Commentary
Sports predictions for the New Year
PATRICK NAGY Sports Reporter
As 2006 ended, it made me wonder, what could be in store for the sports world, at the high school, collegiate and pro levels, in 2007?

If anyone doubts my ability to prognosticate the future, here are some predictions I correctly stated in a similar commentary about a year ago. I said the University at Buffalo Bulls football team would win two games, and the Buffalo Bills would fire Tom Donohoe as General Manager and release Eric Moulds and Mike Williams, which all happened. Some of my Section VI high school predictions that came true included Orchard Park and Amherst boys lacrosse; Amherst girls lacrosse; Orchard Park, Iroquois, and Lackawanna football and Orchard Park baseball all winning section titles and Williamsville North diver Casey Matthews claiming her second state diving title in three years.

With those kind of results, bet on these 2007 sports predictions occurring, beginning with the local high school scene.

In boys hoops, look for Niagara Falls to beat Sweet Home for the Section VI Class AA title and St. Joe's to roll to a Catholic state title. In girls hoops, Jamestown should beat Lancaster for the Class AA section crown while Hamburg and Williamsville East battle it out for top honors in Class A.

Expect Williamsville North hockey to finally break its curse of not winning back-to-back Division I state titles with its fourth championship in six years. For the first time, Sweet Home will win the Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation title and qualify for the Division II state playoffs. St. Joe's will cruise to another Catholic state title.

In boys swimming, Amherst and Williamsville East should surprise many at ECICs and sectionals. Orchard Park is a lock to send somebody to state's.

In the spring, Orchard Park boys lacrosse will once again win a Class A section title, but look for Hamburg to give Amherst headaches in the Class B finals. Other spring teams who should win section titles are Amherst and East Aurora girls lacrosse and Williamsville South softball and baseball.

Jumping ahead to the fall, Orchard Park, Iroquois and Lackawanna football should once again vie for section titles. Also expect big things from Starpoint, Clarence and North Tonawanda.

In girls soccer, Williamsville East should return enough firepower to win its second straight Class A section title over rival Grand Island. Other fall teams who should vie for section titles include Kenmore East and West soccer, Sweet Home and Lancaster girls volleyball and Eden boys volleyball. Sweet Home and Williamsville North field hockey will meet again for the Class A section crown. Matthews should close out her high school diving career with her third state title in four years.

On the professional sports scene in Buffalo, expect the Bills to lose London Fletcher and Nate Clements to free agency and pick several defensive linemen in April's NFLdraft.

The Buffalo Sabres will finish as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the NHL playoffs, advance to the Stanley Cup finals and beat Anaheim in seven games.

I'm also sure UB's football team will pick up three wins, and Joe Mesi should beat more obscure boxers and never fight in New York State.

Let the guessing begin.