Everything that happened to the Cicero-North Syracuse boys basketball team in the off-season following a narrow, 83-79 defeat to Utica Proctor in last March’s Section III Class AA final at the Carrier Dome suggested that getting back to the title game in 2014-15 was going to be quite difficult.
To start with, head coach John Haas knew that six seniors would graduate from that 14-7 squad, including Brian DeMonte, Austin Perry, Troy McIntyre and Ronnie Williams, and that was difficult enough.
Then it got much worse.
Near the end of the C-NS football season in October, senior Connor Evans, playing quarterback for the Northstars, suffered a knee injury. When it was properly diagnosed, the result was grim – Evans would have to miss the entire basketball season, this after he earned All-State honors last winter, when he averaged more than 20 points per game.
The only good part was that the knowledge of Evans’ injury would give C-NS time, throughout the pre-season, to adjust its lineup and rotation and be ready once games got underway.
That work paid off in last Saturday’s Peppino’s Invitational at Henninger High School, where the Northstars overcame a rough start and, playing with poise and confidence down the stretch, earned a 65-61 victory over Nottingham.
Utilizing its speed and strength inside, the Bulldogs bolted to a 20-10 lead in the game’s first four minutes. But then C-NS picked up defensive pressure and got hot on the other end, too, closing the first quarter on a 16-2 run to move out in front.
From there, it turned into a close battle the rest of the way. Nottingham moved back in front, 40-34, early in the third quarter, only to have Steven Theetge hit back-to-back 3-pointers to tie it, 40-40.
Otherwise, there was little separation, so the work of one player could make all the difference. It turned out to be C-NS junior guard Josh Ramirez, who hit on nine of his 12 points early in the fourth quarter to help the Northstars move in front for good.
Still clinging to a 63-61 lead as time wound down, Nick Antonello hit a free throw with 25 seconds left. Then the Northstars’ defense forced a turnover and, with nine seconds to play, Devin Turrell, with two foul shots, converted one of them to clinch the victory.
For the day, Brendan Gacek paced C-NS with 19 points. Theetge picked up 15 points and five rebounds, while Anthony Nesci, taking over at point guard for Evans, impressed with 11 assists to go with his 10 points. Antonello had six points and six rebounds as Malik Zachery (16 points) and Nate Knight (14 points) led Nottingham’s efforts.
Another big test looms for C-NS Tuesday night in its home opener as Henninger, fresh off season-opening wins over CBA and Troy in that same Peppino’s Invitational, pays a visit. The Northstars host Fayeteville-Manlius Friday night.
