The View From Centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings 2020 - Week 7

The seventh state rankings for the 2020 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Niagara Falls #23 

 

Class A

Canisius #2

Health Sciences #3

Park #8 

St. Joe's #12 

 

Class B

Allegany-Limestone #11 

Timon #21

Fredonia #23 

 

Class C

Middle College #3 

Randolph #5 

Tapestry #9 

Westfield #12 

 

Class D

Panama #8 

 

According to the rankings...

 

- They don't really believe their own rankings.  They don't really believe Canisius is #2, they think that's too high.  They don't really believe Albany Academy is #4, they think AA is even better than that.  There's really no other explanation, based on last week's results.  St. Joe's falls from #8 to #12 in NYS Class A for losing by four points at #2 Canisius.  Park falls just one spot, from #7 to #8 for losing by 21 points at #4 Albany Academy.   Think about that for a moment.  They don't believe their own rankings.  I'll bet if it was the other way around and Park only lost by 4 points at Albany Academy, they'd have stayed at #7 or even moved up.  If Albany Academy is thought of that highly (which they should be), then just rank them #1 already, because the way those results were handled lacks logic otherwise...according to the rankings!

 

- Niagara Falls is really ranked.  Now #23 in NYS Class AA, which is up from the 'feel good' #28 spot that doesn't even exist in Top 25 rankings or in the NYSSWA State Rankings when they debut each year.  I still don't understand the magic of expansive & inclusive rankings, but I guess I should just be happy Falls has officially cracked the Top 25, which I am.  Maybe I should expand the large school poll to 14 next week so I can include Will East, Will North, Lancaster, & Frannies.

 

- Allegany-Limestone is the 7th best public school in NYS Class B.

 

- It's now a Middle College vs. Randolph Class C crossover game that sends the Kats back to states, where they fall one round earlier than last season.  Tapestry dropped from the #2 spot in NYS Class C all the way to #9 and behind both Randolph (#5) and Middle College (#3).

 

- Section V has the D's.  Following Panama's second loss of the season at Maple Grove, the Panthers are no longer #1 in NYS Class D, falling all the way to #8.  That means no more state championship and not even a regional victory.  Section V's Avoca now has the highest ranked Class D team in the Far West Region.  My buddy Tracy may never let me live this one down if the rankings hold true in March.

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

Poll Ballots 2020 - Week 7

(Myles Cooper gets up for Amherst / Photo: Shawn Turri)

 

Large Schools 

1. Canisius (A) - The Crusaders are now 15-1 on the season and alone in first place atop the MMA standings, following an 18th consecutive victory against rival St. Joe's on Saturday.  This week presents rematches at Cardinal O'Hara on Tuesday and at home against St. Francis on Friday.

2. Park (A) - The Pioneers took a road trip to Albany on Saturday night to compete in the SLAM North/South Classic, where they fell to the defending NYS Class A Federation Champions from Albany Academy, the same team Park defeated in the 2018 Federation Championship game.  It's a tough loss that will only help the Pioneers at season's end, having now seen the team they'll need to get past to return to a third straight Federation Tournament at the end of March.

 3. Health Sciences (A2) - Make it 14-0 for the Falcons after beating South Park on Thursday and then Tapestry at Villa on Saturday in what was the most entertaining 32 minutes of basketball I've enjoyed this season.  On Monday night, the Falcons take on East as part of a double header at St. Joe's, beginning at 6 pm.

4. St. Joe's (A) - A better start to the second half against Canisius on Saturday might have yielded a different result, but instead the streak continues.  It was the Marauders first loss is eight games and now they face a big challenge on Monday night against the top Class AA team in from Section V in UPrep - a game that will follow Health Sciences vs. East in a great night of basketball at the Home of the Marauders on Kenmore Avenue beginning at 6 pm.  Another big test comes on Friday night at the same venue when Niagara Falls visits.

5. Niagara Falls (AA) -  Following an idle week, the Wolverines are back in action and looking to stay undefeated in the NFL when the defending league champs from Lew-Port arrive on Tuesday night, before traveling to St. Joe's on Friday.

6. Amherst (A2) -  Followed up an impressive showing at the MLK Classic the weekend prior by gutting out a win over WNY's top ranked small school from Middle College.  Myles Cooper calmly sank the game-winner for the Tigers as time expired, after laying out to earn a steal with 16 seconds left.  They are undefeated in ECIC II heading into this week's games against Williamsville South on Wednesday and at West Seneca East on Friday.

7. Lew-Port (A2) - A seven-game win streak came to an end on Wednesday night for the Lancers in a narrow defeat at the hands of Middle College, despite a performance for the ages turned in by Roddy Gayle.  The sophomore scored 26 of his game-high 38 points in the second half, while grabbing 15 boards and delivering a rejection that only a player who soars through the air as effortlessly as he does, and did while pounding the rim three times with big-time dunks, could do!  

8. Jamestown (AA) - The Red Raiders appear to have grabbed the proverbial switch and flipped it straight up.  Jamestown followed up a 23-point win over Willaimsville North with a 36-point lambasting of McKinley.  They are also alone in first place in ECIC I.

9. Orchard Park (AA) - In an ultra competitive season, the decisions get very difficult toward the end of the large school poll this year. The Quakers just dropped a game at Lancaster on Saturday afternoon, leaving them in a three-way tie for second place in ECIC I with those Legends and Williamsville North.  Without room for all three teams in the Top 10, I analyzed the quality wins that each of those teams has to this point.   The Quakers own victories over Middle College, Timon, Nichols, St. Francis, and North.   In my opinion, it was the best resume of the three.

 10. CSAT (A2) - I voted the Eagles in last week and wasn't about to drop them for an idle week during regents exams.  This week we find out what's up, with road games at North Tonawanda and at Sweet Home.  

 

Small Schools 

1. Middle College (C1) -  After winning their ninth straight game at Lew-Port on Wednesday, the Kats were finally tripped up at Amherst on Friday night.  Back to league play this week with games against South Park and City Honors.

2. Allegany-Limestone (B2) -  Took a two-game lead over both Fredonia & Olean in CCAA I West last week with a second double figure victory over Fredonia that gave them the season sweep.  Thursday night they host Chautauqua Lake, before a visit to Randolph on Saturday night's 'Game of the Week'.

3. Randolph (C2) - The Cardinals survived an overtime game at Silver Creek thanks to a triple-double performance by Tyler Hind.  They'll try to build on an eight-game win streak during a busy week ahead that holds games against Ellicottville, Salamanca, & Allegany-Limestone.

4. Timon (B) - Pushed Canisius to the brink on MLK Day, falling in overtime despite 38 points scored by Jamyier Patton.  Two nights later, they were in overtime with St. Francis.  A 44-point win over St. Mary's sends them into the rematch with Cardinal O'Hara with momentum.

5. Tapestry (C1) - After hanging 104 points on Bennett Tuesday night, the Thunderhawks dropped one to Maritime the following day.  However on Saturday night, they left with much to be proud of after going toe-to-toe with undefeated Health Sciences in front of a sold out gymnasium.  Tuesday night, they face a tough nonleague trip to Class AA Clarence.

6. Fredonia (B2) - Following Thursday's loss to Allegany-Limestone, the Hillbillies had one week to prepare for the rematch with Olean.  Three weeks ago, Fredonia went into Olean and won by 13 points. 

7.  Maritime (B2) - Picked up a true signature win on Wednesday when the Commodores grabbed everyone's attention, defeating Tapestry.  Two nights later, they ran into Bennett for a second time this season and lost the rematch by four after beating the Tigers by five in December.  

8. Westfield (C2) - Head coach Bob North earned his 400th career win last week in a win over Brocton and followed that up with #401 as the Wolverines survived a late-game rally attempt by Sherman to improve to 11-0 on the year.  

9. Olean (B1) - Made it four straight wins last week by downing Southwestern and Hilton, with a rematch looming on Thursday at Fredonia, where the Huskies will try to even the season series.

10. Bennett (B1) - Tied for first place in Yale Cup II with Olmsted after winning the rematch handily and now winners in five of their last six games after knocking off Maritime.  The Tigers look like men on the court and are easily the strongest looking high school basketball team I've ever seen in WNY.  

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/27/20 -- 2/2/20

(Randolph's Tyler Hind watches teammate Gabe McCoy drop the #BOOM /Photo:Post Journal)

 

Monday, January 27th

Health Sciences vs East **at St. Joe's - 6 pm

UPrep @ St  Joe's - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 28th

Middle College @ South Park - 6 pm

Lew-Port @ Niagara Falls - 6:30 pm

Orchard Park @ West Seneca West - 6:30 pm

Medina @ Newfane - 6:30 pm

Depew @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

CSAT @ North Tonawanda - 7 pm

Akron @ Albion - 7 pm

Lancaster @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

Iroquois @ East Aurora - 7:30 pm

Tapestry @ Clarence - 7:30 pm

Ellicottville @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 29th

Holland @ Akron - 6:30 pm

Williamsville South @ Amherst - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 30th

Olean @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

Salamanca @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 31st

Jamestown @ West Seneca West - 6:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ Iroquois - 6:30 pm

CSAT @ Sweet Home - 6:30 pm

Newfane @ Akron - 6:30 pm

Niagara Falls @ St. Joe's - 7 pm

St. Francis @ Canisius - 7 pm

Ken West @ North Tonawanda - 7 pm

Cardinal O'Hara @ Timon - 7:30 pm

Aquinas @ Lew-Port - 7:30 pm

Williamsville North @ Orchard Park - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, February 1st

Tonawanda vs. Roy-Hart *at NCCC - 7 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Randolph - 7:30 pm

 

* Game of the Week - Allegany-Limestone @ Randolph on Saturday, February 1st

As we enter the final week of January, there's only six teams left in WNY that have yet to lose to another team in the area.  After Saturday night, that number is guaranteed to be lower.  

Over the past several seasons, the Gators and the Cardinals were league rivals in CCAA I East, which brought a pair of annual battles in a home & home series, along with much familiarity with each other.  But after divisional realignments in the offseason,  Allegany-Limestone shifted over to CCAA I West, placing them in the company of teams like Olean, Fredonia, Chautauqua Lake, & Dunkirk.  The move left Randolph with a less complicated path to a league title in 2020, after getting swept by the Gators in 2019 and seeing them crowned as the champs.  I made the trip to see the first of those two battles in Randolph and was treated to a 53-51 thriller that was won in the final seconds on a corner trey made by Allegany-Limestone's Sam Flanders, who earned an All-Centercourt Honorable Mention pick a year ago as a senior.

Both teams would go on to claim Section VI championships, with  Allegany-Limestone taking Class B2 and the Cardinals mowing through the competition in Class C2.  And both teams did it with a bevy of underclassmen talent that would return for the 2020 season that we're currently enjoying.

The talented teams from both schools have delivered through the first two months of this season and on the first day of this season's third month, they get together in Randolph once again.  This year, the two teams are both better than ever.

As I mentioned at the top, neither squad has lost to another team from WNY.  Both teams are undefeated in their respective leagues and alone in first place.  The Gators have already knocked off Top 10 small schools Fredonia (twice) and Olean, while dropping the hammer on Pioneer and Hutch-Tech in nonleague games.  Randolph comes into the game having only lost at Rochester's East High - the same team that defeated The Park School.  The Cardinals made all sorts of noise already in a pair of nonleague wins this season, defeating the defending catholic state champions from Cardinal O'Hara and absolutely drubbing CSAT.

It's a game between two teams that are state ranked and in the Top 5 of the local small school rankings.  It's a game between two defending Section VI Champions, that are both the favorites to repeat those accomplishments in March.  It's a game between the top two small schools in the Southern Tier.  And it's most definitely going to be 'The Game of the Week'!

 

-centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings 2020 - Week 6

The sixth state rankings for the 2020 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Niagara Falls #28

 

Class A

Canisius #2

Health Sciences #3

Park #7

St. Joe's #8

Lew-Port #27

 

Class B

Allegany-Limestone #14

Timon #19

Fredonia #20

 

Class C

Tapestry #2

Middle College #4

Randolph #6

Westfield #14

 

Class D

Panama #1

 

According to the rankings...

 

- It's a Niagara Falls vs. Orchard Park Class AA Final in Section VI this season.  The Wolverines moved up two spots this week in NYS Class AA to #28, while Orchard Park is the only other WNY Class AA team appearing in Honorable Mention.

 

- Timing is everything.  Albany Academy has moved back ahead of Park in NYS Class A because the Pioneers have the most recent loss between the two after falling at East High of Rochester on Saturday night.  That would take Park back out of the Federation Tournament as the AIS representative.

 

- Park's losses have rightfully been put into perspective.  They are the only team among the Top 10 with five losses on the season, and McQuaid is the only one that could be considered a bad loss.  The loss at NYS Class A #6 East (Rochester) has them tucked right behind them at #7.

 

- Half of the Top 8 teams in NYS Class A hail from WNY.  

 

- Saturday's 'Game of the Week' between Canisius & St. Joe's is a defacto CHSAA Class A state championship game, as they are the two highest ranked Class A catholic teams.

 

- WNY's Class B got a lot better in just one week.  We went from one team in the Top 20 (Allegany-Limestone was #20 last week) to three teams in the Top 20 this week. 

 

- Allegany-Limestone goes to Glens Falls in Class B, after defeating the Albion/Olean winner in the crossover, and Hornell in the Far West Regional.

 

- Timon is going to the Federation Tournament in Class B and will own the CHSAA state champion title currently held by defending champion O'Hara.

 

- It was a quiet week at the top in NYS Class C.  All four ranked ranked teams from WNY (Tapestry, Middle College, Randolph, & Westfield) remained in the same order within the top 14 teams.

 

- Panama will now draw Avoca in the Class D Far West Regional.

 

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

Poll Ballots 2020 - Week 6

(Aidan Horan defends for Nichols)

 

Large Schools 

1. Canisius (A) - The Crusaders pulled out a win over visiting Niagara Falls on Saturday afternoon in a 32-minute battle!  Now they'll get visits from Timon on Monday and St. Mary's on Wednesday, ahead of this coming Saturday against rival St. Joe's.  Presale tickets only for that one.  Details in the 'Game of the Week' write up.

2. Park (A) - Completed a marathon stretch of games with a convincing win at Aquinas on Monday night, before falling in overtime at East High in Rochester on Saturday night.  

3. Health Sciences (A2) - One of two remaining undefeated teams in WNY will get their chance to prove they should be ranked higher soon enough with game against the teams above them still to come.  But the week ahead will be tough enough with South Park and Tapestry on the slate.

4. St. Joe's (A) - Picked up three league wins last week, all on the road, that including a survival victory at St. Francis that was pulled out in the final minute.  It's rivalry week for the Marauders, looking to snap a 17-game skid against Canisius on Saturday.  

5. Niagara Falls (AA) - The Wolverines were so close to knocking off the Crusaders on Saturday and held a lead for the majority of the game.  Falls is the lone unbeaten team in the Niagara Frontier League at 7-0 and have the week off to prepare for Lew-Port on Tuesday the 28th.

6. Lew-Port (A2) - Five straight double figure victories for the Lancers after knocking off North Tonawanda & Lockport last week.  There's a tough one coming up for them on Wednesday, when the #1 small school from Middle College pays a visit.

7. Orchard Park (AA) - The Quakers are tied in first place in ECIC I, coming off a 12-point win over Clarence.  They look to stay on top with a Saturday afternoon trip to Lancaster.

8. Amherst (A2) - The Tigers picked up wins on consecutive days over the weekend, winning a Friday night tilt against Sweet Home and then knocking off McKinley with a strong finish at the MLK Classic.  Their next opponent is the two-time defending Yale Cup champs from Middle College on Friday night in the feature game of Bob Hettler Showcase.

9. McKinley (A1) - Battled with Amherst all game on Saturday, before slipping late.  Two more big nonleague games await at the end of the coming week, with the Macks' annual meetings against Jamestown (Thursday on the road) and Williamsville North (Friday at the Bob Hettler Showcase).

10. CSAT (A2) - It's time to give the Eagles a little love.  They have just one league loss in the Niagara Frontier League and that came at Niagara Falls.  They also own wins over a pair of teams that defeated North Tonawanda - Batavia & Ken East.  Keep it going Senor Hoyos!

 

Small Schools 

1. Middle College (C1) - Picked up a pair of double-digit wins last week against East High and fellow Top 10 small school Nichols.  Now the Kats hit the road for a pair of games this week against Top 10 large schools, visiting Lew-Port on Wednesday and Amherst on Friday.

2. Tapestry (C1) - The Thunderhawks got a visit from one of the Section's better teams in Class C when Ellicottville came up on Wednesday and they beat them by 32 points!  They've got three fun ones coming this week with games at Bennett & Maritime and then a big one against Health Sciences, which will be played at Villa Maria on Saturday at 5:30 pm.

3. Randolph (C2) - The seven-game win streak by the Cardinals includes wins last week by 51 & 60 points.  The crazy part - 60 points isn't even their biggest win this year.

4. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - Speaking of dominating performances...I got my first look at the Gators on Saturday and they are legit.  Coming off 21 & 37 point victories last week, the Gators took Hutch-Tech down in the MLK Classic after winning the second quarter 30-0.  Thursday night, they travel to Fredonia for the rematch after scoring an important and decisive win in the first round.

5. Timon (B) - The Tigers stayed unbeaten against the Class B competition in the MMA with a strong second half at Nichols on Friday that led to a 16-point win.  After a MLK Day visit to Canisius, Timon hosts the rematch with St. Francis on Wednesday and welcomes in St. Mary's to finish the week on Friday.

6. Fredonia (B2) - Four straight wins for the Hillbillies, all by double figures, including a 41-point walloping of Southwestern that saw Tyler Putney connect on nine 3-pointers in a 40-point outburst.  A win on Thursday night against visiting Allegany-Limestone would pull them even with the Gators for first place in CCAA I West.

7. Nichols (B) - Fell to Timon & Middle College over the weekend, both teams that have held rank above the Vikings throughout the season.  They'll look to get back on track against Hutch-Tech on Tuesday, ahead of an important league game against Cardinal O'Hara on Saturday afternoon.

8. Westfield (C2) - Head coach Bob North earned his 400th career win last week in a win over Brocton and followed that up with #401 as the Wolverines survived a late-game rally attempt by Sherman to improve to 11-0 on the year.  

9. Maritime (B2) - The Commodores have no bad losses this season, but they did earn two more quality wins over the weekend, defeating both Williamsville South and Olmsted.  They play a measuring stick type of game against Tapestry on Wednesday, before an interesting matchup at Bennett on Friday night - a team they beat by five earlier in the season.

10. Albion (B1) - The Purple Eagles are alone in first place of the N-O League after knocking off Newfane & Roy-Hart last week to improve to 9-2 on the season.  They are one of seven teams left without a loss to another WNY team heading into their rematch at Medina on Friday night.

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/20/20 -- 1/26/20

Monday, January 20th

Timon @ Canisius - 4:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 21st

Tapestry @ Bennett - 7 pm

Newfane @ Niagara Wheatfield - 6:30 pm

Cheektowaga @ Maryvale - 6:30 pm

 

 

Wednesday, January 22nd

West Seneca West @ West Seneca East - 6:30 pm

Middle College @ Lew-Port - 7 pm

St. Francis @ Timon - 7 pm

Tapestry @ Maritime - 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 23rd

Health Sciences @ South Park - 6 pm

McKinley @ Jamestown - 6:30 pm

Niagara Wheatfield @ Iroquois - 6:30 pm

Allegany-Limestone @ Fredonia - 7:30 pm

Panama @ Maple Grove - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 24th

Newfane @ Roy-Hart - 6:30 pm

St. Mary's @ Timon - 7 pm

Maritime @ Bennett - 7 pm

Bob Hettler Showcase at Amherst HS

Sweet Home vs. Ken West  - 3:45 pm

Maryvale vs. North Tonawanda - 5:15 pm

Williamsville North vs. McKinley - 7 pm

Amherst vs. Middle College - 8:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 25th

Williamsville East @ Williamsville South 12:30 pm

Orchard Park @ Lancaster - 1:30 pm

Cardinal O'Hara @ Nichols - 2 pm

St. Joe's @ Canisius - 2 pm

Health Sciences @ Tapestry *at Villa Maria - 5:30 pm

Tonawanda @ Holland - 6 pm

Park @ Albany Academy - 8 pm

 

* Game of the Week - St. Joe's @ Canisius on Saturday, January 25th

It's the most excited I've been for a game all season and now it's less than one week away!  The rivalry that is considered to be the biggest and most historic among any in all of WNY appears ready to deliver!   There was a time not long ago when getting into the Canisius vs St. Joe's game required planning.  You either purchased a presale ticket, or arrived early enough to watch some or all of the freshmen game before the JV teams even came out for warmups.  

But then an era of Crusader dominance over St. Joe's basketball began.  Canisius swept the series in 2013, along with every subsequent season since.  Seven straight years of sweeping the Marauders, including last season.  The last time St. Joe's beat Canisius was at home on January 27, 2012 by a score of 78-72.  I was there.  Since that day, Canisius has won 17 straight games over St. Joe's.

Over the course of the Canisius win streak, some of the luster came off of the rivalry.  The hottest ticket in town became one you arrive at just before tip and buy your ticket at the door for.  Just two seasons ago in 2018, Canisius won its two games over St. Joe's by a combined 88 points.  

However, last season, Canisius won the two games by a combined 9 points - a three point road win and a six-point home win in a game they trailed by double figures.  While Canisius is currently ranked #1 in WNY this season, the Marauders are not far behind, and piling up some very similar results.  

Having both teams viewed as two of the best in the area and the top two teams in the MMA has made the rivalry game once again the hottest ticket in town.  So hot this year in fact, that the only way you'll see it is by purchasing a presale ticket.  There will be nothing available at the door.  Tickets can be purchased for $5 at the Canisius Reception Desk beginning Tuesday, January 21st, or at either of the Canisius home games this week on Monday vs Timon or Wednesday vs St. Mary's.  Don't miss out on your chance to watch the 'Game of the Week'!

 

Overall Record:  Canisius 12-1, St. Joe's 11-3

MMA Record:  Canisius 3-0, St. Joe's 5-0

Average PPG:  Canisius  - 78.8,  St. Joe's - 74.2

Key Wins for Canisius:  McQuaid, Niagara Falls, McKinley, Lew-Port, Holy Cross

Key Wins for St. Joe's:  McQuaid, Orchard Park, Aquinas, Jamesville-DeWitt, Syracuse CBA

Common Opponent Results:

Canisius defeated McQuaid at home by 13, St. Joe's defeated McQuaid at home by 4

St. Joe's won at St. Mary's by 41, Canisius won at St. Mary's by 35

St. Joe's beat O'Hara at home by 40, Canisius beat O'Hara at home by 35

Canisius won at St. Francis by 14, St. Joe's won at St. Francis by 2

 

Since 2005, the season Kyle Husband took over as head coach at Canisius:

Series record:  30-9 favoring Canisius

Season sweeps:  Canisius 9, St. Joe's 1

Manhattan Cup Championships:  Canisius 8, St. Joe's 2

CHSAA State Championships:  Canisius 2, St. Joe's 1

NYS Federation Championships:  Canisius 1, St. Joe's 0

 

-centercourt 

NYSSWA State Rankings 2020 - Week 5

 

The fifth state rankings for the 2020 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AA

Niagara Falls #30

 

Class A

Canisius #2

Park #3

Health Sciences #4

St. Joe's #9

Lew-Port #30

 

Class B

Allegany-Limestone #20

Timon #29

Fredonia #30

 

Class C

Tapestry #2

Middle College #4

Randolph #6

Westfield #14

 

Class D

Panama #1

 

According to the rankings...

 

- Section VI owns the coveted #30 ranking.  Niagara Falls (Class AA), Lew-Port (Class A), and Fredonia (Class B) all have #30 on lock down.  This would not be possible if we were still living in the stone ages of December 17, 2019 - back when the state rankings began this year and only 25 teams were ranked.  I forgot to check which college football & basketball teams were ranked #30 in the AP & Coaches Polls, but I'll get on that.

 

- We finally have a Class AA winner from Section VI.  It was getting a little touch-and-go there for a while not knowing whether we'd even be allowed to send a team to the Far West Regional in Class AA.  But thanks to Falls' recent play, along with a Top 30 that's five teams more inclusive than a Top 25, We get a Falls vs UPrep rematch in March (One of Falls' two losses on the season was to UPrep at the Bishop Kearney Showcase in December).

 

- WNY now has four teams in the Top 10 of NYS Class A, including 2, 3, & 4.  

 

- Canisius is now better than Park.  I'm not sure if they think Cansius would have defeated Canadian power Crestwood or Brooklyn Collegiate (NYS Class AA #4), who Park lost to over the weekend, but those were the results that tipped the scales in favor of the Crusaders.

 

- Park sits at #3 in NYS Class A with four losses, so clearly the state rankings have put those losses into some sort of context, which I can appreciate.  But Albany Academy is ranked #6 with three losses, which all came in Florida.  They've climbed back up to #6 after dropping from #1 to #10.  It's one of those discrepancies that stands out to me a little.  Maybe those Florida teams weren't all that and the state rankings crew knew that...although I'm listing that possibility as doubtful.

 

- Allegany-Limestone moves up three spots in NYS Class B to #20, one spot ahead of where Olean was ranked last week, after defeating the Huskies head-to-head on Friday.  The Gators are the current kings of Cattaraugus County. 

 

- Randolph moved up one spot in NYS Class C to #6 after knocking off Cardinal O'Hara.  That gives Section VI three of the top six teams in NYS Class C.

 

- Westfield makes it four Section VI teams in the top 14 of NYS Class C, moving up three spots after defeating NYS Class D #1 Panama on Friday.

 

- Park losing to Brooklyn Collegiate (#4 in NYS Class AA) was a bigger deal than Panama losing to Westfield.  Despite the first loss of the 2020 season, Panama remains ranked #1 in NYS, ahead of four undefeated teams in the same classification and ahead of Section V's highest ranked squad from Prattsburgh.  Most likely, the conversation went like this:

Committee:  "What should we do with Panama after losing at home to Westfield?"     

Tracy Presler from Prattsburgh storms into the room:  "Stop the crazy talk!!  Section VI has the D's!!"

Committee:  "Nuf said"

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

Poll Ballots 2020 - Week 5

(Westfield stayed undefeated with a win at Panama on Friday / Photo: Harry Scull)

 

Large Schools 

1. Canisius (A) - Trounced O'Hara and scored a double figure victory at St. Francis last week to remain unbeaten against WNY competition.  This Saturday they'll host Class AA favorite Niagara Falls.

2. Park (A) - Played some nationally ranked grown men in a Toronto on Friday without John Orogun and suffered their worst loss in years.  However, the following night they defeated Boys & Girls of NYC who came in ranked #12 in NYS Class AA, for their best NYS win of the season, in a game they led throughout.  Sunday afternoon the Pioneers fell to Brooklyn Collegiate, ranked #6 in NYS Class AA.

3. Health Sciences (A2) - One of two remaining undefeated teams in WNY at 11-0 after rolling past Maritime & West Seneca West last week.  I'm thinking BASCS is in big trouble on Saturday.

4. St. Joe's (A) - Picked up a second 40-point win in their last three games at St. Mary's on Tuesday night.  The busy week ahead holds three road trips to Timon, Nichols, & St. Francis.

5. Niagara Falls (AA) - The Wolverines have won their last two NFL games by an average margin of 44 points heading into a game at Ken East on Tuesday.  Saturday afternoon at Canisius will be a great test for the Wolverines.

6. Lew-Port (A2) - Wins over Ken West & Niagara Wheatfield made it four in a row for the Lancers.  This week they host fellow Top 10 large school North Tonawanda, along with the team who made a splash at the BSN Sports NFL/ECIC Challenge in Lockport.

7. Orchard Park (AA) - The Quakers registered a big win at Williamsville North last week and followed it up with a 33-point thumping of Frontier.  They'll take to the road twice this week - on Tuesday at Clarence and a Friday night battle in Jamestown.

8. North Tonawanda (A1) - Improved to 4-1 in NFL play with their lone loss coming narrowly to first place Niagara Falls.  A big one awaits on Tuesday night when the Jacks get their one shot at Lew-Port.

9. McKinley (A1) - A disappointing week for Williamsville North made room for the Macks to get back into the Top 10, on the strength of their comeback win at East High.  Staying there will likely hinge on the outcome of Saturday's matchup with Amherst in the MLK Classic.

10. East (A2) - The Panthers rolled past City Honors and South Park last week, before dropping one to Middle College on Friday night.  The rematch with the Kats is Wednesday and it's basically a must-win for East's hopes at a Yale Cup title.  Saturday night they play Northstar Christian in the finale of the MLK Classic.

 

Small Schools

1. Middle College (C1) - Two big wins at McKinley and at East have the Kats sitting all alone in first place of Yale Cup I and eyeing a three-peat.  The rematch with East is Wednesday night and it's the 'Game of the Week'!  At the MLK Classic on Saturday afternoon, Middle College faces Nichols.

2. Tapestry (C1) - Three more wins last week, including an exciting tilt with South Park, has Tapestry (currently ahead of Middle College in the state rankings) out to a 7-1 start.  Another Class C team with just one loss visits the Thunderdome on Wednesday when 8-1 Ellicottville makes the trip north.

3. Randolph (C2) - Speaking of one-loss teams in Class C, how about what these Cardinals are doing?  A 7-1 start that boasts a tournament title, a 40-point win over CSAT (who has wins against Ken West & Batavia), and now a six-point win over Cardinal O'Hara (Who has wins over East & Amherst).  And the loss was on the road against NYS Class A #5 Rochester East in a game they were within a point during the second half.

4. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - The Gators are alone in first place in CCAA I West, the league they just entered.  The league that boasts recent Section VI champions Olean, Fredonia, & Chautauqua Lake.  And they happen to be the last three wins for the Gators!  They face Dunkirk & Southwestern in league action this week and make the trip to Buffalo on Saturday, playing in the MLK Classic against Hutch-Tech.

5. Timon (B) - Defeated Hutch-Tech on Tuesday night, before going into Cardinal O'Hara and taking a leg up on the Hawks in the MMA Class B race.  They try to take another one in Class B at Nichols on Friday, after a date with St. Joe's at home on Monday.

6. Fredonia (B2) - The Hillbillies scored a big "first time in a long time" win at Olean last week, and did so by double digits.  They also won big over rival Dunkirk.  They could make it four straight wins this week against Chautauqua Lake and Southwestern.

7. Nichols (B) - The Vikings didn't like seeing St. Mary's in my Top 10 when they weren't, so after knocking off Bennett and St. Francis, they won at St. Mary's by 20.  Big week!  Another one coming up with St. Joe's and Timon visiting.  You already have my attention with three straight wins.  Imagine if...

8. Olean (B1) - The Huskies are coming off a tough week that saw them fall behind in the league standings to two teams (Allegany-Limestone & Fredonia).  It's a very unfamiliar spot for the program and the response will be interesting.

9. Cardinal O'Hara (B) - A pair of six-point losses to teams they were ranked ahead of (Randolph & Timon) has the Hawks at their lowest point since 2016.  They're at St. Francis and at St. Mary's this week, looking for a much needed victory.

10. Westfield (C2) - The Wolverines are now just one of two undefeated teams left in WNY after knocking off NYS Class D #1 Panama on the road, and it's no accident.  This is a good team with balance throughout its starting lineup and I expect to see the winning continue.

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/13/20 -- 1/19/20

(David Hughes & East High face a must win at Middle College on Wednesday)

 

Monday, January 13th

Park @ Aquinas - 6 pm

St. Joe's @ Timon - 7 pm

Cardinal O'Hara @ St. Francis - 7 pm

 

Tuesday, January 14th

Lancaster @ West Seneca West - 6:30 pm

Williamsville East @ Sweet Home - 6:30 pm

North Tonawanda @ Lew-Port - 7 pm

Newfane @ Albion - 7 pm

West Seneca East @ Hamburg - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 15th

Ellicottville @ Tapestry - 6:30 pm

East @ Middle College - 7 pm

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

 

Thursday, January 16th

Ken West @ Lancaster - 7:30 pm 

 

Friday, January 17th

Timon @ Nichols - 6:30 pm

Hamburg @ Williamsville East - 6:30 pm

Lockport @ Lew-Port - 7 pm

Lancaster @ Williamsville North - 7 pm

Williamsville South @ Maritime - 7 pm

Westfield @ Sherman - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 18th

Niagara Falls @ Canisius - 3 pm

Park @ Rochester East - 7:45 pm

MLK Classic at City Honors

Hutch-Tech vs. Allegany-Limestone - 12 pm

Olmsted vs. Maritime - 1:45 pm

Middle College vs. Nichols - 3:30 pm

McKinley vs. Amherst - 5:15 pm

East vs. Northstar Christian - 7 pm

 

* Game of the Week - East @ Middle College on Wednesday, January 15th

Anytime these two programs get together on the court, it feels like a 'Game of the Week' just from the sheer passion the games are always played with.  But looking at the current standings in the city, East needs this one big time, or the Kats just might run away with the Yale Cup!

Middle College is the two-time defending Yale Cup champion and currently sits atop of those standings at 7-0.  They've already completed the first half of the league schedule, along with earning the sweep over Emerson. 

East will come into the game with a 5-2 record in Yale Cup I, having already lost once to Middle College to go with their late game collapse at home against McKinley that really put them behind the eight ball.

The reality is, there's only three teams with a legitimate chance at beating Middle College.  Along with East High, you have McKinley & South Park who are capable of getting the job done.  But...McKinley is already has two losses in league play, while South Park has already taken three losses in Yale Cup I.  So the only chance East has at earning the glory in the city is winning on Wednesday.  A third loss in league play takes them out of the race and would put the Kats firmly in the driver's seat.  For East or McKinley to have a chance at the Yale Cup Trophy, Middle College has to lose twice.  For South Park to win it, they'd have to win out and hope for McKinley & East to knock off Middle College in rematches.

Ultimately, Wednesday's game feels like the best chance to tighten the race up and keep the Kats from pulling away.  However, with the way they've played as of late, good luck with that.  They've won six straight games and have the luxury of hosting the rematches with East & McKinley after taking care of business on the road against both - and both were comeback wins with the Kats only getting better with their backs against the wall.

Middle College is the #1 small school in WNY coming off a five-point win at East, who is a Top 10 large school.  Two of the city's best will leave it all on the floor Wednesday night at Bennett and the stakes are huge.  It's the 'Game of the Week' on Main Street!

 

-centercourt

NYSSWA State Rankings 2020 - Week 4

The fourth state rankings for the 2020 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 #1

Canisius #3

Health Sciences #4

St. Joe's #12

 

Class B

Olean #21

Allegany-Limestone #23

 

Class C

Tapestry #2

Middle College #4

Randolph #7

Westfield #17

 

Class D

Panama #1

 

According to the rankings...

 

- Class AA isn't getting any better for us in WNY.  While we continue to have no teams ranked among the top 30 in NYS Class AA, UPrep from Section V is slowly creeping up the rankings and now sits at #21

 

- It will be a Health Sciences vs Rochester East battle in the Class A Far West Regional.  Health remains #4 and Rochester East is right behind them at #5 in NYS Class A.  Health is the only public school from Section VI Class A to even be ranked, as McKinley fell out of the state rankings following a seven-point home loss to South Park.

 

- Benjamin Banneker would not lose at the buzzer to Cathedral Prep.  Canisius did in its annual matchup with the Ramblers from PA and it caused them to fall one spot to #3 in NYS Class A.

 

- Batavia is the team we should expect to see waiting for Olean in the Class B Far West Regional.  The Blue Devils are the only Section V team in the Class B rankings this week, but may fall out entirely after losing to CSAT on Monday night.  Speaking of CSAT....Class A Honorable Mention last week.  Then they lose by 40 to Randolph and fall out of HM.  But they follow that up with a big win over Batavia, who had just beaten North Tonawanda.  Senor Hoyos' squad is a bit of an enigma to me. 

 

- Allegany-Limestone's home game against Olean on Friday night is a clash of the only two Class B teams state-ranked in NY.

 

- The last two games on JCC Friday in March will be Randolph vs Westfield, followed by Tapestry vs Middle College.

 

- It should be some parade in Panama after they win the state title in Class D.  Between the two football titles and all this advanced notice on the basketball team, Panama should have celebration down to a science.

 

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt

Poll Ballots 2020 - Week 4

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius (A) - After winning the St. Pius Tournament, the Crusaders suffered their first loss of the season at the buzzer to Cathedral Prep on Friday night.  A big win at St. Mary's the following afternoon sends them into this week with games against O'Hara and at St. Francis.

2. Park (A) - Returned from South Carolina as the champions of the Blue Star Invitational and proceeded to knock off Orchard Park on Thursday night.  This coming weekend the Pioneers face their toughest opponents to date in the Brooklyn Post Invitational, which looks like the best regular season two-day event anywhere in NYS.  Park will face Boys & Girls and Brooklyn Collegiate, both ranked in the Top 25 of NYS Class AA.

3. Health Sciences (A2) - Maritime and West Seneca West both visit the undefeated Falcons this week.

4. St. Joe's (A) - I thought it would be a fast-paced and entertaining game on Friday night when the Marauders hosted O'Hara.  It was definitely that, but I did not see the 40-point drubbing coming.  Everyone played well for St. Joe's and if they can stay in that gear, the Marauders can beat any team in WNY or NYS Class A for that matter.

5. Niagara Falls (AA) - The Wolverines have won seven of their last eight games and took Jamestown down without much trouble. After losing their top three guards from last season, they remain the team to beat in Class AA and they're still Falls!

6. Lew-Port (A2) - Roddy Gayle scored his 1,000th point on Friday night in just the sixth game of his sophomore season against Williamsville South, a team Lew-Port led by 30 after three quarters.  A pair of league road games are on the slate for the Lancers this week with trips to Niagara Wheatfield and Lockport.  

7. Williamsville North (AA) - The Spartans are sitting comfortably in my top 10 now with an unbeaten record, following a whole bunch of shakeups with other ranked teams in the last week.  But it's about to get real for North this week, starting with a visit from Orchard Park on Monday, followed by visits to Jamestown and West Seneca West.  The next seven days tell us a lot about the Spartans.

8. Orchard Park (AA) - In a week of the before mentioned shakeups, you have to forgive some losses to make room for 10 teams in the poll.  I'm looking past the Quakers loss to West Seneca West for now, as the team's overall resume to this point is solid.  Monday's game at North is a big one.

9. North Tonawanda (A1) - I got my first look at the Jacks on Saturday and really liked what I saw.  They've got a solid starting five and ample contributions coming off the bench.  It's the fastest I've ever seen an NT team play under Ryan Mountain and I left with answers as to how they nearly knocked off Falls...because they're good!  This is a Class A1 Buff State team all day and might be the best one.

10. East (A2) - I dropped East from the Top 10 following three straight losses to O'Hara, McKinley, & UPrep.  Since then, other teams who had remained in the rankings took worse losses than any of those three, and I do believe East is one of the 10 best teams in WNY.  South Park & Middle College this week.

 

Small Schools

1. Middle College (C1) - The last game played by the Kats was a 59-point win over Hutch-Tech.  They've allowed just 49 points in their last two games combined.  And they're 4-0 in Yaale Cup I.  And this week, they play at McKinley and at East.

2. Olean (B1) - We find out just how good of a small school Olean is this week, hosting Fredonia on Tuesday and heading to Allegany-Limestone Friday night.

3. Tapestry (C1) - Headed out to Medina on Monday night after rolling past Maple Grove on Saturday by 25 points.

4. Cardinal O'Hara (B) - Five straight losses for the Hawks heading into a date at Canisius.  They need to get back on track this week, and have important games against Top 10 small schools Timon (home on Friday) and Randolph in a Saturday night roadie coming up.

5. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - After Friday night's 18-point win over Fredonia, the Gators are licking their chops thinking about a big Friday night league game against Olean after sliding into CCAA I West this year.

6. Randolph (C2) - The score came in on Friday night and I said "Hello"!  A 62-22 stomping of CSAT.  I don't know what's more impressive - holding them to 22 points or winning by 40.  This makes Saturday night's game against O'Hara very interesting.  But first they need a win at Salamanca on Tuesday.

7. Iroquois (B1) - Lost a close game to Sweet Home on Friday and face a team who just beat the Panthers this Friday when they travel to Cheektowaga.

8. Timon (B) - The Tigers have a big game coming up at O'Hara on Friday night, looking to rebound in MMA play after falling hard at St. Francis on Friday night.

9. Fredonia (B2) - After a 15-point win over Lockport and a victory the following day against South Park to claim a tournament championship at Clarence, the Hillbillies took one from Allegany-Limestone by 18 points.  Now they have to head to Olean on Tuesday and host rival Dunkirk on Friday.

10. St. Mary's (B) - The Lancers are winning all of the games they're supposed to.  We'll see how they respond to a visit from Nichols on Thursday night.

 

-centercourt

Top Games of the Week: 1/6/20 -- 1/12/20

(Cam Barmore & the Panama Panthers have a pair of big games this week/Photo: Post Journal)

 

Monday, January 6th

Orchard Park @ Williamsville North- 7 pm

West Seneca West @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

Williamsville South @ Hamburg - 7:30 pm

 

Tuesday, January 7th

Middle College @ McKinley - 6 pm

West Seneca East @ Amherst - 6:30 pm

Cardinal O'Hara @ Canisius - 6:30 pm

Fredonia @ Olean - 7:30 pm

Randolph @ Salamanca - 7:30 pm

Panama @ Sherman - 7:30 pm

Maple Grove @ Westfield - 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 8th

West Seneca West @ Health Sciences - 7 pm

 

Thursday, January 9th

South Park @ East - 6 pm

Williamsville South @ West Seneca East - 6:30 pm

Hamburg @ Sweet Home - 6:30 pm

Nichols @ St. Mary's - 7 pm

Williamsville North @ Jamestown - 7:30 pm

 

Friday, January 10th

Middle College @ East - 6 pm

Lew-Port @ Ken West - 6:30 pm

Iroquois @ Cheektowaga - 6:30 pm

Timon @ Cardinal O'Hara - 6:30 pm

Olean @ Allegany-Limestone - 7:30 pm

Westfield @ Panama - 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 11th

Williamsville North @ West Seneca West - 12 pm

Jamesville-DeWitt @ Amherst - 1 pm

South Park @ Tapestry - 2:30 pm

Cardinal O'Hara @ Randolph - 6:30 pm

 

* Game of the Week - Westfield @ Panama on Friday, January 10th

Last season, Panama was mere seconds away from advancing to the NYSPHAA Class D state championship game.  They had a four-point lead in the closing seconds of the state semifinal.  After unwisely contesting a desperate 3-point attempt that caught the rim and rebounded out to the corner, their opponent collected that rebound and launched one last attempt - which went in...And 1.  The free throw that ensued also went in, good for a four-point play that forced overtime. The extra session was unkind to the Panthers.  Game over, season over, and a long ride home thinking about what could have been.  But that was last season.  The 2020 Panthers are already thinking about what could be this season and tearing through opponents in the process.

Despite the postseason success that landed Panama in the state final four a year ago, things didn't start out so well.  The team began 0-3 and they were just 3-5 through their first eight games.  They didn't even win their league in CCAA II West last season, because they were swept by the team that did - Westfield.

This year has a much different feel for Panama already.  The team has started the season with a 7-0 record, winning by an average margin of 22.3 points per game.  They are ranked #1 in NYS Class D.  And their standout center, Cam Barmore, has taken his game to a whole new level.  The two-time state champion on the gridiron earned First Team All-State honors after averaging 20.6 points a night as a junior.  This year, he's torching defenses to the tune of 33.3 points an outing through seven games.

Here's the hitch - Westfield is unimpressed by the whole story.  After all, the Wolverines are the defending league champions and the only thing stopping them from raining on Panama's 2019 postseason success is the 16 students over the cutoff that put them in Class C2, as opposed to Class D.  Westfield has also started the season with a 7-0 record and two of those victories came against an opponent who Panama also has two of its wins against - Chautauqua Lake.  So which team fared better against the common opponent?  Westfield did.  The Wolverines won those two games by 8 points & by 15 points.  Panama defeated Chautauqua Lake by 4 points the first time and by 3 points in the rematch.

There's only one thing that could take a bit of the shine off of the Friday night Southern Tier special, and that's Tuesday night.  Panama has to travel to Sherman, while Westfield hosts Maple Grove, who Panama owns a seven-point win over this year.

Should both squads take care of business on Tuesday night, we'll have a battle of unbeaten teams.  Either way, we'll have a key battle in CCAA II West between the two teams sitting at the top.  Either way, the gym will be sold out and the atmosphere will be awesome.  And either way, I'm taking the long roadie for the 'Game of the Week'!

 

-centercourt