What a difference three weeks can make – or even less. The same Skaneateles girls basketball team that lost by double figures at Bishop Ludden in its season opener got even last Friday night in front of the home fans, using a big second-quarter surge, plus lots of tough defense, to beat the Gaelic Knights 48-40.
Back in the season opener Dec. 1, Skaneateles, despite seeing Elizabeth Lane score her 1,000th career point and even though Ludden didn’t have its top player, freshman guard Danielle Rauch, in the lineup due to an ankle injury, fell to Ludden 57-42.
But the Lakers had not lost since, and in the rematch, it showed the Gaelic Knights just what difference confidence gained from a three-game win streak can make.
All through the first half, Ludden found itself pressured into mistakes and bad shots by a swarming and energetic Skaneateles defense.
Initially, that didn’t hurt too much, but only leading 10-6 through one period, the Lakers started to put together baskets, and it roared through an 18-4 run that covered the rest of the half.
Trailing 28-10 at the break, Ludden never really got moving until the fourth quarter, courtesy of Rauch, who had most of her 15 points in the late stages. Other than Rauch, only Meg Sierotnik, who had 11 points (not even half her total from the first meeting), produced on a consistent basis.
By contrast, Skaneateles had a deep, well-balanced attack. Kelsey Kraetz piled up 12 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks, while Lane added 13 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals.
Shannon Foehl had a big night, too, with 13 points, seven rebounds and three steals, with Olivia Dobrovosky managing seven points, four rebounds and three assists.
Not every win streak could get maintained, though, as the Skaneateles boys basketball team, who had won four consecutive games, saw that streak ended Monday night with a narrow 54-52 defeat to Syracuse Academy of Science.
Though the Lakers managed to control the tempo against an Atoms team that had scored 91, 85 and 77 points in wins earlier this season, and led 38-36 after holding SAS to seven points in the third quarter, it could not hold on in the closing minutes as Jayson Brower led the Atoms with 20 points.
Skaneateles will face neighbor and rival Marcellus next Monday night at 8 p.m. at SRC Arena as part of the “More Than a Game” festival.
