Maybe the Liverpool boys basketball team got too good of a feeling as a result of its Jan. 9 win over Fayetteville-Manlius and felt other CNY Counties League foes would meet the same fate when they showed up on the Warriors’ home court.
If so, that was a big mistake — as Utica Proctor would prove last Tuesday night by showing up and stunning Liverpool in a 64-44 decision.
In years past, such a result wouldn’t have surprised anyone, since Deandre Preaster was leading the Raiders to three straight Section III Class AA finals and back-to-back sectional titles in 2006 and ’07.
But with Preaster gone, Proctor had started 4-7, and were not supposed to give the 8-3 Warriors any big problems.
Sure enough, Liverpool led 16-12 after one period, but that proved to be the Warriors’ peak. Proctor used full-court pressure to force turnovers and get baskets in a 17-7 second-quarter outburst that put the visitors ahead for good.
The Raiders also closed on a 21-9 run, watching as Eldin Smajkan set a career mark with 20 points, while Mike Scotellaro earned 13 points and Matt Cummings got 11 points.
Once again, Liverpool found itself in a scenario where, other than Jesse Gates (14 points), no one produced on a consistent basis. Cam Jones, Matt Harrington and Anthony Salomone each had six points.
Liverpool goes back on the road Friday, looking for a recovery at Oswego.
