(Jeson Huff & 4th-ranked Timon have won 4 straight)
Large Schools
1. St. Joe's (AA) - No Nate, no problem when Williamsville East came calling on Tuesday in a 24-point victory. They followed it up with a road victory on Friday night at Nichols. The Marauders biggest local test of the season to date is also the last taste of high school hoops that I’ll be getting before Santa arrives. Huge game Monday night in Niagara Falls!
2. Canisius (AA) - An undefeated start to the season, 6-0 to be exact, after making quick work of Rochester Prep and Cardinal O’Hara, along with coming back from Rochester with a quality win at McQuaid. After Christmas comes a three-game tournament in New Orleans, which is sure to provide some elite competition.
3. Niagara Falls (AAA) - Carlos and the Wolverines took the week off to get ready for Big Smooth Nate and the new look Marauders on Monday night. You really couldn’t ask for a better scenario here. Two nights before Christmas, one of the best games this area could deliver and it’s the only game in town to see. The number one team in WNY comes in to face the storied Wolverines, who are near unbeatable at home against local competition. In fact, they haven’t lost a home game against another team from WNY since December 4, 2021. That was also the last time St. Joe’s made a trip to the Cataract City.
4. Timon (AA) - A thoroughly impressive display by the Tigers on Wednesday night, taking down the previously unbeaten Billies from Williamsville South by 17 points without Nakyhi Harris playing. Timon followed that up by storming past St. Mary’s on Friday. The Tigers will celebrate Christmas on Wednesday and then get back to work on Friday afternoon at Hilbert when they take on Fairport in round one of the Hoops for Hope Tournament.
5. Jamestown (AAA) - Trailing in the closing minutes on the road at Lockport, Jamestown got the critical plays they needed, most notably, a steal & score from Dominic Gonzalez, before picking up some Little Caesars and celebrating all the way home. These guys take being the Red and Green very serious, hence no games on the schedule during the week of Christmas.
6. Lockport (AA1) - Took down Niagara Wheatfield handily before suffering the first loss of the season by three points in an outstanding game against Jamestown. So much to like about this team, if you haven’t watched them yet, make it a point to. Next week, the Lions compete in the Rush-Henrietta Tournament.
7. Health Sciences (AA2) - Improved to 3-0 with a 16-point victory at Clarence, followed by a 12-point league win over the visiting Macks from McKinley. The Falcons draw Pioneer in round one of the Hoops for Hope Tournament and then will take on either Fairport or Timon the following day.
8. Williamsville South (A1) - Chose to take an early season nonleague game in one of the toughest environments in the area at Timon Wednesday. Despite leaving with a 17 point loss, the Billies had their moments in this one and will be a better team for it. They visit Webster Schroder in their only action next week.
9. Orchard Park (AA1) - Went on the road and knocked off St. Mary’s by 13 points and then took down Albion by 18. The Quakers will be undefeated for the New Year.
10. Grand Island (A1) - The Vikings got 20 first half points and a 20-point victory on the road at Lew-Port on Tuesday and then gave the whole roster plenty of minutes in a 44-point win over Buffalo Arts. Another team that will be undefeated for the New Year.
Small Schools
1. Randolph (C) - In their home opener, the Cardinals flexed their muscles against a quality Falconer team, knocking them off by 24 points and then they went to Maple Grove on Friday night and won by 44.
2. Westfield (C) - Took the win home against league rival Panama with an emphatic 22-point victory, propelled by the fire shooting of Lincoln Thomas, and then emerged victorious in the Southwestern Tournament over the weekend. They host the Westfield Winter Classic after Christmas.
3. Salamanca (B2) - A great start to the season for the Warriors with a 52-51 victory at Olean followed by a 23-point road victory at Fredonia. Salamanca has a pair of games in the IAABO Tournament next week.
4. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - Another squad that is 4-0 and quickly gaining my attention after an 18-point went over Southwestern and a 23-point victory against Dunkirk. The Gators are the host School for the IAABO Tournament and have a pair of games in it next week.
5. Akron (B1) - Winners of the Jack Silvernail Tournament, including an overtime victory over BASCS, to get to the championship game, a win over Pembroke. The Tigers finished up the week with a road win at Wilson.
6. Panama (D) - Went to Maple Grove on Tuesday and won by 28 points before suffering a home loss to Westfield. Frewsburg visits Monday night ahead of the holiday.
7. MST (B2) - Beat up Burgard by 41 points and now sit pretty heading into Christmas at 4-0. The Wolves come back next week to take on Middle College and City Honors on Friday and Saturday.
8. Olmsted (B1) - Now 4-0 on the season after gaining wins over Bennett and CCA.
9. Fredonia (B1) - Now riding a three-game skid after losses to Salamanca and BASCS at home. The Hillbillies hope to get some mojo back after some family time when they head to the Clarence Tournament next week, where they open against Park.
10. Falconer (B2) - Tucked behind Fredonia for now due to an overtime loss on the road there and the performance at Randolph on Tuesday. They lost a tough road game in Dunkirk the night before and just bested Olean in overtime on Thursday, so I'm almost ready to look past that Fredonia result.
* Rankings will return after the New Year *
-🏀centercourt🏀
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