Now the debate over the top Section III Class AA boys basketball team has some teeth to it.
West Genesee had to cede the upper hand to Bishop Ludden due to playoff defeats each of the last two years and the Gaelic Knights holding the sectional title. All of that changed, though, after the Wildcats took apart Section II powerhouse Shenendehowa Jan. 14 in the Pathfinder Bank Zebra Classic at Le Moyne Classic.
That win propelled WG to no. 13 in the state AA rankings, one spot ahead of Ludden at no. 14, and there would be another chance for the Wildcats to cement its status if it could beat Liverpool in Tuesday night’s first-place CNY Counties League showdown.
Two games bridged the Shen win and the trip to Liverpool, and the Wildcats took care of them, starting with last Tuesday’s trip to Corcoran where Malik Zachery and Jack Bova both lit it up in an 85-74 victory over the Cougars.
Without guard Nate Phililps in the lineup (he was injured in the Shen game), WG started freshman Will Amica and put more responsibility on Zachery, and he responded with 20 first-half points amid a torrid early pace. Bova hit four 3-pointers, too, and despite hot outside shooting by Corcoran, the Wildcats still led, 52-39, at halftime.
Even when WG went cold early in the third quarter, the Cougars could not take full advantage. Thus, the Wildcats never had less than a nine-point lead the entire second half and put it away with a series of late free throws from Zachery, who poured in 37 points, 16 of them at the foul line.
Bova ultimately connected six times beyond the arc on his way to 24 points, while Lucas Sutherland had 12 points and John Zerkle got six points from a pair of 3-pointers. Tyrice Williams led Corcoran with 20 points before fouling out, but Jahaad Henry was held to seven points, though he did grab 14 rebounds.
At Fayetteville-Manlius Friday night, WG, going for 13-0, made sure it didn’t look ahead to Liverpool by defeating the Hornets 77-62 in a game where the Wildcats’ top two scorers made news for different reasons.
Gradually, WG built its winning margin in the first three periods, accumulating a 64-49 lead. It held on from there and, late in the game, Zachery passed 1,000 career points, finishing the night with 31 points overall.
Bova added 14 points, but had to leave the game when he stepped on another player’s foot and turned his ankle. X-rays would determine whether he would return in time for the Liverpool showdown. Sutherland, meanwhile, had 15 points as Owen Cross and Will Amica got six points apiece.
Bishop Ludden went from one big game (topping CBA in the ‘Holy War at the Zebra Classic) to another last Tuesday night when Auburn arrived at the Gaelic Knight’s home court sporting an 11-game win streak.
Not caring for any of this, Ludden beat the Maroons 73-51. For a half, Auburn stayed within range, led by Evan Donovan, who poured in 22 points, and Kaleb Cook, who finished with 13 points.
But the Gaelic Knights still led 30-22 at halftime and pulled away during the second half thanks to another star turn from Mika Adams-Woods, who amassed 28 points and got help from Joe Connor, who had 15 points, and Sh’ikem Lee, who earned 11 points as Ed Walser got six points.
Yet another high-profile took place Friday night as Ludden visited Jamesville-DeWitt, and staring at a fourth-quarter deficit, the Gaelic Knights roared back and, helped by Adams-Woods’ late theatrics, got a 53-51 victory over the Gaelic Knights.
Ludden’s defense allowed just two points in the second quarter after a fast start by J-D. That left it 23-21 in the Gaelic Knights’ favor at halftime, but the Rams revived in the third period, seizing a 41-35 advantage.
For the second time, Ludden clawed back, and by the final minute had tied the game at 51-51. Ludden got the ball back with less than 40 seconds left, and ran down the clock, waiting for a last-second shot.
Though everyone – players, coaches and fans alike – knew that Adams-Woods would have the ball in some capacity, the junior still drove down the lane and converted the go-ahead basket with five seconds left. J-D could not get the ball past half-court as the clock ran out.
Adams-Woods earned a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds, helped by Connor, who had 12 points, and Walser, who got six points. Ludden held J-D’s top threat, Buddy Boeheim, to 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists, with Matt Carlin getting 13 points and seven rebounds.
