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. St. Joe's (MMA) – Their place atop the large school poll again this week, makes the Marauders the first team this season to hold down that spot for three consecutive weeks.  They are also the only unanimous number one this year, which they've been in all three weeks.

2. Canisius (MMA) – Picked up its best win of the season at Bishop Kearney this weekend.  A huge week lies ahead for the Crusaders with games against both Timon and St. Joe's.  Win them both and Canisius is co-champion of the MMA for a second straight season.

3.  Niagara Falls (AA) – Since losing to Kenmore West, the Wolverines have won their last four games by an average of 30 points. 

4. McKinley (A1) – The Macks can end a long Yale Cup drought tonight, and clinch the league's trophy with a win at Lafayette.  They could add unbeaten to the title Yale Cup champs by beating Riverside on Thursday.

5. Jamestown (AA) – After nearly falling to Williamsville North, they suffer their first league loss of the season to Frontier.  The Red Raiders will need to get their swagger back in a hurry with one game left before sectionals.  After scoring over 70 in 10 of its first 14 games, Jamestown's last three games yielded 52, 66, & 51 points.

6. Kenmore West (AA) – The ability to repeat what has defined this season for the Blue Devils may determine how far they can advance this year.  As of now, West appears on track for a third meeting with Niagara Falls on the big stage at Buffalo State.

7. Riverside (A2) – Put a complete game together in it win against Hutch-Tech and have seen Feggans get loose a couple times recently.  A win against McKinley on Thursday would set a great tone heading into sectionals.

8. Frontier (AA) – Huge win over Jamestown on Thursday has to get the attention of the others in AA.  They also swept Williamsville North, the only other team to threaten the Red Raiders this year.  Winners of six straight and haven't lost since its trip to Jamestown.

9. Bishop Timon/St. Jude (MMA) – For two consecutive seasons, the Tigers have built their resume for the poll on good loses.  Losing to St. Mary's at home on the heels of this year's three-game skid (eight overall) to Joe's/Canisius has me looking to reward the teams I placed above them, all with wins against another top ten large school this season.  The Tigers are just one of two teams that have occupied a place in the poll this season without a win against a ranked team.  The other is…

10. Hutch-Tech (A1) – the Engineers, who after looking great in a win against East, regressed big time against Riverside.  Then, Tech fell to Bennett in the same week. 

 

Small Schools

1. Olean (B1) – Anxious for the sectionals to begin and so are the fans up north who have yet to see these Huskies.

2. Archbishop Walsh (MMA) – I doubt they'll be bringing a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates to Lancaster tonight for the date with St. Mary's.

3. OTC/MEC (C1) – Was a little surprised to see that Emerson hung around with the Kats, but outside of the East Aurora loss, they've responded well to every challenge before them.  Also looking for the title of unbeaten attached to Yale Cup (II) champs, and will need to beat MST Seneca again to earn it.

4. St. Mary's (MMA) – We should see the most motivated Lancers team of the season tonight, looking to avenge a bad loss and restore their place above Walsh in the MMA seedings.

5. Dunkirk (B1) – Scored 104 points in a 59-point win against Lake Shore last week.  Lake Shore then went on to beat Iroquois, who just won at Williamsville East.

6. Tonawanda (B1) – The Warriors first loss dropped them a good amount on this ballot.  The wins over NT, Clev Hill, and EA, coupled with being undefeated was only outdone by Olean. 

7. Silver Creek (C2) – The champs of CCAA II are just one of several teams that could make its bracket the most exciting in sectionals this year.

8. MST Seneca (C2) – Completed a sweep of I-Prep this year in what were two of the most thrilling games I watched this year. 

9. East (B1) – Played its best game of the season in a loss to McKinley last week.

10 Cleveland Hill (B2) – Replaced the Lakemen as the only representative from the B2 bracket after a big win over previously unbeaten Tonawanda.

 

-centercourt