(Trevor Book & the Jacks won the Bob Hettler Jolly Boys Tournament at Amherst)
Large Schools
1. Canisius (MMA) - The Crusaders came back from an out-of-state Christmas Tournament where they finished second out of eight teams and opened their league schedule by drubbing Timon. They host rival St. Joe's on Tuesday, before visiting St. Francis for a Friday night rematch of the 2017 Manhattan Cup Final.
2. Park (MMA) - The Pioneers also played an out-of-state Christmas Tournament, where they faced Iona Prep in their final game. Park only lost by one point against Iona Prep, ranked #11 in NYS Class AA. A pair of 30+ point victories were earned in their first league action over Nichols and St. Joe's, as they gear up for a visit to South Buffalo on Tuesday night for a date with Timon.
3. West Seneca West (A1) - Now my highest ranked public school, the Indians are 10-0 on the year and still haven't had a game played within single digits. They've also scored at least 70 points in nine of their 10 wins. Visits from Jamestown & Grand Island await this week.
4. St. Francis (MMA) - Lost to Health Sciences in a close game they led at halftime just before Christmas, one day after a near 40-point win over Dunkirk. The Red Raiders also earned a win at Cardinal O'Hara last week. Friday night they host the Canisius team that dashed their title hopes last March.
5. Niagara Falls (AA) - I slid the Wolverines behind St. Francis based on the results that each had with a common opponent on consecutive nights. Both played Rome Free Academy, an unranked team in NYS Class AA. One night after Frannies took RFA to overtime where they lost by one point, Falls lost by seven to RFA in regulation. The Wolverines draw Kenmore East & Lew-Port this week.
6. Williamsville South (A1) - After finishing second in the Chaminade Tournament to the hosts who are ranked #2 in NYS Class A behind Canisius, the Billies drilled Hamburg by 30 points in a game where Greg Dolan dropped another 39 points and nearly outscored the opponent (45).
7. Timon (MMA) - The Tigers earned a big tournament victory over break, defeating UPrep and Rush-Henrietta from Section V. Coming off a lopsided loss at Canisius, they'll look to rebound when they host the other MMA giant on Tuesday, the Park Pioneers.
8. Lockport (AA) - After a home loss to Williamsville East to open their season, the Lions are winners of six straight, including victories at North Tonawanda and at Clarence, to earn a spot in the top 10. They host Grand Island this week.
9. North Tonawanda (A1) - The Jacks only losses are to a pair of Class AA teams ahead of them on this ballot, Niagara Falls & Lockport. They earned a pair of quality wins over break against Cheektowaga & Sweet Home to take the Jolly Boys Tournament. Lew-Port and CSAT are on the docket for this week.
10. Williamsville North (AA) - This was a tough spot to fill, mainly because there's a debate surrounding several teams in contention for the last place in the large schools. The Spartans won at Sweet Home on Saturday, which was one of the teams I was considering. Another was Clarence, who did just defeat North, but that came on the heels of five losses in six games, so the body of work just wasn't there. Then there was Jamestown, but they lack that one signature win. However, the Red Raiders host North on Friday night and that should help settle some of this debate.
Small Schools
1. Health Sciences (B2) - OK Falcons, you've convinced me. I was holding out and giving Olean the benefit of the doubt for this spot, but after the Huskies lost to Timon in the same week that Health Sciences won at St. Francis, they've officially earned #1 in my eyes. Taking Canisius to the end was no small feat either. They'll look to flex their muscles this week against two highly regarded small schools when they face Tapestry & East.
2. Olean (B1) - If you need any convincing about how good the Huskies are, consider that they routed previously undefeated Southwestern on the road by 30 and also dealt double-digit losses to Franklinville and Dunkirk since the last time there was a poll.
3. St. Mary's (MMA) - One of three undefeated teams left in WNY after gaining two more big wins against ranked teams. The Lancers earned a comeback win at Williamsville North to take a third straight Five Guys Tournament championship and followed that with another comeback road win over Niagara Catholic in the 'Game of the Week'. This weekend, St. Mary's faces LaSalle Academy and Elder High School during a road trip in Ohio.
4. Middle College (B2) - Eager to get back on the court, the Kats draw East and Tapestry this week after knocking off Northstar Christian prior to break, who came into the game ranked #1 in NYS Class C.
5. Franklinville (D) - Gained a nice win over Allegany-Limestone before falling to Olean in the IAABO Tournament championship game. It's all about the 'Game of the Week' for the Panthers, who host rival Ellicottville on Monday night.
6. Niagara Catholic (MMA) - The Patriots look to rebound this week against Cardinal O'Hara after losing to St. Mary's last week in a game they led by 10 in the fourth quarter. The good news for Niagara Catholic is they'll get to play St. Mary's again, at least once.
7. East (D) - The Panthers couldn't have a much taller order staring them down this week, with games against Middle College and Health Sciences coming up. If they win both of those, we'll have a new #1 next week.
8. Ellicottiville (D) - One of three teams still unbeaten in WNY, the Eagles have been waiting for a shot at Franklinville since the Panthers ended their season at JCC last March. Monday night they get their chance in the 'Game of the Week' in WNY and NYS Class D.
9. Burgard (B1) - I'm keeping the Bulldogs on my ballot on the strength of their win over Franklinville before Christmas and their close encounter with Middle College. Those are results that no other team vying for a spot in the top 10 can boast. McKinley & Hutch-Tech are on tap for Burgard this week.
10. Cardinal O'Hara (MMA) - The Hawks have played closer games with South and St. Francis than I imagine most small schools would be capable of. They also have wins over Tapestry & St. Joe's this season. It's a pivotal week for them in the MMA, with games against St. Mary's and Niagara Catholic coming.
-centercourt
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