NORWICH – Coming off some tough league games, the Norwich Purple Tornado boys’ basketball team welcomed non-league opponent Walton/Downsville to Jack Jones gymnasium on Monday night. Norwich were ecstatic to pick up the 62-43 win in front of their home crowd. It was only a step in the right direction as Norwich is hopeful for success in sectionals.

Norwich played consistently throughout the first half with pushing the boards and making big stops on defense. Norwich took a 28-19 lead at halftime before coming out even stronger to start the second half. The Purple Tornado had extra boosts from Mitchell Collins, Jacob Morris, and Graham Burton in the third quarter, posting a best 22 points on the night.

Collins dominated with 20 points on the night with four three’s, where he scored 13 points before the break and continued with seven points after halftime. Morris followed with six points in the third quarter, where he knocked in his two three’s, and settled for eight points overall. Burton also scored eight points with six coming after halftime. Colin Olds finished with 12 points, behind Collins’ impressive game, and made four of six foul shots.

Norwich finished the regular season with a 9-9 record and now await sectionals.

Scores by quarter:

W/D 5 14 8 16—43

NO 12 16 22 12—62

W/D: Max Dutcher 9, Landen Gardner 6, Tyler Reed 6, Everett West 6, Seth Hunter 4, Nolan Barnhart 4, Landen Stanton 4.

NO: Mitchell Collins 20, Colin Olds 12, Jacob Morris 8, Graham Burton 8, Wyatt Thornton 5, Steven Dowdall 4, Chase Colley 3, Jerome Palen 2.

Three-pointers: W/D 6 (Dutcher 3, Reed 2, Gardner); NO 8 (Collins 4, Morris 2, Thornton, Colley).