The postseason is upon us.
It’s win or go home from here on out for New York high school basketball teams. So, with the regular season now wrapped up, here’s what the playoff picture looks like for our Olean Star teams in the Empire State:
BOYS BASKETBALL
OLEAN
The Olean boys basketball team has one final non-league tune-up game before the playoffs begin, but at the time of writing, it has amassed a 14-5 overall record and an 8-4 record in the CCAA Div. I.
The Huskies are currently on a five-game win streak that includes important victories over Dunkirk, Southwestern, Salamanca and Williamsville East. They have also won eight of their last nine contests overall.
In the Section 6 Class A2 bracket, Olean was given the No. 7 seed and will face No. 10 seed Albion (10-9) at home on Feb. 21 at 12 p.m. The winner of that game will then travel to face No. 2 seed Maryvale (13-6) on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.
SALAMANCA
Prior to its final game of the regular season, the Salamanca boys basketball team had won just one of its last five games.
But the Warriors will be carrying momentum into the postseason after picking up a strong win over Southwestern at home in their final game on the schedule.
Finishing with a 10-10 overall record and a CCAA Div. I record of 5-7, Salamanca earned the No. 7 seed in the Section 6 Class B1 bracket. It will play host to No. 10 seed JFK (4-16) on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.
The winner of that game will move on to face No. 2 seed Olmsted (13-7) on the road on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.
PORTVILLE
The Portville boys basketball team will be looking to flip its recent fortunes in the postseason after rounding off the regular season as winners of just one of its last five games.
But despite the late skid, the Panthers, who finished with a 6-13 overall record, showed their ability to win in the CCAA Div. III, going 5-5 in league play.
Portville was given the No. 8 seed in the Section 6 Class C bracket, earning a first-round bye.
First-year head coach Dylan Burton, prior to the season, noted that one of his goals for the year was to secure a home playoff game. That goal was achieved as his team’s first game of the postseason will be at home on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. against either No. 9 seed Holland (6-14) or No. 16 seed WNY Maritime (2-14).
ALLEGANY-LIMESTONE
At one point this season, the Allegany-Limestone boys basketball team had dropped 10 games in a row.
But, responding to a tough run of games, all in close proximity to each other on the calendar, the Gators capped the regular season with two wins in their last five. That included a win over Southwestern on the road in their final game before the playoffs.
A-L enters the postseason with a 4-15 overall record and a 1-11 record in the CCAA Div. I. It earned the No. 9 seed in the Section 6 Class B2 bracket and will travel to face No. 8 seed Cleveland Hill (2-18) on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. for its first playoff game.
The winner will then travel to play No. 1 seed Tapestry (18-2) on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
SALAMANCA
The reigning Section 6 Class B champion Salamanca girls basketball team followed up its 14-6 2024-25 regular season with a slightly improved 15-5 overall record this season (11-1 in the CCAA Div. I).
The Warriors, having taken another step forward with their regular season record, are eyeing to take another in the postseason. They rounded off the regular season as winners of seven of their last eight games, falling in overtime to Randolph in their finale.
Having earned the No. 3 seed in the Section 6 Class B bracket, Salamanca will begin its title defense at home against No. 14 seed Medina (9-10) on Feb. 21 at 12 p.m.
ALLEGANY-LIMESTONE
Last season, the Allegany-Limestone girls basketball team finished with a 9-12 overall record and fell to Wilson in its first playoff game.
This year, the Gators took a large leap forward, finishing the regular season with a 14-6 record and an 8-4 record in CCAA Div. I play. Winners of four of their last five, they earned the No. 6 seed in the Section 6 Class B bracket and will host No. 11 seed MEC/Research Lab (6-7) for their first playoff game. That matchup is set for Feb. 21 at 12 p.m.
PORTVILLE
The Portville girls basketball team will be looking to replicate the magical run it made in the playoffs last season, having reached the Section 6 Class B2 Semifinals.
Despite limited roster numbers this year, the Panthers have amassed an 11-7 overall record and a 6-6 record in the CCAA Div. III. They will carry some momentum into the postseason after defeating Ellicottville in their regular season finale and rounding off the year as winners of three of their last five.
Portville is the No. 11 seed in the Section 6 Class C bracket and will hit the road to face No. 6 seed Westfield (15-5) for its first round matchup set for Feb. 21 at 12 p.m.
OLEAN
Despite battling injuries all season long, the Olean girls basketball team improved upon last season’s 4-15 overall record, finishing 7-13 at the conclusion of this year’s campaign.
The Huskies will have some wind in their sails entering the playoffs, having won two of their final three games of the season — with the one loss coming by just two points.
Receiving the No. 8 seed, Olean will host No. 9 seed Maryvale (4-16) for a first round matchup on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m.
The winner of that game will then travel to face No. 1 seed Depew (17-3) on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.
