Submitted Photo, Tracy Vinal

BINGHAMTON – Norwich has not seen the playing surface for competition since December 21, a game which they topped the defending Class C state champions of Moravia. The Saints of Seton Catholic Central are coming off a three game tournament stretch where they were handed two losses in the national division.

The time off for Norwich was very apparent during Thursday’s 80-48 loss between the two as the Purple Tornado committed 21 turnovers throughout the course of the contest. The Saints took full advantage of the road team’s miscues, coverting a good chunk of them into 23 points at the other end.

“We have no excuses,” said Norwich’s assistant coach Tom Collier when asked if the long span of no play contributed to the teams play. “

Norwich struck first with a bucket from Michael Carson but Seton’s Peter Hartrick immediately answered with a three. That is how the rest of the first quarter went. One team scored, the other responded. The first eight minutes ended with Seton having a small five point advantage.

Norwich’s Skylar Wenzel finished on the block for the first points of the second quarter to make the score 15-12.

However, in the blink of an eye, Seton opened up their lead as they went on 17-0 run.

The Saints Leo Gallagher started it off but stroking a three off one of the many Seton offensive rebounds. After that basket, three other Saints converted on the offensive end on turnovers created from the physical defense over Norwich.

Norwich’s head coach Brian Collier called a timeout with 1.8 seconds before the intermisson to design a scoring play from the far baseline. The inbound pass went out of bounds without touching a player after miscommunication between teammates, giving the ball back to the Saints under their basket right before the half. Seton converted for two more points as the buzzer sounded for end the half.

After the break, the Purple had a slight momentum swing in their favor when Marcus Cashman drilled a three from the corner. Carson drew a charge on the defensive end and was sent to line after a strong drive to the rim. Hitting his two free-throws, Norwich cut the lead down to 15. But the Saints answered with six points, taking the wind out of the Tornado sails.