Boys’ Basketball

Norwich 62, Horseheads 47

NORWICH – For more than a quarter and a half, Norwich played as sloppy as it has all season before an unlikely player stepped up and sparked the Tornado to a strong first-half finish.

Senior Josh Favaloro, averaging less than four points a game and known more for his hustling defense, had 12 of his career-high 17 points in the opening half. During a 15-2 run to close the opening half, Favaloro converted a three-point play after a driving layup, and had another steal and layup with 1:31 left in the second stanza as part of an 11-0 spurt to close the first half.

“It was nice to see (Favaloro) score like that, and he’s not usually the guy at the top of the scoring chart,” said Norwich coach Mark Abbott. “Tonight was a just reward for all of his hustle. He scored off steals, in transition, and he also hit a couple of threes. His points came at a key time for us.”

Norwich turned the ball over 12 times in the opening half and 25 for the game. Still, it was able to extend the advantage to as many as 21 points early in the fourth quarter.

“With the importance of our upcoming games, we need to take better care of the basketball and be more productive from the free throw line,” Abbott said. “Fortunately, our defense and rebounding remain rock-solid.”