For the second time in less than four weeks, the Marcellus boys basketball team got the best of its heated rivalry against Skaneateles.
This time, the task was accomplished on the Lakers’ home court as the Mustangs, gradually taking over in the game’s middle stages, prevailed 63-52 last Tuesday night to improve to 6-4 on the season.
They had previously met Dec. 28, at Onondaga Community College, and Marcellus pulled out that game 65-61. Now, coming off a Jan. 10 loss to Phoenix that ended a four-game win streak, the Mustangs was just as determined to prevail in the rematch against the Lakers.
Going to the second quarter, they were tied, 15-15, but Marcellus assumed the lead before halftime. Then it spent the rest of the night fending off the Lakers’ charges and adding to its margin, with Jordan Bandera and Mike Hastings leading the way.
Bandera put up 21 points, including seven successful free throws, while Hastings got six of his 14 points at the foul line. Mike Dillon (nine points) and Mark Tompkins (six points) helped out as Skaneateles lost despite 18 points from Bobby Leslie and 16 points from Jake Peterson.
Not letting down, the Mustangs dominated Altmar-Parish-Williamstown 78-43 on Friday night, steadily gaining a 38-24 lead by halftime and pulling further away in the last two periods as four players reached double figures.
Bandera, with 21 points, set the pace, with Hastings putting together 13 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. Wyatt Sthele and Mike Melnyczuk stepped up with 10 points apiece as Cole Walsh got nine points and Dillon managed seven points.
Solvay’s week started with a rough 62-37 defeat to a Phoenix team that had knocked off Marcellus in its previous outing on Jan. 10. The Bearcats led, 13-9, after one period and still clung to a 23-21 advantage at halftime before going cold. Taking full advantage, the Firebirds dominated the last two periods, outscoring Solvay 41-14.
Before it all went wrong, Tyler Cardinell managed 12 points, while Alex Dantuano had 10 points and Cody Pucello added seven points. On the Firebirds’ side, four players reached double figures as Zach Sisera led with 14 points. Walker Connolly (11 points), Dylan Doupe and Brian Sawyer (10 points each) were close behind.
A night later, badly needing a win at APW, the Bearcats got it, edging the Rebels 48-46 in overtime. Trailing 22-17 at the half, Solvay clawed its way back in a tense second half, tying it 37-37, by holding APW to five points in the fourth quarter.
Then the Bearcats outscored the Rebels 11-6 in those extra four minutes, led by Jon Scutt, who had a season-best 16 points. Cardinell (nine points), Pucello (eight points) and John Dippold (seven points) helped out.
In Friday’s 66-55 defeat to Syracuse’s Institute of Technology Central, the Bearcats could not overcome a 39-24 hafltime deficit, despite 15 points from Cardinell and 14 points from Scutt. Rensey Chandler and James Walker led ITC with 21 points apiece.
Jordan-Elbridge also lost on Monday, a 69-55 decision to Bishop Grimes where the Eagles fell behind 39-25 by halftime and could not catch up, despite playing on even terms the rest of the way.
Zach Wagner led both sides with 22 points, while Kyle Matousek managed 10 points. Jake Melfi got seven points and Brandon Macvicz added six points. Akol Ater led the Cobras with 17 points.
Back on the court Friday night, the Eagles lost, 92-61, to Syracuse Academy of Science, the Atoms grabbing a 31-9 lead by the end of the first quarter and J-E in catch-up mode from that point on.
