With one big road win tucked away in the Section III Class B playoffs, the Skaneateles boys basketball team went after more.
The no. 11 seed Lakers, who ousted no. 6 seed Phoenix in the opening round, went to no. 3 seed Utica-Notre Dame for Tuesday’s Class B quarterfinal and, at the least, hoped that it could make the Jugglers sweat a bit while defending its home court.
That did not happen, though. UND, playing stellar defense from start to finish, was in total control, and Skaneateles could not overcome that resistance, taking a 68-32 defeat.
At first, it didn’t seem like it would turn so one-sided. Skaneateles managed to keep up through much of the opening period, and only trailed 14-9, but things would turn worse.
All game long, wherever the Lakers went, so would a Juggler defender, contesting every inch of court and eventually forcing bad shots and turnovers.
Thus, by halftime, Skaneateles found itself trailing 31-17, and any dreams of a comeback were dashed in the third quarter, when UND took off on a 23-7 run and got clear.
Basically, the Lakers were reduced to a three-way attack. Nick Palmer led with 13 points, while Pete Knupp had 10 points and Bobby Leslie added seven points. Together, they accounted for all but one of Skaneateles’ field goals.
Meanwhile, Kevin Warmack, with 16 points, led a diverse Jugglers offense as Jerome Brabham managed 14 points and Joe Sullivan added 12 points.
As UND advanced to a sectional semifinal against Sherburne-Earlville, Skaneateles saw its season end with a 9-12 mark.
