As a pollster for the Buffalo News,  I'm asked to send in my weekly ballots ranking the top ten large and small schools.  This is the last time I'll vote this season, so these ballots represent where the teams finished.  Here's a look at how I see them and some of the rationale used to get there.

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius (MMA) – Undefeated in the MMA, winners of a third straight Manhattan Cup, and advanced to the CHSAA state championship game.  Also had an 18-point victory over the Macks.

2. McKinley (A1) – Became the first Section VI school to win a Class A state championship since Class AA was added with an amazing postseason run.

3. Jamestown (AA) – Returned to the top of Class AA after winning a second straight title in ECIC I, all with just a single senior on the roster.

4. Niagara Falls (AA) – The Wolverines opened their season with a win over Bishop Kearney, and as it turned out, it was the only victory Falls would register over a non-Niagara Frontier League opponent all season.  If you could only have one nonleague win to hang your hats on, beating the Class AA state champion Kings was a pretty good one.

5. Amherst (A2) – Undefeated ECIC III champions and Class A2 champions who saw its 20-game winning streak ended in the game of the year, at the hands of the Class A state champions, McKinley.

6. Timon/St. Jude (MMA) – Got a big boost at season's end with the return of a healthy Donte Williams to the lineup, and then the inspiring comeback of Ryan Dougherty from ACL surgery in the fall, and reached the Manhattan Cup final.

7. St. Joe's (MMA) – Once again, the Marauders proved their worth by sweeping Timon, winning at McKinley, and pushing Bishop Kearney to the end. They also saw their season end in the Manhattan Cup semifinals for a second year in a row.

8. Clarence (AA) – A very competitive and talented Red Devils team found themselves in a crowded ECIC I and Class AA.

9. Kenmore West (AA) – Flipped the script on Williamsville North by winning the quarterfinal matchup at their gym to advance to Buffalo State.

10. Williamsville North (AA) – The Spartans get slotted right behind the Blue Devils, who narrowly ended their season.  Williamsville North's season included wins against Jamestown, Clarence, and Batavia – a far better resume than any other team vying for this final spot. 

 

 

Small Schools

1. Olean (B1) – When the Huskies beat Canisius back in December, the thought of them not returning to Glens Falls seemed unfathomable.  They'll no doubt be hungrier than ever next season, but the losses of Pat Scholla and Max Portlow will be significant and tough to overcome.

2. Silver Creek (C2) – Chill Showtime!  A truly unique and highly entertaining team, the Black Knights enjoyed their greatest season in program history.  One of two Section VI teams to reach Glens Falls this year.

3. St. Mary's (MMA) – The Lancers caught fire at season's end and once again represented Class B in the CHSAA, after knocking off Nichols twice in February.

4. East (B2) – Getting past Olean without the services of Jonathan Kinley proved to be too much for the Panthers.  However, East returns to Class B2 next season, and brings all five starters back as well.

5. Middle College (C1) – Won a second straight Class C1 crown and proved they belonged with the big dogs in the Yale Cup, tying East for second place in Yale Cup I.

6. Oracle Charter (C1) – A break through season for the Phoenix that included an 18-game winning streak, playing in the C1 title game, and a road win against a certain Class A state champion from Elmwood Avenue.

7. Nichols (MMA) – A very bright future for the Vikings was already shining this year, as they scored wins over Olean, Cleveland Hill, St. Mary's, and Frontier.

8. Cleveland Hill (B2) – The unbeaten ECIC IV champs had wins this season over North Tonawanda, Maryvale, Roy-Hart, and a pair of victories over Lackawanna.

9. Lackawanna (B1) – The Steelers' fiercly competitive group blew past Depew and East Aurora in the postseason to advance to the Class B1 final.

10. Portville (C2) – Faced  a Maple Grove team on a 17-game winning streak that had been ranked most of the season in the semifinals, and took them apart at the seams in a 67-39 rout. The Panthers also pushed Silver Creek in the C2 final before bowing out.  Portville had just three losses on the season – all to the Black Knights.

 

-centercourt

@centercourt42