In their own manners, Christian Brothers Academy’s basketball teams opened 2013 with Friday-night conquests of Homer.
For the CBA girls, it proved an easier matter as it steadily pulled away from the Trojans and, led by Marisa Romeo and Julie Cuomo, prevailed by a 50-25 margin.
Fresh off its first loss of the season, to Rome Free Academy in the Black Knights’ own tournament title game on Dec. 29, CBA started to take over in the second quarter, outscoring Homer 12-6.
The second half brought more domination from the Brothers, a 27-9 spurt keyed by terrific defense and by production from Romeo and Cuomo.
Hitting on eight field goals and four free throws, Cuomo finished with 20 points, while Cuomo chipped in with 14 points. No other CBA player had more than five points, and Homer’s top scorer, Kailee Dormier, had just six points as the Brothers improved to 8-1.
As for the boys Brothers, it proved more difficult to deal with Homer, as a big second-half effort was required in a 62-54 victory over the Trojans.
Having gone 0-2 at its own Bottar-Leone Holiday Classic on Dec. 29-30, CBA was in danger of further erosion when Homer, down 17-13 after one period, controlled the second quarter and raced to a 29-26 lead at the break.
But the Brothers stayed calm, relying on steady production to regain the lead in the third quarter and getting away in the latter stages despite strong efforts from Homer’s Casey Cleary and Jayden Gavidia, who had 14 points apiece.
Alex Brunner, in particular, stepped up for CBA, earning a season-best 17 points to match Charlie Russo’s total, while Dylan Lambert managed 11 points and Jack Pfohl contributed nine points.
Now at 3-6, the Brothers are headed toward Friday night’s showdown with Jamesville-DeWitt, a doubleheader that tips off at 6 p.m. with the girls game and continues with the boys game at 7:45.
