For the Cazenovia girls basketball team, it wasn’t a big secret to know that Bishop Grimes was emerging as a favorite in both the OHSL Liberty and the larger Section III Class B picture.
Thus, the Lakers were fired up to face the state Class B no. 9-ranked Cobras last Friday night, and for a while in the first half, a big shocker seemed possible – but a fierce surge late in the second quarter ended up hurting Cazenovia beyond repair, leading to a 63-43 defeat.
All through the first quarter, the Lakers had big issues slowing down Grimes’ attack, and trailed 22-14 at the end of that period. But a string of 3-pointers from Audrey Burbidge and Kelsey Fredericks forged a 24-24 tie early in the second period.
For the rest of the half, though, Cazenovia slumped, and the Cobras, taking full advantage, went on a decisive 20-2 run. The Lakers spent the rest of the game in catch-up mode, unable to string together any sort of answer.
Most of Burbidge’s 14 points came from four successful 3-pointers, while Fredericks added six points. On Grimes’ side, Jordan Vaught led the way with 17 points as Katy McInerney hit five 3-pointers to account for all of her 15 points and freshman Azariah Wade added 14 points.
Both of Cazenovia’s teams were in action on Monday, facing Altmar-Parish-Williamstown. At Buckley Gym, the boys Lakers had little trouble subduing the Rebels in a 69-40 romp.
Ryan Henderson led the way, producing 23 points, including five successful 3-pointers. Keaton Ackermann, with 12 points, and Evan Cornell, with 11 points, also reached double figures as Kevin Ridings and Shawn Cunningham each earned six points. Only Sage Bartlett, with 11 points, hit double figures for the Rebels.
Meanwhile, at APW, the girls Lakers earned a 68-55 victory, taking charge early with an 18-9 first-quarter push. Though the Rebels closed the gap to 27-24 by halftime, Cazenovia steadily regained its margin and used a series of late free throws to pull clear.
Inside, Maggie Johnson stood out, earning a season-best 22 points. and when APW tried to contain her, Burbidge kept getting open, to the tune of six 3-pointers that led to 21 points overall. Fredericks had seven points as Rachel McLaughlin and Danielle Tedesco each got six points. Kylee Bartlett led the Rebels with 20 points.
Still, Cazenovia has a place in the win column – unlike both of Chittenango’s sides, who lost their respective Dec. 19 games to Cortland.
In the girls Bears’ 52-24 defeat to the Purple Tigers, the game was within range until the second quarter, when Chittenango managed just two points and Cortland forged its way to a 24-8 edge.
Despite 11 points from Sarah Moon and six points from Megan Pierce, the rest of the Bears’ roster could not fee off their efforts. Shea Swartout paced the Purple Tigers with 15 points, with Shaniqua Artis (10 points), Jackie Phillips (nine points) and Abby Hess (eight points) helping out.
Meanwhile, Chittenango’s boys side fell 65-34 to Cortland, watching the Purple Tigers start the game on a 22-4 run and falling behind 32-12 by halftime.
The second half proved a bit better for the Bears, as Matt Milliman worked his way to 13 points and Marcus Hale-Brown added seven points. Six Cortland players had six or more points, with Nick Craig (15 points, seven assists, six rebounds) and Sage Brown (10 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three steals) leading the way.
On Monday night, Chittenango fell to Solvay, 61-44, a close game broken open when the Bearcats erupted in the second quarter, outscoring the Bears 30-8. Milliman still had 21 points to lead both sides as Eli Kim added eight points and Sam Rainwater six points.
