Forgive members of the Bishop Ludden boys basketball team if they felt, at times, that football season had resumed.
To get its fifth win in a row, the Gaelic Knights had to make the short trip to Syracuse’s West Side last Friday and play a Fowler team that was also unbeaten.
All through their game, the Gaelic Knights and Falcons battled for points in an intense and complete battle, ending only with Ludden slightly in front by a score of 40-38.
With the outcome in doubt during the final seconds of regulation, point guard Daquan Grobsmith, held in check for much of the night, took it in his own hands and sank the basket that proved to be the game-winner.
Prior to that, though, the entire show belonged to defense. Snowed out of a game against Phoenix earlier in the week, the Gaelic Knights showed quite a bit of offensive rust in the first three periods, watching as Fowler inched into a 26-25 lead.
Ludden managed just five points in the third quarter and looked to be stalled against the Falcons’ pressure. But just when it was required, the Gaelic Knights started making baskets on a regular basis to match Fowler’s fourth-quarter production.
As Grobsmith settled into the distributor’s role, Connor Sweeney was the lone Ludden player to score in double figures, earning 12 points. Wendall Williams added nine points, while James Braithwaite added six points. Chris Gilkes, with 13 points, was Fowler’s top scorer as Dajuan Coleman added 10 points.
With just 24 hours to rest, the Gaelic Knights went to Fulton Saturday and fought past the Red Raiders 60-52 to make it six consecutive wins.
Breaking out of a 12-12 tie, Ludden outscored Fulton 16-8 in the second quarter and would stay in front, even though the Red Raiders battled to the end.
Frank Smith stepped up to lead his side with 14 points. Williams and Braithwaite each came up with 11 points, while Sweeney got eight points and Kevin Roy earned seven points. Fulton’s Rob Jackowski had a big night, earning 24 points.
Ludden takes a 6-0 record into its annual Rosemary Corcoran Holiday Classic, which takes place Thursday and Friday night.
