Large Schools
1. Canisius (AA) - To be the best you’ve got beat the best and that’s exactly what the Crusaders did on Saturday afternoon against their rivals from Kenmore Avenue. Canisius made it a defensive battle which always favors their style, even though they trailed the entire way. Two more Top 10's on the slate this week with a nonleague game against South on Monday and another Saturday afternoon on Delaware Avenue, this time against the defending champions from Timon.
2. St. Joe's (AA) - Worked hard to build a double-digit lead at Canisius in the second half, only to watch it evaporate down the stretch. The Marauders will have to do two things to win a title this season, get better at closing out games and beat their rivals. Back at it against Health Sciences on Monday and then trips to O’Hara & St. Mary’s.
3. Niagara Falls (AAA) - Found a tough test from Williamsville South on Monday night at home, but passed that challenge. Monday, they head to Hilbert to take on another Williamsville, the Flames from East. Then another grueling weekend tournament against teams from PA… Chester and Lower Marion.
4. Timon (AA) - Following a 30-point win over O'Hara, the Tigers got into a battle against Nichols, but came out on top. A rematch with league rival St. Francis at home on Wednesday night, before the first of two games against Canisius beginning Saturday afternoon.
5. Jamestown (AAA) - The Red & Green continue to fly through league play, earning big victories over Lancaster and Frontier, then they lit up the scoreboard on Saturday afternoon in a victory over visiting St. Mary’s. Next up for Jamestown, hosting Clarence on Wednesday and then Orchard Park on Saturday.
6. Grand Island (A1) - The Vikings are for real, as evidenced by a comeback victory in the second half against a tough Lockport team on the road. They finished off the week with a rout over Niagara Wheatfield. Another quality opponent is on the slate for next week when Orchard Park visits on Tuesday, followed by a league game with North Tonawanda on Thursday.
7. Lockport (AA1) - The Lions suffered their first league loss of the season on Tuesday night at the hands of visiting Grand Island. Lockport will try to get right in a road trip to Lew-Port on Tuesday, before facing another quality opponent from Class A who have been rolling along, the Amherst Tigers.
8. Health Sciences (AA2) - The Falcons take on St. Joe’s in the nightcap of the MLK event at Hilbert College on Monday night and then head to South Park Saturday afternoon.
9. Amherst (A1) - The Tigers redeemed themselves with a late victory at Williamsville East on the last second shot from the corner made by Antonio Andrews, the double-double machine. The winning ways continued at Hamburg and against Starpoint to close out the week. On Wednesday night, they head to Pioneer before a nonleague challenge against Lockport at the ECIC/NFL Challenge.
10. Williamsville South (A1) - The Billies are sure playing good basketball right now after nearly coming away with a victory in Niagara Falls on Tuesday, they defeated Starpoint and then unloaded a can on district rival Williamsville East Friday night. Your reward Williamsville South, a date with the new WNY number one team, the Canisius Crusaders on Monday night.
Small Schools
1. Randolph (C) - Have you seen the scores these guys are winning by down in Randolph? Check the Random Smatterings for more on that, but suffice it to say, the Cardinals still haven’t lost a game in league play in several years and it doesn’t appear likely that’s happening this year. Panama comes in Tuesday and then Gowanda visits Friday.
2. Westfield (C) - More road victories for the Wolverines as their winning streak continues to mount and the points continue to pile up for Carson Swanson. Then on Sunday afternoon, the Wolverines added another victory over a Top 10 Small School when they defeated Allegany-Limestone. Friday night they visit Sherman.
3. Salamanca (B2) - The Warriors remained undefeated in league play with a victory at Falconer on Monday night and a big win over Dunkirk at home Thursday. One game on the schedule next week, at Southwestern Thursday night.
4. Akron (B1) - After knocking off Newfane last week, the Tigers got tripped up for the first time on the season when they visited Albion. They will take their 10-1 record into Barker on Wednesday night before hosting the Lakemen from Wilson on Friday, who continue to be a problem for teams.
5. Panama (D) - After wins at Sherman and at home against Chautauqua Lake, the Panthers still have just one loss this season at the hands of Westfield. Monday, they have a tough nonleague matchup with Falconer and another scheduled for Tuesday at Randolph.
6. Olmsted (B1) - The Owls got a big victory over Middle College last week and have an idle week ahead to reset for the second half of the season and begin thinking about a postseason run.
7. Allegany-Limestone (B2) - The Gators took their second loss of the year at Olean and then on Sunday lost for a third time against Westfield at SUNY Fredonia. Three games ahead this week, and they’re all good ones. Monday a nonleague matchup against Holland at JCC and on Wednesday night, a rescheduled game at Fredonia.
8. Falconer (B2) - Rebounded from a loss to Salamanca with a victory over Southwestern. Monday, they take on Panama at JCC and host Fredonia on Friday.
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