Needing a late-season surge to get into the Section III Class A playoffs, the Chittenango boys basketball team took a small step on Friday night, beating Homer 58-42 in its only action last week. Despite a 1-12 mark, Homer was inspired early, leading the Bears 20-18 through one period. But Chittenango (5-9) adjusted on defense and held the Trojans to seven points in the second quarter as it went out in front. A closing 15-5 run helped lock things up, as Devin Christopher led the way with 17 points. Cavanaugh Chaires had 12 points, with Mike Scott earning 11 points and Brendan Galek getting eight points. Aaron Darr led Homer’s effort with 17 points. Chittenango’s girls team played twice during the week, starting with last Tuesday’s home date with Fulton that was close most of the way before the Red Raiders beat the Bears 41-35. At two different points, Fulton sprinted to double-digit leads, including a 25-15 margin early in the third quarter. Chittenango roared back, using 3-pointers by Alanna Haynes and Christie Nourse to key a 9-0 run that made it 25-24. The Bears would tie it, 29-29, with five minutes to play, only to see Fulton reel off six consecutive points. Haynes’ third 3-pointer cut the margin to two, but with 2:08 left, Ashley Palmitesso sank her own trey, and the Red Raiders would not get caught. Kaitlin Antelmi led the Bears with 11 points, with Haynes getting all her nine points from those 3-pointers as Sierra Shafer added seven points. Fulton featured Sammi Stowell, who had 14 points, and Palmitesso, who added 13 points. The Bears would bounce back Friday, at Homer, beating the Trojans 42-35 to improve its mark to 4-10. Steadily, Chittenango worked its way to a 32-20 lead by outscoring Homer in each of the first three periods, giving itself room to withstand the Trojans’ late rally. On the offensive side, Shafer earned 11 points, part of a balanced attack where Antelmi had eight points and Emily Baker stepped up to earn six points. Allana Haynes and Brandyn McDermott each had five points. As the Chittenango girls rest until Feb. 2 and a trip to Mexico, the boys Bears go on the road Friday to face Bishop Ludden.