Opponents from the city of Syracuse have not proven kind to the Skaneateles boys basketball team this winter.
First, it was Syracuse Academy of Science twice beating the Lakers. Then, in last Tuesday night’s visit to Institute of Technology Central, Skaneateles found itself in a fast-paced affair that it could not get control of, falling 83-74 to the Eagles.
At least the first half carried a modest pace, and the Lakers stayed close, only trailing 32-28 at the break. But instead of keeping at that rate, Skaneateles found itself having to go faster in order to prevent an ITC runaway.
Mostly, the Lakers counted on a three-pronged attack. Pete Knupp put up 25 points, hitting on four 3-pointers, while Jake Peterson worked inside for 22 points, including six successful free throws, and Jake Reed got most of his 18 points from converting five 3-pointers.
But ITC had five players score in double figures, and three of them – Tyree Allen (16 points, 10 rebounds), James Walker (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Iquail Dancil (13 points, 10 rebounds) – had double-double efforts, with Walker adding seven steals, six assists and three blocks.
Josh Holmes fell one rebound short of a triple-double, dishing out 10 assists and grabbing nine rebounds to go with 13 points. Mark Westbrook got 18 points and nine rebounds.
Back home on Friday night, Skaneateles met up with Bishop Grimes, a team it beat 63-58 at SRC Arena on Dec. 30 as part of the “More Than A Game” Holiday Classic.
And the Lakers would complete a season sweep of the Cobras, prevailing by that same five-point margin, though baskets were more at a premium in this 53-48 Skaneateles victory.
All through the first half, the Lakers struggled to get anything going, but its defense made sure that Grimes didn’t take full advantage, and Skaneateles only trailed by four, 21-17, at intermission.
Gradually, the pace quickened, and the Lakers battled away until it took the lead for good in the fourth quarter, ultimately outscoring the Cobras 17-10 in that last frame to pull it out.
Peterson piled up 18 points, with the trio of Knupp, Zach Blair and Marc Pietropaoli each getting nine points and Reed contributing six points. Nine different Grimes players score, but none had more than the 12 points put up by Luciano Vigliotti.
Safely in the post-season with a 9-5 mark, the Lakers could clinch a winning record if it won twice more, as it stayed home this week for games against much-improved Homer and its long-time rival, Marcellus.
