The View From Centercourt

Buff State Week Viewing Guide 2024

 

Monday, February 26th

 

Class AA2 Semifinal - 5 pm

Health Sciences #1  (18-3)  * Yale Cup I Champions

vs.

Kenmore West Blue Devils  #5  (12-9)  * Finished 4th in NFL

Health Sciences

- Ranked #4 Large School

- Defeated Sweet Home to get here

- Best win this season - St. Joe's

- Reached Buff State in 2023, losing in the Class AA Semifinals to Niagara Falls

- Led by Amir Moye & Michael Whitt

Kenmore West

- Unranked Large School

- Defeated Starpoint to get here

- Best win this season - Starpoint

- Reached Buff State in 2017, losing in the Class AA Semifinals to Lancaster

- Led by Harlem Brannon & Joe Alvarez

 

Class AA2 Semifinal - 6:30 pm

Hamburg Bulldogs  #2  (15-6)  * Finished 2nd in ECIC II

vs.

Williamsville East Flames  #3  (12-9)  * Finished 3rd in ECIC II

Hamburg

- Unranked Large School

- Defeated West Seneca West to get here

- Best win this season - Starpoint

- Reached Buff State in 2016, losing in the Class A1 Semifinals to Williamsville South

- Led by Ash Hunter & James Steffen

Williamsville East

- Unranked Large School

- Defeated North Tonawanda to get here

- Best win this season - Lockport

- Reached Buff State in 2023, losing in the Class A1 Semifinals to McKinley

- Led by Aaron Weiss & Mason Evans 

 

Class AA1 Semifinal - 8 pm

Jamestown Red Raiders  #1  (17-4)  * Champions of ECIC I

vs.

Orchard Park Quakers  #4  (17-4)  *Finished 2nd in ECIC I

Jamestown

- Ranked #6 Large School

- Defeated Clarence to get here

- Best win this season - Lancaster

- Reached Buff State in 2023, losing the Class AA Final to Niagara Falls

- Led by Jaydian Johnson & Dominic Gonzalez

Orchard Park

- Ranked #8 Large School

- Defeated Hutch Tech to get here

- Best win this season - Jamestown

- Reached Buff State in 2022, losing in the Class AA Semifinals to Niagara Falls

- Led by Chris McDonald & Cullen Colpoys

 

********          ********          ********** 

 

Tuesday, February 27th

 

Class AA1 Semifinal - 5 pm

Lockport Lions  #2  (15-6)  * Champions of the NFL

vs.

Niagara Wheatfield  #3  (16-5)  * Finished 2nd in NFL

Lockport

- Ranked #10 Large School

- Defeated Frontier to get here

- Best win this season - Frontier

- Reached Buff State in 2023, losing in the Class AA Semifinals to Jamestown

- Led by Charlie Croff & Mike Griffin

Niagara Wheatfield

- Unranked Large School

- Defeated McKinley to get here

- Best win this season - Lockport

- Reached Buff State in 2023, losing in the Class A1 Final to McKinley

- Led by Luke Walck & Shawn Watson

 

Class A1 Semifinal - 6:30 pm

Amherst Tigers #1  (17-4)  * Champions of ECIC II

vs.

Grand Island Vikings #5  (18-4)  * Finished 3rd in NFL

Amherst

- Ranked #7 Large School

- Defeated Lake Shore to get here

- Best win this season - Niagara Falls

- Reached Buff State in 2023, winning overall Class A

- Led by Nate Blenman & Ahmir Dunn

Grand Island

- Unranked Large School

- Defeated Cheektowaga to get here

- Best win this season - Cheektowaga

- Reached Buff State in 2017, losing in the Class A1 Semifinals to North Tonawanda

- Led by Jayce Wylke & Lukacz Basilico

 

Class A1 Semifinal - 8 pm

Pioneer Panthers  #2  (17-4)  * Champions of ECIC III

vs.

Williamsville South Billies #3  (13-8)  * Champions of ECIC III

Pioneer

- Unranked Large School

- Defeated CSAT to get here

- Best win this season - Williamsville South

- Reached Buff State in 2022,losing in the Class A2 Semifinals to Health Sciences

- Led by Sam Platt & Dalton Giboo

Williamsville South

- Unranked Large School

- Defeated South Park to get here

- Best win this season - Niagara Wheatfield

- Reached Buff State in 2023, losing in the Class A2 Final to Amherst

- Led by Carter Lampke & Nate Wilemski 

 

***********   *************   ***************   

 

Wednesday, February 28th

 

Class A2 Semifinal - 5 pm

Lackawanna Steelers #1  (14-4)  * Champions of ECIC IV

vs.

Olean Huskies #5  (9-12)  * Finished 3rd in CCAA I West

Lackawanna

- Unranked Large School

- Defeated Springville to get here

- Best win of the season - Grand Island

- Reached Buff State in 2023, losing in the Class B1 Semifinals to Lew-Port

- Led by Kyan Gray & Laferald Hines

Olean

- Unranked Large School 

- Defeated City Honors to get here

- Best win this season - Allegany-Limestone

- Reached Buff State in 2022, winning the Class B1 Championship

Led by Caedyn Tingley & Luca Quinn

 

Class A2 Semifinal - 6:30 pm

Iroquois Chiefs #2  (16-5)  * Finished 2nd in ECIC IV

vs.

Depew Wildcats #3  (10-11)  * Finished 3rd in ECIC III

Iroquois

- Unranked Large School

- Defeated Lew-Port to get here

- Best win this season - Depew

- Reached Buff State in 2019, losing in the Class A2 Semifinals to Amherst

- Led by Justus Kleitz & Jason Brostko

Depew

- Unranked Large School

- Defeated Alden to get here

- Best win this season - Lackawanna

- Reached Buff State in 2020, losing in the Class B1 Semifinals to Olean

- Led by Tommy Che & CJ Kanick

 

Class B2 Semifinal - 8 pm

MST Seneca Wolves #1 (12-7)  * Finished 3rd in Yale Cup II

vs.

Falconer Golden Falcons  #5  (13-9)  * Finished 3rd in CCAA I East

MST Seneca

- Unranked Small School

- Defeated Wilson to get here

- Best win this season - Burgard

- Reached Buff State in 2017, losing in the Class B2 Semifinals to Newfane

- Led by Shamere Davis & Corey Staples

Falconer

- Unranked Small School

- Defeated Roy-Hart to get here

- Best win this season - Olean

- Reached Buff State in 2007, losing in the Class B1 Final to East

- Led by Roger Markham & Mathis Baehr

 

********          ********          **********

 

Thursday, February 29th

 

Class B2 Semifinal - 5 pm

Eden Raiders  #2  (17-4)  #2  * Finished 2nd in ECIC V

vs.

Allegany-Limestone Gators  #6  (11-11)  * Finished 4th in CCAA I West

Eden

- Unranked Small School

- Defeated Silver Creek to get here

- Best win this season - Tapestry

- First appearance at Buff State in program history

- Led by Taesyn Slating & Mike Weyland

Allegany-Limestone

- Unranked Small School

- Defeated Tapestry to get here

- Best win this season - East Auora

- Reached Buff State in 2022, winning overall Class B

- Led by Carson Kwiatkowski & Michael Frederick

 

Class B1 Semifinal - 6:30 pm

Salamanca Warriors #1  (16-5)  * Champions of CCAA I West

vs.

Akron Tigers #4  (18-3)  * Champions of Niagara-Orleans

Salamanca

- Ranked #1 Small School

- Defeated Fredonia to get here

- Best win this season - Niagara Wheatfield

- Reached Buff State in 2023, losing in the Class B2 Final to Fredonia

- Led by Lucus Brown & Avery Brown

Akron

- Ranked #4 Small School

- Defeated East Aurora to get here

- Best win this season - Newfane

- Reached Buff State in 2010, winning the Class B2 Championship

- Led by Ben Gerstung & Trace Hill

 

Class B1 Semifinal - 8 pm

Newfane Panthers  #3  (19-2)  *Champions of Niagara-Orleans

vs.

Olmsted Owls #2  (15-6)  * Champions of Yale Cup II

Newfane

- Ranked #3 Small School

- Defeated Burgard to get here

- Best win this season - Akron

- Reached Buff State in 2023, losing in the Class B2 Semifinals to Fredonia

- Led by Landon Braman & Ben Dickinson

Olmsted

- Ranked #7 Small School

- Defeated Middle College to get here

- Best win this season - Middle College

- Reached Buff State in 2020, losing in the Class B2 Semifinals to Newfane

- Led by Tacari McCray & Ezekiel Alexander

 

********          ********          **********

 

Friday, March 1st

 

Class AAA Semifinal - 6:30 pm

Class A1 Semifinal - 8 pm

 

********          ********          **********

 

Saturday, March 2nd

 

Class B2 Final - 12 pm

Class B1 Final - 1:45 pm

Class A2 Final - 3:30 pm

 

Class AA2 Final - 7 pm

Class AA1 Final - 8:45 pm

 

-centercourt

Ranking the Top 10 Large & Small 2024 - Week 11

 

These are the final Top 10 rankings prior to the 2024 Season Finale Rankings on March 17th

 

Large Schools

1. Timon (AA)  

2.Canisius (AA)

3. Niagara Falls (AAA)

4. Health Sciences (AA2)

5. St. Joe's (AA) 

6. Jamestown (AA1)

7. Amherst (A1)

8. Orchard Park (AA1)

9. Nichols (AA)

10. Lockport (AA1)

 

Small Schools

1. Salamanca (B1) 

2. Randolph (C)

3. Newfane (B1)

4. Akron (B1)

5. Westfield (C)

6. Panama (C)

7. Olmsted (B1)

8. Allegany-Limestone (B2)

9. East Aurora (B1)

10. Fredonia (B1)

 

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Sectional Preview - 2024

 

The Section VI postseason begins Tuesday evening with 5 First Round matchups between Class B1 & Class C. as Medina heads to the Southern Tier to face Southwestern.  The winners move on to participate in the Pre-Quarterfinal Round, which begins on Wednesday night at 7 pm.  Between Friday & Saturday, 32 Quarterfinal games will decide which teams move on to Buffalo State and JCC for the semifinals.  See all the postseason matchups with dates, times, & locations, along with updated results at Brackets Central 2024

 

Below I take a look at some of the best matchups we could potentially see in the Pre-Quarterfinals, Quarterfinals, & Semifinals, and project the classifications with the best championship game, along with sleepers, some winning streaks, & predictions.

 

** Please note that many of the games below are based on my predictions of who will win in prior rounds.  

 

Most exciting brackets, top to bottom:

9. Class D

8. Class AAA

7. Class AA2

6. Class B2

5. Class A1

4. Class A2

3. Class C

2. Class AA1

1. Class B1

- How do I love thee?… Let me count the ways!  I was fired up for this bracket the first time I took a gander at the classification breakdown in the Section VI Handbook back in November.  There were literally good teams everywhere, starting with the defending champions from Fredonia.  Remember Davion White who kicked the doors down at #BuffState last March when - Lew-Port and Salamanca thought they were on a collision course all season?  How about Mike Hahn, who hasn’t missed a 3-pointer since grade school?  Yeah, those guys are back.

- Newfane has had a lot of good teams over the years, but I haven’t seen the community this excited about a squad since I’ve been doing this.  They spent the regular season steamrolling teams and earned the highest state ranking ever attained by the school.  Then they lost Akron. 

- Yes, the Akron Tigers, a team that has been in the Top 10 among WNY small schools all season, anxious to make some noise in this bracket.  But they’re not the only cats out there sick of hearing about this Newfane team.

- The Kats of Middle College are another small school Top 10, who just happened to win a pair of games over McKinley this season, along with beating Williamsville East.  They also have a two-time state champion coach.  No big deal though.

- Meanwhile, the Queen City has a few more squads piling up victories in anticipation of WNY‘s second season.  Olmsted, Burgard, and BASCS are all in this bracket, and all of them have 14 wins on the season.  Olmsted almost beat Starpoint last week, Burgard just beat Olmsted, and BASCS has its best team in program history.

- Now would probably be a good time to talk about East Aurora, the boys who just knocked off Eden and won ECIC V.  They own the longest winning streak in WNY with 10 straight victories.

- Well, I guess that’s it, although I feel like there were like 10 teams in this bracket with double digit wins, and I’ve only named eight.  Gee, who could I be missing?  Oh, that’s right, it was just one week ago today that news broke of Salamanca and Cleveland Hill joining the force.  I would’ve made a bigger deal about this, but it’s not like either of those schools have been to Glens Falls recently or have been ranked #1 all season...

 

Sleepers from each bracket

AAA - Lancaster:  There was no shortage of qualified candidates to select as the sleeper for this bracket.  However, after heavy contemplation and much council with trusted basketball heads across the state, I have decided to select the Legends as my sleeper in the newly formed Class AAA bracket.  They were undefeated for the first month of the season.  They own wins over the likes of Orchard Park, Williamsville North, & Frontier, who they swept - a clear indicator they aren’t afraid to attack the paint.  They have the same amount of victories this season as the classification's favorite from Niagara Falls with one less game played.  And they have Jordan Alexander who is averaging 26.3 points per game this season and was a standout in the Class A Far West Regional last season.  Did you just yawn?

AA - Frontier:   At the start of the 2024 season, these Falcons were absolutely soaring.  They marched into Athol Springs and won the St. Francis tournament, defeating the hosts and Health Sciences, along the way.  They didn’t even lose a second game, until the calendar was about to flip to February.  Then they got clipped a couple times, like every team did in ECIC I this year, but somehow these dudes show up to the postseason as the #7 seed?  They have the best front court in WNY in Matt LaRousch and Nate Errington.  Those two are literally literally sleeping giants!  See you in the final.

AA2 - North Tonawanda:  I have a conspiracy theory to offer up here. Last season ends for the Jacks in one of the most epic quarterfinal games I’ve ever witnessed between NT and Williamsville East.  The Flames marched on that night, despite North Tonawanda connecting on 17 three-point bombs.  Prior to the start of the season, Ryan Mountain stepped down as head coach and Chris Juergens took over.  Surprise move, or all part of a revenge plot against Williamsville East?  The Jacks commit to flying under the radar all season, carefully selecting which games to emerge victorious in, all in an effort to earn that quarterfinal rematch at Williamsville East.  Without Mountain behind the bench, they’ll never see this coming.  Then in the regular season finale, North Tonawanda is handily defeated by Lancaster as Williamsville East scouts, hoping all their players are nodding off during film study the next day.  Zzzz.

A1 - South Park:  Sure, the Sparks have only won nine games this season.  However, a third of those victories have happened in the last two weeks, including a 12-point victory over East, who just took Hutch Tech to overtime.  Did you ever watch that show South Park?  It comes on late at night, just when you’re starting to get sleepy.

A2 - Lew-Port:   Last season, the Lancers arrived at #BuffState ranked #1 and the top seed in their bracket.  It’s tough when every team in the bracket is staring you down as the one to beat.  So this season, the Lancers are approaching it differently, arriving as the #10 seed after dropping 10 of their last 11 games.  The neighbors in the apartment downstairs are complaining about how loudly the A2 bracket is snoring on these guys.  Perfect!

B1 - Fredonia:   Well, well well.  After catching everyone napping last season and marching on to the Far West Regional, it looks like Fredo is  up to its old tricks.  Once again, Uncle Elmer and the Hillbillies are playing that sweet lullaby with their fiddles and making everyone drowsy, while they hang out at the #8 seed.  But they won’t be playing that fiddle on the ride to Salamanca Saturday morning.  Fredonia’s bus is tricked out with custom tweeters and subwoofers, and the team is blaring Metallica‘s Enter Sandman on repeat all the way there… Say your prayers little one!

B2 - Allegany-Limestone:  In 2022, the Gators went on a serious postseason, run, suffocating the competition all the way to Glens Falls, then came back strong last season, only to drop a heartbreaker in the quarterfinal at Newfane.  They’ve only won nine games this season and arrive as the #6 seed in Class. B2.  However, two of those wins were their most recent games, both by double figures. Last season, my Class B2 sleeper won the whole bracket.  I’m looking for a repeat last seasons, prediction success, so why don’t you go take some melatonin and get some rest so you’ll be wide awake to watch them play on championship Saturday.

C - Maple Grove:  Due to the very flawed seeding system used by Section VI, Maple Grove is the #10 seed, despite having 12 wins.  That’s four or more victories more than the three teams seeded ahead of them.  When I started covering high school basketball, these guys were winning state championships.  They made a brief return to the state rankings in 2024.  And, they are called the Red Dragons, which sound significantly more angry than Green Dragons.  Better not show up with any pillow marks left on your face when playing these guys!  

D -  West Valley:   Sure, the Wildcats have struggled a bit this season.  However, the players and coaches there signed up to compete this season, and when they were given the option to sit out of the sectionals, after a winless regular season.  They declined the offer!!  I admire a coach who wants to continue to earn his paycheck, and provide opportunities for his kids!  Every day is a chance to get better, and Thursday at Forestville is another day.  You stay awake during 100% of the naps you don’t take, or something like that.  

 

Top 7 Pre-Quarterfinal Games 

7.  City Honors @ Middle College (B1)

6.  BASCS @ Fredonia (B1)

5.  Ellicottville @ Chautauqua Lake (C)

4.  Medina vs Burgard *at MST (B1)

3. Gowanda @ Panama (C)

2. East @ Allegany-Limestone (B2)

1.  Williamsville North @ @ Clarence (AA1)  

 

Top 12 Quarterfinal Games 

12. Holland @ Randolph (C)

11. Falconer @ Roy-Hart (B2)

10. Burgard @ Newfane (B1)

9. Middle College @ Olmsted (B1)

8. Ken West @ Starpoint (AA2)

7. Frontier @ Lockport (AA1)

6. East Aurora @ Akron (B1)

5. Grand Island @ Clarence (AA1)

4. Allegany-Limestone @ Tapestry (B2)

3. McKinley @ Niagara Wheatfield (AA1)

2. Clarence @ Jamestown (AA1)

1. Ferdonia @ Salamanca (B1)

 

Most Exciting Potential Semifinals

10. Allegany-Limestone vs Eden (B2)

9. MST Seneca vs Falconer (B2)

8. Iroquois vs Depew (A2)

7. Salamanca vs Akron (B1)

6. Lackawanna vs Olean (A2)

5. Hamburg vs Williamsville East (AA2)

4. Randolph vs Panama (C)

3.  Pioneer vs. vs Williamsville South (A1) 

2.  Jamestown vs Orchard Park (AA1)

1. Newfane vs Middle College (B1)

 

Most Exciting Championship Games

5. Class A2

4. Class AAA

3. Class AA1

2. Class C

1. Class B1

 

Winning streaks heading into sectionals

East Aurora:  10

Panama:  9  &  15 of the last 16

MST Seneca:  9

Westfield:  18 of the last 19

Health Sciences:  13 of the last 14

Amherst:  12 of the last 13

Lockport:  11 of the last 12

Lackawanna:  11 of the last 12

Iroquois:  10 of the last 11

Hutch Tech:  9 of the last 10

BASCS:  8 of the last 9

Akron:  7 of the last 8

Hamburg:  7 of the last 8

Cleveland Hill:  6 of the last 7

 

Predictions

AAA - Niagara Falls

AA1 - Jamestown

AA2 - Health Sciences

A1 - Amherst

A2 - Lackawanna

B1 - Salamanca

B2 - Allegany-Limestone

C - Randolph

D - Clymer

 

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Manhattan Cup Playoffs - 2024

 

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Thursday, February 22nd

AT St. Francis - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

(5) St. Francis 75, (8) Cardinal O'Hara 60

(6) St. Mary's 74, (7) Park 72

 

Quarterfinals - Saturday, February 24th

AT St. Joe’s - 2 pm & 3:45 pm

(3) St. Joe's vs (6) St. Mary's

(4) Nichols vs (5) St. Francis

 

Semifinals - Monday, February 26th

AT Canisius College Koessler Center - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

(1) Canisius 60, (4) Nichols 56

(2) Timon 72, (3) St. Joe's 58

 

Manhattan Cup Final - Wednesday, February 28th

AT Canisius College Koessler Center - 7:45 pm

(2) Timon 74, (1) Canisius 64

 

2024 Manhattan Cup Champions - Timon Tigers 

 

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Ranking the Top 10 Large & Small 2024 - Week 10

 

Large Schools

1. Timon (AA)  

2.Canisius (AA)

3. Niagara Falls (AAA)

4. Health Sciences (AA2)

5. St. Joe's (AA) 

6. Jamestown (AA1)

7. Amherst (A1)

8. Orchard Park (AA1)

9. Frontier (AA1)

10. Nichols (AA) 

 

Small Schools

1. Salamanca (B1) 

2. Randolph (C)

3. Newfane (B1)

4. Fredonia (B1)

5. Akron (B1)

6. Westfield (C) 

7. Panama (C)

8. Middle College (B1)

9. Allegany-Limestone (B2)

10. East Aurora (B1)

 

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Brackets Central - 2024

 

Manhattan Cup Playoffs

Class AAA

Class AA1

Class AA2

Class A1

Class A2

Class B1

Class B2

Class C

Class D

 

2024 Section VI All-Tournament Teams

Buff State Week Viewing Guide 2024

Sectional Preview - 2024

2024 League Champions

 

2023 Brackets

2022 Brackets

2021 Brackets

2020 Brackets

2018 Brackets

2017 Brackets

2016 Brackets

2015 Brackets

2014 Brackets

2013 Brackets

2012 Brackets

2011 Brackets

 

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Class AAA Bracket - 2024 Sectionals

 

Final - Friday, March 1st

AT BUFFALO STATE - 6:30 pm

(1) Niagara Falls 73, (2) Lancaster 43

 

2024 Section VI Class C Champions - Niagara Falls Wolverines

 

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Classes AA1 & AA2 - 2024 Sectionals

 

Class AA1

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 21st

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(8) Clarence 62,  (9) Williamsville North 38

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 23rd

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(1) Jamestown 61, (8) Clarence 54

(4) Orchard Park 71,  (5) Hutch Tech 52

 

(2) Lockport 61,  (7) Frontier 55

(3) Niagara Wheatfield 67,  (6) McKinley 41

 

Semifinals - Monday, February 26th & Tuesday, February 27th

AT BUFF STATE - 8 pm (2/26) & 5 pm (2/27)

(1) Jamestown 58,  (4) Orchard Park 52

(2) Lockport 53,  (3) Niagara Wheatfield 33

 

Final - Saturday, March 2nd

AT BUFF STATE - 8:30 pm

(1) Jamestown  vs  (2) Lockport

 

***********  ***********  ****   *******  ********

 

Class AA2

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 21st

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(8) Sweet Home 52,  (9) I-Prep 41

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 23rd

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(1) Health Sciences 92, (8) Sweet Home 45

(5) Ken West 47, (4) Starpoint 45

 

(2) Hamburg 59, (7) West Seneca West 44

(3) Williamsville East 61, (6) North Tonawanda 41

 

Semifinals - Monday, February 26th

AT BUFF STATE - 5 pm 6:30 pm 

(1) Health Sciences 71,  (5) Ken West 54

(3) Williamsville East 55, (2) Hamburg 46  

 

Final - Saturday, March 2nd

AT BUFF STATE - 7 pm

(1) Health Sciences  vs  (3) Williamsville East

 

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Classes A1 & A2 - 2024 Sectionals

 

Class A1

 

Pre-Quarterfonals - Wednesday, February 22nd

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(9) Lake Shore 59, (8) Riverside 48

(5) Grand Island 79,  (12) Buffalo Culinary 37

(7) CSAT 76,  (10) West Seneca East 53

(6) South Park 58,  (11) Ken East 54

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 24th

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(1) Amherst 92,  (9) Lake Shore 52

(5) Grand Island 56, (4)  Cheektowaga 55

 

(2) Pioneer 73,  (7) CSAT 57

(3) Williamsville South 62, (6) South Park 44

 

Semifinals - Tuesday, February 27th

AT BUFF STATE - 6:30 pm & 8 pm

(1) Amherst 80, (5) Grand Island 47

(3) Williamsville South 48, (2) Pioneer 43

 

Final - Friday, March 1st

AT BUFF STATE - 8 pm

(3) Williamsville South 76, (1) Amherst 71

 

2024 Section VI Class A1 Champions - Williamsville South Billies

 

***********  ***********  ****   *******  ********

 

Class A2

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 21st

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(8) Springville 66,  (9) Dunkirk 48

(10) Lew-Port 63, (7) Maryvale 57

(6) Alden 57,  (11) Albion 40

 

Quarterfinals - Friday, February 23rd

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(1) Lackawanna 78,  (8) Springville 48

(5) Olean 54, (4) City Honors 35

 

(2) Iroquois 51,  (10) Lew-Port 47

(3) Depew 57,  (6) Alden 52

 

Semifinals - Wednesday, February 26th

AT BUFF STATE - 5 pm & 6:30 pm

(5) Olean 67, (1) Lackawanna 53

(3) Depew 51, (2) Iroquois 45

 

Final - Saturday, March 2nd

AT BUFF STATE - 3:30 pm

(5) Olean 72, (3) Depew 59

 

2024 Section VI Class A2 Champions -  Olean Huskies 

 

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Classes B1 & B2 - 2024 Sectionals

 

Class B1

 

First Round - Tuesday, February 20th 

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(12) Bennett 64,  (13) Southwestern 44

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Thursday, February 22nd

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(8) Fredonia 71,  (9) BASCS 44

(5) East Aurora 72,  (12) Bennett 59

(7)  Middle College 67, (10) Cleveland Hill 57

(6) Burgard 61, (11) Medina 51

 

Quarterfinals - Saturday, February 24th

At Higher Seed - 12 pm

(1) Salamanca 53,  (8) Fredonia 36

(4) Akron 57,  (5) East Aurora 48

 

(2) Olmsted 48,  (7) Middle College 38

(3) Newfane 63,  (6) Burgard 52

 

Semifinals - Thursday, February 29th

AT BUFFALO STATE - 6:30 pm & 8 pm

(1) Salamanca 62,  (4) Akron 48

(3) Newfane 49, (2) Olmsted  vs  

 

Final - Saturday, March 2nd

AT BUFFALO STATE - 1:45 pm

(1) Salamanca 61,  (3) Newfane 43

 

2024 Section VI Class B1 Champions - Salamanca Warriors

 

******        ******        ******        ******        

 

Class B2

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Thursday, February 22nd

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(8) Wilson 65,  (9) Portville 63

(5) Falconer 85, (12) JFK 54

(7) Silver Creek 78, (10) Maritime 61

(6) Allegany-Limestone 76, (11) East 45

 

Quarterfinals - Saturday, February 24th

At Higher Seed - 12 pm 

(1) MST Seneca 53,  (8) Wilson 49

(5) Falconer 58, (4) Roy-Hart 55

 

(2) Eden 66,  (7) Silver Creek 50

(6) Allegany-Limestone 62, (3) Tapestry 49

 

Semifinals - Wednesday, February 28th & Thursday, February 29th

AT BUFF STATE - 8 pm (2/28) & 5 pm (2/29)

(5) Falconer 53, (1) MST Seneca 44

(2) Eden 85,  (6) Allegany-Limestone 80 in 2OT

 

Final - Saturday, March 2nd

AT BUFF STATE - 12 pm

(5) Falconer 59, (2) Eden 47

 

2024 Section VI Class C Champions - Falconer Golden Falcons

 

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Class C - 2024 Sectionals

 

First Round - Tuesday, February 20th

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(16) Brocton 62, (9) Holland 59

(12) Gowanda 69, (13) Cattaraugus-Little Valley 39

(10) Maple Grove 91,  (15) Cassadaga Valley 71

(11) Chautauqua Lake 55,  (14) Global Concepts 44 

 

Pre-Quarterfinals - Thursday, February 22nd

At Higher Seed - 7 pm

(8) Barker 60, (16) Brocton 59

(5) Panama 83,  (12) Gowanda 69

(10) Maple Grove 76, (7) North Collins 39

(11) Chautauqua Lake 72, (6) Ellicottville 60

 

Quarterfinals - Saturday, February 24th

At Higher Seed - 12 pm

(1) Randolph 91,  (8) Barker 47

(5) Panama 76, (4) Franklinville 50

(2) Frewsburg 71,  (10) Maple Grove 58

(3)  Westfield 72,  (11) Chautauqua Lake 57

 

Semifinals - Tuesday, February 27th

AT JCC - 6 pm & 7:45 pm

(1) Randolph 57,  (5) Panama 33

(3)  Westfield 57, (2) Frewsburg 56

 

Final - Friday, March 1st

AT JCC - 7:45 pm

(1) Randolph 54,  (3)  Westfield 48 in OT

 

2024 Section VI Class C Champions - Randolph Cardinals

 

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Class D - 2024 Sectionals

 

Quarterfinals - Thursday, February 22nd at 7 pm

At Higher Seed

(4) Forestville 74, (5) West Valley 46

 

Semifinals - Monday, February 26th

At JCC - 6 pm & 7:45 pm 

(1) Pine Valley 62,  (4) Forestville 32

(2) Clymer  35, (3) Sherman 30

 

Final - Friday, March 1st

At JCC - 6 pm

(1) Pine Valley 30,  (2) Clymer 28

 

2024 Section VI Class D Champions - Pine Valley Panthers

 

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League Champions - 2024

 

Below are the Champions from the 14 leagues in WNY for the 2024 Season. 

 

MMA - Canisius 13-1

ECIC I - Jamestown 8-2

ECIC II - Amherst 10-0

ECIC III - Pioneer, Cheektowaga, & Williamsville South 8-2

ECIC IV - Lackawanna 9-1

ECIC V - East Aurora 11-1

CCAA I West - Salamanca 9-1

CCAA I East - Randolph 12-0

CCAA II West - Westfield 11-1

CCAA II East - Franklinville 11-1

NFL - Lockport 9-1

N-O - Newfane & Akron 11-1

Yale Cup I - Health Sciences 14-0

Yale Cup II - Olmsted 10-2

 

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NYSSWA State Rankings - Week 9

 

The ninth set of state rankings for the 2024 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AAA

Niagara Falls #23

 

Class AA

Canisius #4

Timon #10

Health Sciences #13

St. Joe's #15

Orchard Park #25

Jamestown #27

 

Class A

Amherst #6

Pioneer #25

 

Class B

Newfane #4

Salamanca #16

Fredonia #18

 

Class C

Randolph #9

Westfield #10

Panama #11

 

Class D

 No teams ranked

 

According to the Rankings....

- Niagara Falls will have seven victories over Section V teams after advancing past the Far West Regional to the state final four in Class AAA.

- Once viewed as the 10th best team in NYS Class AA for defeating Timon, the Crusaders' lack of losses to any teams from New York State have advanced them to the #4 ranking, which would deliver a CHSAA state championship to Delaware Avenue.

 

- A matchup to start getting excited about is a Far West Regional between undefeated Greece Athena and Health Sciences at Buff State.  Health is now the top ranked public team from NYS Class AA in our section and Athena has been ranked #1 in the state since Canisius knocked off Timon.

 

- The Orchard Park Quakers are officially a Top 25 squad in the state.

 

- The state panel is trying hard to determine whuch team Amherst should have to face prior to advancing to the Far West Regional in Class A.  Last week, they were recommending Lackawanna.  This week, they have pushed to Pioneer forward as the newest Section VI team to be honored as a Top 25 team in NYS.

- Westfield's second loss of the season dropped them nine spots to #10 in NYS Class C, allowing Randolph to overtake them as the highest ranked Section VI team in Class C.  The Wolverines fell last week to Chautauqua Lake while playing without the services of Carson Swanson.

- Westfield and Panama will play for a third time, entertaining fans at JCC in a Section VI Class C semifinal.  Currently. the brackets want that game sooner.

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

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Random Smatterings Super Bowl Sunday

 

- Hamburg has been playing very good as of late, winning 8 of their last 9 games, with the only loss during that stretch coming against Amherst.

- Less than a week after Silver Creek defeated Falconer by two points, the Golden Falcons avenged that loss with a 32 point victory in the rematch.

- When I was at Orchard Park last week, Arya showed me where the music control was in the event that I wanted to get any requests in prior to tip.

 

- As I stood in Burgard watching the Bulldogs defeat Olmsted on Friday night, I thought about what it must’ve been like in the late 80's during the Marcus Whitfield and Ritchie Campbell era.  That must’ve been a scene.

 

- History is coming your way this week... Timon's Jaiden Harrison will break the all-time scoring record in WNY set by Dom Welch in 2017.  He is now just 54 points away from owning the record with three games coming this week.

- Friday night was a big one in league play:

Undefeated ECIC I leader Jamestown was dished its first league loss of the season when Orchard Park used an 18–4 3rd quarter to take a double figure lead against Jamestown in an eventual win.  In CCAA I West, it was Fredonia who bounced back from a 28-point defeat at Salamanca earlier in the season to earn a 16-point victory in the rematch. The Hillbillies connected on 10/11 from 3-point land in the first half, building a 47–15 lead at the break.  At St. Francis, Nolan Edwards' 3-pointer as regulation expired forced overtime against Nichols, where the Red Raiders earned the victory over the visiting Vikings, to pull even with them in the MMA standings at 5–5.

 

- Fredonia's Mike Hahn made 7 of his 9 attempts from downtown in Fredonia’s win over Salamanca.  He now has 63 makes on the season from long-distance, second in WNY only to Jakye Rainey, who leads with 66 bombs.

 

- With sectionals just over a week away, it’s time to start looking ahead at what's to come.  The most fascinating bracket appears in Class B1, where 6 of the Top 10 small schools hail.

 

- The most important race for the top seed is indisputably in Class AAA.  If Niagara Falls were to lose their final two games, Lancaster could overtake them for the top seed in that classification. vThere doesn’t appear to be another bracket where gaining the top seed could possibly be more important...

 

- West Valley and Tonawanda are the only two teams in WNY that remain winless. v I think they should have to play each other in a one-game playoff.

 

- The CHSAA state playoffs could not be more stacked against the team WNY sends after winning the Manhattan Cup.  The winner of the Manhattan Cup will face a team in the semifinals at Fordham on Friday, March 8th.  If they win, the state championship game would be played the following afternoon at Hofstra, tipping at 1 pm.  The kicker to all of us is, the team they would face if they made the championship game, would come in fresh off a bye straight to that game against a team that barely slept the night prior.  

 

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Ranking the Top 10 Large & Small 2024 - Week 9

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius (AA)

2. Timon (AA)  

3. Niagara Falls (AAA)

4. Health Sciences (AA2)

5. St. Joe's (AA) 

6. Orchard Park (AA1)

7. Jamestown (AA1)

8. Amherst (A1)

9. Frontier (AA1

10. Nichols (AA) 

 

Small Schools

1. Newfane (B1)

2. Salamanca (B1)  

3. Randolph (C)

4. Fredonia (B1)

5. Westfield (C) 

6. Middle College (B1)

7. Panama (C)

8. Akron (B1)

9. Burgard (B1)

10. Eden (B2)

 

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Ranking the Top 10 Large & Small 2024 - Week 8

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius (AA)

2. Timon (AA)  

3. Niagara Falls (AAA)

4. Health Sciences (AA2)

5. Nichols (AA) 

6. St. Joe's (AA)  

7. Jamestown (AA1)

8. Amherst (A1)

9. Orchard Park (AA1)

10. Frontier (AA1

 

Small Schools

1. Salamanca (B2)  

2. Newfane (B1)

3. Randolph (C)

4. Westfield (C) 

5. Middle College (B1)

6. Panama (C)

7. Akron (B1)

8. Fredonia (B1)

9. Burgard (B1)

10. Eden (B2)

 

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10 Reasons to attend the 6th Annual Centercourt Classic

 

Get Tickets

 

10.  It's the best event of the Regular Season

It’s not biased, it’s just facts.  I have attended multiple regular season events every year for well over a decade, and while I certainly drew the inspiration for the Centercourt Classic from many stops along the way, the one held this weekend at St. Joe's has truly become the marquee event of the regular season.  Featuring two reigning state champions & 1 state finalist, 8 of the Top 10 Large Schools, 2 of the Top 5 Small Schools, 10 state ranked teams, & 8 players from the Top 60 in 2023 (3 of which earned First Team All-State honors).

9.  The ONLY way to watch is Live 

The Centercourt Classic will not be streamed or available on pay-per-view.  Updates on Twitter will be less informative and less frequent on the days of the event.  And this weekend is specifically chosen to not compete with other basketball events, or the NFL.  Just a great weekend to take in some live high school basketball.

8.  As always, FREE Parking

7.  The Experience

Music is played during all game stoppages.  Hot pizza and other refreshments are always available during the Classic.  Game MVPs are awarded to one player from each team, following the game.  Shirts and pizza are provided to all players courtesy of Empire Electric.  Atmosphere is always exciting because the best teams, coaches, & players put on a show!

6.  Jamestown vs St. Francis

History!  These two annual WNY Top 10 Large School programs have never tipped off against each other on the court!

5.  Salamanca  vs  Randolph

Rivalry game between a defending state champion and a team that made it to Glens Falls the season prior.  They split a pair of games in 2023.  Outstanding coaching and a player from each squad htat has earned First Team All-State honors (Drew Hind, Randolph  &  Lucus Brown, Salamanca).

4.  Amherst  vs  St. Joe's

Two days after Amherst upset Niagara Falls, St. Joe's did the same to Timon.  Just four days after that, they meet each other!

3. Health Sciences vs Nichols

Two teams that have already won a game at Kenmore Avenue this season - One of them wins a 2nd one,  A pair of Top 10's, featuring one of the most dynamic scorers I've ever watched in Jakye Rainey, against the team coached by his AAU coach.

2. Victor  vs  Timon

Victor is the defending NYSPHAA Class AA state champion and they have three starters back from the team that ended Niagara Falls' season in the regional last year and then finished their business in Glens Falls.  I don't need to tell you how good Timon is...you already know!  Jaiden Harrison, Nakyhi Harris, Jacob Humphrey, Jason Rowe, Howard Washington, Ron, Paul, John, Kim -- yeah, those guys!!

1.  Niagara Falls  vs  Canisius

Just those two names, you know?  They went at it in the 2nd Annual CC Classic.  Treated us to an outstanding nonleague game last season.  From knowing both coaches well, I can tell you this is an important game to both of them!

Public  vs  Private

#1  vs  #3

 

St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, 845 Kenmore Ave., Buffalo

Tickets available for all sessions!  Hope to see you there

 

Session 1 - Friday, February 2nd

Jamestown  vs. St. Francis - 6 pm

Amherst  vs.  St Joes - 7:45 pm

 

Session 2 - Saturday, February 3rd

Randolph  vs.  Salamanca - 12:30 pm

Niagara Falls  vs.  Canisius - 2:15 pm

 

Session 3 - Saturday, February 3rd

Nichols  vs.  Health Sciences - 5:45 pm

Timon  vs.  Victor - 7:30 pm

 

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