(Rashard Perry & Bennett are going to be a problem in Class B1 / Photo: Harry Scull)
Large Schools
1. St. Joe's (A) - The #1 seed in the Manhattan Cup playoffs draws the St. Francis/O'Hara winner on their floor Thursday night. The Marauders swept both in the regular season and if they win on Thursday, they'll host the Manhattan Cup on Saturday. Crazy that next week at this time, the season is already over in the MMA.
2. Canisius (A) - Friday night's loss to Timon means they'll need to win a rematch in South Buffalo, regarded as one of, if not the toughest place to win in WNY....if they can beat Nichols for a third time on Tuesday. The last time Canisius entered the postseason and wasn't even one of the top two seeds was in 2017. They won it all that year as the #4 seed.
3. Jamestown (AA) - Survived a big scare from Lancaster last week and are now winners of 10 straight games, with their lone loss coming at Canisius. The regular season finishes up with a trip to Frontier and a visit from Fredonia.
4. Park (A) - The Pioneers took down Niagara Falls and Tapestry last week and have a rematch in their gym coming with the Thunderhawks, along with a game versus Health Sciences.
5. Niagara Falls (AA) - Now back-to-back champions of the NFL following a busy week that saw the Wolverines squeeze in four games, including wins over Tapestry, Lockport, & Ken West and their first loss of the year at Park.
6. McKinley (A1) - One of two remaining undefeated teams left in WNY, the Macks can guarantee at least a share of the Yale Cup trophy with a victory over South Park on Tuesday, and can win it outright by following it up with a sweep of East on Thursday.
7. St. Francis (A) - The Red Raiders are coming off a walloping of West Seneca East, scoring 90 points. They'll need to avenge a close loss to O'Hara on Tuesday if they want another shot at St. Joe's, who dished them a devastating one-point loss at the start of March.
8. Clarence (AA) - Three straight wins for the Red Devils, including a shooting display vs North and a solid win over Lancaster. Clarence hosts Maritime to wrap up the regular season on Tuesday.
9. Williamsville East (A2) - Took the rematch with Hamburg in convincing fashion on Sunday morning, following a close loss there on Friday to remain in a tie for first place in ECIC II with the Bulldogs. Back-to-back games with Sweet Home await on Monday & Tuesday. If they win them both, the Flames are at least co-league champs.
10. Lockport (AA) - Since getting waxed at home by Will East to start the season, the Lions only losses have come to Niagara Falls, and the rematch was much closer than the first contest. It's time for the Lions to be mentioned among the area's top large schools. They'll close out the regular season with a road trip to Amherst on Thursday.
Small Schools
1. Timon (B) - WNY's top small school is the #2 seed in the Manhattan Cup playoffs after finishing a busy week off with a win at Canisius and finishing a regular season that also included a win over St. Joe's. Pretty rare that the top small school owns wins over the top two large schools. They host St. Mary's in the quarterfinals on Tuesday night.
2. Olean (B1) - These guys, you know? Three straight losses to open the season and nothing but victories ever since. They sat back and watched teams tied for first place in the league sort it out, before beating them both to claim sole possession of first place in the league. I remember talking with head coach Tim Kolasinski as his Huskies warmed up for their season opener at Jamestown. Because of the fast turn around finding out there would even be a season, he wasn't really sure what to expect from his group. But by now, I think the expectations are the same constants that have existed at Olean since before I began my coverage - defense & a game on Championship Saturday.
3. Bennett (B1) - The Tigers pounded East over on Northampton right in front of my eyes. They were not just physically tougher, they were mentally tougher in the most critical portion of the game. The only losses for this team are to McKinley & East.
4. Tapestry (C1) - The Thunderhawks are getting rewarded for losses because of the way they've competed against top area large schools. After beating Health & Nichols, Tapestry has shown they can run with Park & Falls.
5. East (B1) - I watched a talented East team for the first time on Saturday and was really impressed -- for a little over two quarters. Then I was surprised with the way they responded to adversity on senior day. Talent needs toughness to equal championships. Without toughness, all you get are some great quotes from coach.
6. Cardinal O'Hara (B) - A pair of losses to finish the regular season for the Hawks to Health & Timon after a win over CSAT to begin the week. They'll need to win at St. Francis on Tuesday night to keep the party going.
7. East Aurora (B1) - Three straight wins for the Blue Devils heading into the toughest part of their schedule - games against Iroquois & Cheektowaga and then on to the postseason in Class B1.
8. Clymer (D) - Two more wins this week for the now 12-0 Pirates came by an average margin of 28 points. They escaped with a two-point win in their first meeting with Sherman, the only team to threaten them this season, who they face in a rematch on Tuesday.
9. Medina (B2) - The Mustangs are now 9-1 on the year and their last three wins have come over their top three opponents in league play - Akron, Albion, & Newfane. Wins over Wilson & Roy-Hart this week will clinch a 6th league championship in seven seasons.
10. Depew (B2) - The Wildcats are 8-4 on the year and have only lost one time to a fellow small school, at East Aurora, a loss they avenged in the rematch. The regular season finishes up for Depew with games against Lake Shore & Pioneer.
-centercourt
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