So far, all is good with the basketball teams at Bishop Ludden, each of whom have made strong early-season statements with a series of victories.
The Ludden boys basketball team was already 2-0, including a win over Liverpool, by the time it hosted Rome Free Academy Wednesday night, facing a Black Knights team sporting its own 2-0 mark.
Led by Mykell Kaigler, the Gaelic Knights defeated RFA 68-61, setting the tone through a swarming defense that limited the Black Knights to just six points in the first quarter.
Though RFA got out of that slump, Ludden kept answering their charges, eventually taking a 34-21 lead to halftime. That cushion was needed as, throughout the second half, RFA would cut into the margin, only to get answered.
Keying it all was Kaigler, the senior guard who drained five 3-pointers and finished the night with 31 points. He had help, too, as Monte Johnson finished with 18 points and Jarin Beauford contributed 10 points. RFA lost despite 22 points from Damien Call.
A night later, at Jordan-Elbridge, Ludden found itself in some real trouble before it hit a higher gear in the fourth quarter and took out the Eagles 52-41.
All through the first three periods, J-E’s defense was quite effective, forcing the Gaelic Knights into bad shots that rarely found the target. Yet the Eagles could not take full advantage, only gaining a 32-29 lead.
To turn it around, Ludden had to rely on a more balanced attack than it showed against RFA. Late production was spread around as Johnson and Beauford each got 13 points, with Kaigler getting 12 points and Evan Habarek adding 10 points.
Dakota Holbrook paced the Eagles with 14 points, while Alex Pond and Owen Barrigar had eight points apiece,.
Meanwhile, the Ludden girls basketball team played twice last week and easily prevailed on both occasions.
The Gaelic Knights handled visiting Central Square 68-53 Tuesday for its fourth consecutive victory, the Gaelic Knights getting another big effort from freshman Amarah Streiff, who poured in 25 points.
And three other Ludden players hit double figures, with Keiara Odune earning 12 points as Kaitlyn Kibling and Lauren Petrie had 11 points apiece.
Seeking its fifth win in a row Thursday night, Ludden got it against Hannibal, taking out the Warriors 74-30 as a relentless attack continued to add to its margin even after the starters gone out of the game.
Streiff continued to produce on a consistent basis, finishing with 24 points, while Petrie stepped up for 14 points. Maddie Moen earned eight points as Kate Ruddy had seven points, with Odume and Alexia Chemotti getting six points apiece.
And it all leads to a big early showdown next Saturday as Ludden’s girls meet defending sectional Class B champion South Jefferson.
After playing Sunday against Global Concepts, a charter school near Buffalo, Ludden’s boys are off until its annual holiday tournament right after Christmas, featuring Corcoran in the field with Buffalo’s Cardinal O’Hara and New York City’s LaSalle.
