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 (MMA) – The Crusaders did a fantastic job representing WNY at the RAP Invitational held at East High in Rochester over the weekend. Not only was Canisius the lone team from WNY to win during Saturday night's triple-header, but they did so less than 24 hours after grinding one out at Timon. The best part about the Crusaders' win over Fairport was the way they did it. Canisius dominated a highly regarded team for the first three and a half quarters and led by as many as 20 points late in the third quarter.
2. Niagara Falls (AA) – The Wolverines had their chance to cement themselves as the areas top team this weekend, but ended up losing two games within 20 hours in Rochester, to a pair of teams that may likely face each other to decide the Class AA regional representative from Section V. Last season, Falls dropped back-to-back games on consecutive nights and then went on to win Section VI's Class AA. If they can do that again, they'll need to be a lot better they they were this weekend in the regionals.
3. Jamestown (AA) – Turned to the big guys against Williamsville North, and they were up to the challenge, big time. After scoring a season-low in that game, Tommy Campion came back in Saturday's win over Lancaster to score a career-high 40 points, which also matches the top effort by any player from WNY this season.
4. St. Joe's (MMA) – Started the week off with a win at Timon and will have to do the same thing to end this week if they remain in this spot when the next ballot gets cast. The Marauders host the rematch against with the Tigers on Friday, after visiting St. Francis tomorrow.
5. Williamsville North (AA) – Bounced back nicely from the Jamestown loss by pounding on Frontier.
6. McKinley (A1) – The Macks head into what is likely a Yale Cup-deciding game with East tomorrow, coming off a solid 13-point road win over Middle College. Earlier in the week, McKinley logged the highest point total of the season, unloading 111 points on South Park in a 61-point win.
7. Clarence (AA) – In what looked like a potetntial trap game, Clarence goes into Frontier last week and wins by 17 points. The Red Devils are eyeing a home game in the Class AA quarterfinals.
8. Amherst (A2) – Taking care of business against East Aurora was what I've been waiting for from the Tigers. If they hope to win an overall Class A title, the time is now for them to begin ascending to their highest level. Hosting Cheektowaga tonight.
9. Timon/St. Jude (MMA) – A difficult schedule on paper turned into a difficult week for the Tigers, who have dropped three of their last four. Making matters worse was not having the services of Dante Williams over the weekend. Friday night at St. Joe's is an opportunity for Timon to reassure itself that the MMA still consists of a "Big 3".
10. Sweet Home (A1) – North Tonawanda's loss to Lockport made room for the Panthers, who have waited patiently all season for a debut on this ballot. With a 12-2 record overall and an unblemished mark in ECIC II, I think they're more than deserving.
Small Schools
1. Olean (B1) – They got a little of everything they were looking for on Friday night at Rochester's Eats High: A quality opponent, a highly competitive game, and a come-from-behind victory after facing a little adversity. The Huskies play with more team chemistry than any other unit from WNY.
2. Silver Creek (C2) – The only undefeated team remaining in WNY hosts Randolph this Friday, the team that got the closest to the Black Knights on the scoreboard this year.
3. Oracle Charter (C1) – The Phoenix finishes off their regular season this week, with trips to Olmsted tonight and Buffalo Science on Saturday. Since winning at McKinley, Oracle Charter has gotten visits from the Buffalo News and YNN. The Phoenix has definitely risen.
4. East (B2) – Facing McKinley in the game of the week tomorrow, with major Yale Cup implications hanging in the balance. Winners of six straight since loss to the Macks on January 3rd.
5. Nichols (MMA) – Played well enough against St. Joe's to have a fourth quarter lead before falling off late. The Vikings play four games this week, beginning with hosting Canisius tomorrow and ending with a trip to Aquinas on Saturday.
6. Cleveland Hill (B2) – The Eagles finished strong and won at Lackawanna on Thursday. They are co-defending league champs, along with Tonawanda, the team they visit tonight. The last time Cleveland Hill won the league in ECIC IV outright was in 1989. They can accomplish that with a win tonight and on Friday at Holland.
7. Middle College (C1) – The Kats have dropped three of their last four heading into games with Riverside and Bennett this week. The win for Middle College was against Sweet Home, which was its best win of the season.
8. Lackawanna (B1) – The Steelers got off to a great start against Cleveland Hill, but poor free throw shooting down the stretch kept them from a strong finish.
9. St. Mary's (MMA) – Three double-digit wins following a loss at Nichols, one of which came against Niagara Catholic, who they host again tomorrow.
10. Maple Grove (C2) – The Red Dragons visit Randolph in a makeup game on Saturday night. The Cardinals will be coming off a game with Silver Creek from the night before, Maple Grove's stiffest competition in Class C2.
-centercourt
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