After a mere five-win season in 2015 and a two-loss start to 2016, the boys varsity basketball team was in need of a spark to jump-start a season that would spring the program in the right direction.

That much-needed spark was gifted to the Aviators after a 14-point road win at Colerain last week. Then, they headed back to the high school for a home game on Tuesday night against Middletown, who finished ahead of Sycamore in last year’s GMC season.

“After our second loss we had a team meeting about character, and that helped a lot. We have been moving the ball and understanding the meaning and importance of a ‘team’ a lot better,” said Matthew Miller, 12, team manager.

A quick start for the Aviators was eventually halted when the Middies jumped out to a 43-29 lead early in the fourth quarter, but from that point on, it was all Sycamore. The team ended the game on a 30-15 run that capitalized a one-point victory.

“It was special for this comeback win to be at home because we showed our fans that we will fight to the end with Sycamore pride. Moving forward, we will continue to play our hardest,” said Myron Williams, 11, starting forward.

Trailing by four points with less than a minute remaining in the game, guard Jake Borman, 12, drilled a three-pointer to cut the Middletown lead down to one.

Then after managing to get the ball back, Borman was hacked by a defender and won the game for Sycamore at the free throw line.

The final score was 59-58. Borman, who finished with 13 points, was one of three Aviators to put up double digits, alongside fellow guard Christian Kelly, 11, and center Jaden Sayles, 12. Sayles is committed to play basketball at Akron next winter.

Up next for Sycamore is a rigorous road contest against Moeller, who the Aviators fell to in the first round of last year’s postseason.