UTICA – All kinds of excitement was surrounding the Cicero-North Syracuse boys basketball team on several fronts.

Part of it was the prospect of returning home to its revamped high school gymnasium. More of it came from the Northstars’ 5-0 start which generated a no. 15 state Class AAA ranking.

All of this got halted a bit on Dec. 29 at Utica’s Nexus Center, where in the featured game of the City Classic Invitational Utica Proctor announced its contender status by defeating C-NS 62-49.

After stumbling to an 0-3 start, the Raiders had won three in a row and carried momentum into this game. It also brought a defense that would smother C-NS in a way no other opponent this season had done.

Cold early shooting hurt the Northstars as it fell behind 17-9 through one period. But the second quarter was worse, C-NS only managing four points and Proctor continuing to make stops.

Not until the fourth quarter did C-NS, trailing 45-21, break out of its long cold spell, but it proved too late, Andrew Benedict only getting 11 points as Nate Francis (19 points) could not make up for it. Larry Nesci added nine points.

The Raiders’ own offense had six players score at least six points, with Reece Jantzi’s 17 points at the forefront as Marcello Moorehand (13 points) and Rosear Devose (10 points) also hit double figures.

Needless to say, C-NS was furious about this effort and was quite eager to face Proctor again Friday night – but would not do so since winter weather forced a postponement.

Instead, the Northstars geared up for its first game back home in its revamped high school gym Tuesday night against Corcoran before a Friday trip to Henninger.

Having rested and practiced during the holiday break Liverpool returns to action Tuesday at Fayetteville-Manlius, returning home Friday to face Auburn.