By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Reggie Simmons and his Edison Tech boys’ basketball squad didn’t discuss tactical adjustments during halftime Saturday. Instead the first-year coach and his Inventors talked about the name on the front of their jerseys and what it meant to each person in the locker room.
If the Inventors pull off a win or two in next month’s sectionals, they may point to the second half played at the 2020 RAP Invitational hosted by East High School.
Edison trimmed a 22-point deficit to three but fell short in a 64-59 setback to Cicero-North Syracuse (III).
“We got in the locker room and it was all about pride for our program,” Simmons said. “In the first half, we didn’t show any pride. We didn’t help each other.”
.@RAP_Hoops – @CNSAthletics vs. Edison Tech: Nahjhime Kirton finds Torrean Lewis from the high post to cut the Inventors’ deficit to 42-30. @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/fLRNWnDgnP
— John Mitchell Likanje Junior (@jml5798) January 18, 2020
.@RAP_Hoops – @CNSAthletics vs. Edison Tech: Nahjhime Kirton follows his own miss. 7:27 4Q: Cicero-North Syracuse 48 Edison Tech 37. @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/s8ejHg1KE2
— John Mitchell Likanje Junior (@jml5798) January 18, 2020
Edison limited the Northstars to two field goals over the final 16 minutes of play.
“In the second half, we committed ourselves to the team concept,” Simmons added. “That’s why we played great defense.”
Shaheem Ellis, Jr. scored 11 of his team-high 13 points during the third and fourth quarters. The junior guard converted three free throws with 4.4 seconds remaining in the game to pull Edison with three points at 62-59.
.@RAP_Hoops – @CNSAthletics vs. Edison Tech: Torrean Lewis gets a steal and Mike Morgan gets out in transition. 3:55 3Q: Cicero-North Syracuse 39 Edison Tech 24. @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/d6uTVAReW9
— John Mitchell Likanje Junior (@jml5798) January 18, 2020
“Just a beautiful effort,” Simmons stated. “We played very sloppy the first half, but I was proud of them for sticking in there the second half.”
Nahjhime Kirton sparked a 7-0 Inventors spurt with a rebound and putback. Jarell Johnson followed with a jumper in the lane, and Andy Larancuent hit a corner three to cut the deficit to single digits for the first time since the first quarter.
Edison trailed 55-47 with less than five minutes remaining in the game.
The Inventors then forced turnovers on five of six possessions. Two free throws from Alvion Williams made it a six-point game with 9.9 seconds on the clock. After another turnover, Ellis went to the line after being fouled on a 3-point attempt.
“We played man-to-man defense in the second half,” Simmons explained. “We still have a lot to learn, but we’re learning as the season goes along. Hopefully, we’ll be ready for sectionals.”
Kirton finished with 11 points. Torrean Lewis and Mike Morgan had eight apiece. Kevin Jackson and Larancuent both chipped in with seven points for Edison (3-9).
Cicero-North Syracuse’s Luke Paragon led all scorers with 32 points. The sophomore guard/forward connected on three 3-pointers and had 18 points over the first 16 minutes to help the Northstars take a 36-16 lead into the locker room. Paragon scored a game-high 29 points the night before when C-NS fell to Baldwinsville, 68-65.
Tavores Flournory scored eight points for C-NS. Jerrod Hills added seven.
Edison plays at Bishop Kearney, Friday night. A 6:15 PM tipoff is scheduled.
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