(Lockport freshman Charlie Croff)
Large Schools
1. Canisius (A) - Picking up right where they left off, the defending state champion Crusaders won a 10th consecutive Tom Keenan Tournament over the weekend with wins over Health Sciences & Albany Academy. Senior Shane Cercone eclipsed 1,000 career points on Saturday, scoring a career-high 34 points in a win. The St. Joe's rivalry resumes early this season with Round One tipping on Tuesday on Kenmore Avenue. Friday night is a rematch of the 2022 Manhattan Cup Final on Delaware Avenue when Timon comes to town.
2. Niagara Falls (AA) - A 3-0 start for the Wolverines after two impressive victories at the Cataract Classic over Utica Academy & McQuaid. They'll look to improve to 3-0 in the NFL with games coming against Ken West & Lockport this week.
3. Jamestown (AA) - Still undefeated on the season...the Red Raiders play their first three games this week with Dunkirk & Park visiting over the coming weekend after heading to West Seneca West on Tuesday.
4. Amherst (A2) - A 2-1 start to the season for the Tigers that includes a 49-point rout over Sweet Home on Friday night. They host Williamsville South on Friday in Round One of 'The Battle for Main St'.
5. Health Sciences (AA) - Rebounded with a 30-point win on Saturday at the Keenan Tournament after nearly rallying to beat Canisius on Friday, where freshman Amir Moye made his varsity debut with a 28-point performance against the defending state champions and followed it up with 31 points the following day. Health hosts Park on Monday, visits St. Mary's Tuesday, and hosts South Park on Thursday this week.
6. McKinley (A1) - Quite the start to the season for the Macks - a 4-0 record with a pair of 50-point wins, a 40-point win, and 109 points scored in a game. They head to East Aurora on Friday night.
7. St. Joe's (A) - The Marauders dropped both weekend games to St. John the Baptist & Holy Trinity after a 56-42 win over Williamsville East to start the season. The Canisius rivalry game on Tuesday is followed by a visit from McQuaid on Friday.
8. Lockport (AA) - After a lopsided victory over Ken west, the Lions hung on to take a tough win at Clarence on Friday night. The only setback in the early season for Lockport was a loss to Nichols. Two big games coming up as they visit Timon this week, before hosting Falls on Saturday.
9. Williamsville North (AA) - A 3-1 start for the Spartans after a big win at the Cataract Classic on Saturday, with the lone blemish coming in a six-point loss against McKinley. Tuesday at St. Francis should be a good one.
10. St. Francis (A) - A pair of losses to Holy Trinity & St John the Baptist over the weekend, following an opening win at Lackawanna without the services of Logan Reaska.
Small Schools
1. Timon (B) - I received a text from an area coach over the weekend as Timon was drubbing Utica Academy that said Timon is #1 in WNY, large or small. Turns out the rubber will meet the road by week's end, as the Tigers have a date at Canisius on Friday night for early season bragging rights and standing. Ahead of that big game, they host Lockport on Tuesday night on the court where they trounced Lackawanna 97-56 a week earlier.
2. Nichols (B) - Double figure wins over Lockport & Middle College to start the season, followed by an impressive victory against defending Section V Class AA champion Aquinas. The Vikings visit City Honors this week.
3. Lew-Port (B1) - A 4-0 start to the season for the Lancers with a pair of blowout wins and all double figure victories. The return of Jalen Duff paired with Bobby Beilein is a lethal duo in Class B, and Vinny Carlo has been a great third scoring option for the team. They host CSAT on Tuesday night.
4. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - The defending overall Class B champions picked up right where they left off last season, suffocating teams defensively. In a pair of season-opening wins over Depew & East, the Gators are allowing 36.5 ppg with an average margin of victory at 26.5 points. Pioneer visits on Tuesday and then they travel to Section V Wellsville on Thursday.
5. Salamanca (B2) - Three impressive wins over Lackawanna, Niagara Wheatfield, and Clymer to begin the season, while getting some exceptional minutes out of Andy Herrick. Big game in the Southern Tier on Friday night, with a rematch of the Class C Final between the Warriors & Randolph.
6. Randolph (C) - The Cardinals were smart enough to bank on another deep football run and waited to start basketball until this week. Their season tips with three games coming up against Cassadaga Valley, Silver Creek, & Salamanca. Silver Creek is the biggest obstacle they'll face in league play and Salamanca is a rival that ended their season in 2022.
7. St. Mary's (B) - The defending state champion Lancers opened the season with a 10-point win over Pembroke and have three games coming this week which will all be tough competition - Health Sciences, Orchard Park, and either Depew or Niagara Wheatfield on Saturday in the Depew Holiday Tournament.
8. Depew (B1) - After losing to Allegany-Limestone in their second game, the Wildcats have posted big wins over Cheektowaga and at Olean in overtime to improve to 3-1. They begin the Depew Holiday Tournament against Niagara Wheatfield, and then draw either St. Mary's or Orchard Park on Saturday afternoon.
9. Holland (C) - The Dutchmen are off to a 5-0 start, including a Pioneer Motor Sports Tournament championship that came with a big victory over the hosts. They'll look to make it 6-0 when they face Alden this week.
10. East (C) - Drove to the northern end of WNY on Tuesday for a win at Newfane to begin the year, and then headed to the southern end the following night to face the defending Class B champs from Allegany-Limestone. On Friday night, head coach Starling Bryant added another milestone to his brilliant coaching career, earning his 400th career win as the Panthers took care of Hutch-Tech.
-centercourt
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