At the worst time possible, the Skaneateles boys basketball team hit a rut that, if it continued, might prove costly to making the Section III Class B playoffs.
But just when it looked like things were starting to careen out of the Lakers’ control, it won twice last week, including a trip to Tully last Friday night where it put together its best all-around effort of the season in a 59-44 victory over the Black Knights.
Tully, a perennial Class C championship contender, got held to five points in the first quarter. And the confidence gained from its defense spilled over into offense as Skaneateles picked up its pace and, by halftime, had a 33-21 lead.
All through the second half, whenever the Black Knights tried to catch up, the Lakers provided an answer, leaning heavily on Jack Canty, whose five 3-pointers were part of a 24-point effort.
Helping out Canty, Tommy Reed finished with 14 points, while Jeremy Castle’s 13 points included a trio of 3-pointers. Tully lost despite 15 points from Jake Edinger and 13 points from Joe Crawford.
The Lakers were 5-6 going into last Monday’s game at Jordan-Elbridge, but a lopsided Jan. 19 defeat to Marcellus had hurt Skaneateles, and it could not recover here as, led by Jeremiah Sparks, the Eagles prevailed 69-56.
Skaneateles was up 16-12 through one quarter, but then J-E turned to Sparks, who kept tearing through the Skaneateles defense during a 39-25 push through the second and third periods that put the Eagles in front.
Sparks burned until the closing stretches, finishing with 34 points, nearly half his team’s total. Aidan Carpenter and Brandon Wick, with nine points apiece, provided some help, as did Dakota Holbrook (seven points) and Zak Curtis (six points).
Canty had 16 points to lead Skaneateles, while Castle got 15 points. Justin McClanahan earned 11 points as Reed gained seven points.
At Altmar-Parish-Williamstown a night later, the Lakers needed a win – and got it. Breaking out on offense as it beat the Rebels by a 77-64 margin.
Even as APW mostly kept pace during the first half, Skaneateles battled its way to a 38-34 lead, and in the third quarter the Lakers outscored the Rebels 23-15 to build more of a cushion.
Hinting at what he would do at Tully, Canty set a areer mark with 28 points from 12 field goals, two of them 3-pointers. Castle’s four 3-pointers led to 22 points as Kenny Peterson gained 10 points and McClanahan added nine points.
The win over Tully pushed the Lakers to 7-7, just in time for another tough test against reigning state Class B champion Westhill this Thursday night.
