Just an inch or two separated the Chittenango girls basketball team from a massive victory over Oneida in last Saturday’s final of the Bears’ holiday tournament.

Instead, the state Class B no. 7-ranked Indians held on to prevail, 38-36, handing Chittenango its first defeat of the season, but offering a tantalizing preview of what could happen if the two met again in the Section III Class B playoffs.

Much of the game was, for the Bears, a major struggle to score points. Oneida’s defense clamped down for long stretches, especially a second quarter where it limited Chittenango to four points.

But though it trailed 33-23 through three quarters, the Bears weren’t done. It made several key stops and, led again by Ally Shoemaker, whittled down its deficit to a single basket.

Then, as time wound down, Chittenango had one more possession, and got a 3-point shot to win the game that found the rim – but bounced in and out before swishing through.

Shoemaker finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks, while Cassidy Kelly had 10 points. Emily Moon had six points and six rebounds. For Oneida, Sydney Lusher and Ella Rainbow led with 15 points apiece.

This was a high-quality tournament from the outset, Oneida holding off Auburn 50-44 in last Friday’s opening round, then Skaneateles proving pesky against Chittenango before the Bears got away to win 66-51.

Only up 30-25 at halftime, Chittenango outscored the Lakers 20-13 in the third quarter, and it was Sarah Lanphear leading the way thanks to her 18 points and five rebounds.

Shoemaker got 13 points, to go with nine assists and six rebounds. Moon had 10 points and nine rebounds as Kelly got eight points, six rebound and five assists, with Avery Salce adding seven points. Skaneateles went on to beat Auburn 45-35 in the consolation game.

With its two-week break over, Cazenovia was back in action last Friday, at 6-1 Solvay, and used its defense to seize control against the Bearcats and prevail 53-35.

Lindsey Lawson and the rest of the Lakers settled matters early, roaring to a 37-14 lead by halftime, which allowed it to dictate the pace the rest of the way. Ryleigh Bidwell paced Solvay with 13 points.

Chittenango had another big test on Friday night when it took on undefeated, state Class A no. 22-ranked Christian Brothers Academy at Buddy Wleklinski Court.

And while it had plenty of good moments, the Bears could never fully recover from a rough start in a 65-53 defeat to the Brothers.

In the first of several key runs, CBA had a 10-0 push late in the first quarter. From there, it kept Chittenango at a distance, occasionally letting its lead slip to single digits, but answering each time.

Shoemaker did all she could with 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and five blocks, while Lanphear had 13 points and nine rebounds, Moon adding 12 points and five rebounds.

Yet it was the Brothers’ Brooke Jarvis that proved unstoppable, carrying CBA’s attack in the second half as she netted 20 of her game-high 29 points in those last two periods.