Boys’ Basketball

Norwich 62, Chenango Valley 54

NORWICH - Norwich’s third win over Chenango Valley this season was easily the most difficult as it advanced to the Section IV Class B title game for the second straight season Saturday evening.

The Warriors led by as many as nine in the first half behind 14 points from Chris Ruffo, and took a four-point lead into halftime.

“I thought they played really well, probably the best game they have played against us,” said Norwich coach Tom Collier. “I think people thought we would roll over them because we blew them out the last time, but I knew it would be tough.”

If not for the scoring of NHS sophomores Mike Oralls and Zan Stewart in the first half, it could have been even worse for the Purple Tornado (16-4).

Oralls had 10 of his 12 in the first half and Stewart seven of his nine as NHS trailed 26-22. During those first two quarters, NHS leading scorers Kyle Edwards and Mike Sutton combined for just five points.

“Let’s just say we gave them some motivation (Edwards and Sutton) in the second half,” Collier said.

After adjustments were made – on offense and defense – Norwich looked like a different team.

Edwards hit three three-pointers in the third quarter, and one led to a four-point play that tied the game at 33-33. Sutton also scored 11 in the quarter to turn a four-point deficit into a seven-point lead.