The View From Centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings - Week 7

 

The state rankings have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below is my weekly post for the 2019 the season and the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Niagara Falls #7

Honorable Mention:  Williamsville North

 

Class A 

Park #1

Lew-Port #18

Honorable Mention:  South Park, St. Francis, St. Joe's, Canisius, Amherst, & Sweet Home

 

Class B

Olean #1

Cardinal O'Hara #3

Allegany-Limestone #15

Southwestern #21

Honorable Mention:  Nichols, Fredonia, Medina, & Wilson

 

Class C 

Tapestry #6

East #16

Middle College #17

Randolph #18

Honorable Mention: Silver Creek, BASCS, & Salamanca

 

Class D

No teams ranked

Honorable Mention:  Clymer & Panama

 

******** According to the rankings above........

 

- In NYS Class AA, Niagara Falls moves up one spot to #8.  There are now only three public schools ahead of the Wolverines and the highest ranked team from Section V is McQuaid at #15.  

 

- The Park School is once again the top ranked team in NYS Class A.  Albany Academy comes in at #2, the team the Pioneers defeated to win the 2018 Federation Championship.  Park travels to face those Cadets this Sunday. 

 

- Lew-Port falls all the way from #10 to #18 in NYS Class A, following the Lancers first loss of the season at the hands of Niagara Falls - a pretty harsh punishment, in my opinion.  The Lancers remain the only Section VI public school to be ranked from Class A, while Section V has three teams ahead of them and two teams behind.

 

- Olean and Cardinal O'Hara remain ranked #1 and #3 respectively in NYS Class B.  They are two of 18 teams in the state that remain undefeated.  Schalmont from Section II, who is the team between them, ranked #2 in NYS Class B, is also unbeaten.

 

- Allegany-Limestone moves up two spots in NYS Class B to #15.  The Gators face #25 ranked Wellsville of Section V this week.

 

- Despite a 36-point loss to Olean, Southwestern managed to move up one spot to #21 in NYS Class B.  Imagine the jump the Trojans would've made had they only lost by 22 points...

 

- Meanwhile, East fell back two places to #16 in NYS Class C, following a road loss at NYS Class A #8 Northstar Christian from Section V.  Gimme a break here, the Panthers were leading after three quarters against a top 10 team two classes higher than them.  If anything, they should've moved up.  I'm beginning to see traces of hamster activity.

 

- No seriously, you can tell there's been hamsters around here -- Randolph won two games last week and Middle College lost, yet the two flipped places with the Kats moving ahead of Randolph.  

 

For complete State Rankings, visit NYSSWA rankings page by clicking HERE

 

-centercourt

Poll Ballots 2019 - Week 5

(Photo: Harry Scull,Buff News)

 

Large Schools

1. Park (MMA) - Survived a scare at Nichols last week to stay unbeaten against WNY competition.  Friday night the Pioneers host Lew-Port, and on Sunday they'll get a rematch of the 2018 Class A Federation Championship game when they travel to play Albany Academy in a showcase game that likely features the top two ranked teams in NYS Class A. 

2. Niagara Falls (NFL) - Still the kings of Niagara County, Falls dished Lew-Port its first loss of the season by 18 points for an eighth consecutive victory. 

3. St. Francis (MMA) - Picked up a nice win over St. Joe's on Monday to set up a "Game of the Week' visit to Delaware Avenue on Thursday night. 

4. Canisius (MMA) - The Crusaders were the tougher team in the second half of their win over the Marauders Saturday afternoon.  Thursday night's game against St. Francis is a big one. 

5. Lew-Port (A2) - After suffering their first loss of the season, the Lancers schedule doesn't get any easier this week... Cardinal O'Hara on Tuesday and at Park Friday night!

6. Williamsville North (AA) - Brought their brooms to West Seneca West last week to complete the season sweep over the defending league champs in a game they led by as many as 22 points, two nights after knocking off Sweet Home by eight points.  

7. South Park (A2) - The Sparks got out with a two-point win over Emerson last week and will have to do it all over again on the road this Thursday.

8. Amherst (A2) - Avenged their loss to West Seneca East and moved into sole possession of first place in ECIC II.  A pair of tough games coming up this week for the Tigers on back-to-back nights with road trips to Sweet Home and Lockport. 

9. Health Sciences (A2) - On Friday night the Falcons visit Middle College, a team they've knocked out of the playoffs the past two seasons. 

10. St. Joe's (MMA) - Coming off a tough loss to their rivals, the Marauders have a challenging weekend ahead with games against Cardinal O'Hara and Aquinas. 

 

Small Schools 

1. Olean (B1) - Took the #8 small school in WNY, Southwestern, out by 36 points to improve to 13-0.

2. Cardinal O'Hara (MMA) - O'Hara is on a mission and taking no prisoners!!  Trailing at halftime, the Hawks threw it into high gear in the second half at St. Francis on Wednesday for an impressive victory that keeps the team undefeated.  Tuesday's game at Lew-Port should be a lot of fun and Friday's trip to St. Joe's will give the team an opponent with some size in the paint.

3. Nichols (MMA) - They beat Health Sciences, who beat Tapestry.  They beat East, who beat Middle College.  And they almost shocked Park on Tuesday night.  I know the Vikings have some losses, but none to teams ranked below them. 

4. Tapestry (C1) - The Thunderhawks won big over Maritime last week and face a huge test on Wednesday with a game at Cardinal O'Hara.

5. East (C1) - The Panthers led after three quarters on the road at Northstar Christian, who is a top 10 team in NYS Class A.  

6. Middle College (C1) - The Kats are at Timon on Monday afternoon for what will have to serve WNY as this year's MLK Classic, before hosting Health on Friday night. 

7. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - Moved to 10-1 on the season, winning a surprisingly defensive battle against high-scoring Silver Creek.  The Gators visit Wellsville, one of Section V's toughest teams from Class B, on Tuesday.

8. Southwestern (B2) - Bounced back from the Olean loss to beat Chautauqua Lake and improve to 11-3 on the year.

9. Randolph (C2) - The Cardinals make the trip to Silver Creek this week, a team they edged by two points earlier this year.

10. Medina (B1) - The Mustangs are now in sole possession of first place in the N-O, after earning a big 20-point win over Wilson, a team who swept the defending league champion Mustangs last year.

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/21/19 -- 1/27/19

(Joe Jamison & the Crusaders host the 'Game of the Week' /Photo: Harry Scull,Buff News)

 

Monday, January 21st

Middle College @ Timon - 1:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 22nd

Amherst @ Sweet Home - 6:30 pm

CSAT @ Medina - 6:30 pm

Depew @ Niagara Wheatfield - 6:30 pm

Cardinal O'Hara @ Lew-Port - 7 pm

Jamestown @ McKinley - 7:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Wellsville - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 23rd

West Seneca East @ Iroquois - 6:30 pm

Tapestry @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

Amherst @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

West Seneca West @ Health Sciences - 7 pm

Niagara Wheatfield @ Maryvale - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 24th

St. Francis @ Canisius - 7 pm

Ellicottville @ Franklinville - 7:30 pm

Randolph @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 25th

Lew-Port @ Park - 6 pm

Olmsted @ City Honors - 6 pm

BASCS @ MST Seneca - 6 pm

Timon @ Nichols - 6:30 pm

Health Sciences @ Middle College - 6:30 pm

Williamsville South @ West Seneca East - 6:30 pm

Maryvale @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

JFK @ Lackawanna - 6:30 pm

Cardinal O'Hara @ St. Joe's - 7:30 pm

Clarence @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

Orchard Park @ Lancaster - 7:30 pm

CSAT @ East Aurora - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 26th

Depew @ Salamanca - 1:30 pm

Canisius @ Cathedral Prep - 3:30 pm

St. Joe's @ Aquinas - 7:30 pm

 

* Game of the Week - St. Francis at Canisius on Thursday, January 24th

While Park remains the resident bad boy of the Monsignor Martin Association after completing the first round of league play with wins over its competition in Class A, the gap is closing.  Thursday night's meeting between the Crusaders and the Red Raiders will determine which team moves into sole possession of the second seed for the Manhattan Cup playoffs.  

Both teams have already earned wins over St. Joe's and Timon, and both looked good against Park, with the Red Raiders falling by just one point in overtime.  The two are each top 10 large schools in WNY and have already flipped positions in the poll, with St. Francis currently ranked higher.  But as we learned two seasons ago, even when Frannies appears to have the edge, winning on Delaware Avenue is a rare occurrence.  In 2017, St. Francis lost at Canisius just prior to going into Park and stunning the then #1 ranked team in NYS Class A.  The Red Raiders would go on to defeat the Pioneers twice more that year, en route to a Manhattan Cup Finals appearance, only to fall to Canisius for the title.  St. Francis did knock off the Crusaders at home in 2017, the only win the team has earned over Canisius since 2006, which was also the last time they won on Delaware Avenue. 

The 2019 season bears parallels to 2017 between these two with St. Francis coming in as the more experienced squad, while the Crusaders are supposed to be in a "down year".  The Red Raiders have four starters back from last season, while Canisius graduated all five of its starters from last year and starts just three players who even saw minutes for them in 2018.

In Brian Ferris and Kyle Husband, both teams are coached by guys who played in the MMA.  Good friends off the court, Husband and Ferris are both dedicated to their programs and fierce competitors.  Each of them have teams that consistently and effectively execute on offense, while priding themselves at the defensive end. 

While recent history does not favor St. Francis in this matchup, the Red Raiders have a team this season that they feel can win the Manhattan Cup.  In order to make that happen, they will almost certainly need to get through Canisius, who has collected championships like trading cards in the past decade.  They get their first chance on Thursday, looking to end a 13-year drought at the home of the Crusaders and earn their first ever win at the Bernard J. Kennedy Fieldhouse, which opened in 2010.   

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/14/19 -- 1/20/19

(Willie Lightfoot & Roddy Gayle wait to be announced as 8th grade starters for Falls before the 2018 Class AA Final/Photo: Harry Scull)

 

Monday, January 14th

St. Joe's @ St. Francis - 7 pm

Maritime @ BASCS - 7 pm

West Seneca West @ Lancaster - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 15th

City Honors @ Olmsted - 6 pm

Maryvale @ Amherst - 6 pm

Lew-Port @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Lake Shore @ Williamsville East - 6:30 pm

Springville @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Sweet Home @ Williamsville North - 7 pm

West Seneca East @ Frontier - 7 pm

Lackawanna @ Williamsville South - 7:30 pm

Olean @ Southwestern - 7:30 pm

Jamestown @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

Salamanca @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 16th

Cardinal O'Hara @ St. Francis - 6:30 pm

Tapestry @ Maritime - 6:30 pm

Lancaster @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 17th

Hutch Tech @ City Honors - 6 pm

Williamsville North @ West Seneca West - 6:30 pm

Lake Shore @ Iroquois - 6:30 pm

Lackawanna @ Springville - 6:30 pm

East @ Northstar Christian - 7 pm

Nichols @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 18th

Wilson @ Medina - 6:30 pm

Niagara Falls @ Lew-Port - 7 pm

Jamestown @ Frontier - 7 pm

Randolph @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

West Seneca East @ Amherst - 7:30 pm

MLK Classic at City Honors

City Honors vs. JFK - 4:30 pm

I-Prep vs. Maritime - 6 pm

 

Saturday, January 19th

Canisius @ St. Joe's - 2:30 pm

MLK Classic at City Honors

McKinley vs. Amherst - 2 pm

East vs. Health Sciences - 3:30 pm

Middle College vs. North Tonawanda - 5:45 pm

 

Sunday, January 20th

MLK Classic at Bishop Grimes

St. Francis vs. Mekeel Christian - 6:30 pm

 

* Game of the Week - Niagara Falls @ Lew-Port on Friday, January 18th

 Was there ever even a question?  The game that Falls' fans have been waiting for since the summer has almost arrived!

 For the first time in a very long time, two of WNY's top five large schools hail from Niagara County.  While Niagara Falls has won three consecutive Section VI titles in Class AA and always occupies an annual spot near the top  of the large school rankings, Lew-Port is one of the smallest large schools in the area and hasn't won a sectional title since 1978.  But the most significant transfer in my time covering hoops just might change that.

After averaging over 12 points per game as an eighth grader for Niagara Falls and helping lead the team to the Class AA Regional, Roddy Gayle transferred to Lew-Port over the summer.  Now a freshman sensation in WNY high school basketball, Gayle has teamed with some very talented players who were already at Lew-Port.  Trent Scott earned All-Centercourt Honorable Mention as a junior last season for the Lancers, eighth grader Jalen Duff has played like a veteran in the back court, and senior Zach Claybourne has been very productive for the team. 

 Gayle's departure would have left Falls with just one young prodigy in Willie Lightfoot, who also starred as an eighth grader at NFHS -- except for the return home by a third young prodigy from Niagara Falls. 

 When Niagara Catholic closed it's doors, 2018 Third Team All-Centercourt pick and Manhattan Cup MVP Jalen Bradberry returned to his home school.  Bradberry has teamed with Lightfoot, along with seniors Josiah Harris & Moran Montgomery, to make this version of Falls an exciting brand of basketball that features shooting, speed, & pressure.  The Wolverines are capable of overwhelming opponents when they start turning teams over, then running & scoring in transition.

 The Wolverines and the Lancers are currently tied for first place in the NFL, both undefeated in league play.  Lew-Port is also one of just three teams in WNY with an overall record that's unblemished, sitting at 11-0.  Both teams are averaging 82 points per game (11  points above the next highest scoring Section VI team), with Falls allowing 53 points per game and the Lancers giving up 57 per outing. 

While Gayle, Bradberry, and Lightfoot were supposed to be the next big thing together at Niagara Falls, instead we have something else to look forward to.  There's a lot of pride among these three friends and both teams are ready to make a statement.  Whatever happens Friday night, it's going to be awesome!  It's the 'Game of the Week' - Cataract City-style!

 

-centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings 2019 - Week 3

 

The state rankings have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below is my third post for the 2019 the season and the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Niagara Falls #9

Honorable Mention:  Williamsville North & Clarence

 

Class A 

Park #2

Lew-Port #12

St. Francis #18

South Park #21

Honorable Mention:  Canisius, West Seneca East, Health Sciences, Amherst, & Timon

 

Class B

Olean #1

Cardinal O'Hara #3

Allegany-Limestone #21

Southwestern #24

Honorable Mention:  Medina, Fredonia, & Wilson

 

Class C 

Tapestry #9

East #14

Middle College #16

Randolph #17

Honorable Mention: Silver Creek, BASCS, & Salamanca

 

Class D

No teams ranked

Honorable Mention:  Forestville 

 

******** According to the rankings above........

 

- Niagara Falls is up to #9 in NYS Class AA. There are only two public schools in the state ranked above the Wolverines, and none of them are from the Far West Region. Falls has moved ahead of McQuaid, a team they lost to on the road in December.

 

- Park was moved back to #2 in NYS Class A after its out-of-state loss over the break.  The Pioneers remain the highest ranked private school in their classification, which makes them the favorite to repeat a state champions and return to the Federation Tournament. 

 

- Lew-Port has risen to #12 in NYS Class A, however, there are two public schools from Section V ranked ahead of the Lancers, so the state has their season ending at regionals.

 

- St. Francis came in #18 in NYS Class A, but the rankings were composed before they lost in Syracuse to Bishop Ludden.  Depending on how this week goes for them with games at Park and against Timon, the Red Raiders could either shoot up the rankings or fall flat out.  

 

- Similarly, South Park (#21 in NYS Class A) could find themselves unranked if they lose at Middle College on Tuesday. 

 

- Olean is now #1 in NYS Class B, while Cardinal O'Hara moved up to #3. Both teams are 10-0 and favored to win state championships. The Hawks are such heavy favorites, they are the only private school that's even ranked in NYS Class B. 

 

- East's win over Middle College caused a major shake up in the NYS Class C rankings. The loss dropped the Kats from #3 to #16, while East moved ahead of them to number #13.  Tapestry is now our highest ranked team in the classification at #9. 

 

- At least Forestville was able to garner an Honorable Mention for us in Class D. 

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

Poll Ballots 2019 - Week 3

(Zamari Mitchell & the West Seneca East Trojans are 7-1 on the season)

 

Large Schools

1. Park (MMA) - This is where the season gets fun.  A big week ahead for the Pioneers with home games against St. Francis and McQuaid on Tuesday & Thursday, and a trip to Canisius Saturday afternoon. 

 

2. Lew-Port (A2) - The only undefeated large school left in WNY is still a week away from the part of their schedule where the rubber meets the road, but could be tested by North Tonawanda's 2-3 zone on Tuesday. 

 

3. Niagara Falls (AA) -  Winners of four straight games by an average margin of 33 points, the Wolverines look to extend the streak to seven with three more NFL games coming up this week, including a visit from Lockport on Saturday. 

 

4. St. Francis (MMA) - Two years ago, the Red Raiders went into Park and knocked off the number one ranked team in NYS Class A. On Tuesday night they visit the Pioneers, currently ranked #2 in NYS Class A. 

 

5. Canisius (MMA) - The Crusaders found themselves in a battle Thursday night at Timon and came away with a one-point victory that was good for number 300 in Kyle Husband's coaching career.  However, win number 301 evaded him in the team's loss at Aquinas on Saturday.  

 

6. South Park (A2) - The Sparks only loss of the season was at Canisius on December 8th. They'll take a six game winning streak into their game at Middle College on Tuesday. 

 

7. Williamsville North (AA) - Followed an 18-point win over Williamsville East with a 23-point victory against Jamestown.  The Spartans visit Orchard Park on Tuesday.

 

8. West Seneca East (A1) - Coming off a 15-point win over Williamsville East, the Trojans can make it six in a row if they get past Sweet Home and Hamburg this week. 

 

9. Health Sciences (A2) - The Falcons won a battle on Saturday afternoon against Tapestry. They'll be in for another one on Tuesday at Amherst and also take a couple swings at BASCS this week.

 

10. Amherst (A2) - Tied for first place in ECIC  II with West Seneca East, the Tigers scored a convincing win at Williamsville South on Friday night.  A win against Health Sciences on Tuesday would be their first against a ranked team. 

 

 

Small Schools

 

1. Olean (B1) - Knocked off Allegany-Limestone by 16 points to earn a tournament championship over the break and beat Fredonia by 19 on Friday. 

 

2. Cardinal O'Hara (MMA) -  Opened league play with 31 and 47 point victories over teams they'll compete for a title against. Tuesday night they host Timon.

 

3. Nichols (MMA) - The Vikings have wins over Health Sciences and East to earn this spot.  They'll face St. Mary's and St. Joe's this week.

 

4. Tapestry (C1) - The Thunderhawks win streak ended at the hands of Health Sciences on Saturday. They'll look to get back on track against Global Concepts this week. 

 

5. East (C1) - Five wins in a row for the defending state champs, including a big one over league rival Middle College on Friday. 

 

6. Middle College (C1) - The Kats could move into a tie for first place in the Yale Cup with a win over South Park on Tuesday. 

 

7. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - The Gators are 6-1, with five of those wins by way of blowout and the other by nine points.  Their lone loss was against Olean. 

 

8. Southwestern (B2) - The Trojans now have two wins over to top 10 small schools. They beat Tapestry in early December and won at Randolph over break. 

 

9. Randolph (C1) - The Cardinals have played consecutive 50-48 home games, losing to Southwestern and beating Silver Creek.  Friday's home game against the Gators is the 'Game of the Week'!

 

10. Medina (B1) - The Mustangs improved to 8-1 with a win at Newfane on Friday.  Their only loss on the season was at Tapestry.  

 

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/7/19 -- 1/13/19

(Randolph's Gabe McCoy & Tyler Hind defend Cam Barmore of Panama / Photo:Alex Shipherd,Post Journal)

 

Tuesday, January 8th

South Park @ Middle College - 6 pm

Olmsted @ MST Seneca - 6 pm

Timon @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

Sweet Home @ West Seneca East - 6:30 pm

CSAT @ Lockport - 6:30 pm

Lackawanna @ Cleveland Hill - 6:30 pm

St. Francis @ Park - 7 pm

Clarence @ Frontier - 7 pm

Health Sciences @ Amherst - 7:30 pm

Williamsville East @ Williamsville South - 7:30 pm

Chautauqua Lake @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

Salamanca @ Silver Creek - 7:30 pm

Williamsville North @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 9th

Ellicottville @ Forestville - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 10th

McQuaid @ Park - 6 pm

Nichols @ St. Joe's - 6:30 pm

BASCS @ Southwestern - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 11th

Wilson @ Newfane - 6:30 pm

Williamsville East @ Sweet Home - 6:30 pm

Timon @ St. Francis - 7 pm

Orchard Park @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

Forestville @ Franklinville - 7:30 pm

Jamestown @ West Seneca West - 7:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

Sherman @ Panama - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 12th

Lockport @ Niagara Falls - 12:30 pm

Park @ Canisius - 2:30 pm

 

* Game of the Week - Allegany-Limestone @ Randolph on Friday, January 11th

For the past two seasons, the Southern Tier has given us Franklinville vs. Ellicottville.  But there's another rivalry that started brewing down there last season between two of the last four teams left standing in Class C and they just happen to be in the same league. 

 

Randolph and Allegany-Limestone took turns knocking each other off during the 2018 season, and as a result, they shared the CCAA I East Championship.  My prediction entering this year was that the two would once again split the regular season series. 

 

The Cardinals & Gators each saw their season end at the hands of Tapestry in 2018.  They each gave the Thunderhawks everything they bargained for and both schools entered this season with legitimate expectations of earning a sectional championship - the Cardinals in Class C2 and the Gators in Class B2. 

 

Both teams boast talent and returned their standout players, with three of them having earned All-State honors.  At Randolph, Tyler Hind was Second Team All-State in Class C.  Allegany-Limestone was represented by Sam Flanders on Seventh Team and Michael Wolfgang on Ninth Team in NYS Class C.  In addition, the Gators have Casey Curran, who can get buckets from any place on the floor, while Randolph has a freshman in Gabe McCoy who can look dominant in the lane. 

 

With a lot of good games on tap for Friday night, there's one that I've been looking forward to since the preseason, so I'll be topping off my tank and taking a road trip.  It's the 'Game of the Week' Southern Tier style. 

 

-centercourt