Boys’ Basketball
Norwich 57, Owego 30
NORWICH – Sectional champions a year ago in Class A, Norwich pushed forward in its quest for the Section IV, Class B title shellacking Owego Saturday afternoon at Jack Jones Gymnasium.
In its next-to-last home game of the season, Norwich relied on its defense in the opening half before the offense caught up over the final two periods.
“We had a difficult time on the offensive end, especially the first half, but our press was extremely effective,” said Norwich coach Mark Abbott, whose Tornado raised their record to 17-3.
Abbott credited Andrew Austin’s pressure on the inbounds passer as the key to the full-court pressure. Austin forced passes that led to good sideline traps, and eventually, Owego turnovers.
Norwich racked up the points in a 19-6 third quarter getting 10 from Josh Borfitz and seven more from Richie Bonney to extend the 23-10 halftime lead to 42-16.
“In the second half, we changed our offensive scheme from our dribble-drive offense to more controlled motion,” Abbott said. “It opened some lanes for Josh and Richie on offense.”
Bonney led Norwich with 18 points and Borfitz scored 13.
Norwich hosts Susquehanna Valley in the semifinals on Tuesday, the Tornado’s final home game of the season. In the first meeting between the two schools, Norwich routed SV, 81-41. “We have to guard against overconfidence, and there is no way we’ll beat Sus Valley by 40 points again,” Abbott said. “They’re playing well and with more confidence. We need to maintain our focus for 32 minutes.”
Owego: Parker Evans, 1 6-6-8; Matt Warchocki, 2 0-0-5; Scott Larrabee, 1 0-1-3; Stephen Yanchus, 2 0-0-4 ; Keith Baron, 0; Kenny Sharpe, 0; Joe Gatto, 0; Mike Ebbers,1 0-0-2 ; Robbie Black, 1 1-2-4; Mark Merritt, 0; James Mead, 0; Asa Whalen, 2 0-2-4. Totals: 10 7-11-30.
NHS: Casey Edwards, 1 0-0-2; Dennis Oralls, 0 2-2-2; Richie Bonney, 5 8-11-18; Jacob Kelly, 0; Eric Walling, 1 0-0-2; Frank Somich, 0; Josh Borfitz, 3 5-5-13; Seth Thomsen, 2 0-0-4; Jon Foulds, 2 0-0-5; Alex Williams, 1 1-2-3; Derek Hughes, 1 1-2-3; Andrew Austin, 1 3-4-5; Josh Favaloro, 0; Zach Martinson, 0. Totals: 17 20-26-57.
Owego 4 6 6 14–30
Norw. 13 10 19 15--57
Fouled out: none. Three-point goals: (N) Borfitz 2, Foulds, (O) Warchocki, Larrabee.
Girls’ Basketball
Greene 43, Moravia 26
GREENE – Greene’s defense limited the opposition to just two field goals in the second half for the second time in three games, and the Trojans pulled away in the Section III, Class C quarterfinals.
After shooting just 25 percent from the field in the first half, the Trojans were able to extend their lead thanks to its transition game that led to easy second-half baskets. “They have good shooters if they get time and space, and they hurt our zone in the first half,” said Greene coach Dave Gorton. “We adjusted well in the second half, and didn’t give them any time or space. We were able to settle in during the second half.”
Liz Wentlent had nine points in each half for the Trojans (15-5) finishing with a game-high 18. She added eight rebounds and four of Greene’s 17 steals.
The Trojans, defending Section IV champions, travel to top-seeded Tioga, who beat Oxford last weekend. “I’m hoping we can go down there and compete,” Gorton said. “They had a good regular season and good start to sectionals. We’re battle-tested and have been in some close games. We hope to use that to our advantage if it’s a close game.”
Moravia: Hannah Makey 4 0-0-8; Ideman, 1 4-6-6; Doolittle, 1 2-2-4; Potter, 1 1-2-4; Heffernan, 1 0-0-3; A. Foster, 0 1-2-1; Gorman, 0; Lupo, 0; Sharpsteen, 0; Smith, 0. Totals: 8 8-12-26.
Greene: Abbey Wentlent, 2 1-1-5; Anna Crumb, 0; Andrea Day, 3 0-0-6; Erin Smith, 2 1-2-6; Jessica Brooks, 3 2-2-8; Louise Holcomb, 0; Emily Breck, 0; Liz Wentlent, 8 0-0-18; C. Gorton, 0; N. Greene, 0; C. Willis, 0; Alex Philippone, 0; Rachel Turner, 0. Totals: 18 4-5-43.
