(Noah Grabar and Lackawanna earned a big win over CSAT and a place on my ballot)

 

Large Schools

1. Canisius (MMA) – Defeated St. Francis for a third time this season, earning a chance to win a fourth consecutive Manhattan Cup title.

2. Park (MMA) – Took the rubber match with Timon in convincing fashion to earn the same chance with Canisius on the big stage this Tuesday night.

3. West Seneca West (A1) – Scored 100 points for the third time in a 36-point win over Grand Island to advance to Buff State for the first time since 2003.  The Indians have only had two opponents get within single digits all season.

4. Williamsville South (A1) – A 40-point win over Hamburg in the quarterfinals earned the Billies a date with McKinley at Buff State for the sixth consecutive season.

5. Niagara Falls (AA) – Took care of business against Frontier to continue the quest for a three-peat.  Next stop – a date with Jamestown at Buff State for the fourth consecutive season and seventh time in eight years.

6. Timon (MMA) – A very solid season for the Tigers ended at the hands of Park in the semifinals.  Junior guard Julian Cunningham reached the 1,000 point mark for his career in that final game.  The Tigers never lost to a team that finished below them all season.

7. Williamsville North (AA) – The Spartans third win of the season against Lancaster advances them to the Class AA semifinals, where they'll face Orchard Park for a third time – a team they own a pair of double figure victories over.  

8. North Tonawanda (A1) – The defending champs of Class A will have to get through the area's only undefeated team in West Seneca West, now 21-0.  The Jacks delivered the upset of the season in 2017 to earn the crown.

9. Cheektowaga (A2) – Winners of eight of their last nine games, which includes victories over South Park, Lake Shore, and Iroquois – the other three teams in the Class A2 semifinals with the Warriors.  The only loss in the last nine games was to Williamsville North.  A rematch of last season's special semifinal against South Park is up next.

10. McKinley (A1) – The last time the Macks failed to reach Buff State, people were still concerned the world would end when the year 2000 came.  After a big overtime win at Sweet Home, Williamsville South is concerned about its annual date with McKinley.

 

Small Schools

1. Health Sciences (B2) – The Falcons' postseason road back to the state final four began with a win over Wilson, thanks to a big second half.  Now they draw the top seed in the Class B2 bracket, Middle College.

2. Olean (B1) – Won their 20th game of the season to earn a semifinal game against Medina at the Huskies' second home – Buff State.  While City Honors won't be getting a poll vote, they do deserve major props for nearly pulling the biggest upset in quarterfinal history.  I could barely concentrate on the game in front of me while waiting to see updates from that one. Wow!

3. Middle College (B2) – Survived a big test from Gowanda to earn another shot in the playoffs with Health Sciences, this year one round later.  The Yale Cup champs should give the Falcons all they can handle.  And then some.

4. East (D) – A bid for a state championship in Class D begins with a semifinal game against an Ellicottville team with a two-time First Team All-State post player in Elliot Bowen.  The game being played at JCC won't do the Panthers any favors either.  The BPS better spring for a spectator bus, because they come out in numbers to support their small schools down there.

5. Franklinville (D) – The Panthers await the winner of East vs Ellicottville for a chance to repeat as champs – IF they can beat Sherman, who hasn't lost since January 6th.

6. Cardinal O'Hara (MMA) – Finished strong in a win over Nichols to earn a shot at the school's first title in 24 years.  Winning it will be a big challenge against a talented Niagara Catholic team that always plays hard.

7. Niagara Catholic (MMA) – Won a battle of wills in a very competitive game and exciting fourth quarter against St. Mary's, giving them the opportunity on Tuesday night to be crowned.

8. St. Mary's (MMA) – The end of the line came for the Lancers in a loss to Niagara Catholic on Saturday night.  I'm not ready to drop them from my ballot though, too many impressive wins to ignore this season.  We'll see how the season plays out, but it'll be tough to come up with 10 small schools better than this group.

9. Tapestry (C) – The only team ranked from Class C all season faces all the pressure this week.  A Section VI title would include two trips to JCC and wins over two very tough teams, beginning Monday night against Allegany-Limestone.

10. Lackawanna (B1) – I held off on voting for the Steelers all season, waiting for a signature win to support its undefeated campaign in ECIC IV.  Wins over Orchard Park (who beat Lockport) and CSAT (who beat NT) certainly qualify.  And after JFK advanced to Buff State in Class B2, those two wins over the Bears stand out even more also.  On Tuesday night, they face Newfane in the Class B1 semifinals.

 

-centercourt