Finally back on the court after long rest periods during the holiday break, each of Cazenovia’s basketball teams had wildly varying reactions to their return to action in 2015.
It went well for the girls Lakers, who visited Solvay last Thursday night and, with strong starts to each half, pulled far away from the Bearcats for a 60-31 victory.
Cazenovia’s girls had last played Dec. 22, beating Altmar-Parish-Williamstown 68-55. But the 17-day layoff did little to affect the Lakers, who started the new year 4-4 and determined to get back above the .500 mark.
Eager to go, Cazenovia jumped to a 17-7 lead on Solvay by the end of the first quarter. The margin grew to 30-15 by halftime, and then the Lakers really took off, outscoring the Bearcats 23-4 in a decisive third quarter.
A strong inside-outside game featured Maggie Johnson earning 16 points in the paint and Audrey Burbidge producing 15 points, largely through three 3-pointers. Lizzy Bigsby added a season-best nine points as Jackie Gardner led Solvay with 10 points and four rebounds.
Back at Buckley Gym, Cazenovia’s boys team, who entered the new year with a strong 5-1 mark, met Vernon-Verona-Sherrill after a 24-hour weather postponement, and could not quite catch up to the Red Devils in a 63-56 defeat.
Like the girls, the boys Lakers had gone through a 17-day hiatus since beating APW on Dec. 22, but unlike their female counterparts, the layoff did seemed to have some lingering effects, as Cazenovia managed just seven points in the first quarter.
Though the Lakers rebounded to pull within one, 29-28, at halftime, it went cold again in the third quarter, allowing VVS to build a 47-38 edge. Despite plenty of late chances by Cazenovia, the Red Devils held on as six players had six or more points, with Nick Metzger (14 points) and Davey Moffett (13 points) leading the way.
On Cazenovia’s side, Ryan Henderson hit a trio of 3-pointers and finished with 16 points overall. Evan Cornell connected on four 3-pointers to account for most of his 14 points. Keaton Ackermann added 10 points as Jake Shaffner got eight points and Kevin Ridings six points.
Still at home to face Solvay 24 hours later, the Lakers fared better within OHSL Liberty division confines, hanging on at the end to beat the Bearcats 51-47.
Stingy defense throughout the first half helped Cazenovia maintain full control, eventually building a 30-17 advantage. But as the second half wore on, Solvay chipped away, seeing Jon Scutt and Mike Yaizzo (15 points each) lead the comeback attempt.
Cazenovia would maintain that lead, though, because it put three players in double figures. Shaffner, getting plenty of chances in the paint, earned 20 points, with Henderson close behind as he had his second straight 16-point outing and Ackermann contributed 12 points.
The schedule turns quiet for both of Cazenovia’s teams this week, with lone games against Skaneateles on Tuesday – the girls at Buckley Gym, the boys on the road.
