As it turned out, the winter snowstorm that wiped out the Cicero-North Syracuse boys basketball team’s home date with Auburn on Jan. 19 was a massive break.
Instead of having to return to the court 48 hours after an exhausting, up-and-down duel with Baldwinsville, the Northstars got a full week to recuperate and get energized again.
And that energy was on full display when CNS made up that snowed-out game with Auburn last Wednesday night, as it rallied to beat the Maroons 77-71 in a game that could vastly improve the team’s ultimate playoff position three weeks from now.
In a fast-paced first half, the Northstars more than held its place against Auburn’s high-octane attack, and it went to the break with a 37-33 lead.
That lead quickly vanished in the third quarter, though, when Auburn took full advantage of a CNS drought and zoomed out in front, 58-53.
Pushed by Chad Armstrong, though, the Northstars staged another of its patented late rallies. Armstrong notched all of his season-best 15 points in the second half, and with him in top form, CNS outscored the Maroons 29-18 in that last frame.
In all, five players reached double figures. Pat Corbin led with 20 points, with Steve Jensen matching Armstrong’s 15-point output. Laquan James and Shawn Moonan each gained 11 points.
Auburn, in defeat, also had five men reach double figures. Damien Whitaker has 17 points, followed closely by Jimmy Pitts (14 points), Ryan Gleason (13 points), Travis McLeod and Dave Foltz (12 points each).
CNS improved to 12-4 with that victory and meets Nottingham on Friday night.
