Girls’ Basketball

Norwich 68, Johnson City 44

NORWICH – A blistering first half had Norwich in front by 24 points, and the Tornado cruised home over the final two quarters in a home victory over Johnson City Wednesday night.

Utilizing a trapping press, Norwich scored the first eight points of the game and led 18-6 at the first turn. Norwich extended the margin in the second quarter, and finished the half on a 9-2 spurt.

Shelby Benjamin hit a jumper from just right of the foul line, Savannah Williams drove for a layup, and a Williams blocked shot kicked off a fast break that ended in a Makenzie Maynard layup late in the second quarter.

Maynard had 18 points for Norwich in the win, Williams scored 11 off the bench, and Meghan Komendarek just missed a double-double scoring nine points and pulling down 11 rebounds.

“I thought we did a nice job turning them over in the first half and finishing around the rim,” said Norwich coach Josh Bennett. “But we were very sloppy in both halves; very casual. It was disappointing considering how well we played over the break.”

Despite a subpar night of passing the ball, Norwich raised its mark to 8-1 on the season.

In the junior varsity game, Caroline Stewart scored 14 points for Norwich in a 48-29 victory. The Tornado host Chenango Forks on Friday.