The promise held by the Baldwinsville boys basketball team back in December has dissolved a bit, replaced by concerns that, once again, the post-season might prove out of reach.
Going to Auburn last Monday night, the Bees had a chance to pounce, but instead saw its offense dry up in a 49-41 defeat to the Maroons.
It was a rematch of the Dec. 28 consolation of the Vince Celi Memorial Tournament at East Syracuse-Minoa, which B’ville won 48-43, and it followed the same low-scoring pattern.
Trailing 13-6 after one period, the Bees briefly rose up, seizing a 23-22 lead by halftime. But just as quickly, things got cold again as B’ville managed just nine points in each of the last two periods, giving Auburn ample time to move back in front to stay.
Ben DiOrio did earn 15 points, while Kyle George and Devyn McLeod each got eight points. Cameron Skipworth added six points. The difference was that Auburn had three main scoring threats as Kevin DiCola (16 points), Hakeem Ali (14 points) and Trent Ward (11 points) all hit double figures.
Not pleased with this outcome, the Bees went to Central Square 24 hours later and took that anger out on the Red Hawks, rolling to a 61-38 victory.
All game long, B’ville’s much-maligned defense led the way, never allowing more than 12 points in any single quarter. That helped the Bees gain a 28-21 edge by halftime, and it pulled further away in the second half, where an 18-8 spurt in the third period helped decide matters.
DiOrio, with 18 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals, led the way, with McLeod owning the paint due to his 15 rebounds, to go with seven points. Nick Alley had 13 points, four rebounds and two assists as Skipworth contributed 11 points and six rebounds. No Red Hawks players scored in double figures, though Sam Barry, with nine points, got close.
B’ville played for the third time in four nights on Friday, against West Genesee, and had the lead in the late going, only to surrender it and take a 68-51 defeat to the Wildcats.
They had played Dec. 7 in the final of B’ville’s Kiwanis Club Tournament, and the Bees had lost, 79-69. In the rematch in Camillus, WG again went out in front early, but B’ville held them to seven points in the third quarter and found itself gaining a 45-42 lead.
And that’s where the fun ended, as the Wildcats’ pressure caused a rash of Bees mistakes and baskets on the other end, the game ending with WG going on a 26-6 run.
This negated fine efforts from Alley, who had 15 points and four steals, and Skipworth, who had 14 points and three rebounds. DiOrio managed 11 points, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals as WG’s Shane Temara led his team’s comeback and finished with 20 points.
B’ville will not find it easier on Tuesday night, when defending Class AA champion Henninger, fresh off last Friday’s big 58-54 win at fellow contender Fayetteville-Manlius, paid a visit. The Bees have a rematch with Central Square next Saturday at 4 p.m.
