With its long holiday and weather-enforced break behind them, the Cazenovia girls basketball turned to a particularly busy stretch that culminates with Sunday’s game against Bishop Grimes in the Pathfinder Bank Zebra Classic at Onondaga Community College’s Allyn Hall.
This tough week commenced last Tuesday with a visit to Westhill, who at 6-1 sat at no. 13 in the latest state Class B rankings. And the Lakers hung around for a short while before the Warriors took over in the second quarter and prevailed by a score of 56-33.
An 11-11 tie in the opening period gave the Lakers a brief glimmer, but Westhill soon snuffed that out, outscoring Cazenovia 18-5 in the second quarter, more than half of its eventual winning margin.
Audrey Burbidge and Kelsi Fredericks did manage nine points apiece, but the rest of the Lakers had five combined field goals.
On Westhill’s side, University of Pennsylvania-bound senior Anna Ross led with 19 points, 11 rebounds and seven steals, with Delaney Martin (13 points) and Sam Peebles (10 points) also hitting double figures.
In a non-league game Thursday night against Fulton at Buckley Gym, the Lakers were on the brink of yet another defeat, but one big shot by Burbidge helped Cazenovia beat the Red Raiders 43-41.
Though steady in the first half, the Lakers still fell behind and stayed there. Fulton could not hold on to its 24-20 halftime lead, though, as Cazenovia’s defense tightened up and limited the visitors to just five points in the third quarter.
It was the Lakers’ turn to go cold in the fourth quarter, unable to score during the early portion as the Red Raiders seized a 38-30 lead, but again Cazenovia refused to let the game away, gradually eating away at Fulton’s lead down the stretch.
Then, still trailing 41-37, the Lakers got within one as Federicks made a 3-pointer with 8.8 seconds left. After a time-out, Fulton tried to bring the ball inbounds, but the Lakers tied it up, and had the possession arrow.
With one more chance, Cazenovia nearly turned it over, too, but the fall found its way to Burbidge, who was fouled as she made a 3-point attempt – that swished. Though Burbidge missed the ensuing free throw, the Red Raiders’ desperation final shot was off target as time ran out.
Prior to that, it was Maggie Johnson leading the way, as she recovered from a quiet evening against Westhill to put up 18 points here.
Burbidge finished with 10 points, while Danielle Tedesco gained nine points. Nicole Hansen led Fulton with 14 points and 11 rebounds as Michaela Whiteman added 10 points.
