NORWICH – Johnson City may have denied Norwich a Stop-DWI title four weeks ago, but it is the Tornado who will forge ahead with STAC division title hopes still intact.

Richie Bonney scored 25 points and pulled down 16 rebounds, and Norwich canned 10 three-pointers in a 70-61 victory over the Wildcats before a spirited crowd Friday night at Jack Jones Gymnasium. The loss for JC effectively ends its division title aspirations, while Norwich remains a game behind Maine-Endwell in the Central Division chase.

“What a fun game. That was one of the most fun games I’ve been a part of over the years,” said Tornado coach Mark Abbott, who said his team fed off the home crowd’s energy and support. “Both sides were just going at each other. The effort from both teams makes you feel good about the game of high school basketball. ”

Abbott qualified his “good feelings” statement with the stark point that his team, now 11-2 overall, was on the winning side.

Thanks to team-wide hustle, much better rebounding than the previous two meetings, and the best offensive output in three outings with JC, Norwich remained in command of the contest for most of the game.

In the second quarter, reserves Dennis Oralls, Seth Thomsen, and Jon Foulds connected for four three balls – two from Oralls – to stake Norwich to a 31-27 lead. Oralls’ last trey off a pass from Derek Hughes was typical of the confidence Norwich’s players displayed, especially those who see less playing time. Hughes delivered most of the passes that led to the ten-spot of NHS three balls, and he finished with 10 points, 12 assists, and four steals.

“We talked to Jon, Seth, and Dennis yesterday, and we said to them that when they come in, we are bringing them in for offense and energy,” Abbott said. “All three played extremely well tonight, and our depth certainly was a factor tonight.”

Norwich’s bench outscored JC’s by a combined 18-6. If not for the hot shooting of Wildcats guards Ron Teekasingh (20 points) and Ian Pettiford (18 points), the visitors may have found themselves on the wrong end of a blowout.

Down 49-41 to Norwich to start the fourth quarter, JC did make one strong push, and closed to 58-56 after a Teekasingh driving basket and two free throws from Rashawn Powell with 3:11 left.