Following a 2-1 opening week, the Liverpool boys basketball team got a chance to practice a bit more on what still needed some work.
Judging by the way the Warriors played in last Thursday night’s visit to Nottingham, defense had to be a point of emphasis in all those work sessions, for it sure showed up here in the course of a 45-39 win over the Bulldogs.
Head coach Jerry Wilcox built his long resume of success on teaching defense, so he had to be displeased with the 68 points Liverpool allowed to Upper Darby in the finals of the Union-Endicott Tournament on Dec. 6.
Compared to that, Nottingham barely picked up half that total. Liverpool was all over them, giving up just 16 first-half points that gave the visitors plenty of time to go in front.
Then the Warriors hit its own drought, a four-point third quarter that allowed Nottingham to close within one, 28-27, with one period to play.
Liverpool made the last move, though, getting clear down the stretch behind Jesse Gates, who continued to be the Warriors’ main offensive threat as he got 19 points. Matt Harrington had seven points, while Anthony Salamone added six points. Deanzel Crouch and Mabior Mayen led Nottingham with 10 points apiece.
This was the first of back-to-back games for the Warriors (3-1) against Nottingham, the other to take place Tuesday before a Friday home game against Baldwinsville.