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SYRACUSE, NY. – December 10, 2007 – The Onondaga Community College men’s basketball team captured the championship of its own Onondaga Community College Classic yesterday by defeating Columbia-Greene Community College, 88-58, in the championship game. Onondaga had advanced with a 94-81 victory over Bunker Hill Community College in Saturday’s first semi-final, while Columbia-Greene had defeated Anne Arundel Community College, 78-56, in the other semi. Prior to yesterday’s title game, Bunker Hill came away with 3rd place with an 82-75 win over Anne Arundel in the consolation game. With the weekend’s two wins Onondaga now has an overall record of 8-2 headed into final exams and the holiday break.
On Saturday, a 9-0 run midway through the first half boosted the Lazers to a 14-point lead. Onondaga was able to gradually extend the lead to as much as 27 in the second half, and Bunker Hill never got closer than the final margin. All 17 Lazers who dressed for the game played at least 5 minutes, with 14 scoring. Shane Williams (Camillus West Genesee) led Onondaga with 26 points and 14 rebounds. He was joined in double figures by Luke Schrader (Herkimer) and Ryan Chapman (Syracuse Bishop Ludden), who had 13 and 10 points respectively. Zack Thomsen (New Berlin Unadilla Valley) handed out a team high 8 assists. Onondaga connected on 35 of 69 shots (51%) while holding the visiting Bulldogs to 29 of 84 (34%) from the floor. Bunker Hill held a 55-51 rebounding edge.
In the championship game, Columbia-Greene jumped out to a 9-2 advantage, but the Lazers responded with a 17-2 run of their own. Onondaga extended the lead to 14 at halftime and as much as 31 in the second half, as the Lazers’ depth again proved to be the difference. All 17 Lazers who dressed again played significant minutes. Williams again led the way with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Chapman added 17 points and 9 boards, while Chris Vincent (Baldwinsville C.W. Baker) and Schrader added 12 and 10. Vincent recorded 3 steals, while Pete Byrne (Syracuse Bishop Ludden) handed out a team high 5 assists. The Lazers made 34 of 70 shots (49%) while limiting Columbia-Greene to 20 of 60 (33%). Onondaga owned a commanding 52-31 rebounding advantage and converted 15 of 20 (75%) free throw attempts.
Williams was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Chapman joined him on the All-Tournament Team, along with Dalton Austin-Machaud and Troy Talbot of Columbia-Greene, Desmond Brown of Bunker Hill, and Chris Schrader of Anne Arundel.
Onondaga is now off until after the holidays. The Lazers will travel to Polk Community College in Winter Haven, Florida, to compete in the Polk New Year’s Classic, January 2nd and 3rd. Onondaga will meet the hosts, an NJCAA Division I institution, at 5:00 pm on January 2nd. The tournament’s championship game will be played on January 3rd at 5:00 pm, following a 3:00 pm consolation game. The tournament will mark the start of 4 straight road games for Onondaga. The Lazers don’t play at home again until a 3:00 pm Mid-State Athletic Conference tilt against Cayuga Community College on Saturday, January 12th.