Each of Cazenovia’s basketball teams ran up against Marcellus on Friday night – and each would face defeat.
For the girls Lakers, its early-season struggles continued in a 61-51 road defeat, while the Cazenovia boys could not keep up with the Mustangs in a 63-40 defeat at Buckley Gym.
Only 2-2 so far this winter, Cazenovia’s girls team, the defending Section III Class B champions, paid a steep price for early-half struggles against Marcellus, who was off to a 4-1 start.
The Mustangs nearly doubled the Lakers’ output in the first quarter, surging ahead 19-10, and while Cazenovia kept up in the second period, it still went to the break down 33-25.
To some degree, the second half mirrored the first. Cazenovia hit a slump and got just six points, watching the deficit grow to 47-31 before a late, futile rally.
In defeat, Ellen Burr had 12 points, with Ashley Stec getting 11 points and Raeanne Clabeaux contributing 10 points. Colleen Dougherty and Kristen Romagnoli each had six points. Marcellus put four players in double figures, as Christa Rockburn (14 points) led a balanced attack where Melissa Lee (13 points), Megan Tock and Marie Temara (11 points each) also contributed.
Back home in Cazenovia, the boys Lakers fell to .500 (2-2) at the expense of Marcellus. Trying to slow things down, the Lakers stayed close in the first half, only trailing 24-21 at the break before the Mustangs increased the tempo and pulled clear in the last two periods.
Max Kellish led the Lakers with 12 points, with Doyle Judge (10 points) close behind and Zack Golden earning seven points. For the Mustangs, Will Fiacchi had 18 points, while Luke McNaney and Steve Raven each finished with 12 points.
Both Cazenovia teams meet Skaneateles early next week before going to separate holiday tournaments on Dec. 28 and 29 – the girls to Unadilla Valley, the boys to Fabius-Pompey.
