By Robert Jeffrey

Sun Sports Contributor

Frank Speziale Photo

NORWICH- In recent memory the battles between the boys basketball teams of the Norwich Purple Tornado and the Chenango Valley Warriors have been local lore and the subject of conversation for years. Highlighted by the erasing of 20 point deficits in two separate Section IV finales, these games for those who follow the Tornado faithfully have been nothing but incredible. That being said, there was still a game to play on Wednesday night when these two Section IV behemoths met up in a clash of STAC East divisional foes. And once again, the Tornado achieved victory over the Warriors by a score of 58-43. However, the score can be deceiving and having mastered the art of the perfect comeback against Chenango Valley, the Tornado pulled off, yet another incredible win.

The Tornado who entered the first half of the game flat on the offensive and defensive ends, got slapped down by the Warriors as Chenango Valley freely made its way around the basket. Add in miscommunications by the Tornado offense and things began to look bleat in Jack Jones gymnasium.

However, as the saying goes you don’t awake a sleeping giant - and that’s certainly what Chenango Valley did. After being down at the half 20-17, and multiple wasted offensive possessions by the Tornado, Norwich would bounce back in the third quarter outscoring the Warriors 21-15 in the third period of action. With the Tornado taking the lead into the fourth quarter by a score of 38-35, Norwich had taken control of the momentum and what began as a small spark by a pair of Tornado seniors Dashawn King and Chris Jeffrey soon became a raging fire in what would be a 23 point fourth quarter.

King would lead Norwich in the scoring department on the night with 16 points. However, King’s performance in the first half-scoring 12 of his 16, kept the Tornado afloat.

“Dashawn’s aggressiveness and our overall attacking made it harder for them to defend in the second half,” said Norwich head coach Brian Collier. “Dashawn carried the load offensively in the first half with his aggressiveness. In the second half, Chris Jeffrey showed the type of player he can be.”

And With King’s offensive engine still running, his offensive presence ultimately opened the door for Norwich’s second leading scorer on the night Chris Jeffrey who scored 14 points and pulled down an incredible 26 rebounds – a new Tornado single-game record – in the contest to take center stage in the second half. However, the perfect recipe for the Tornado’s second half success didn’t just call for one main offensive ingredient.