Boys’ Basketball

Kennedy Catholic 65, Norwich 46

BINGHAMTON – Norwich hasn’t lost much the past four seasons under head coach Tom Collier, and Tuesday’s defeat to Kennedy Catholic was likely the most one-sided loss during his tenure.

The Gaels proved a bigger, faster version of the Tornado capturing the Mirabito Stop DWI Holiday Classic Region One title, and it did so with alarming precision.

“Of all the teams I’ve scouted and graded since I’ve coached here, Kennedy Catholic is the highest rated team I’ve every scouted,” Collier said. “They are one of the top Class A teams in the state, and everyone on their roster can play.”

Kennedy Catholic asserted itself early in the second quarter to create a 31-21 halftime lead. Forward Dominick Castiano, a versatile 6-foot-7 inside/outside threat, had an early-quarter dunk, and he backed that up with a three ball from just right of the top of the key that raised the Gaels’ lead to 25-15

Norwich’s Zan Stewart converted a spinning layup that he turned into a three-point play, and after a Gaels bucket, junior reserve Jake Walsh hit a three ball for NHS cutting the deficit to 28-21 with two minutes to play in the half.

Norwich was blanked the rest of the period, and Kennedy Catholic backup forward Malachi de Sousa put a stamp on the first half scoring throwing down a breakaway dunk.