For Elba, getting the top seed in Section 5 Class DD isn't the biggest deal in the world, because that, and sectional titles have happened more than a couple of times. But for the Alexander girls basketball program, it is something that is beyond rare ... if it has happened at all.
The Trojans are the top seed in Class C and the division's Coach of the Year, Marcia Hirsch, doesn't know for sure but she thinks it might have happened in 1974. It is either the first or second top seed for Alexander.
"It is a really good feeling," said Hirsch, whose squad won the Genesee Region League Division I title with a 14-4 record. "We set goals at the beginning of the season and this wasn't one of them. We really hadn't given it a lot of thought."
Alexander's rise to the top of the division was never a given this season.
A solid Perry (14-6) team was on their heels all season long and while the Trojans were mostly solid, they weren't able to beat GR powerhouses Elba and Notre Dame.
"(The race for the top seed) hadn't really affected me or bothered me," Hirsch said. "We can't worry about them, we just had to play. I told the girls that if we won out we would get the honor and be the top seed."
Alexander has had some good squads and quality players under Hirsch's leadership, but this group is easily the best she's had. There are many quality players on the roster and Hirsch's fun approach to practice and the game of basketball has definitely given the team a fun attitude. The winning has given them a swagger that breeds more winning.
"These girls are always prepared," Hirsch said. "They always play hard. Usually we start quick and slow down in the second quarter. But we always find a way, we dig in and play hard. I never count us out of a game. These girls are ready (for sectionals)."
Alexander will open up the playoffs on Saturday with a game against 0-19 Red Creek. The Trojans will get a second straight home game in the second round before the semifinals are played at a neutral location.
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Elba coach Tom Nowak has been one of the best in Section 5 for a long time and his squad has won numerous sectional titles and he himself has been named Coach of the Year 12-14 times, by his estimation.
But the Lancers only have about five top seeds going into sectionals, mainly because Nowak schedules the stiffest competition possible for his team during the season.
"We have won more sectional titles when we had lower rankings," said Nowak, who is the Class DD Coach of the Year. "We played in the Hilton Tournament years ago. We would lose one or two games and not get the top seed, but we played really good competition."
Nowak's squad is the top seed in the upcoming Class DD tournament and they've done it in an unconventional manner. The Lancers start five girls, then have five girls coming off the bench to replace them. This innovative style of coaching has given Elba fresh lungs and a better team late in games.
"This whole year has really been great because you tell a bunch of kids that they are making a sacrifice that is good for the team, and they are for it," Nowak said. "Often today, kids aren't willing to do that; it's all about their stats. My kids are all about the team and they sacrifice their own stats for the team."
Nowak didn't show his team the top-seed plaque at practice Thursday, and didn't have to. The sectional championship - and beyond - is the real prize.
"That isn't going to score us any points or get us any wins," Nowak said. "It is a piece of hardwood that is something we can remember down the road."
The Lancers get a bye in the opening round and will face the winner of Avoca and Bolivar-Richburg in the second round. But there is no easy way to a championship as Jasper-Troupsburg (19-1), Notre Dame (16-4) and two-time defending champion Romulus (12-8) are expected to be in the mix.
But the veteran coach likes his team's chances.
"You really have to be ready and play every game," Nowak said.
Nowak mentioned retirement a few years back, but that is nowhere near something he is thinking about right now. He should be around to compete for sectional titles for years to come.
"I tell everybody that life is a one day contract," Nowak said. "You wake up and hope to sign the contract and move on. I have enjoyed coaching, it keeps me young. Somewhere down the line I'll make a decision as to how long I'm going to stay in coaching. We have a philosophy on our team that you can't worry about things you don't control. We cross things when we get there."
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While Alexander and Elba won top seeds, other local teams will be fighting for sectional championships.
Elba's biggest competition every year seems to be Notre Dame, which went 16-4 and earned the third seed.
Lyndonville (9-11) is the ninth seed in Class C and would love another crack at Alexander.
Pembroke had a solid 12-8 record, but is just the sixth seed in Class CC. Oakfield-Alabama (10-10) is 11th and Byron-Bergen (9-11) is 12th in the class.
Holley (5-11) is the fifth seed in Class B with Le Roy (2-17) coming in at the bottom ninth seed.
Attica (1-19) is the ninth seed in Class BB and Batavia (14-5) is the fifth seed in Class A.
