What has separated the Baldwinsville boys basketball team from advancement in the tough CNY Counties League is the inability to get that elusive quality win.
Yet another chance came last Wednesday night, against Nottingham, but the Bees’ fast start did not hold up as the Bulldogs rallied to beat them 65-59.
Throughout the winter, Nottingham has established itself as a Class AA title contender, earning wins over the likes of Liverpool, West Genesee and Cicero-North Syracuse as it built an 8-3 record.
At first, B’ville was not impressed with this, doing whatever it wanted on offense during a 23-13 first quarter. Just as quickly, though, the Bees’ defense fell apart, allowing Nottingham to charge to a 41-37 edge by halftime.
Essentially, the second half was a repeat of the first on a smaller scale. B’ville held the Bulldogs to eight points in the third quarter and moved back in front, 51-48, only to have Nottingham apply late pressure and limit the Bees to seven points in the final period.
B’ville lost despite getting four players to score in double figures. Kevin Drain led with 16 points, while Jayson Brower managed 15 points, Tim Marshall earned 14 points and Ben Diorio earned 10 points. Nottingham’s Henry Sullivan led both sides with 24 points.
Still at home to face Central Square Friday night, the Bees finally broke out of its weeks-long drought, putting together a 74-56 victory over the Red Hawks.
Again, B’ville started fast, roaring to a 24-10 lead. This time, though, that lead would stick, and in fact the Bees would expand on it, the margin going to 58-36 by the end of the third quarter, which was more than enough.
Marshall took the lead role, pouring in 21 points, eight of them free throws. Close behind him, Drain had 18 points, while Brower chimed in with 16 points. Mike Aiello had seven points and Tony DeMarco contributed six points. Malcolm Anderson led Central Square with 17 points.
Now B’ville (5-8) heads into as tough a week as could be conceived, with back-to-back road games against two of the Class AA front-runners, Henninger on Tuesday and Fayetteville-Manlius next Friday.
