ONONDAGA COUNTY – Regardless of all the success it may find elsewhere against a wide variety of rivals, and no matter what the records might say, any boys basketball game between Bishop Ludden and Christian Brothers Academy is special.
And when the “Holy War” renewed itself last Tuesday night the 11-1, state-ranked Gaelic Knights required one big mid-game surge to seize control against the Brothers, eventually prevailing 67-58.
CBA came into this game at 5-8 but off a win at Bishop Grimes on Jan. 24 and, in Tavin Penix, had one of the area’s top talents, something Penix would again show here at Ludden’s expense.
All game long Penix would find ways to score, from four 3-pointers to eight other field goals to nine successful free throws on his way to 37 points.
Not minding any of this, the Gaelic Knights still led early and, in the second quarter, made its decisive move, outscoring the Brothers 20-7 to give itself a 35-19 halftime lead that CBA did not really eat into until the final minutes.
By then, Jahzar Greene had put up 33 points, nearly matching Penix, but getting much more help from his teammates. Joe Dunham had 14 points, with Liam Sheard adding 11 points and four rebounds. Colden Sheen gained seven rebounds.
Winter weather postponed all the other games involving local teams last Tuesday night, but on Wednesday West Genesee was able to go to Cicero-North Syracuse after sneaking back into the state Class AA rankings at no. 25.
Just like in their Dec. 17 meeting, though, the Northstars proved too tough, getting big performances from the duo of Nate Francis and Andrew Benedict to pull away and beat the Wildcats 78-56.
Neither side started hot, but in the second quarter C-NS, benefiting from the hot shooting from Francis and all-around game from Benedict, outscored WG 22-9, setting up a getaway.
Francis set a season mark with 29 points, most of it from seven successful 3-pointers, while Benedict chimed in with 22 points, both well clear of the Wildcats’ top players as Kolton Castrello and Clyde Allen led WG with 11 points apiece and Aidan Phelan got nine points.
Now hosting reigning sectional Class AAA champion Liverpool on Friday night, the Wildcats were in need of a signature victory and got it, pulling out a 57-55 decision.
Just as exciting was what happened across town as Ludden, in its second meeting with Bishop Grimes in 15 days, surrendered a big early lead but recovered in overtime to top the Cobras 71-66.
It was Hall of Fame night at Grimes, but it started with Ludden bolting to a 22-12 edge by the end of the first quarter before the Cobras battled back within range, 32-29, by halftime.
A tense second half followed, every Ludden attempt to get away thwarted as Grimes caught up and would stay even, 60-60, by the end of regulation.
Regrouping before OT, the Gaelic Knights outscored the Cobras 11-6 in the extra frame and Greene neared a triple-double finishing with 27 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.
Dunham had 14 points and eight rebounds with Sheard getting 13 points. Sheen got nine points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals. Nate Abernethy and Garang Garang led Grimes with 19 points apiece.
Somehow, Ludden had to return less than 24 hours later and, in another tough assignment against Section V’s Rochester McQuaid, made a stirring late comeback to win it 54-48.
Here McQuaid led most of the way and still found itself in front 40-36 going to the fourth quarter when the Gaelic Knights produced its best basketball on both ends in the final eight minutes.
Greene keyed the closing 18-8 run and finished with 25 points, adding six assists. Dunham gained 13 points, four rebounds and four steals, with Sheard adding nine points and seven rebounds. Sheen contributed five assists.
Big as all these wins were for Ludden, an even bigger prize awaits Wednesday night when it hosts undefeated (14-0) Rome Free Academy in one of the regular season’s most anticipated games.