One star performance was not going to keep the Baldwinsville boys basketball team from a successful opening night in the 2016-17 campaign.
New Hartford came to the Baker High School gym Thursday night and unleashed Frankie Policelli, who by himself nearly produced a road win, but the Bees, with far more depth and balance on hand, led most of the way and beat back the Spartans 64-56.
Having missed the Section III Class AA playoffs a season ago, the first goal for head coach Tim Solomon and his Bees is to get back to the post-season. To do so, B’ville would need plenty of production from plenty of players, a template that was on display against New Hartford, a non-league Class A opponent.
A modest early Spartans lead disappeared when B’ville moved in front during the second quarter. Up 30-26 at halftime, the Bees nearly saw the Spartans catch up in the third period, and Policelli had much to do with it, not letting up until he had scored 34 points, including four 3-pointers.
Still, with the game in doubt down the stretch, B’ville pulled clear, helped by spreading things around. Jacob Marshall led with 16 points, not even half Policelli’s total, but Chris Taylor got 14 points and David Cerqua, aided by a trio of 3-pointers, earned 11 points. Casey Pluff got eight points and Gabe Horan contributed six points.
Other than Frankie Policelli, no other New Hartford player scored in double figures, with NicoPolicelli contributing eight points and Joe Murray getting seven points.
B’ville would stays home next Tuesday to face Carthage before going to Rome Free Academy next Thursday, with CNY Counties League play starting on Dec. 20 at Liverpool
