CENTRAL NEW YORK – Maybe the most significant thing that happened to the Chittenango boys basketball team was what took place on the first day of February far from Bear Country.
Up north, undefeated Lowville took its first loss since 2019, falling in overtime to Watertown and, perhaps, opening the door for Chittenango to grab the top seed for the upcoming Section III Class B playoffs.
Of course, the Bears had to do its part and keep on winning – which it did last Monday when it rode yet another torrid start and solid finish to a 78-60 victory over Marcellus.
In what’s turned into a Chitenango trademark, it jumped out 27-8 on the Mustangs, quite a difference from the close 65-55 battle the two teams had early in January.
The Mustangs did rally and keep things interesting until the Bears put together a strong fourth quarter and, once again, converted plenty from 3-point range.
Alex Moesch and Bryce Bishop both nailed five 3-pointers, Moesch on his way to 24 points and Bishop accounting for all of his 15 points. Ty Kelly and Ryan Moesch combined for five more 3-pointers as they matched Bishop with 15 points apiece. Will Burnett and Pat Louer led Marcellus with 17 points apiece.
What followed, a day later against Jordan-Elbridge, was just as impressive, Chittenango getting just 10 total points from the Moesch brothers, yet still routing the Eagles 89-46.
Not content with a 29-11 first-quarter advantage, Chittenango made it 50-24 by halftime and even closed 19-2 long after the outcome was settled.
Hitting on six 3-pointers, Bishop, with 22 points, paced the Bears. Aiden Cavotta had a season-best 14 points and Dylan Bassett set a season mark with 11 points to match Kelly.
Another impressive display was shown on Friday night at Phoenix. Against a Firebirds side with a 15-3 record, Chittenango erupted for 60 first-half points.
That pace was not maintained, but the Bears still rolled to a 95-53 victory, Alex Moesch getting nearly half his 31 points from five 3-pointers as Bishop earned 17 points, Ryan Moesch got 16 points and Kelly had 15 points. Kelly and Bishop both hit on three 3-pointers.
Cazenovia put together one of its best all-around performances last Tuesday against Solvay, featuring some tremendous defense during a 51-42 victory over the Bearcats.
Hot shooting from the likes of Ben Bianco contributed to a 23-10 first-quarter lead. Then that margin was maintained until a third period where the Lakers managed to shut out Solvay while netting 13 straight points.
Up 43-20, Cazenovia withstood a late Bearcats comeback as Bianco worked his total to 18 points and A.J. Rothfeld poured in 16 points. Matt Compeau contributed eight points.
Making it four wins in a row on Friday night, Cazenovia rallied past Camden 47-45, doing so by outscoring the Blue Devils 19-11 in the fourth quarter after trailing most of the night.
Rothfeld keyed the comeback, his 20 points including eight successful free throws. Bianco added 12 points as the Lakers improved to 7-11 overall with a game against Skaneateles still looming.
