Boys’ Basketball

Norwich 56, Horseheads 42

HORSEHEADS – As it did in the first meeting this season four weeks ago, Norwich established the bulk of its advantage in the second quarter in Wednesday’s non-league road win.

Norwich (15-3), coming off back-to-back losses to Johnson City, re-established momentum heading into the Section IV tournament next week. “People will look at this game and think beating Horseheads is no big deal,” said Norwich coach Mark Abbott. “Horseheads lost two games to U-E and Corning by a combined five points, and those two teams are division winners. (Horseheads) also beat Vestal, so this team is no slouch. This is another good win for us, especially when you have to ride two hours on the road.”

Seth Thomsen scored nine points in the opening quarter for Norwich on his way to a game- and career-high 20 points. Still, Norwich led by only two points, 17-15. Over the next eight minutes, Norwich hiked its advantage to 12 allowing the Raiders just two points. “Our two games with Horseheads are like mirror images,” Abbott said. “We were disappointed giving up 15 in the first quarter, but we did a nice job changing defenses in the second quarter. We were able to confuse them a bit.”

Norwich capped its contest making a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line in the last quarter. Jacob Kelly added 12 points and Dennis Oralls 11.

Abbott said his team is looking for another tune-up game before sectional play this Friday. Norwich’s next scheduled game is Friday, Feb. 25 when it hosts Johnson City in the Class A playoffs.

Norwich’s junior varsity team improved to 12-5 on the season winning at Chenango Valley, 41-30.

NHS: Kyle Edwards, 0; Nate Ashton, 1 0-0-2; Dennis Oralls, 3 4-4-11; Josh Favaloro, 0; Jacob Kelly, 6 0-0-12; Frank Somich, 0; Ian Weaver, 0; Seth Thomsen, 7 6-7-20; Jon Foulds, 3 2-2-9; Eric Walling, 0; Zach Martinson, 1 0-0-2. Totals: 21 12-13-56 .

H’heads: Nick Van Brunt, 1 1-2-3; Calvin Woolhiser, 0; Patrick Matkoski, 0; Kyle Lewis, 2 0-0-4; David Yorio, 2 8-10-12; Dylan Manwaring, 1 0-0-2; Michael Abrunzo, 10 1-2-21; Mike Arnold, 0; Nick Nalbach, 0. Totals: 16 10-14-42.

NHS 17 12 15 12–56

HHs 15 2 11 14–42