Photo Credit: Frank Speziale

NORWICH – The Norwich boys varsity basketball team will be heading to the Section IV class B finals after holding off a late half push from Seton Catholic Central to win 56-41.

This latest win over the Saints marks the second time during the 2015-2016 season Norwich has emerged victorious, the margin however, is not as great as some other wins Norwich usually boasts.

“We survived and advanced tonight. Our team wanted it is so much tonight that it was difficult for us to settle down,” said Norwich head coach Brian Collier.

Seton, who was fresh off an upset win over the number four seed Waverly this past Friday Feb. 19, came storming into the Norwich Tornado gym with an attitude that helped keep them in the game throughout.

Norwich would find themselves leading the Saints slightly at 13-10 going into the second quarter. This 3-point lead wouldn’t be captured by The Tornado until just over two-minutes left in the quarter when Norwich went on 6-point run to end the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Norwich truly show their colors and potential, as they seemed to be really catching some momentum heading into the locker room. Norwich would outscore Seton 13-9 in the second to lead 27-19 at the half.

“Took Seton’s best shot in the third quarter and played tremendous defense in fourth-quarter,” said Collier.

Norwich and Seton would exchange blows throughout the high scoring third quarter. Seton came out firing much as Collier attested, scoring 16-points to Norwich’s 11. This adversity The Tornado faced right out of the gates after the halftime break helped fuel the fourth quarter defensive stand.

Seton would make a push late in the third for the lead but could only draw the gap to 3-points, at 38-35 in favor of Norwich heading into the final quarter.

“We were able to slow down in the fourth quarter and it really showed. Tremendous effort by all our guys, to hold that team to just 41-points and 36% shooting,” said Collier.