Fourth Quarter guides Express over Tornado

By Robert Jeffrey

Sun Sports Contributor

Frank Speziale Photo

NORWICH- With the Elmira Express viewed as the favorite to win the Southern Tier Athletic Conference semi-final match up over the host Purple Tornado, for the first three quarters of play it appeared as though the Tornado were destined for the STAC championship game, and with the momentum and energy on their side it looked like it was going to happen as the game turned into the final hour. Then an Elmira offensive onslaught took over the game, allowing the Express to chug along as the Tornado fell 55-40.

With the Norwich offense moving right along as the third period of play began, the host Purple flipped a 19-16 deficit into a 25-23 lead with 3:41 left to play in the quarter. The back-and-forth motion of the game called for the heroics from NHS’ Makenzie Maynard who connected on massive back-to-back three point baskets. The initial three with 3:41 left put the Tornado in the lead for the first time since the six minute mark of the second quarter.

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Maynard’s next three-pointer pushed Norwich even closer to the finish line – putting the Tornado up 28-23 with 2:47 left in the quarter. However, the Express pushed forward, inching closer and closer to tying the ballgame as the quarter ended in a 30-29 lead for Norwich and it looked as though the Cinderella team in the Purple Tornado was still looking to dance.

Unfortunately, the one point lead wouldn’t last as the Express methodically scored the first 17 points of the fourth quarter to make it a 47-30 ballgame. Elmira’s full-court and half-court pressure was a key to their victory as the Purple Tornado guards were unable to get past their pressure and in-turn turned over the basketball.

It wasn’t until a Maynard free-throw with 2:26 remaining in the contest, that the Tornado were able to get on the scoreboard. From there, the Express continued to pound on the points. Ending the game on a 10-6 in favor of the Express, the Tornado failed to control the offensive play of freshman guard Kiara Fisher who torched Norwich scoring 15 of her game-high 23 points over the duration of the final eight minutes.

“We got into a situation where the game got really chaotic and our kids couldn’t get the game back under control,” said Norwich head coach Josh Bennett. “You’ve got to give them credit, they (Elmira) have some really good, athletic guards at the top. I was very, very proud of my athletes.”