(Jalen 2K Bradberry & Falls are still undefeated / Photo: Harry Scull)
Large Schools
1. St. Joe's (A) - Monsignor Martin league champs for the first time since 2011 after sweeping Canisius for the first time since 2006. After 14 games in 27 days, the regular season ends with the Marauders hosting Health Sciences on Wednesday, before getting a week off to prep for the Manhattan Cup semifinal, which they will host.
2. Canisius (A) - Following three routs over Nichols, O’Hara, and Health Sciences, the Crusaders got clipped at home by rival St. Joe’s on Sunday. The loss sets up an important game on Friday against Timon, with home court playoff implications at stake. Canisius will first host Cheektowaga this Tuesday.
3. Jamestown (AA) - Orchard Park interrupted a five-game streak of double-digit wins by getting within eight points of the Red Raiders on Tuesday. So Jamestown made it 7 of its last 8 by double figures with big wins on Thursday & Saturday. They visit Lancaster for a rematch on Monday.
4. Niagara Falls (AA) - Still undefeated on the season and winners of 21 straight games in the NFL, Jalen Bradberry joined Club 2K in a weekend drubbing of Maritime. Get ready for this week - away games at Tapestry, Park, & Lockport, along with a home game vs Ken West.
5. Park (A) - Earned a convincing win at Aquinas before a fourth quarter rally left them stunned at St. Joe's. An interesting week ahead - fascinating matchups with Niagara Falls coming in on Tuesday and a visit to Tapestry on Saturday. They also face New Life Christian and Walsh this week. Someone told me Walsh was undefeated this year. Not after Friday.
6. McKinley (A1) - One of two mystery teams in my Top 10. The Macks are 7-0 and I know they had some very good players coming back. But no one can get in to see them, or the teams they are beating. Nothing to go on other than past history telling me an unbeaten in Yale Cup I is doing something very well.
7. St. Francis (A) - Picked up a pair of victories after losing the lead to St. Joe's with four seconds left on Monday night, but then dropped another on Sunday to O’Hara. The Red Raiders have home games against Timon and West Seneca East coming this week.
8. Frontier (AA) - The Falcons are winners of five of their last six games, and the loss came at Jamestown. Recent wins over Clarence & Lancaster, who both held spots in my Top 10 the last two weeks.
9. Amherst (A2) - The Tigers are part of a three-way tie for first place in ECIC II and have already swept the series with Williamsville East. They'll look to do the same against Hamburg (also tied for 1st) on Monday and still have games against Sweet Home & Williamsville South later in the week.
10. Williamsville East (A2) - The third wheel in the ECIC II three-way, the Flames are coming off a pair of wins over South and have only lost to Amherst on the year, but are staring down an eight-game stretch over twelve days, beginning tomorrow, that includes back-to-backs against Hamburg.
Small Schools
1. Timon (B) - How good are these guys?? I think they're one of the top three teams in WNY and by the end of the season, we'll know the order. Friday night's win over previously undefeated St. Joe's might read as an upset, but only based on the standings entering the game. The same team that took Canisius to OT last year and then won the rematch, now boasts a the biggest win of this season. Nichols, St. Francis, & O'Hara are all coming up this week before a visit to Canisius on Friday. If the Tigers win out, they'll earn the #2 seed for the Manhattan Cup playoffs.
2. East (B1) - The other mystery team in my Top 10. Only loss on the year was by five points against unbeaten McKinley to start the year. So a serious question here...it's not safe for anyone to watch Yale Cup games, so what is the plan for the postseason? Does it then become acceptable to be around others not associated with the BPS or are they opting out of sectionals?
3. Cardinal O'Hara (B) - Scored a big win over St. Francis on Sunday afternoon to rebound from a home loss at the hands of Nichols earlier in the week. More fun ahead for the Hawks this week with CSAT, Timon, and Health Sciences on the docket.
4. Tapestry (C1) - After six years of playing second fiddle in the Charter Cup, the Thunderhawks took Health Sciences to overtime and then knocked them off to earn a signature win. Now we find out if they have another in them - Niagara Falls comes in on Monday, followed by a visit from Park later in the week.
5. Olean (B1) - Seven wins in a row for the Huskies, all by double figures. Good old Olean, here they come. They also own a 15-point win over the team sitting in first place in their league and could earn a share of first with two games at hand if they can sweep Allegany-Limestone on Tuesday night.
6. East Aurora (B1) - The Blue Devils slip down a bit after a loss in the rematch at Depew, but ECIC III is so competitive this year and the Wildcats are a huge part of that. They remain in a three-way tie for first place in the league with games coming up this week against Lake Shore & Tonawanda.
7. Allegany-Limestone (B3) - The Gators gutted out another win in CCAA I West over Salamanca, who seems to be giving everyone a hard time, on Friday. They host Olean on Tuesday night with a huge opportunity at hand - stay ahead of the Huskies in the league standings with a win, and they don't have to see them again in sectionals. Bragging rights for the year over Olean is kind of a big deal in local basketball circles.
8. Clymer (D) - The Pirates are now 10-0 on the season and have defeated every team in their league at least once, led by Hunter Wassink who leads the team in points, assists, & steals.
9. Newfane (B2) - Took one on the chin to Akron to start the week, before winning a pair to remain in a tie for first place in the N-O. They host Niagara Wheatfield on Tuesday and then head off to Medina, who they took the first matchup from, to settle first place in the league.
10. Medina (B2) - Earned the season sweep over a tough Akron team for their fourth straight victory. The only loss on the season for the Mustangs is to Newfane and Thursday night will be for sole possession of first in the N-O, unless Albion has something to say about it when Medina heads there on Tuesday.
-centercourt
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