ONONDAGA COUNTY – Only a few seconds separated the Westhill boys basketball team from staying undefeated and putting an end to Christian Brothers Academy’s 21-game win streak that dated back to January 2020.
But in the last seconds, the Warriors were caught and overtaken, the end result a 59-57 defeat which derailed Westhill’s own dreams of an undefeated winter.
Having only played three times (all wins), the Warriors were far fresher than CBA, who was playing its ninth game. Perhaps that accounted for the steady progression Westhill made in the first three quarters.
Entering the final period, the Warriors were up 50-42, but here the Brothers’ defense took over, suffocating Westhill to send the game to the wire.
When Dan Anderson hit two free throws, CBA tied it 57-57. Westhill still had a chance to win it, but the Brothers forced a turnover and scramble and out of it Cario Williams broke away and converted a layup right before the horn.
James Kelly led the Warriors with 17 points. Luke Gilmartin had 15 points, with Myshawn Thomas adding 12 points as Anderson paced CBA with 19 points.
Perhaps that result had a lingering effect because, when Westhill played again Saturday against Bishop Grimes, it paid for a poor second quarter and lost, 62-54, to the Cobras.
Grimes outscored Westhill 22-8 in that second period and led the rest of the way, though Sam Aversa gave the Warriors 19 points and Kelly added 18 points. Gilmartin got 11 points as Sylvester Seton paced Grimes with 19 points.
Two nights earlier, Bishop Ludden met Bishop Grimes and had to go to the last seconds to inch past Bishop Grimes 61-59.
Unlike with CBA and Westhill, this was a contest where neither side could get away, and the Gaelic Knights were still trailing when, with 17 seconds left, Grant Baker sank his sixth 3-pointer of the night to put Ludden in front.
This, along with Jazier Kinsey’s free throw, helped the Gaelic Knights pull through as Baker finished with 22 points and Jarin Beauford had 20 points, with Kinsey getting eight points and Jaiden Holloman seven points. Deng Garang (19 points) and Jon Corl (15 points) paced Grimes.
Skaneateles earned a quality win last Tuesday night against Syracuse Academy of Science, topping the Atoms 66-61 to improve to 2-3 on the season, but when it ran into Westhill Thursday it lost 72-57 to the Warriors.
Already in front 33-24 at halftime, Westhill outscored the Lakers 24-13 in the third period to seal the victory, with four Warriors scoring in double figures as Kelly got 20 points, Aversa and Myshawn Thomas each had 16 points and Gilmartin earned 13 points.
As for Skaneateles, Colin Gaglione led all individuals with 21 points, with balance behind him as Andrew Neumann got 11 points, Max Wamp had 10 points and Miller Weir added nine points.
