One need not look too far into the past to see the Bishop Ludden and Christian Brothers Academy girls basketball teams wage their version of the “Holy War” on relatively even terms.
That certainly wasn’t the case last Thursday night at Buddy Wleklinski Court, where the Gaelic Knights unleashed a savage first-half attack that left the Brothers dazed, and it didn’t let up until Ludden had romped to a victory.
Each side had played once, the Gaelic Knights topping Utica-Notre Dame at SRC Arena Nov. 25 and CBA dropping a close decision at Central Square earlier in the week. Though the Brothers had sustained heavy graduation losses from last year’s Section III Class A semifinal side, no one anticipated the rough way Ludden would treat them.
Right from the opening tip, it was clear that the Gaelic Knights were in top form, combining stingy defense with a prolific attack as it built a 25-7 edge by the end of the first quarter. Little changed for the rest of the half, and by the time it reached the break, Ludden had a 51-12 edge.
It got to 70-17 before Ludden let up in the fourth quarter, having seen Danielle Rauch and Aurora Deshaies nearly match CBA by themselves, finishing with 21 points apiece. Laura Patulski, with 18 points, was close behind, while Meg Sierotnik had 12 points and Karleigh Leo got six points.
For its season opener, Marcellus, who missed the post-season in 2015-16, visited OHSL Liberty division newcomer Pulaski Thursday night and prevailed 49-35, not taking the lead until late in the first half, but outscoring the Blue Devils 25-11 in the second and third periods.
Between them, Sydney Lewis and Grace Hoey accounted for much of the Mustangs’ offense, as Lewis produced 15 points and Hoey added 14 points. They didn’t work alone, though, as Liz White and Lauren Young earned six points apiece. Lauren Denny paced Pulaski with 14 points and five rebounds.
Solvay would have its season opener Thursday night, hosting 2-0 Chittenango. Much of the game was played on even terms, but the Bearcats paid for slow starts to each half in a 41-31 loss to the Bears.
All that Solvay could manage was four points in the first quarter. Still, the game was within reach until Chittenango outscored them 13-6 in the third quarter to establish a 33-21 margin.
The Bearcats still saw Nadea Davis earn 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Aleah Yaizzo had 10 points. But the rest of the team managed just one field goal, by Leda Jaquin, as the Bears got 12 points and six steals from Morgan Shoemaker and eight points apiece from Ally Shoemaker (who also had six rebounds and six steals) and Mackenzie Dahlin. Trisha Whaley got 11 rebounds and four steals, to go with five points.
