THE VIEW FROM CENTERCOURT | Western New York Boys High School Basketball

2013 Poll Ballots – Week 6

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centercourt42

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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) – In desperate need of some competition.  The Wolverines are winning league games by an average of 46.2 points per game, with their closest league game being a 20-point win, and somehow that happened at Niagara Wheatfield.  Most of that was without three-year starting point guard JJ Wilkes.  Finally, 55 days after Falls last played in a competitive game, they travel to Rochester to face two of the top three Class AA programs in Section V, Webster Schroeder and Bishop Kearney, this weekend.

2. Canisius (MMA) – After a long break, the Crusaders are back in action with four games this week and finish with a bang.  After visiting Timon Friday night, they travel to Rochester on Saturday to face the top team in Section V, undefeated Fairport.

3. Williamsville North (AA) – If the Spartans can win out in ECIC I, they will be the champs and likely the top seed heading into Class AA sectionals.  However, the same can be said for…

4. Jamestown (AA) – the Red Raiders.  As luck would have it, these two meet up again Tuesday night in the game of the week.  Hopkins Road will be hoppin and the atmosphere at North will be incredible…I can't wait for this one!

5. St. Joe's (MMA) – After dropping three of four games, the Marauders pounded on Walsh.  Now a pair of road games are ahead, beginning with an important trip to Timon tonight, before visiting Nichols on Thursday.

6. McKinley (A1) – Found out first hand last week that Oracle Charter was a legitimate threat to subplant Middle College as the Class C1 champs.  Still, the Macks own a 17-point win over Timon and a 26-point win over Clarence, the next two teams below.

7. Timon/St. Jude (MMA) – In a week of tough schedules, the Tigers may have the toughest one.  They host St. Joe's tonight and then go back-to-back with Canisius and Rochester East.  Sprinkle in a midweek matchup with Niagara Catholic to keep them from resting.  

8. Clarence (AA) – The Red Devils were so close with Jamestown until the fourth quarter got away from them.  With the Jamestown and North games now in the rearview mirror, the focus for Clarence now becomes redemption in sectionals.

9. Amherst (A2) – They've had their share of close league games this season, and won them all. The Tigers are now 12-1 heading into a key ECIC III contest with East Aurora on Tuesday.

10. North Tonawanda (AA) – That's right, the Jacks!  The losses for NT this season: Twice to Falls, Ken West, Amherst, and Oracle Charter.  Not a bad loss in the bunch.  Then on Friday, they score a stunning 21-point victory over Kenmore West, who has been a staple in the poll all season.  Sweet Home has had its eye on this spot all season, but they had a chance with Kenmore West earlier this year and lost by 16.  

 

Small Schools

1. Olean (B1) – The Huskies hope to be back in Olean by Monday after the 8:45 pm game on Saturday night at Rochester East.  Much like Niagara Falls, it will be the first competitive game (with Eckstrom playing) for Olean in 50 days!

2. Silver Creek (C2) – The Black Knights can effectively lock up another CCAA II title with a win at Portville this Tuesday night.

3. Oracle Charter (C1) – Hello!  The Phoenix is 14-1 and now boasts wins over McKinley and North Tonawanda.  There have been a couple very good charter schools the last two seasons in Tapestry (Class C finalist in 2011) and CSAT (B2 champ last year), but Oracle is the most complete charter school I've seen in WNY.

4. East (B2) – Did not play last week, following the win against East Aurora in the MLK Classic.  Wins this week against Bennett and South Park would keep the Panthers a game behind McKinley in the race for the Yale Cup.

5. Middle College (C1) – Host McKinley on Friday night in a must-win if they want to keep hope alive for the Yale Cup.

6. Nichols (MMA) – The Vikings picked up a great win over rival MMA small school St. Mary's on Friday.  Chris Miner took the lead in that game for a team with multiple players capable of stepping up.

7. Cleveland Hill (B2) – Unbeaten in ECIC IV and 12-1 overall, the Eagles have a pair of roadies this week.  They travel to Alden tomorrow, and then it's off to Lackawanna on Thursday….

8. Lackawanna (B1) – The Steelers are having a very good season, and they're hoping it gets even better on Thursday.  The Steelers only league loss was at Cleveland Hill, in a game they were in until the final quarter.

9. St. Mary's (MMA) – The Lancers went cold late in the game at Nichols.  They'll look to get back into the win column tonight at Niagara Catholic.

10. Maple Grove (C2) – Had its nonleague game with Randolph postponed due to weather last week.  Only loss on the season came at Olean.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42

 

17 responses to “2013 Poll Ballots – Week 6”

  1. Section V hoops Avatar
    Section V hoops

    Olean and Timon both play East High NOT Rochester East. East is a .500 team and no where near the team they were last year. Huskies & Tigers should both win easy, and East Rochester is so so also and 6-7. Olean plays East High Friday night and Timon on Saturday.

    Reply
  2. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    Since Section VI has its own East High, I thought I should preface with “Rochester” to avoid any confusion, similar to Sec VI’s East being referred to “Buffalo” East in the state rankings.
    But THANKS for the correction. And since we’re being technical, East High (the one in Rochester) is a game above .500. While not regarded as near the ultra-talented team from last season, I do not expect Olean and Timon to win easily, particularly Timon, who plays Canisius the night before.

    Reply
  3. Nichols Avatar
    Nichols

    Not sure why Nichols is below East and Middle College. East lost to St. Marys, and Aquinas. Nichols beat St. Marys and played Aquinas tight. MC lost to East, Nichols should be #4.

    Reply
  4. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    Nichols lost to Sweet Home, Middle College just beat them.
    East beat Middle College.
    East lost to St. Mary’s early, without Percy Bryant, a huge difference maker. Theey are a much better team right now.
    East played Aquinas just as tight as Nichols did.
    Both East and Middle College recently played McKinley very tight.
    All three are very close. I’ve seen all three teams multiple times and I’m confident with where I ranked them.

    Reply
  5. TML1000 Avatar
    TML1000

    No way Timon beats East easily…East always has an athletic team and they will be able to hang with Timon’s handful explosive athletes.

    Reply
  6. Bj Avatar
    Bj

    How is Amherst still ranked so low, they deserve some respect they’re 12-1… And undefeated in ECIC III… c’mon

    Reply
  7. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    Amherst has earned and gotten respect all season. I like everything about the Tigers’ team this year, from the head and assistant coach, to freshman TC Brown off the bench. They have a real all-around talent in Johnny Belton and a talented big in Alex Turecki, and no weakness in the starting five.
    But you c’mon…
    First off, where should they be ranked and why? You left that part out.
    They aren’t ranked so low, they’re ranked so appropriately. Here’s why:
    They stay behind Clarence, the only ranked school they’ve even faced this year, because they lost at home to Clarence. Since beating Amherst, the Red Devils also won at Will North. Clarence stays behind McKinley after a 26-point loss to the Macks. Do you think Amherst should be ahead of St. Joe’s?
    The number of wins for Amherst against schools currently ranked in the top ten of either the large or small school poll is…0. They do have a pair of two-point wins over unranked small schools.
    Records are simply wins & losses, and Amherst is doing excellent there at 12-1.
    Polls are supposed to be a power ranking that examines strength of schedule and quality of wins & losses, using the results of games played this season. At least that’s how I approach it.

    Reply
  8. hoopster Avatar
    hoopster

    That sounds reasonable CC. Maybe next year Amherst will schedule some tougher competition or distinguish themselves later in the year so they can earn more respect in the poll.
    Hey Jack, I can see you playing in 30 years time as well. Keep it up!!

    Reply
  9. MMA Avatar
    MMA

    Does anyone have a breakdown of the dates for the MMA playoffs?

    Reply
  10. Bj Avatar
    Bj

    You’re right I understand

    Reply
  11. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    MMA –
    This is what I was told tonight, but I’m not positive. I’m sure if it’s off, someone will correct.
    Thursday, February 21st
    Quarterfinals played as doubleheaders, with games at the first & second seeded schools.
    Monday, February 25th
    Semifinals @ Koessler Center
    Wednesday, February 27th
    Manhattan Cup Final @ Koessler Center

    Reply
  12. Mark Simon Avatar
    Mark Simon

    Correction. The mma semis will be on Sunday night 2/24 starting at 6 pm

    Reply
  13. John Moore Avatar
    John Moore

    Does anyone have a link to the playoff bracket projections? There was a site that updated them throughout the season last year and I can’t seem to find it this year.

    Reply
  14. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    http://www.section6.e1b.org/page/432

    Reply
  15. John Moore Avatar
    John Moore

    Are they doing bracket projections on that site for this year? I found last year’s, but where this year’s should be just says “New Outside WEBSITE”.

    Reply
  16. centercourt Avatar
    centercourt

    They’re not up yet, but that’s where you’ll find them whenever they begin updating them.

    Reply
  17. TML1000 Avatar
    TML1000

    Sunday the 24th…some good scheduling shuffling with the hockey being moved to the 25th. Crowds should be huge with no conflicts that day.

    Reply

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