NORWICH – Johnson City may have denied Norwich a Stop-DWI title four weeks ago, but it is the Tornado who will forge ahead with STAC division title hopes still intact.

Richie Bonney scored 25 points and pulled down 16 rebounds, and Norwich canned 10 three-pointers in a 70-61 victory over the Wildcats before a spirited crowd Friday night at Jack Jones Gymnasium. The loss for JC effectively ends its division title aspirations, while Norwich remains a game behind Maine-Endwell in the Central Division chase.

“What a fun game. That was one of the most fun games I’ve been a part of over the years,” said Tornado coach Mark Abbott, who said his team fed off the home crowd’s energy and support. “Both sides were just going at each other. The effort from both teams makes you feel good about the game of high school basketball. ”

Abbott qualified his “good feelings” statement with the stark point that his team, now 11-2 overall, was on the winning side.

Thanks to team-wide hustle, much better rebounding than the previous two meetings, and the best offensive output in three outings with JC, Norwich remained in command of the contest for most of the game.