For a long while, the Canastota girls basketball team sailed along undefeated, looking to match the 2008-09 team’s perfect regular-season run.
But Sherburne-Earlville put a quick end to those plans on Wednesday night, beating the Raiders 43-34. It marked the first time in 30 regular-season outings (dating back to the 2007-08 season) that Canastota had tasted defeat.
It was the first of two encounters between the Raiders and Marauders, with the other set to take place Feb. 12, two days before the Section III Class B playoff pairings are announced.
S-E, who had built a 9-2 record, was quite capable of knocking off Canastota — and proved it in the first quarter, holding the Raiders to five points as it moved out in front.
Despite some recovery in the second quarter, Canastota trailed, 18-15, at halftime, and the best that it could do was cling to that margin in the third quarter. S-E would get clear, though, with a 13-7 push through the fourth quarter.
Only three Raiders- Shea Foster, Alicia Hibbard and Alexis Havens — earned baskets, as Foster put up 18 points and Hibbard added 12 points.
On S-E’s side, forwards Bridget Irwin and Caitlynn Adams stood out, as Irwin got 17 points and Adams contributed 13 points. Of the Marauders’ 25 second-half points, 23 came from Irwin or Adams.
In boys action, Canastota lost at home Wednesday to Sherburne-Earlville 55-37. Despite a 22-20 halftime lead, the Raiders could not hold on as the Marauders took charge with a 20-5 third-quarter burst.
Keith Casolare, with 11 points, led Canastota’s effort, as Billy Marsh added eight points. On S-E’s side, Cameron Yerton (12 points) and Andrew Parks (11 points) led a balanced attack where seven players had five or more points.
A day later, the Raiders got much closer against Waterville, but still lost to the Indians by a 53-47 margin.
Down 17-13 after one period, Canastota used strong defense in the second period to tie it, 24-24, at the break, and inched in front 37-35 by the time the fourth quarter got underway.
Waterville had the last run, though, as Robert Hughes used 18 points to help his side pull in front for good. No Raider scored in double figures, though Jeff Merrell had nine points and Casolare added eight points.