As it has traditionally done each season, the Solvay boys basketball team went west to play in the annual Skaneateles Christmas Tournament.
The Bearcats had control of last Monday’s opening-round game against Moravia, but could not sustain it, leading to a 59-55 defeat.
In a first half of varied tempos, Solvay sped things up early, then slowed it down, holding Moravia to just seven points in the second quarter as it went to halftime enjoying a 31-24 lead.
But the Bearcats hit its own slump in the third quarter, giving Moravia a chance to eat into that margin. Solvay recovered in the final period, only to see Moravia maintain its momentum, go in front and stay there.
Andrew Lucio and Dan Aiello each finished with 11 points in the Bearcats’ balanced attack. Justin Napolitano had 10 points, with T.J. Fazio adding eight points and Devanere Surrey earning six points. Both Napolitano and Fazio hit on a pair of 3-point shots.
Solvay now had to face Onondaga in Tuesday night’s consolation game after the Tigers fell to host Skaneateles 65-42 in the other part of the opening round.
The Bearcats and Tigers would play a fast-paced and exciting contest, but OCS had a bit more firepower and would win by a score of 81-73.
Once the Tigers seized an 18-12 first-quarter advantage, Solvay would begin to give chase. The Bearcats got within two, 36-34, at halftime, but OCS kept answering every thrust.
Lucio did all he could to keep Solvay in it, hitting on six 3-pointers and finishing with 30 points for the night. Mike Rowlands stepped up for 15 points, while Aiello earned 13 points.
OCS won with a bit more depth, getting five players to reach double figures, including Zach Holbrook (18 points), Ted Zabel (17 points), Brad Emerson (16 points), Taylor Bassett (15 points) and Chris Cota (11 points).
At 3-5 on the season, Solvay has to deal with two state-ranked teams in the first full week of 2009 as it plays two-time defending Class B champion Hannibal and undefeated Marcellus.
