Starting to believe now?
The West Genesee boys basketball team, at first a curiosity with its fast start under first-year head coach Fred Kent, has slowly converted the skeptics as its win streak grew and opponents kept getting tossed aside by double-digit margins.
Now the Wildcats are 8-0, having given the home fans another sensational performance Friday night as, in each facet of the game, WG impressed during a 60-45 victory over Auburn.
The Maroons came to Camillus sporting a 5-1 record, mainly because Nick Granato had carried them through the opening parts of the season, averaging more than 32 points per game.
Knowing this, the Wildcats concentrated its defense on Granato, and never let him get any open space. it worked, as Granato managed just two field goals and eight points for the night.
As for the game, it broke open in the second quarter when WG limited Auburn to three points and, with steady offensive production, earned a 30-18 halftime lead. That margin kept growing in the third period, to 49-30, and the Wildcats would secure its eighth straight double-digit victory.
Eric Spencer again dominated in the paint, working his way to 23 points, and when the Maroons tried to contain him, Greg Wadach flashed open as he notched 18 points, including a pair of 3-point field goals. Mike Granato and Anthony Pollard led Auburn with 12 points apiece.
WG’s girls team also won on Friday, going to Auburn and smashing the Maroons 67-37 to improve its record to 3-4. This one got decided early, as the Wildcats roared to a 24-4 lead by the end of the first quarter and never got caught.
Each of the 11 WG players that saw action got at least one point. Katie Kolinski set a career mark with 20 points, including four 3-pointers, while Melissa Fumano (14 points) and Claire Kelley (10 points) also hit double digits. Marie Temara added six points.
