With its 11-3 record and no. 27 state Class B ranking, the Cazenovia boys basketball team suddenly found itself the stronger of the two Lakers outlets heading into last Wednesday’s clash with Skaneateles.
But that only lasted until the game’s closing seconds, when Cazenovia’s opportunity for a signature win this season got snatched away in a 48-46 defeat.
The two Lakers sides went through a closely played first half. Nate Fouts’ 10 points helped Skaneateles inch in front, 24-23, and it extended its margin to 34-26 before Cazenovia went on a 15-2 run to close the third quarter.
Fighting back in the final period, Skaneateles set up atense struggle through the final minutes, neither team able to produce much for long stretches.
Down by two, 46-44, Skaneateles evened it up with Jack Whirtley’s free throws with 29 seconds to play.
Then, after a Cazenovia miss, the home Lakers, not calling a time-out, rushed downcourt, Whirtley passing it to Max Wamp, who put in the go-ahead basket with less than three seconds left.
Cazenovia could not answer it, taking a bitter defeat despite 15 points from Alex Moesch and 12 points from A.J. Rothfeld. Ryan Romagnoli and Patrick Linck had seven points apiece.
To lead Skaneateles, Fouts gained 16 points, just ahead of Whirtley’s total of 15 points. Wamp and Tyler DelFavero had six points apiece.
With a chance to recover on Friday night against Holland Patent, the Lakers could not do so, upended 75-63 by the Golden Knights.
Though it only had a 6-7 record going into the game and had lost to Solvay the night before, HP traded baskets with Cazenovia throughout the first half, then outscored them 21-15 in the third quarter.
All game long, the Golden Knights’ Dylan Ernst proved tough to contain, ultimately earning 32 points to help his side withstand the Lakers’ late push.
Moesch gained 23 points, including five 3-pointers. All of Romagnoli’s 12 points came from four 3-pointers as Keegan Bailey had nine points, Linck and Ty Freyer eight points apiece.
Back on Tuesday night, Chittenango went up against state Class B no. 24-ranked Solvay and made a furious late charge, but could not catch the Bearcats in a 53-47 defeat.
Ultimately, the Bears paid for a third quarter where it was outscored 14-4. This extended Solvay’s lead to 39-25, which despite its late surge it was unable to overcome.
Bryce Bishop did put up a game-high 17 points, while Jacob Dawkins and Alex Lum had eight points apiece. Tyrus Kelly got seven points as, for the Bearcats, Brock Bagozzi and Elijah Wright had 14 points apiece, Will Evans adding 11 points.
Still at home this week, Chittenango will take on Mexico and Hannibal, while Cazenovia would go to Marcellus Tuesday and then host Syracuse Academy of Science Friday night.
