As it limped to an 0-2 start, not really close to winning either of its first two games, the Cazenovia boys basketball team had to wonder how bad it would get before things would start to brighten.
But in a stunning turnaround last Wednesday night, the Lakers played superb defense from start to finish and beat Marcellus, 42-39, at Buckley Gym to give head coach Paul Harney his first win running the boys program.
When Cazenovia fell behind 16-12 in the first period, it looked like the familiar losing pattern would take shape. Instead, the defense clamped down in the second quarter and held Marcellus to a scant four points, and suddenly the Lakers led 21-20.
With newfound confidence, Cazenovia could shake off an uneven third quarter, turning again to its defense in the homestretch. All the Mustangs could manage was seven points in the fourth quarter, giving the Lakers room to move ahead and stay there.
On the offensive side, no one stood out – but no one had to. Tanner Whiteman and Doyle Judge each had nine points, while Tom Toole finished with eight points. Ben Romagnoli and Oliver Gates got six points apiece, all of Gates’ points coming at the free-throw line. The Mustangs’ Steve Raven led both sides with 13 points.
So the Lakers suddenly had momentum as it took the court Tuesday and Wednesday in the Fabius-Pompey Tournament, trying to build upon what it did against Marcellus.
