As has been the case in recent years, the Pathfinder Bank Classic, a late-January showcase of top high school basketball teams, will center around the “Holy War” rivalry between Bishop Ludden and Christian Brothers Academy.
Though the Gaelic Knights have the better record, it’s the Brothers receiving the lion’s share of attention in recent weeks as long-time head coach Buddy Wleklinski earned his 500th victory Jan. 11 with a win over Solvay.
A day after that happened, Ludden returned to action for just its second game of 2020, against Utica-Notre Dame, and outscored the Jugglers 84-70.
Steadiliy building a 44-32 lead by halftime, the Gaelic Knights withstood all of UND’s late charges, led by Mykell Kaigler, who poured in 26 points.
Three other Ludden players hit double figures, too, as Monte Johnson got 15 points, Nazier Kinsey earned 13 points and Grant Baker finished with 12 points. Jarin Beauford added nine points.
So began a stretch where Ludden would play seven games in 15 days, including one with Bishop Grimes – whose coach, Bob McKenney, passed 600 career wins last Tuesday when it beat CBA.
That same night, against Syracuse Academy of Science, the Gaelic Knights were pushed all the way to the wire, but was able to survive and get a 73-70 victory over the Atoms.
The third quarter proved the key, Ludden trailing 29-24 at halftime but then outscoring SAS 26-14 in that frame. From there, it was a long battle to the finish that featured lots of free-throw shooting.
Kaigler finished with 18 points, one of five Gaelic Knights in double figures. Eight of Johnson’s 12 points came at the foul line as Kinsey and Beauford, who had 14 points apiece, combined to hit 13 free throws, Baker also getting 12 points.
Ludden’s strong play continued Friday night against visiting Marcellus, with the Gaelic Knights tearing to a 37-10 halftime lead on the way to a 62-30 victory.
With its depth on display, Ludden had 12 different players get on the scoreboard, none earning more than Beauford’s 14 points as Johnson added eight points. Tristan Jarvi led the Mustangs with 10 points.
Also in that stretch was a game Tuesday against Westhill, who continued its up-and-down ways last week first by running all over Altmar-Parish-Williamstown in a 91-35 decision.
Zach Brown led with 20 points, but Elliott Rouse was close behind, earning 16 points as James Kelley put up 15 points. Sam Aversa earned 13 points as Myshaun Thomas had nine points and Rusden Bryant got seven points.
Against Hannibal a night later, Westhill moved above. 500 (5-4) for the first time this season, rolling to a 74-41 victory that proved a showcase for Aversa, the sophomore called up from the JV ranks.
All told, Aversa had 22 points, hitting on six 3-pointers. Kelley remained consistent, earning 16 points, with Brown adding 14 points and Rouse earning 11 points.
Playing for a third time in four days Thursday against Chittenango, the Warriors continue to surge, shutting down the Bears for long stretches and breezing to a 66-30 victory.
With the defense finally producing good results, Westhill’s attack continued to diversify. Brown had 15 points and Kelley got 14 points, with Rouse earning 10 points. Aversa had nine points and Luke Gilmartin earned eight points and Phillip Bogan earned six points.
Far from all this, Jordan-Elbridge, handled by Westhill on Jan. 10, roared back to the win column last Tuesday night against Mexico, taming the Tigers 57-40.
The game was tight until the Eagles outscored Mexico 18-6 in the fourth quarter, Dakota Holbrook pouring in 22 points as Tyler Waldron gained 13 points. Jeremy Meili had nine points as Alex Pond got eight points.
J-E won again on Friday, topping Canastota 53-39 largely on the basis of building a 30-17 halftime advantage. Meili had 13 points, just ahead of Waldron (12 points) and Pond (11 points) as Holbrook got seven points.
