Having split its first two games, the Cazenovia girls basketball team would play twice early last week, nearly seeing things go south but turning it around in a big way.
The Lakers were in trouble in last Monday’s game against Homer at Buckley Gym, but again leaned on its defense to keep things close and, with a second-half rally, pulling out a 39-36 victory over the Trojans.
Cold from the field throughout the first half, Cazenovia trailed 23-13 at the break, but made up most of that deficit in the third quarter, moving within two, 29-27, to set up a tight finish.
The Lakers inched in front, and protected the ball well in the final minute, forcing Homer to foul. Katie Ammann’s free throw extended the margin to three, and Hannah Matteson’s block in the waning seconds preserved the win.
Again, the offense leaned plenty on Lindsey Lawson, whose 18 points included eight successful free throws. Carleigh Szalach had eight points, with Julia Bauder getting five points.
Homer got 12 points from Shawnessy Earle, with Gracie Patriarco and Jerze Joseph each earning nine points as Patriarco added eight rebounds and seven steals. Abby Wagner finished with seven rebounds.
Two nights later, Cazenovia went to Central Valley Academy, and took too long to find its rhythm on both ends, which proved costly in a 54-38 defeat to the Thunder.
CVA managed to hold the Lakers to four points in the first quarter, while breaking through Cazenovia’s defenses with a series of baskets and eventually building a 39-23 lead through three periods.
Lawson did all she could, earning 25 points, but other than her and Ammann (eight points), the Lakers had just one field goal. The Thunder, by contrast, had Reilly Rich (14 points), Savannah Moore (13 points) and Savannah Sommer (10 points) all score in double figures.
Chittenango was back on the court last Tuesday night with a game against Hannibal where the Bears had to hang on late to beat the Warriors 49-45.
Things were close until the third quarter, when Chittenango broke out during an 18-7 run. That was needed as Hannibal, trailing 38-25, nearly made up all the ground in the final period led by Kelsey Combes (15 points) and Emily Weaver (12 points).
Ultimately, the Bears held on, led by Emily Moon’s double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds. Mekenzie Dahlin had 13 points and five steals as Ally Shoemaker got 12 points, plus eight rebounds, six steals and three assists. Cassidy Kelly pulled down 14 rebounds to go with her eight points.
On Saturday, the Bears faced Bishop Grimes at Onondaga Community College’s Allyn Hall, a showcase for both Shoemaker and the Cobras’ Abby Wilkinson, who had just surpassed 1,000 career points.
And it was Chittenango prevailing 49-46, rallying from a 37-33 deficit with a big fourth quarter where Kelly and Sarah Lanphear both hit crucial shots in the closing minutes to help overcome Wilkinson’s 21-point effort.
Shoemaker again pulled off a triple-double as she got 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Kelly got 11 points, while Moon had 10 points and nine rebounds. Dahlin contributed six points as Alivia Narolis had seven points.
Cazenovia was home Tuesday night to face Westhill and then hosts Chittenango in a neighborhood showdown Friday before both teams hit the holiday break. The Bears visit Syracuse Academy of Science Wednesday night.
