Just when the Skaneateles boys basketball team was poised to get its third consecutive win and move to the brink of clinching a playoff berth, it all fell apart.
The Lakers hosted Central Square last Tuesday night and, for three quarters, all went to plan – and then, in the fourth quarter, the Redhawks altered those plans with a stunning rally that left Skaneateles on the wrong end of a 61-58 defeat.
Ignoring Central Square’s 7-3 record entering the night, the Lakers hit shots from the outset and led, 18-11, after one period. Then it maintained that advantage until the third quarter, when another scoring surge left Skaneateles in front, 48-37, poised for a breakthrough.
Instead, the Lakers got broken by Central Square making everything down the stretch, led by Dante Rogers, who finished with 19 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Tim Giblin, who had 13 points, five rebounds and five assists. Slade Springer, Brogan Laux and Cooper Colesante had nine points apiece.
Before the brutal ending, Jake Reed had amassed most of his game-high 22 points, including four 3-pointers. Jeremy Castle connected three times beyond the arc on his way to 15 points as Matt Neumann (nine points) and Justin McClanahan (eight points) each hit on two 3-pointers.
On Friday night, the Lakers looked to recover at Institute of Technology Central, and nearly did so, the game played on even terms most of the night, but Skaneateles not quite able to catch up as it fell to the Eagles 75-72.
ITC inched out in front, 16-11, by the end of the first quarter. From there, Skaneateles spent the rest of the night constantly putting pressure on the Eagles’ defense and finding plenty of success, keeping the game in close proximity.
Reed, who had 15 points, had plenty of company in the attack as Neumann put up a team-high 19 points and McClanahan had 13 points, the pair each shooting three 3-pointers. Ben Delasin stepped up with 10 points, while Seth Lincoln had nine points.
Despite all that, ITC answered every Skaneateles run with one of its own, and held on late as Iquail Dancil poured in 32 points, including five 3-pointers. Tr’Von Balaam connected three times beyond the arc on his way to 20 points as Doug Campbell added 10 points.
Now the Lakers would take a 6-11 overall record into a Wednesday rematch with Central Square before hosting Phoenix on Friday and closing the regular season Feb. 7 at Hannibal.
