(Noah Hutchins scores at the buzzer in Park's Federation Championship victory / Photo:Harry Scull,Buffalo News)
Large Schools
1. Park (MMA) - The Pioneers proved they were not only the best team in our area, but the best Class A team in NYS by winning their second Federation title in four seasons and the first as a large school. In my opinion, there is no greater accomplishment in high school team sports than winning the NYS Federation title as a large school. Park became just the seventh team from WNY to accomplish this since Bennett first did it in 1984.
2. Canisius (MMA) - The team that I thought might win the Fed this year had only one local loss - to the team that won the Fed! One of the three best Crusader teams I've watched, which is saying something.
3. West Seneca West (A1) - From a team I had never before ranked, to a Section VI champion with a 24-0 record. In the greatest athletic year the school has likely ever had, the basketball team certainly held up its end of the bargain with a regional appearance and a win in the game of the decade.
4. Williamsville South (A1) - The Billies proved to be more than a worthy opponent against the area's lone unbeaten team in the classic Class A1 Final. The year included a fifth straight ECIC II title, along with wins over Timon & Health Sciences.
5. Timon (MMA) - The Tigers put together a solid resume under first year head coach Jason Rowe, that I enjoyed defending all year in the state rankings. At the top of that resume - a win over the eventual Fed champs from Park.
6. Niagara Falls (AA) - The Wolverines took the NFL back with a 13-0 mark, before rolling through the competition in Class AA to claim a third straight Section VI title.
7. South Park (A2) - The Sparks broke through in the Yale Cup last year, before coming up just short in Class A2. They weren't to be denied in 2018, cruising to a title at Buff State, before pushing West Seneca West to the brink in the regional qualifier.
8. Williamsville North (AA) - A very good Spartans team ran into West Seneca West in league play and Niagara Falls in Class AA. North was big, balanced, and young - watch out for them next year.
9. McKinley (A1) - The Macks' season included wins over Section VI champions South Park & Tapestry, along with a sweep of NYSPHAA Class D champion East. Then they gave Williamsville South fits at Buff State.
10. St. Francis (MMA) - Despite an overall mark of 13-13, Frannies' season had some quality wins over the likes of Willamsville South, Niagara Catholic, O'Hara, St. Joe's, & Dunkirk, along with narrow losses to Canisius, Rome Free Academy, & Health Sciences.
Small Schools
1. Health Sciences (B1) - The Falcons went back-to-back in Class B2 and returned to the state final four, along with ending Olean's 29-game win streak at Buff State that dates back to 2000. They also beat East and swept Tapestry. Their only local losses came to Park, Cansius, & Williamsville South.
2. East (D) - The Panthers not only won a NYSPHAA State Championship in Class D, but they knocked off the defending champs who came in riding a 45-game win streak. After trailing the first three quarters, East got the game to overtime and then outscored Moriah 15-2 in the extra session to raise the plaque!
3. Olean (B1) - The Huskies produced another 20+ win season to add to the legend of Jeff Anastasia and nearly kept it going, holding Health Sciences to just 10 first half points in a two-point loss for the right to advance to the Far West Regional.
4. Middle College (B2) - Winners of the Yale Cup, which means they finished ahead of East, South Park, and McKinley. The Kats also had wins over Cardinal O'Hara and Class C state finalist Northstar Christian.
5. Franklinville (D) - Proved they were a formidable small school regardless of size right from the start of the season with a thrilling win over Niagara Catholic. They also rolled over Medina in February, before ultimately bowing out to the eventual state champs from East.
6. Niagara Catholic (MMA) - I dubbed this team the overnight sensation after a talented young influx of players arrived, and by season's end, the were Manhattan Cup champs and playing in overtime of the CHSAA state championship game.
7. Cardinal O'Hara (MMA) - The Hawks swept St. Mary's, knocked off Tapestry, and split with Niagara Catholic in the regular season, before slipping to the Patriots in the Manhattan Cup Final.
8. Tapestry (C) - The Thunderhawks had wins over Class A (Kenmore West) & Class B (Nichols), then knocked off the defending Class C2 champs from Randolph to advance to the first regional appearance in school history.
9. Ellicottville (D) - The Eagles' season included a win over Franklinville, a sweep of Randolph, and a 17-point triumph over Chautauqua Lake. Their season only ended when Willard Anderson went coast-to-coast in the closing seconds of the Class D semifinals to score the game-winner for the eventual state champions.
10. St. Mary's (MMA) - The Lancers turned in some impressive victories this year, including a pair over top 10 large schools Williamsville North & St. Francis, along with a regular season sweep of Niagara Catholic before falling to them in the Manhattan Cup semifinals.
-centercourt
Who are the 3 best CHS teams you mention? @CC
Posted by: CHS | Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 03:16 PM
2015-- 28-5 --- MMA, State and Fed Class A Champs with LT Reed, Huff, TJ Wheat, Andrew H, and Staff, Will, Justin, Madut and squad
2016 --- 25-3-- MMA and State Class A Champs with Staff, Will, Justin, Madut and Colby, Andrew S, Jayce, Chuck and company
Current Team ---2018--- 23-3 with Jayce, Nick, Ryan, Trapper, Austin, Joe and crew
Stafford Truehart, Will Atkinson, Justin Jones, Madut Ayiy, Charles Hart and Andrew Schake
are Back to Back Two Time NYS Class A Champions
Posted by: Inotalent | Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 03:57 PM
I think 2013 with weir and company was much better than this 2018 team.
1.2015
2.2016
3.2013
Posted by: ballguy | Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 07:23 PM