Girls’ Basketball

Norwich 58, Owego 47

NORWICH – Norwich opened defense of its Class A title with its third win of the season over Owego, although it was not an easy out for the Tornado.

“They are tough every time we play them, and we had a hard time defending them,” said Norwich coach Bob Branham.

A switch to straight man-to-man defense allowed Norwich to extend its two-point halftime lead to 10, although the repercussion was foul trouble to starters Kala Haltner and Kyra Collier.

In those two players’ sted, Brooke Abbott and Krissie Collier came off the bench to hit three balls, and Alicia Testani had five of her season-high 23 points.

And the sometimes ragged fourth quarters that have plagued NHS this season was not evident with the exception of two possessions. “I reminded them that all we needed was a solid defensive quarter, and with the exception of those two turnovers, we executed well on offense in the last quarter,” Branham said.

Melinda Moore added 13 points for Norwich (11-9), who play Maine-Endwell Friday at neutral site to be determined.

Owego: Olivia Young, 4 3-5-11; Allana Cerretai, 1 0-0-2; Missy Riley, 2 0-2-4; Kyla Knapp, 4 0-0-8; Jennifer Iler, 4 0-0-10; Hannah Souto, 0; Aubrey Gatto, ; Alicia Marhefka, 3 6-10-12; Erica Mallery, 0. Totals: 18 9-17-47 .