Yes, Vaughn Labor did play on the Norwich 2006-2007 varsity boys’ basketball team. He didn’t score much, he didn’t play a heck of a lot, but the dues he paid that year reaped huge benefits for the Tornado this season.

Labor improved as a starting junior forward earning all-division and all-county honors in the process, and now as a senior, he is a captain and leader on a team that won the school’s fourth-ever Section IV championship.

“As a sophomore he learned, as a junior he grew, and now as a senior, he has matured,” said Norwich varsity basketball coach Mark Abbott.

Labor may have not been the number one option at the start of last Saturday’s sectional final against Elmira Southside, a rematch from a STAC semifinals playoff game won by the Tornado, 66-55. Labor had just eight points in the initial meeting, instead deferring to his outside-shooting mates who combined for 10 three-pointers.

“Numbers really mean nothing to him,” Abbott said. “Obviously, as a big guy you want to have double figures points and double figures rebounds. Against Owego, he was in foul trouble most of the game and scored just three points, but he was as happy as anyone in the locker room. Same thing against EFA. He had just five points, but was one of the happier guys in our locker room. His unselfishness is a telltale example of our team. It’s doesn’t matter who scores, someone just needs to get it done. Vaughn has bought into that since day one.”

And in the sequel against Southside, Labor was the one who “got it done.” Labor proved at different points in the season that he was a capable scorer, particularly against Oneonta where he put up 48 points in two wins. Southside made a concerted effort to limit the Tornado’s outside shooting. That left plenty of room for Labor to operate, and his NHS teammates made one good entry pass after another to their top low-post threat. Labor manhandled the Hornets’ defense scoring 21 points to go with 13 rebounds n a hard-fought 51-46 victory.