(Williamsville South & St. Francis battled on January 24th. The Billies won 67-53)

 

Large Schools

1. Williamsville South (A1) – Four wins over current top 10 large schools.  To me, the easiest way to begin is St. Francis is in first place in the MMA, so rank them highest among the private schools, with South above them.  The Billies also have a 2-1 record against Monsignor Martin large schools, with all three games played on the road.  St. Francis & Timon have both beat Park.  South won at St. Francis by 14 points & at Timon by six.

2. St. Francis (MMA) – Four wins over current top 10 large schools.  I had the Red Raiders #1 after defeating Park, and rightfully so.  The following week, they dropped the 14-point decision at home to the Billies.  I feel like the rest of the pollsters were late to the party and decided that Timon beating Park made Frannies #1.  I thought Frannies beating Park made them #1, and South moved ahead of Frannies for subsequently beating them.  

3. Timon (MMA) – Three wins over current top 10 large schools.  The Tigers lost to each team above them, but have defeated the next three below them.  They earned a reward for defeating Park, in the form of a spot above them on my ballot.  Davion Warren & Joe Harrison didn't even start the game against the Pioneers, but the Tigers hung in and finished the best game I've been at this season.

4. Park (MMA) – Three wins over current top 10 large schools.  The Pioneers still managed to get a first place vote this week, despite being in second place in their league.  Park has lost its last two games played against ranked large schools from WNY and it's been nearly a month since its last win over a top 10.  Last four wins came against CCA, Niagara Catholic, Walsh, & St. Mary's.

5. Amherst (A2) – Two wins over current top 10 large schools.  Rolled past Williamsville East last week, before winning a close contest with Sweet Home.  The Tigers visit West Seneca East on Tuesday, who they beat by 11 earlier in the season.

6. Canisius (MMA) – Two wins over current top 10 large schools.  Moved the Crusaders down a spot following a 14-point road loss at St. Francis, their first loss to the Red Raiders in over a decade.  Currently in fourth place in the MMA standings, Canisius needs a win at Park on Tuesday, or the play-in game becomes a likely scenario for the two-time defending CHSAA state champions.

7. Kenmore West (AA) – Two wins over current top 10 large schools.  Pulled into a tie for first place in the NFL with a 21-point win over visiting Grand Island, who had been on top in the league. Also the only team to sweep Lockport. A pair of interesting nonleague games for the Blue Devils this week against Cheektowaga & Sweet Home give them the opportunity to confirm they belong in this spot.

8. Lockport (AA) – The Lions are currently part of the four-way tie at the top of the NFL standings with Ken West, North Tonawanda, and Grand Island.  They replaced NT on my ballot after sweeping the season series against the Jacks.  Will look to knock Grand Island from the tie in the NFL on Friday night.

9. South Park (A2) – Winners of six straight games, the Sparks are finally starting to play like the team I pegged them to be in the preseason (predicted Yale Cup I & Class A2 winner).  They had no trouble last week disposing of Middle College, and followed it up with a 21-point win over McKinley for a sweep of the Macks.

10. Jamestown (AA) – Gave the final spot to the Red Raiders, who lost at Williamsville South on Tuesday night, but rebounded with a win over Orchard Park.  They host Lancaster on Tuesday night with first place on the line in ECIC I and need a win to stay here.

 

Small Schools 

1. East Aurora (B1) – Spent last week earning sizable wins over Depew in a pair of victories.  Pioneer and Lake Shore are on the schedule this week for the Blue Devils.

2. Middle College (B2) – In their only game since defeating Health Sciences, the Kats got rolled at South Park.  I kept them here, because I never counted double figure losses to top 10 large schools against the Falcons when they happened this year.  Big game for them at East tonight, before hosting McKinley on Thursday.

3. Health Sciences (B2) – The Falcons play Oracle tonight and then take a long vacation.  With two weeks left in the regular season, Health Sciences likely won't be back in action for 18 days, when the Class B2 quarterfinals tip on Friday, February 24th.

4. Chautauqua Lake (C1) – On Thursday night, the Thunderbirds have a huge game at Dunkirk, where they need a win to stay in first place with Olean in CCAA I West, who they split with this season.

5. Cardinal O'Hara (MMA) – Hung around most of the evening against Timon, trailing by just four points midway through the fourth quarter on Wednesday night.  Followed a 12-point loss to the Tigers with a 100-55 win over CCA.

6. East (C2) – The Panthers are tied for first place with South Park, who they defeated 90-77 in their first meeting, in the chase for the Yale Cup.  Disposed of McKinley & Hutch-Tech last week and will need to avenge a loss to Middle College tonight to stay in first.

7. Ellicottville (D) – The Eagles have been rolling along waiting for tonight.  Franklinville comes to town for the rematch of what was an intense first meeting.  A win will all but guarantee the top seed in Class D and an outright league championship in CCAA II East.

8. St. Mary's (MMA) – Coming off tough games with Timon & Park, the Lancers look to rebound this week with games conming up against CCA, Starpoint, and Niagara Catholic.

9. Burgard (B1) – The Bulldogs are hanging onto this spot, barely, on the strength of wins over Franklinville.  They edged Riverside last week and had a much closer-than-expected result with winless Emerson.

10. Franklinville (D) – The Eagles need a win at Ellicottville tonight for a share of the CCAA II East title.

 

– centercourt