By Robert Jeffrey
Sun Sports Contributor
NORWICH- Anyone who has attended a Norwich girls varsity basketball game this season understands how the Tornado exit their locker room to start their pre-game warm-ups; by running out in front of their home crowd to an assortment of 1980s hit songs. The mention of these songs are noteworthy as the Tornado played some vintage hard-nosed 1980s basketball by driving to the basket-getting fouled-and winding up at the free-throw line 27 times on the night. Norwich went onto score 20 points out of those respective attempts as they outlasted the Owego Free Academy Indians in a Southern Tier Athletic Conference match-up 62-57.
What was once a tied game after the first quarter of play, the Tornado responded with their lowest point production on the night in the second quarter. Despite their lowest offensive quarter on the night, the Tornado held their opponents to nine points in the quarter- taking a four point lead into the locker room to end the first half by a score of 28-24.
A large proponent of Norwich’s lead after the first half of play was the dynamic offensive production of freshmen Halea Eaton and senior Makenzie Maynard. This unlikely duo of upper and lower-classmen combined for 19 points in the opening half. Maynard scored 11 of her game leading 20 points in the first half-in which nine of her first half points came via the long ball-while Eaton scored nine of her 14 points in the early going.
As the buzzer signaled the beginning of the third quarter for the home town Purple, the Indians looked to match the Tornado’s intensity. Unfortunately for the visitors their four point deficit turned into the makings of a potential blow-out as Norwich scored 17 points in the period. Recall the mention of free-throws earlier- the Tornado recorded nine of their 17 points in the third off of freebies, and nearly went perfect swishing 9-10 in the quarter.
With the Indian’s offensive unit still unable to get going, they had the final eight minutes to try and make the Tornado faithful sweat a bit- and the Indians delivered on that promise.
