The Fayetteville-Manlius boys basketball team took a 2-0 record into Wednesday’s game against Cicero-North Syracuse, but could not maintain the win streak as it fell 65-47 to the Northstars.
Revived under first-year head coach Kyle Martin, C-NS built a 40-23 margin by halftime, largely a two-man effort led by Brian Bonin (24 points) and Luke Paragon (21 points), who combined to hit six 3-pointers.
Chasing the Northstars throughout the game, the Hornets only had Josh Michel, with 13 points, hit double figures. Luke Davidson had nine points, just ahead of Jack Nucerino (eight points) and Trevor Roe (seven points).
Off until Saturday, F-M would find its winning form again when it faced a Corcoran side mired in an 0-3 start and far removed from the squad that won the Section III Class A championship a season ago.
The Hornets maintained the Cougars’ woes, prevailing 63-52 as, during the second quarter, it seized control with its defense, limiting Corcoran to just five points in that frame.
Throughout the second half, F-M withstood whatever the Cougars threw at them, seeing Roe pick up 19 points to match Corcoran’s Amir Reeves, with help Davidson, who had 12 points, and Michel, who got 11 points. James Madill added seven points.
Bishop Grimes improved to 2-1 in last Thursday’s game against Syracuse Academy of Science, edging the Atoms 61-58.
A 19-7 push through the second quarter put the Cobras in front, and it withstood every SAS push in the latter stages as Jack Gutchess dominated in the paint, pouring in 25 points and adding 15 rebounds. He was helped by Sylvester Seton, who finished with 17 points.
Manlius-Pebble Hill made its 2021 debut last Monday afternoon, against Fabius-Pompey, where its defense was consistent throughout a 47-35 win over the Falcons.
The Trojans never allowed more than nine points in any single quarter. Up 29-16 by halftime, MPH sustained it as Alex Abrams got 10 points, with Johnny Gruninger adding eight points. Andrew Warren and Qon Ewing each had six points.
This made Wednesday’s 83-40 loss to Tully a bit easier to take. The Black Knights, led by Lane Edinger (16 points) and Tommy Maley (12 points), built a 48-15 halftime advantage and never got caught.
Then MPH fell to LaFayette 53-39 on Saturday afternoon, never able to put together a sustained run against a Lancers side who outscored them in every single quarter.
Tommy Wildhack had nine points, with Ewing adding eight points. Abrams, Gruninger and Isiaah Clarry had six points apiece as LaFayette got 21 points from Colin Morel and 16 points from Christian DeJoseph.
