Boys’ Basketball
Norwich 56, Chenango Valley 40
FENTON – Coming off a nine-day layoff – and a loss in its last game – Norwich rode its defense for three quarters until its offense caught fire.
Norwich reserve Dennis Oralls hit two three-pointers late in the third quarter to answer CV’s two three balls from Shawn Hillegas. Norwich finished the game with a 21-point quarter to improve to 7-2 on the season.
“Our defense the first 22 minutes of the game was outstanding,” said Norwich coach Mark Abbott. “We had a couple of slip-ups at the end of the third quarter, but Dennis was able to offset them.”
Josh Borfitz came through offensively and defensively for the Tornado. In addition to scoring a game-high 20 points, including six three-pointers on 12 attempts, Borfitz was also charged with defending Warriors’ top scorer Tom Hull. Hull had just three points through the first three quarters, and scored just 10 for the game. “This is the second time Josh was matched with a leading wing scorer,” Abbott said, also noting Borfitz’s great defense against Seton Catholic Central’s Tommy Torto. “Josh has risen to the occasion both times, and his defense was a big key in this game.”
The only rub in Norwich’s otherwise impressive performance was 34 percent shooting (17-for-50). On the flip side, the NHS defense limited CV to under 30 percent shooting (16-for-58). “CV is a talented team, and we needed to play good defense,” Abbott said. “We did that, we just didn’t shoot the ball well. We had great shots and great spacing. We looked for the open man, we just didn’t knock the shots down. The good thing is we didn’t let that affect us effort-wise.”
Richie Bonney led Norwich with 13 rebounds, and Borfitz had nine boards to go with his points. Derek Hughes led with 11 assists, Oralls scored a season-best 11 points, and Casey Edwards had an even 10 markers. Norwich padded its advantage in the fourth quarter making 11 of 12 free throw attempts. Edwards and Oralls each were a perfect 4-for-4 in the stanza.
Norwich hosts Susquehanna Valley on Tuesday.
NHS: Casey Edwards, 3 4-4-10; Dennis Oralls, 2 5-6-11; Richie Bonney, 2 3-4-7; Frank Somich, 0; Josh Borfitz, 7 0-0-20 ; Seth Thomsen, 2 1-2-6; Jon Foulds, 0; Derek Hughes, 1 0-0-2; Josh Favaloro, 0; Zach Martinson, 0. Totals: 17 13-16-56.
CV: Mitch Hillegas, 2 0-0-6; Andy Fox, 0 1-2-1; Kyle Bakker, 0; Kyle Moyer, 0 1-2-1; Ricky Ruffo, 2 0-0-5; Robert Heller, 1 0-0-2; Tom Hull, 4 2-3-10; Brian Wagstaff, 6 1-1-13; Joe Bleil, 0; Matt Ball, 1 0-0-2. Totals: 16 5-8-40.
NHS 13 10 12 21–56
CVa. 7 4 12 17–40
Fouled out: none. Three-point goals: (N) Borfitz 6, Oralls 2, Thomsen, (CV) Hillegas 2, Ruffo. JV: CV won. Officials: Scott Berg, Frank Blair.
B-G 70, Hancock 55
BAINBRIDGE – Bainbridge-Guilford won its second game this week, the first back-to-back wins for the Bobcats in two seasons, winning Saturday at home against Hancock.
Steve Patten led three B-G players in double figures scoring 18 points Ryan Porter scored 17, and freshman Austin Bauerle added 14. B-G pulled away in the fourth quarter scoring 27 points in the last stanza. Porter had 11 of his points in the last quarter to go with 14 rebounds. Travis Colburn hit two threes in the last stanza, and Justin Pepper netted six during the final eight minutes.
“They pressed us in the last quarter, but we kept our poise well and were able to get past it,” said B-G coach Ben Nelson.
The win was the third straight for B-G (3-0, 3-4), who are perfect in MAC division competition.
Hancock: Eric Hicks, 9 5-10-25; Tom Banicky, 2 4-6-10; Evan Whitmore, 4 0-1-9; Mubarik Sommerville, 2 1-2-5; Shain Whitehead, 1 2-2-4; Dylan Oralls, 1 0-0-2; Zach Tator, 0 0-2-0. Totals: 19 12-23-55.
B-G: Steve Patten 7 2-6 18; Ryan Porter, 5 7-11-17; Austin Bauerle, 7 0-0-14; Justin Pepper, 4 1-2-9; Travis Colburn, 3 0-0-8; Billy Holden, 2 0-0-4. Totals: 28 10-19-70.
Han. 13 6 19 17—55
B-G 10 17 16 27 –70
Fouled out: none. Three-point goals: (BG) Patten 2, Colburn 2. (H) Hicks 2, Whitmore, Banicky 2.
