CENTRAL NEW YORK – After roaring out to a 4-0 start the Cazenovia boys basketball team ran into some headwinds for the rest of December, dropping four of five games.

The Lakers’ struggles continued on Dec. 29 during the Lakers’ 70-62 defeat to Waterville, one of many games that were part of Utica’s Downtown Classic at the Nexus Center.

They went back and forth in the first half, Cazenovia leading for long stretches but surrendering it. Up 32-30 at the break, Waterville outscored the Lakers 20-12 in the third quarter, which proved decisive.

Ben Bianco did his part for Cazenovia pouring in 23 points, while Edmond Richardson had 14 points. Kooper Wilmot got nine points, Bobby Livingston and Kyle Caraher earning seven points apiece. Waterville was led by Jackson Ruane’s 26 points and Luke Abrams’ 18 points.

Now the Lakers rest again until hosting reigning sectional Class A champion Westhill this Friday at 7 p.m.

Chittenango took a 1-4 record into last Friday’s game against Homer, and earned its second victory of the season by riding a quick start to a 64-61 victory over the Trojans.

Hot early shooting pushed the Bears to a 21-6 advantage by the end of the first quarter. Homer spent the rest of the game eating away at that margin, but not quite doing enough to catch up.

Jacob Cheek led Chittenango with 18 points. Jacob Bell managed 14 points, with Seamus Gardner gaining 13 points as Kyle Wehrlin earned nine points and David Oyewole had seven points.

Like Cazenovia, the Bears have a formidable opponent this Friday at 7 p.m. when it faces reigning sectional Class B champion Marcellus.