By Robert jeffrey
Sun Sports Contributor
Purple Tornado Blow Away the Blue Devils 54-42
BINGHAMTON – On a damp and dreary night on January 18th, it was the perfect storm for a Tornado comeback as the Norwich varsity girls basketball team fought their way to a Southern Tier Athletic Conference victory at Chenango Forks.
Led in scoring by the dominating offensive production of senior Makenzie Maynard who recorded 24 points in the contest, half of which came from beyond the arc. Aiding Maynard in the scoring department was fellow senior Meghan Komendarek who shot 50 percent from the charity stripe on a productive 14 point outing.
The Tornado found themselves down after the first period of play by a score of 15-13, the ensuing second quarter proved to be the key to the game as the Tornado outscored the Blue Devils 13-5. The Norwich Defense wouldn’t stop there as they were able to chase off any Forks sharpshooters from the three-point line, while only allowing one Blue Devil player to reach double-digit scoring.
Forks falls to (8-6) on the year while the Purple Tornado advance to (10-3) on the season. The Tornado find themselves on top of their division as they play host to their next game at Norwich High School tonight January 20, at 7:45 p.m. against fellow divisional foe Windsor.
N: 13 13 11 17—54
CF: 15 5 12 20—42
Norwich: Dowdall 3 0-2 6, Evans 3 0-0 6, Flynn 2 0-0 4, Komendarek 5 4-8 14, Maynard 10 0-0 24.
Totals: 23 4-10 54
Forks: Flynn 6 0-0 13, Gibbore 2 3-4 7, Stone 3 2-4 8, Yoest 2 3-3 7, Zimmerman 2 2-2 7.
Totals: 15 10-13 42
Three-Pointers: Norwich- Maynard (4); Forks- Flynn (1), Zimmerman (1)
JV: Norwich 46, CF 19.
Opening Half Hurts Crusaders, fall to Saints
NORWICH – On Tuesday January 17th, the Valley Heights Christian Academy girls varsity basketball team lost to the girls from Cortland Christian Academy by a score of 35-17. In a game that exhibited aggressive defense on both sides, in the end it was the offensive production of the Saints that outpaced the Crusaders. Cortland outscored the Crusaders in the first half by a score of 21-8, including an incredible defensive display as the Saints shut out the host Saints in the first period of play.
Despite their first half woes, the girls of Valley Heights fought back with ferocious resolve as they tried to claw their way back into the ballgame. Impressively enough, the Crusaders held the Saints to four points in the final quarter- all of which were off of free throws.
“Just couldn’t get the offense going tonight,” said Valley Heights coach Sarah Moore. “We had some great steals and fairly good defense but so many missed opportunities on offense.”
Keresten Sweeney led Cortland in scoring, cashing in on five field goals for 11 points. The Crusader’s Emily Davis and Savannah Bresee each had five points in the set back.
Next up for the Vikings, both the boys and girls varsity basketball teams will play at home on Friday, January 20, against Corning Christian Academy.
CCA: 10 11 10 4 – 35
VH: 0 8 5 4 – 17
VH: Bresee 2 0-0 5, Davis 2 0-0 5, Duvall 0 1-2 1, Evans 1 0-0 2, Montgomery 2 0-2 4. Totals: 7 1-4 17
CCA: Cobb 0 0-2 0, Junkee 2 3-3 7, Nelson 1 1-2 3, Elizabeth Ripley 3 2-2 8, Evelyn Ripley 1 0-0 2, Sweeney 5 0-2 11, Weed 2 0-2 4. Totals: 14 6-15 35
Three-Pointers: Valley Heights- Davis (1), Bresee (1); Cortland – Sweeney (1).
Otselic Valley trumps Madison, 48- 36
OTSELIC – In the third match-up between these two teams, Otselic Valley triumphed over Madison by a final score of 48-36. Amber Meigs proved to be the difference maker in the game for the Vikings, by scoring 33 points in the game. Impressively, Meigs scored 24 of her points in the second half to lift Otselic Valley to a 12 point victory. The defensive efforts by Otselic Valley in both the second and third period held Madison in check, allowing only 11 points in both quarters combined.
The great defense by the Vikings assisted them on the offensive end as they outscored Madison in each of the final three periods. This win is a morale booster for the girls from Otselic Valley as they lost their two previous match-ups against Madison.
Next up for the Otselic Valley girls, they will see their next game action on Saturday, January 21, when they head to Brookfield for a game slated for a start-time of 1 p.m. Notably, the boys Vikings squad will play following the girls game – as they take the court in Brookfield at 4 p.m.
OV: 10 8 12 18 – 48
