Whatever else the Oneida boys basketball team might achieve this winter, it at least will enjoy bragging rights in its biggest rivalry for the next 12 months.
The Indians had to battle Vernon-Verona-Sherrill to the final possession of last Tuesday night’s game, but delighted the home fans by beating the Red Devils 53-52.
This came on top of Oneida’s 61-54 win at VVS a month ago, done right in front of the rabid fans at “The Pit” as Ryan Kramer’s series of fourth-quarter baskets helped fend off a Red Devils comeback attempt.
Since then, VVS had built its record to 10-2, while Oneida, more recently, had taken loss to Whitesboro on Jan. 9, burnt by Junior Wooodard’s eight 3-pointers and 36 points overall. Thus, both teams were hungry beyond the normal parameters of this great neighborhood feud.
During an intense first half, Oneida steadily forged its way to a 31-25 lead, a score not that far removed from the first meeting, as once again Kramer set the pace and his teammates followed.
All that changed in the third quarter, though. VVS’s defense tightened, and it outscored the Indians 17-9 to seize a 42-40 lead.
Oneida didn’t know whom it needed to stop, since Adam Kemp was working his way to 18 points in the paint and Evan Croll, with 16 points, got backcourt help from Joe Barbano, whose 14 points included four successful 3-pointers.
Despite all this, Oneida fought back down the stretch. Kramer got to 20 points on the night as the Indians went up by one, with time running low.
It all rode on the final possession, as VVS, with two seconds left, got the ball and a chance to win. But the Indians made a clinching steal as time ran out.
Aside from Kramer, Joe McCormick, with 10 points, was the only other Oneida player in double figures. Justin Didio and Nick Dreimiller each had seven points, while David Cieri picked up five points.
VVS (10-3) meets Clinton on Friday, just before Oneida, the new leaders in the Tri-Valley League West division, plays in its own Alliance Bank Tournament on Saturday and Sunday.
