSr.

[Ted Bell]

Monsignor Martin playoff will something special this year! Really look forward to a Cheektowaga Will South thriller for the title. If that's even possible.