NORWICH – Norwich won its first STAC boys’ basketball title in 20 years last season, and looks for the repeat beginning tonight at 7:45 p.m. when it plays Horseheads.

The boys' contest is the back end of Tornado twinbill as the girls entertain Binghamton in their interdivision STAC playoff battle at 6 p.m.

Tom Collier has looked at four game tapes on Horseheads, and has come to the conclusion: "They're really good," he said. "They were the best team in our summer league in Binghamton."

What Collier sees in the Blue Raiders, who have four losses on the season, is a mirror image of his team. Horseheads plays hard-nosed defense, and has the second-best scoring defense in the Southern Tier Athletic Conference.

Number one on that defensive scoring list: Norwich. "They pride themselves on physical man-to-man defense, and on offense, they pick you all day with their motion offense," Collier said.

Foster Clark leads Horseheads in scoring at around 18 points a game, and he performs in a mode of operation that is similar to Maine-Endwell graduate Kyle Gallagher, Collier said. The senior-dominated Blue Raiders are augmented on offense by scoring guard Ben Clark, the only other player on Horseheads averaging in double figures. "They're extremely disciplined on offense, really well coached, and they play about eight guys," Collier said. "Seven of those eight are seniors. They are a senior dominated team."