ONONDAGA COUNTY – One common thread through last week’s boys basketball action was the intensity and passion that only a rivalry could bring – or a game with high stakes.
Marcellus had the stakes when, at 7-1 on the season, it welcomed 9-0, state Class B no. 16-ranked Chittenango Tuesday night, a game where the Mustangs put itself in position to win, only to get passed late in a 65-55 defeat to the Bears.
All through the first half, Marcellus chased Chittenango, and when it netted five straight points at the end of the second quarter to cut its deficit to 29-24, the Mustangs grabbed the momentum.
Even more impressive was the 13-0 run Marcellus put together late in the third period as it got hot from the perimeter and turned a 12-point deficit into a 41-40 advantage with one quarter left.
However, the Bears’ constant full-court pressure produced turnovers and baskets on the other end, especially from Alex Moesch, who finished with 26 points. And when Marcellus tried to answer, a pair of big 3-pointers by Bryce Bishop stifled the comeback.
It was a well-balanced Marcellus attack as Will Burnett and Pat Louer both netted 13 points, with Austin Voss adding 11 points and Will Kershaw getting 10 points. To help Moesch, Ty Kelly got 15 points for the Bears.
This happened as Skaneateles hosted Cazenovia, and in this latest Lakers clash the home side won, Skaneateles pulling out a 58-56 decision to move to 8-1 on the season.
To earn its seventh win in a row, Skaneateles limited Cazenovia to eight points in the first quarter and jumped out in front, essentially spending the rest of the game doing all it could to hang on.
Jude Pascal led that effort, his 20 points topping all individuals. Marcus McClanahan and James Musso both had eight points, with Colin Gaglione getting seven points, Patrick Herr six points and Tyson DiRubbo five points.
This depth would matter against a Cazenovia side that got 15 points from A.J. Rothfeld and 13 points from Ben Bianco, with Peter McCole and Tom Insel adding eight points apiece.
Another rivalry renewed Wednesday when Westhill faced Bishop Ludden, a game that was intense and high-spirited from the outset, but in the latter stages turned in the Warriors’ favor as it prevailed 64-50.
Playing at a quick tempo, Westhill got the early lead, only to see the Gaelic Knights battle back and forge a 28-28 halftime tie.
But the relenteless man-to-man pressure of Westhill wore down Ludden’s attack while, on the other end, Luke Kilmartin worked his total to 25 points to lead all scorers.
Shawn Mayes, with 14 points, offered the main support as Omar Robinson got eight points and Keegan Bryant seven points. Jaiden Holloman led the Gaelic Knights with 17 points, while Chad Cook and Tim Dunham each had nine points.
Then, on Friday night, Westhill turned its attention to Marcellus and put together its most comprehensive performance of the season, roaring to a 68-45 victory over the Mustangs.
Effective on both ends, the Warriors amassed a 37-22 margin by halftime and then added to that lead in the third quarter, outscoring Marcellus 20-13 to preclude any comeback.
Hot shooting helped as Kam Langdon hit three 3-pointers on his way to 22 points overall. Mayes also connected three times beyond the arc for most of his 11 points, while Kilmartin and Robinson both gained 14 points. In defeat, the Mustangs got 12 points from Voss and 11 points from Liam Goldsworthy.
As that went on, Skaneateles visited Jordan-Elbridge and led from the outset, handling the Eagles 69-45. A 17-8 start was augmented by the Lakers outscoring J-E 16-5 in the third quarter.
Pascal, with 15 points, was helped by 14 points from McClanahan and 10 points from Gaglione as Colin Sweet had nine points and Nate Shattuck seven points. The Eagles, who lost 72-38 to Syracuse ITC earlier in the week, had Caleb Rouse (14 points), Nolan Brunelle (12 points) and Jack Barrigar (11 points) all hit double figures.
