Once again, the young Baldwinsville boys basketball team got a close-up view of a possible Section III Class AA title contender.
Utica Proctor, a fast-charging team in recent weeks, came to the Baker High School gym Friday night and withstood a late charge by the hosts to beat the Bees 64-55.
Proctor, a sectional finalist each of the previous three seasons (and champion in 2006 and ’07) before Deandre Preaster graduated, started slow this winter, only to beat the likes of Liverpool, Corcoran, Henninger and Central Square in January alone.
Despite all this, B’ville got the jump on them, snatching a 15-13 lead by the end of the first quarter. But the Raiders then applied full-court pressure and, over the next two periods, outscored the Bees 44-21 to seize control.
With a late rush, the Bees made it closer, as Tyler Monnat earned 14 points and Kevin Roy added 12 points. Mike Guinta had eight points as Dan Deland and Chris Whelan each had six points. Proctor’s Collis Maddox led both sides with 19 points.
B’ville now takes a 3-13 mark into Tuesday’s game at Rome Free Academy before it hosts Oswego on Friday night.
