Norwich’s Emma Urgo (#3) looking for room to move or to pass to another teammate as she’s heavily pressured by the Sidney defense. Norwich defeated Sidney in overtime 56-55 on Monday. (Photo from Norwich Girls Basketball Boosters)

SIDNEY – The Norwich Purple Tornado girls basketball team is back for a new 2023 season and already started on a high note. Norwich defeated Sidney 56-55 in overtime in a highly intense game on Monday. Norwich had three key returners in double-digits and stayed consistent with 11 points scored in the first, second, and third quarters, and overtime period.

Norwich took a brief 22-19 lead at halftime before the two teams continued to battle in the final 16 minutes. The Purple Tornado held a 42-38 lead with 1:30 remaining in regulation. Sidney made two crucial free-throws that sent the game into overtime, tied at 45.

Norwich fought through overtime on Josey Ryan and Emma Urgo’s efforts as well as making free-throw shots at a major point in the game. Ryan and Urgo both finished with 16 points while Olivia Schiraldi had 11 in the victory. Brynley Ryan knocked down one three to finish with seven points as senior Julia Llewellyn contributed with six points.

Norwich (1-0) will participate in the Sherburne-Earlville girls tip-off tournament this Friday and Saturday. They will face Richfield Springs in Friday’s opening round at 6 p.m. Admission will be charged- $1 for students and $3 for adults.

Scores by Quarter:

SI 11 8 13 15 10–55

NO 11 11 11 12 11–56

SI: Ava Cirigliano 24 (8-for-9 f-t); Maya Paul 19, Isabella West 4, Isabella Conroy 3, Nayla Miley 3.

NO: Josey Ryan 16, Emma Urgo 16, Olivia Schiraldi 11, Brynley Ryan 7, Julia Llewellyn 6.

Three-pointers: SI 0; NO 3 (Schiraldi 2, B Ryan).