The slow, steady progress made by the Skaneateles girls basketball team in recent years may be about to accelerate.
This began to be evident in last winter’s Section III Class B-2 playoffs, when the 6-14 Lakers rose from a no. 8 seed to make the semifinals before Sherburne-Earlville stopped them, 48-37.
Taking confidence from that run, Skaneateles has returned with even more purpose in its play, as shown last week by three wins in four days, including an early conquest of its biggest rival.
It all got kick-started in last Wednesday’s opener, where the Lakers put together a 43-14 romp of Jordan-Elbridge.
Throughout the night, the Eagles could do close to nothing, managing just three field goals against the Lakers’ resistance.
By herself, Caryn Crary, who finished with 16 points, outscored the entire J-E unit. Brittany LaVaute had seven points, while Lauren Adams gained six points.
Two days later, the Lakers ventured north to play in the annual Phoenix Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament to see how far it still needed to go.
In the first round, Skaneateles met Hannibal, and it was a great one, going into overtime before the Lakers edged past the Warriors 65-63.
Hannibal appeared to take charge when it used a strong second quarter to build a 30-24 halftime edge, but Skaneateles took that lead way by the end of regulation and forged a 55-55 tie.
All through OT, the exchange continued, neither side budging until the Lakers’ Emily Ross sank a pair of clutch free throws with seven seconds left that proved to be the game-winners. For Ross, all seven of her points came from the foul line.
Crary continued to be the Lakers’ main threat, earning 21 points. Staci Dunnen wasn’t far behind, with 16 points, as LaVaute had 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and Adams matched Ross with seven points. Callie Best led Hannibal with 22 points.
In Saturday’s final, Skaneateles got an early treat as it met archrival Marcellus, who had knocked off the hosts from Phoenix 58-47 in the opening round behind Sarah Holden’s 28-point effort.
Despite going to OT the day before, the Lakers were not worn out. Instead, it broke the Mustangs down and romped to its third straight win, a 48-34 decision.
Already ahead in the early going, Skaneateles really decided things in the second quarter, dominating Marcellus in a 15-2 frame to build a 30-11halftime lead.
Boosted by a trio of 3-pointers, Crary finished with 19 points, just ahead of Holden, who had 16 points. Adams, Ross and Alexis Jones each added six points.
Skaneateles carried all of this momentum into a key early-season road game Tuesday night at Solvay, after which the team is off until a Dec. 13 duel with Westhill.