A week of work and rest was supposed to refresh the Cicero-North Syracuse boys basketball team and bring itself a better chance to overcome its 2-6 start.
But the Northstars instead went through a slow start on the defensive side in last Tuesday’s visit to Central Square and could not recover in a 63-56 loss to the Red Hawks.
With a 5-1 mark, Central Square (who played three days earlier, rallying to beat West Genesee) caught CNS working off its rust and, by the end of the first period, plunged the Northstars into a 23-13 deficit.
For the rest of the night, CNS would make a string of comeback attempts, only to find the Red Hawks answering with their own key baskets.
John Howell and Deyon Smith Jr. each hit three 3-pointers. Howell worked his way to 21 points as the game’s top scorer, while Andy Falvey got 10 points and Devon Smith added nine points. Brett Smith threw in six points.
Kyle Miller, who led Central Square with 20 points, overcame the Northstars’ defensive attention on him, while Tyler Ross got open for five 3-pointers on his way to 19 points for the night. CNS is back home Friday to face Corcoran.
