Beginning on Thursday, the Liverpool boys basketball team will enjoy three games of elite competition as part of the KSA Events Holiday Tournament at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando.
Before taking the plane to the Sunshine State, the Warriors had to deal with two CNY Counties League opponents on the road, winning both times to improve its record to 5-1.
First, Liverpool visited Nottingham last Tuesday night, its second game against the Bulldogs in as many weeks. And the sequel ended just like the original — with the Warriors on top, this time by a score of 61-54.
As it turned out, the first quarter proved pivotal. Hitting on its outside shots, the Warriors jumped to a 21-11 lead, then built the margin to 35-23 by halftime, giving itself room to withstand the Bulldogs’ second-half charge.
Mike Marsella and T.J. Davis each finished with 14 points, with Zach Crotty close behind as he earned 12 points. Mike Suatoni and Adam Bottorff offered support, with seven points apiece. In defeat, Nottingham’s Tyshon Goode led both sides with 23 points.
Liverpool kept up its hot play Friday, at Baldwinsville, excelling on both sides of the floor in the course of a 70-47 romp over the Bees.
It was already 21-9 by the time the game reached the second quarter, and Liverpool kept it up, especially in a third quarter where it outscored the Bees 20-8 to put the game away.
Marsella had his way in the paint, leading both sides with 19 points. Tyler Kamide emerged as a threat with 11 points as Davis and Josh Michlovitch each had eight points. Jesse Gates (seven points) and Anthony Salamone (six points) also made nice contributions. Brett Botsford, with 15 points, was the lone B’ville player to score in double figures.
At Disney World, the Warriors will first meet Edison, from California, then face either Marina (Calif.) or Strongsville (Ohio) in the game that follows. Teams from North Carolina, Florida and Virginia are also in this tournament.
Liverpool returns to league action Jan. 4, at Corcoran.
