As a pollster for the Buffalo News, I'm asked to send in my weekly ballots ranking the top ten large and small schools.  These polls are based on games played in the 2011-2012 season, and heavily weighted on postseason results.  Here's a look at how I see them and some of the rationale used to get there.

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius (MMA) – An outstanding season for the Crusaders with no bad losses.  After losing two straight to St. Joe's and Rochester East, they put together an 11-game win streak that included a pounding of the Marauders in the rematch and an emphatic victory over St. Mary's to claim a second straight Manhattan Cup – the first team to do so in over a decade.

2. Niagara Falls (AA) – The team known for their athletic man-to-man defense used a 17-3 run to complete a comeback on Jamestown, thanks to a great coaching decision in switching to a zone.  The Wolverines played their best this season in three losses against top competition: Class AA finalist Aquinas, Class A semifinalist Bishop Kearney, and Milton (GA) which finished the year ranked number seven nationally.

3. Jamestown (AA) – If Tommy Campion connects from the corner at the buzzer, the Red Raiders are celebrating a third straight Class AA title. 

4. St. Joe's (MMA) – They seemed to peak much too early and then regressed much too quickly.  Still, they were the only team fron NY State to beat Aquinas and the only team from WNY to beat Canisius. 

5. East Aurora (A2) – The Blue Devils found their stride at the perfect time of the season.  While the return of Stan Wier was a major part of its success, East Aurora played some of the best team basketball in WNY this season at the most important time. 

6. McKinley (A1) – The Macks made it as high as four on my ballot and number two in the overall poll, but were unable to reach the regionals after an ice cold shooting performance in the Class A crossover.  The good news for McKinley fans is they bring almost everyone back to the squad that ran the table in the Yale Cup.

7. Frontier (AA) – Proved the late-season home win against Jamestown was no fluke by pushing them to the brink at Buffalo State.  The Falcons also swept the season series against Williamsville North.

8. Bishop Timon/St. Jude (MMA) – The Tigers were obviously a talented and dangerous team, but lacked the ability to win the important game.  They were 0-6 against ranked large schools in WNY.

9. Williamsville North (AA) – After picking up a big road win at Kenmore West, the Spartans nearly upset another NFL team in Falls.  An early season win against cross-town rival Williamsville East, along with wire-to-wire battles with the top three AA teams gets them this spot.

10. Williamsville East (A1) – The Flames proved to be a difficult out by battling McKinley to the bitter end, and did so with a pair of freshmen logging major minutes.

 

Small Schools

1. Olean (B1) – A public school starting four sophomores and a junior, with the first guy off the bench also a sophomore, reaches the state final four.  A remarkable season for the Huskies, and a future so bright it could blind you.

2. St. Mary's (MMA) – Toughness and character defined the Lancers all season in their wins and losses.  They were a great example of what it looks like when a team that has been together, plays together.

3. OTC/MEC (C1) – With a whole new cast, the Kats made it to a second state title game in three years.  Only losses were to Canisius, St. Joe's, East Aurora, and Tuckahoe.

4. Depew (B1) – The postseason proved just how strong ECIC III was this season.  The Wildcats emerged from league play prepared for anything Class B had to offer.  After defeating teams with a combined 34 wins in Dunkirk and Tonawanda, they gave Olean all they could handle in the final.

5. Silver Creek (C2) – I was high on the Black Knights all season, and as it turned out, not high enough (they made it to number seven on my ballot during the season).  If Zeddie Williams' great look in the lane bounces in rather than out against the Kats, I think Silver Creek plays for the Class C state title – just like OTC/MEC did. 

6. Archbishop Walsh (MMA) – They won every game they were supposed to, including a 24-point rout of CSAT and against Portville (overtime C2 semifinal loss to Silver Creek).  The signature moment of the season for the Eagles was a 19-point win over St. Mary's.

7. East (B1) – As predicted all year, the Panthers were right there in the thick of the Class B race at season's end.  East matched up very well with Olean, and like the Huskies, they bring back a lot of talent.  With them dropping to Class B2 next season, it makes predicting an East/Olean crossover for next year petty easy.

8. CSAT (B2) – The Eagles won 10 of their last 12 and took Class B2 convincingly, with a 16-point win over Cleveland Hill in the semifinals and a 14-point triumph on Wilson in the final.  Made history by becoming the first charter school in WNY to win a Section VI title.   

9. Panama (D) – Won its first sectional crown in years with a balanced lineup of shooters, led by all-around standout Nick Lenart.

10. Maple Grove (C2) – Alex Grace missed a shot in the final seconds of a one-point overtime loss to Silver Creek in the C2 final, ending the team's 17-game win streak.

 

-centercourt