As the weeks pass, and the wins mount up, the Cicero-North Syracuse boys basketball team is finding new ways to mark what is fast becoming a special season.
In the case of the Northstars’ 70-56 win at Baldwinsville Friday night, it meant a new standard set in the paint by 6-8 senior center Andy Falvey.
Before the night was done, Falvey had gathered up 23 rebounds, a CNS school record for a single game, to go along with the 25 points he put on the board.
Each of those boards were necessary, too, given the way the game started. B’ville, despite its 3-10 mark, stayed right with the Northstars throughout the first half.
CNS trailed, 14-12, after one period, and despite a solid pace, only led 29-28 at the break, putting a small concern into the Northstars’ partisans.
But with Falvey toying with his B’ville counterparts in the paint, CNS decided the outcome in the third quarter, outscoring the Bees 21-4.
Deyon Smith Jr., fresh off his superb 20-point effort against Utica Proctor a week earlier, had 15 points here, including seven successful free throws. Zach Coleman had 10 points, while John Howell put up eight points and Elliott Boyce added seven points. Mike Guinta led B’ville with 13 points.
Back home at CNS, the girls Northstars played some of its best defense of the season in pummeling Baldwinsville 53-30 to improve to 11-3 on the season.
Like so many others, the Bees were doing all it could to contain sophomore center Breanna Stewart. But that didn’t work in the first half as Stewart poured in 13 points, leading CNS to a 27-17 advantage at the break.
Even as Stewart cooled down in the second half, the rest of the Northstars took over. It held B’ville to a scant three points in the third quarter, and the margin grew to 44-20.
Stewart would back up her 15 points with 12 rebounds and six blocks. Abbey Timpano had her best effort of the season, earning 13 points, while Brittany Paul put up 10 points.
All of this leads to a pair of big games next Friday between CNS and Corcoran. the boys are at home, meeting a 14-2 Cougars squad, while the girls Northstars visit Corcoran, whose 14-0 mark and state no. 3 Class AA ranking include a win over CNS back on Nov. 27.
