More than a month into the 2012-13 season, the Cicero-North Syracuse girls basketball team had only faced two Section III opponents, routing both Utica Proctor and Liverpool.
That total doubled in the first full week of the new year, as local fans finally got to see, on a consistent basis, a Northstars side bent on winning a third consecutive state Class AA title.
When C-NS hosted Baldwinsville last Tuesday night, it showed no rust or ill effect from a 10-day layoff, laying waste to the Bees in an 84-23 rout.
Clearly, the tough competition the Northstars faced as it went 1-2 at the Dec. 27-29 Title IX Classic in Washington, D.C. had its effect. C-NS overwhelmed B’ville from the start, dashing to a 29-5 edge in the first quarter alone.
Even as it cooled off in the second period, the Northstars held the Bees to two points, saving itself for a 33-point third quarter where all sorts of players got involved.
Abbey Timpano, with 19 points, led the way, while Cara Gannett, McKayla Roberts and Hannah Nichols each finished with 10 points. Emilee Norris and Elizabeth Miles got eight points apiece as Sarah Bowles added seven points.
It was much the same against Central Square on Friday, C-NS rolling past the Red Hawks 62-18 as the Northstars never allowed more than six points in any single period.
Timpano, Norris and Sarah Bowles each notched 10 points, followed closely by Miles, who managed nine points. Gannett and Nichols picked up six points apiece.
After C-NS plays Henninger on Tuesday, it promises to get tougher this weekend, when it ventures to Utica for the annual Juggler Classic. The teams include host Utica-Notre Dame, a state-ranked Class B power led by junior sensation Emily Durr.
