As a pollster for the Buffalo News, I'm asked to send in my weekly ballots ranking the top ten large and small schools.  The polls are based on games played through Sunday of each week.  Here's a look at how I see them and some of the rationale used to get there.

 

 

Large Schools

1. Niagara Falls (AA) – I'll say it…Falls is back! 

2. Williamsville South (A1) – Those of you who thought the Billies would take a step back after graduating Mark Coppola were, in a word, wrong.   South looked outstanding in its first two games.  Considered them for number one, but gave it to Falls on the strength of two wins over top teams.  If the Billies can go in to Jamestown and win, I may pull the old switch-a-roo.

3. Canisius (MMAA) – There's no shame in losing to South or in how they lost.  Saturday's game against NFHS is a must see.

4. Jamestown (AA) – If they play Falls at home, things may have turned out differently.  In all likelihood, they will play Williamsville South at home this weekend.

** This weekend, if Canisius beats Falls and Jamestown beats Williamsville South, we'll be right back to the drawing board with nothing sorted out!

5. Williamsville North (AA) – They showed me something at the Cataract City Classic and beating Batavia makes their resume good enough to earn this spot for now.

6. Riverside (A2)  – Looked very impressive in wins against Wilson and St. Joe's.  But in the loss to Canisius, they weren't up to the challenge.

7.  St. Joe's (MMAA) – I'm placing more value on beating Depew by 18 on a neutral court, than by…

8. Bishop Timon-St. Jude (MMAA) – beating OTC Middle College by 17 at home.  I'm looking forward to seeing the Tigers play tonight. 

9. East (A2) – They dismantled Nichols and beat OTC Middle College by 10 at the Pastor-Cooper tournament.

10.. McKinley (AA) – They've been a second half team in wins over St. Mary's and Orchard Park.

 

Small Schools

1. I-Prep at Grover (C) – They have the talent and the team to hold this spot among the small schools from start to finish.

2. OTC Middle College (C) – This year's version of the Kats aren't dominant like last year, but there's no question that they're a top small school. 

3. Wilson (B2) – Made plays when they needed to down the stretch against St. Mary's.

4. St. Mary's (MMAA) – Overtime win against Newfane, overtime loss against Wilson, puts them in this N-O sandwich.

5. Newfane (B1) - Seeing the Lakemen beat St. Mary's bothers them almost as much as the loss to the Lancers did.  

6. Maple Grove (C) – The defending Class D state champs have already beat Olean and Randolph.

7. Tapestry Charter (C) – Scoring points, shooting 3's, and pressing at a dizzying pace…sounds a lot like a team from last season.

8. Lackawanna (B1) - Edged St. Francis to open with a win, but then took one on the chin at home against Orchard Park.

9. Portville (C) – I'll be banging the Portville drum until I'm proven wrong.  They are led by a pair of talented seniors and nearly beat CG Finney after leading by ten in the second quarter.

10. Tonawanda (B1) - Lackawanna could have some real competition on their hands in ECIC IV.  The Warriors opened with a 35 point win over Roy-Hart, followed by a 20 point win against Alden.

 

-centercourt