Inching toward post-season qualification, the Chittenango boys basketball team hosted Fulton last Monday night and easily dismissed the Red Raiders 65-42.
A fast-paced first quarter saw the Bears move ahead, 17-13, but it really took over in the second period as it outscored Fulton 20-6 in that frame, giving itself a cushion that lasted the rest of the way.
Steve Mesmer stepped up for 13 points to lead a well-balanced attack. Devin Christopher and Brendan Galek each had 12 points, while Cavanaugh Chiares, back from an injury that sidelined him for a couple of weeks, earned seven points. Mike Scott and Greg Jasek earned six points apiece.
The Bears were triumphant again Friday night, handling Mexico 54-37 to reach the .500 mark (7-7) as, again, the defense had a standout effort.
All Chittenango allowed was two points in the first quarter. Mexico recovered and pulled within 25-21 by halftime, and it stayed tight until a final period where the Bears finally drew clear.
Scott controlled the game in the paint, finishing with 17 points. Christopher and Jasek each got nine points, with Mike Moon throwing in seven points. The Tigers had just one player, Jake Deno, get into double figures with 10 points.
The Chittenango girls team made up a snowed-out Jan. 21 game with Jamesville-DeWitt and could not generate much momentum in a 49-32 loss to the Red Rams.
J-D, fresh off an upset of defending Class A champion Cortland, wasn’t strong early, but the Bears could not take full advantage, only getting four points in the opening period. From that point forward, the Rams took control, leading 23-15 by halftime and doubling the margin in the second half.
Other than Kaitlin Antelmi, who had 13 points, and Sierra Shafer, who earned seven points, Chittenango managed just five total field goals. Caitlin Cariseo led J-D, also with 13 points, but had far more support as nine different Rams players had at least one basket.
Playing again Friday against Mexico, Chittenango took a 56-42 defeat, improving on the offensive end but still unable to overcome the Tigers’ 22-11 push through the second quarter that accounted for most of the margin.
Antelmi had 11 points, leading a balanced attack where Shafer and Brandy McDermott both got 10 points. Mexico’s Jamie Wallace led both sides with 18 points. Each of the Chittenango teams meet Homer and Phoenix this week.