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) – Four more wins for the Crusaders this week.  As expected, they proved to be too much for Aquinas in a 14-point win, and found a way to win a close one over elite PA power, Cathedral Prep.  They get a chance to show off their league dominance this week with games against Timon, St. Mary's, & St. Joe's all on tap.

2. Williamsville North (AA) – Pounded Frontier behind what was a WNY season-high 45 point outburst from Sterling Taplin (sophomore Brandon Roach of Olmsted dropped 50 the following night).  Tonight is the moment these guys have been waiting for – a chance to go into Jamestown and take ECIC I away from them.

3. Clarence (AA) – Downed West Seneca West by 25 last week.  The Red Devils finish out their schedule with Orchard Park and Lancaster this week.

4. Jamestown (AA) – They host the Spartans tonight, where they can either win and force a three-way tie for first place in ECIC I, and bow to North and send them home with a league  championship.  Road trip!

5. St. Joe's (MMA) – I had already dropped them down from the number two spot prior tp this past week, when they suffered a bad loss at Nichols and an even worse loss at Aquinas.  But even with their recent play, they stay ahead of the next three on this ballot because they beat them all this season.  They will look to win a ninth straight regular season game over Timon on Thursday, before visiting Kenmore West on Friday.  Then it's rivalry time at the Koessler Center on Sunday.

6. Timon (MMA) – Less than spectacular showings against Olean (18-point loss) & Bishop Kearney (23-point loss) at home this week.  Tomorrow they host Canisius, not exactly a get well game, before visiting St. Joe's on Thursday.

7. Lockport (AA) – It looks as if the Lions will be earn a share of the NFL crown with only Kenmore East left on their league schedule.  Friday, Lockport travels to Batavia for a little sectional preparation.

8. McKinley (A1) – A tough home loss to Middle College makes it all but certain that the Macks will not be hoisting the Yale Cup for a third straight season.  

9. Kenmore West (AA) – The Blue Devils are hoping their cross-town rivals, Kenmore East, can pull off a miracle victory over Lockport this week so they can have the NFL crown all to themselves.

10. Iroquois (A1) – I got another look at the Chiefs this week and saw a completely different squad than the one that was trounced by Clarence.  The leaders of ECIC II got out of Hamburg with a win on Saturday and can claim sole possession of the league title with a win over Williamsville South on Thursday.

Small Schools

1. Olean (B1) –  The Huskies were wildly impressive and entertaining in a dominant performance at Timon, and followed it up with a season sweep of Bishop Kearney on Friday.  Nick Schmidt eclipsed 1,000 point for his career this week, becoming the third Olean starter to do so.  Just imagine how many assists Luke Hennessey has compiled in his four-year career.

2. Middle College (C1) – Rumor has it that the Yale Cup is enroute to ECC for delivery to the Kats in anticipation of them taking care of business this week, after taking care of McKinley on Saturday.

3. East (B2) – The Panthers looked back on track as they evened the score with Middle College last week.   Despite looking like the better than the Kats, I'm keeping them behind Middle College until they do what the Kats did this weekend, win at McKinley.

4. St. Mary's (MMA) – Won a fourth straight against Nichols and remain unbeaten against MMA small schools.  This week, the Lancers are at Park , Fredonia, & St. Francis, and also host Canisius.

5. Park (MMA) – The Pioneers will get a chance to move up this week with games against St. Mary's, Niagara Catholic, and Nichols ahead.

6. Nichols (MMA) – The Vikings put one on St. Joe's at the beginning of the week, but couldn't get past what is becoming a growing nemesis in St. Mary's.  They'll finish off the regular season with a visit from Park on Saturday.

7. Fredonia (B1) – Undefeated league champs of CCAA West I will brush up on their postseason skills with a nice nonleaguer against St. Mary's on Wednesday.  

8. Barker (C1) – It's official, the Raiders are N-O champs for the first time since before the wheel was invented.

9. Cleveland Hill (B2) – Holland visits Tuesday night to decide the league championship in ECIC IV.  The Golden Eagles finish their regular season Friday night at home against North Tonawanda.

10. Sherman (D) – The Wildcats will look to stay undefeated in league action this week, heading into postseason run.

-centercourt

@centercourt42