There really wasn't a lid on Cooperstown's basket for the final four and a half minutes of their home game against West Canada Valley Saturday night, it just seemed that way.

The Indians, the 17th ranked team in the state in Class C, took advantage of the Redskins cold shooting down the stretch to capture a 56-47 victory in front of a standing room only home crowd, some on hand to watch the Redskins Ropers perform at halftime.

The loss drops CCS to 7-10 on the season, with three regular season games remaining, including a home season-finale against undefeated New York Mills Feb. 11.

Junior Chris Gentile hit a three-point shot from the corner with just under five minutes remaining to pull Cooperstown within 50-47, but the Redskins never scored again, despite getting numerous chances.

Every Redskin player missed shots down the stretch, negating a solid defensive effort and a chance at an upset.

"We just went cold, and had a few turnovers and poor shots down the stretch," said CCS basketball coach Dave Bertram. "It was pleasing to see that we could not only play right with them, but probably played better than them for most of the game."

The game was close throughout, with a 10-10 tie after the first quarter, and Cooperstown holding a slim 25-24 lead at the half. The Redskins trailed 17-12 midway through the second quarter but a Gentile three-pointer capped a 9-2 run to give Cooperstown their first lead at 21-19.

After a Derek Busse free throw to begin the second half, West Canada reeled off eight straight points for a 32-26 lead and never trailed again.

Cooperstown had 20 turnovers in the game, and made just two foul shots to West Canada's 23. Busse was the only CCS player in double figures with 11 points.

Last Friday night, the Redskins picked up their seventh win of the season with a 55-44 victory at Canastota, as junior guard Luke Banner had 20 points, including six three-pointers.

Five of Banner's threes came in the third quarter, as Cooperstown erased a two-point halftime deficit. Busse added 14 points and Zack Sittler 11.

All of Cooperstown's remaining three games are at home, including tonight (Thursday) against Waterville, next Thursday against Sauquoit and the finale against New York Mills.

Like Cooperstown, Waterville is hovering around the .500 mark and Bertram said tonight's game is a near must-win.

"We're not going to have a good seed for sectionals but every win will help," Bertram said. "We're starting to play better again after all the distractions, and there really are no powerhouses in Class C this year. I'd like to be that .500 team no one wants to play in sectionals."