Every time the Skaneateles boys basketball team is poised to take off, things turn in the other direction.
The most dramatic example of this trend was found in last Monday’s game at Syracuse Academy of Science, where the Lakers followed strong efforts from the previous week with a major struggle in an 87-38 defeat to the Atoms.
SAS did move up from Class B to A this season, and had just come off beating Jamesville-DeWitt on Jan. 11. And the Atoms’ fast pace proved far too much for Skaneateles to handle as it bolted to a 45-24 halftime lead, and then outscored the Lakers 29-9 in the third quarter.
Jake Reed did finish with 17 points, but none of his Skaneateles teammates managed more than one field goal. For SAS, 11 different players got on the scoresheet as Symir Torrence led with 21 points, with Kenyang Lual adding 19 points and Noreon Williams 12 points.
Having little time to fret, the Lakers were back on the court two nights later, hosting Jordan-Elbridge. In a game it needed for some cushion in regards to its post-season hopes, And it trailed at halftime before a big third quarter helped Skaneateles push past the Eagles 51-44.
Things had gone well for the Eagles in the first half. A combination of stingy defense and timely baskets allowed J-E to claim a small lead, and it still was in front, 21-18, heading into halftime.
Skaneateles turned it around in the third quarter, though, outscoring the Eagles 20-9. Still, J-E stayed within range, pulling within four with less than four minutes left, yet unable to string together the baskets and stops it needed in the late going.
Unlike with SAS, the Lakers had plenty of contributors. Matt Neumann paced Skaneateles with 12 points, just ahead of Reed (11 points) and Jeremy Castle (nine points), with Kyler Viggiano adding six points and Justin McClanahan five points. J-E’s Aidan Carpenter picked up 13 points to lead all individuals, while Dale Wagner and Austin Cassick had eight points apiece.
More success followed in Friday night’s game against Altmar-Parish-Williamstown, where the Lakers took down the Rebels 68-39. During the first quarter, Skaneateles outscored APW 25-11, and the margin kept building as the defense continued to show some improvement.
What was more, it was done with Reed held to just two points. McClanahan set a career mark with 22 points that included four 3-pointers, while Neumann finished with 12 points. Castle and Jack Canty both chimed in with 11 points.
This helped improve the Lakers’ record to 6-9, 4-4 in league play. A tough week of games awaits as Skaneateles would host Central Square Tuesday and then visit Institute of Technology Central on Friday night.
