Boys’ Basketball

Norwich 66, Horseheads 46

HORSEHEADS – Making its second 100-mile road trip in three days, the result in Friday’s matchup with Horseheads was much more pleasing than last Tuesday’s STAC playoff loss to Elmira Southside.

“This was a good one to play,” said Norwich coach Mark Abbott, who said this meeting with Horseheads was his first encounter with the Blue Raiders in his 24-year coaching tenure. “Rather than sit on that loss heading to sectionals, we needed to get back on the floor and play well.”

Norwich was able to wipe the sour taste from the 24-point loss to ES out of its mouth in the first half building an 11-point halftime lead, and extending it to 16 entering the fourth quarter. Josh Borfitz led NHS (16-3) with 20 points, and had nine in the first and third quarters. Richie Bonney added 14 for the Purple Tornado as well. “Horseheads lost to Elmira Southside by just two points a couple of weeks ago, so they were no slouch,” Abbott said. “Horseheads is more of a perimeter-oriented team and didn’t have the bangers that Southside has. It was a different style of play, and a better matchup for us.”

Norwich is idle until next Friday when it hosts the winner of Oneonta and Owego in the Section IV, Class B playoffs.