(David Hughes & East High face a must win at Middle College on Wednesday)

 

Monday, January 13th

Park @ Aquinas – 6 pm

St. Joe's @ Timon – 7 pm

Cardinal O'Hara @ St. Francis – 7 pm

 

Tuesday, January 14th

Lancaster @ West Seneca West – 6:30 pm

Williamsville East @ Sweet Home – 6:30 pm

North Tonawanda @ Lew-Port – 7 pm

Newfane @ Albion – 7 pm

West Seneca East @ Hamburg – 7:30 pm

 

Wednesday, January 15th

Ellicottville @ Tapestry – 6:30 pm

East @ Middle College – 7 pm

St. Joe's @ Nichols – 7:30 pm

 

Thursday, January 16th

Ken West @ Lancaster – 7:30 pm 

 

Friday, January 17th

Timon @ Nichols – 6:30 pm

Hamburg @ Williamsville East – 6:30 pm

Lockport @ Lew-Port – 7 pm

Lancaster @ Williamsville North – 7 pm

Williamsville South @ Maritime – 7 pm

Westfield @ Sherman – 7:30 pm

 

Saturday, January 18th

Niagara Falls @ Canisius – 3 pm

Park @ Rochester East – 7:45 pm

MLK Classic at City Honors

Hutch-Tech vs. Allegany-Limestone – 12 pm

Olmsted vs. Maritime – 1:45 pm

Middle College vs. Nichols – 3:30 pm

McKinley vs. Amherst – 5:15 pm

East vs. Northstar Christian – 7 pm

 

* Game of the Week – East @ Middle College on Wednesday, January 15th

Anytime these two programs get together on the court, it feels like a 'Game of the Week' just from the sheer passion the games are always played with.  But looking at the current standings in the city, East needs this one big time, or the Kats just might run away with the Yale Cup!

Middle College is the two-time defending Yale Cup champion and currently sits atop of those standings at 7-0.  They've already completed the first half of the league schedule, along with earning the sweep over Emerson. 

East will come into the game with a 5-2 record in Yale Cup I, having already lost once to Middle College to go with their late game collapse at home against McKinley that really put them behind the eight ball.

The reality is, there's only three teams with a legitimate chance at beating Middle College.  Along with East High, you have McKinley & South Park who are capable of getting the job done.  But…McKinley is already has two losses in league play, while South Park has already taken three losses in Yale Cup I.  So the only chance East has at earning the glory in the city is winning on Wednesday.  A third loss in league play takes them out of the race and would put the Kats firmly in the driver's seat.  For East or McKinley to have a chance at the Yale Cup Trophy, Middle College has to lose twice.  For South Park to win it, they'd have to win out and hope for McKinley & East to knock off Middle College in rematches.

Ultimately, Wednesday's game feels like the best chance to tighten the race up and keep the Kats from pulling away.  However, with the way they've played as of late, good luck with that.  They've won six straight games and have the luxury of hosting the rematches with East & McKinley after taking care of business on the road against both – and both were comeback wins with the Kats only getting better with their backs against the wall.

Middle College is the #1 small school in WNY coming off a five-point win at East, who is a Top 10 large school.  Two of the city's best will leave it all on the floor Wednesday night at Bennett and the stakes are huge.  It's the 'Game of the Week' on Main Street!

 

-centercourt