Though it has a small (nine-man) roster, the Skaneateles boys basketball team continues to meet large-scale goals and defy the modest expectations thrown on them when the season got underway.
Except for two defeats to Syracuse Academy of Science in December, the Lakers have proven undefeated, and that included winning Pool F of the “More Than A Game” Holiday Classic early last week at Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena to move to 6-2 on the season.
It all began last Monday night when, the Lakers met up with its long-time neighbor and rival, Marcellus, at SRC Arena, and proved quite ready at the outset, a big first half leading to an easy 67-48 victory over the Mustangs.
Everything seemed to work for Skaneateles in those first two periods, from a deep, diverse attack to a swarming defense that made Marcellus uncomfortable and forced a lot of turnovers.
All told, it produced a 38-16 edge at the break, and while Marcellus could not keep it that one-sided the rest of the way, it didn’t let the Mustangs get close, either.
Jake Peterson earned nine of his game-high 21 points at the free-throw line. Marc Pietropaoli stepped up and earned 12 points, while Pete Knupp got nine points.
Zach Blair and Colin Foehl each got eight points and Jake Reed contributed six points. Marcellus, in defeat, got 11 points from Mike Melnyczuk and 10 points from Tom FIacchi.
This led to a tournament final between Skaneateles and fellow OHSL Liberty division traveler Bishop Grimes, who had held off Solvay 50-44 the night before.
And this proved close, too, but with Knupp offering his second large scoring outburst of the season, the Lakers held off the Cobras by a score of 63-58.
Between drives to the basket and timely outside shots, Knupp propelled Skaneateles to a double-digit first-half lead, only to see Grimes erase that deficit and briefly go in front in the last minute of the second quarter before another Knupp 3-pointer gave him 17 points for the half and tied it, 31-31, going into the break.
The third quarter repeated that pattern, Skaneateles going in front 43-35, the Cobras countering with a 10-0 run to close the period and move in front, 45-43, with one period left.
Not until Knupp’s pair of free throws with 5:43 left did the Lakers take the lead for good. It was all part of an 11-0 spurt that gave the Lakers a 56-47, but it still wasn’t over as the Cobras pulled back within three, 56-53, with less than two minutes left.
What cost Grimes, ultimately, was poor free-throw shooting. Twice down the stretch, Skaneateles committed fouls on 3-point attempts, but each time the Cobras only made one of the three attempts, allowing the Lakers to stay in front.
Fittingly, it was Knupp’s rebound basket with 1:08 left, plus two more free throws, that sealed the victory. Named tournament MVP, Knupp poured in 34 points, including four 3-pointers and 14 successful free throws, nearly matching the 37 points he put up in a win at Cazenovia on Dec. 12.
Peterson, despite some foul trouble, finished with 11 points, while Foehl had six points. On the Cobras’ side, Johnny Wike, with 11 points, and Austin DeRienzo, with 10 points, led the way, and Grimes will meet the Lakers again on Jan. 22.
Meanwhile, Skaneateles was back home Tuesday night to face Jordan-Elbridge, the prelude to the Lakers’ Friday-night visit to defending state and Federation Class B champion Westhill.
