It just so happened that boys basketball teams from Skaneateles, Marcellus and Westhill would all run into each other during the last full week of the regular season, battling for playoff seeding position.
The rotation began last Monday night with the Warriors traveling to face the Mustangs, and it was Westhill’s defense that was the story throughout its 59-35 victory that avenged a 55-50 defeat to them in December.
Steadily, the Warriors built a 33-20 advantage by halftime. But remembering that it surrendered a bigger lead to Solvay exactly one week earlier, Westhill clamped down further in the second half and doubled that margin.
With its trademark man-to-man pressure back in top form, the Warriors rode another big night from Zach Brown, who nearly matched Marcellus by himself earning 30 points, including four 3-pointers. James Kelley added 12 points.
No one on the Mustangs could get going, with Tristan Jarvi and Matt Kershaw getting nine points apiece and Jared Sammon adding seven points.
Then it was Marcellus visiting Skaneateles Wednesday night, the Lakers having won their initial meeting 58-52 early this season.
The rematch proved more exciting – and even though it blew a big fourth-quarter lead, the Mustangs endured long enough to edge Skaneateles 63-61 in double overtime.
When it went on a 19-8 run in the third quarter to go in front 43-30, Marcellus seemed in good shape, but the Lakers erased that margin and pulled even, 49-49, forcing it into OT.
Four minutes were not enough, the two sides still even 55-55 going into a second OT, but by a small margin Marcellus regained the lead and kept it, overcoming Nate Fouts’ 22 points and Andrew Neumann’s 16 points.
Prior to this, Skaneateles had routed Altmar-Parish-Williamstown 70-29 last Monday night, building a 45-13 advantage by halftime.
Miller Weir took on a larger role and earned 13 points, matching Tyler DelFavero’s total a Fouts again led the way, earning 20 points. Bryce Lincoln contributed eight points and Max Wamp had six points. ‘
Westhill went from the win over Marcellus to handling Homer 67-35 a night later, denying the Trojans a chance to clinch a playoff berth.
A 22-6 push through the first quarter set the tone, and the Warriors built from there, seeing Liam Sanborn sink five 3-pointers on his way to a career-best 19 points.
Brown was glad to see his teammates step up as he matched Luke Gilmartin’s total of 14 points, while Kelley had 13 points.
A far tougher game loomed on Friday against Christian Brothers Academy, and the Warriors lost to the Brothers 64-41, with only Kelley (11 points) hitting double figures as Brown was held to eight points and Gilmartin had nine points. Dan Anderson (19 points) and Colin Kelly (17 points) led CBA.
Jordan-Elbridge had back-to-back games, starting when it took its turn against APW and won big, 75-43, the Eagles breaking things open by outscoring the Rebels 26-7 in the third quarter.
Again going to the forefront, Dakota Holbrook put in 24 points to lead J-E, with Jeremy Meili and Alex Pond each producing 13 points. Joel Blasko stepped up with nine points and Griffin Vincent contributed seven points.
Then, against Institute of Technology Central Thursday night, J-E dropped this Eagles clash 58-49, though Holbrook and Pond both had 16 points, combining to hit five 3-pointers as Myles Town got nine points.
