The third set of state rankings for the 2024 the season have been released by the NYSSWA.  Below are the WNY teams that made the cut:

 

Class AAA

Niagara Falls #17

Lancaster #30

 

Class AA

Timon #1

Canisius #14

Frontier #18

Health Sciences #25

 

Class A

Amherst #16

Grand Island #18

 

Class B

Newfane #3

Fredonia #12

Salamanca #13

Eden #21

 

Class C

Randolph #1

Westfield #2

Panama #10

 

Class D

 No teams ranked

 

According to the rankings…

 

– As predicted in Week 1, the state is requesting that Falls cancel its reservations for Glens Falls.  The reason they cited was it’s not ok to lose to the defending Maryland state champion, and it's certainly not ok to lose to Timon in their gym.

 

– If Timon competed in the section rather than the Monsignor Martin, the Far West Regional would be a classic between the top two teams in NYS Class AA, Timon & Greece Athena.

– This year’s Manhattan Cup is a rematch from last season with the same outcome.

 

– Lancaster is the favorite when they host Jamestown tomorrow, as the Legends are state ranked in Class AAA and Jamestown is an afterthought in Class AA.

 

– Undefeated Grand Island is playing for a Section VI championship in March , but still not ready to overtake Amherst.  No word, yet on who will work the table at the media entrance that night.

 

– My kid is going to ask to go to Glens Falls with me this year.  The Newfane Panthers are now ranked #3 in NYS Class B, which makes them a state final four team headed to the mecca of high school hoops, known as Glens.  Hopefully there’s a spectator bus, because Dad‘s not looking for company on his annual trip!

– The same night that Niagara Falls plays Lancaster at Buff State on March 1st, JCC will be the site of the top two teams in NYS Class C, fighting for the right to advance and win it.

 

Click HERE for complete NYSSWA State Rankings

 

-centercourt