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. Canisius (MAA) - Watching the Crusaders fourth quarter scoring surge against Cathedral Prep erased any doubt I had left as to which team deserved to be ranked number one.  I wrote last week that Canisius passed the ball better than any team in WNY, and that's exactly how they defeated the Ramblers.  Whether in transition or a half court set, the Crusaders unselfishly find the open shooter and bury their shots.  Even when Matt MacDonald was scorching the basket in the fourth quarter, he passed up a good look to swing it to Matt Hart, who had an even better look, and drilled it. 

2. Niagara Falls (AA) – I asked Cathedral Prep's AD and Burger King Classic director, Bill Flannigan, which team he thought was better during the Canisius game.  He said the two were so close, we were lucky to have that topic up for debate.  I agree, and think the Canisius/Falls…Falls/Canisius topic has been the best topic of debate this season.  For now, NFHS deserves to fall a spot.

3. St. Joe's (MMA) – The Marauders are the proud new owners of the most significant win by a WNY team this season.  Trust me, the Aquinas team they beat is a really good one – just ask Bishop Kearney or Canisius.  The Lil Irish have four players on their team who will play Division 1 athletics next year.  There's room at the top of this ballot if the Marauders win on Friday night. 

4. Jamestown (AA) – Drop one spot as St. Joe's moves up.  If the Red Raiders had beaten Aquinas, they'd have gotten a bump too.

5. Bishop Timon/St. Jude (MMA) – The stretch run begins this week for the Tigers with St. Mary's visiting tonight and Bishop Kearney coming in on Friday.

6. McKinley (A1) – Handed East its biggest league loss in the last two seasons.

7. Kenmore West (AA) – Unbeaten through a round of the non-Falls portion of the NFL schedule.  Visit the Wolverines on Friday with a share of first place at stake.

8. Riverside (A2) - With both meetings against McKinley still ahead, the Frontiers top win remains against Hutch-Tech. 

9. Williamsville East (A1) – The Flames are amidst a 10-game win streak since losing to St. Joe's in early December.

10. Hutch-Tech (A1) - May need to run the table in the second half of its league schedule for a shot at the Yale Cup.

Small Schools

1. Olean (B1) – Let's see, I mentioned they should go independent next year and that they will likely top the polls for the next three years.  I'm running out of things to say in this space, so I'll just quote their fans – Huskies, Huskies, Go-Go-Go!

2. St. Mary's (MMA) – Lost to St. Joe's by six and to Canisius by three.  The Lancers get their last chance to knock off one of the "Big 3" tonight when they travel to Timon. 

3.  Tonawanda (B1) – The only team in WNY that has yet to taste defeat. 

4. OTC/MEC (C1) – If the Kats can take care of business Friday against MST Seneca, they'll have completed the first round of league play unscathed.

5. Depew (B1) - After second straight loss this week, the Wildcats have lost the momentum of their tournament championship win against the Lancers.

6. East (B1) – Were really missing speedy point guard Johnathon Lewis in their loss at McKinley.  I'm keeping them here, ahead of the Lakemen, for beating Riverside – who beat Wilson by 19.

7. Wilson (B2) – There are some very good players in the N-O league, but I think the Lakemen benefit from having the league's best player in point guard Tyler Martin.

8. Archbishop Walsh (MMA) – Led at halftime and trailed by just a point entering the fourth quarter at St. Joe's last week.

9. MST Seneca (C2) – The loss to City Honors dropped them two spots 0n this ballot.  The Indians will be on the move again on next week's ballot – which direction depends on how they do against OTC/MEC on Friday.

10. I-Prep (C2) – Slide down a spot to stay behind MST Seneca and to allow Walsh to move up. 

-centercourt