Every time the Liverpool boys basketball team has stumbled this season, it picked up the winning beat without any delay.
Such was the case for a third time when the Warriors, off a loss to Rochester Aquinas on Jan. 3, went to Camillus Tuesday night and put together a 50-39 victory over West Genesee.
For the Wildcats, it was, remarkably, the home opener. It had played its first seven games on the road, with a snowed-out home date with Oswego on Dec. 19 thrown into the mix. WG is where Jerry Wilcox coached before coming to Liverpool, adding to the game’s atmosphere.
Liverpool, quite accustomed to the road after its own set of tournament appearances, led throughout the first half, though it found some difficulty drawing clear.
That changed in the third quarter, when a 23-18 halftime edge more than doubled when the Warriors outscored WG 20-11.
Even with two defenders often draped on him, Jesse Gates still had 14 points. Such attention allowed Anthony Salomone open looks that included a trio of 3-pointers, giving him a career-best 18 points. Cam Jones added 12 points.
All game long, Liverpool’s defense made sure WG star Jack Conboy didn’t get open, as he had just eight points to negate the 17 points put up by Colin Monroe.
Liverpool comes home for a big Friday battle against Fayetteville-Manlius.