BINGHAMTON - In a game played with the physicality of a Pitt Big East matchup, Norwich seemed more a survivor than a winner in the Section 4 Class A boys basketball championship.
Each time Southside cut the gap, the Purple Tornado were able to stop the Green Hornets' momentum, holding on for a 51-46 victory Thursday night at Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.
Southside (15-7) sliced away at a 10-point deficit with 4 1/2 minutes left to get to within three with 1 1/2 minutes remaining. Mike Backer's 3-pointer from the corner made it 49-46 with 1:35 left to play, then Vaughn Labor resumed his dominance down low for the Purple Tornado and drew two fouls. He made just 2-of-4 free throws, but they were enough to put Norwich (20-3) in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association playoffs.
"I'm not usually the one at the line," said the 6-foot-5 senior, who scored a game-high 21 points.
"I just tried to stay in there," Labor said of the rugged play both underneath and outside.
Norwich coach Mark Abbott appreciated his big man's effort.
"Labor was huge for us inside. He had his sights set on states, and he carried us," Abbott said.
Southside led just once, 2-0, when Isaac Yorro converted off an offensive rebound. He led the Green Hornets with 14 points.
Labor and Corey Dietrich then took over, combining for 19 points to give Norwich a 22-9 advantage 4:24 before halftime. Dietrich, who did most of his damage on drives to the basket, finished with 13 points.
The Green Hornets, plagued by turnovers and missed shots, made a run just before intermission as Kevyn Walker drained a pair of 3s and Backer scored down low to pull Southside to within 24-18 with a half remaining.
But Norwich scored the first five points of the third period to up its lead to 29-18. Again, Southside fought back but was never able to get even with the Purple Tornado.
"We played hard and kept battling," Southside coach John Fesetch said. "We had a hard time putting the ball in the hoop."
Norwich enjoyed a big advantage at the foul line, taking 25 attempts to seven for Southside.
One call that particularly steamed the Southside faithful involved a vicious slam dunk by Brent McLaurin off a rebound of a Backer shot with five minutes left in the game. The basket was disallowed when the official ruled McLaurin went over a Norwich player's back.
Had it counted, it would have pulled Southside to within five at 44-39. Instead, Norwich got three more points and led 47-37 with 4:31 left.
Brad Bellinger, who finished with 12 points, pulled down some tough defensive rebounds and Backer, who struggled most of the night offensively, got four of his 10 points over the final 2 1/2 minutes as the Green Hornets rallied again.
"I tried to bring us back, but they were tougher than us," Backer said.
Even more saddening than the loss for Fesetch is the end of his time working with this Green Hornets unit.
"It's going to be tough not to coach these guys because of the kind of kids they are," he said.
Each time Southside cut the gap, the Purple Tornado were able to stop the Green Hornets' momentum, holding on for a 51-46 victory Thursday night at Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.
Southside (15-7) sliced away at a 10-point deficit with 4 1/2 minutes left to get to within three with 1 1/2 minutes remaining. Mike Backer's 3-pointer from the corner made it 49-46 with 1:35 left to play, then Vaughn Labor resumed his dominance down low for the Purple Tornado and drew two fouls. He made just 2-of-4 free throws, but they were enough to put Norwich (20-3) in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association playoffs.
"I'm not usually the one at the line," said the 6-foot-5 senior, who scored a game-high 21 points.
"I just tried to stay in there," Labor said of the rugged play both underneath and outside.
Norwich coach Mark Abbott appreciated his big man's effort.
"Labor was huge for us inside. He had his sights set on states, and he carried us," Abbott said.
Southside led just once, 2-0, when Isaac Yorro converted off an offensive rebound. He led the Green Hornets with 14 points.
Labor and Corey Dietrich then took over, combining for 19 points to give Norwich a 22-9 advantage 4:24 before halftime. Dietrich, who did most of his damage on drives to the basket, finished with 13 points.
The Green Hornets, plagued by turnovers and missed shots, made a run just before intermission as Kevyn Walker drained a pair of 3s and Backer scored down low to pull Southside to within 24-18 with a half remaining.
But Norwich scored the first five points of the third period to up its lead to 29-18. Again, Southside fought back but was never able to get even with the Purple Tornado.
"We played hard and kept battling," Southside coach John Fesetch said. "We had a hard time putting the ball in the hoop."
Norwich enjoyed a big advantage at the foul line, taking 25 attempts to seven for Southside.
One call that particularly steamed the Southside faithful involved a vicious slam dunk by Brent McLaurin off a rebound of a Backer shot with five minutes left in the game. The basket was disallowed when the official ruled McLaurin went over a Norwich player's back.
Had it counted, it would have pulled Southside to within five at 44-39. Instead, Norwich got three more points and led 47-37 with 4:31 left.
Brad Bellinger, who finished with 12 points, pulled down some tough defensive rebounds and Backer, who struggled most of the night offensively, got four of his 10 points over the final 2 1/2 minutes as the Green Hornets rallied again.
"I tried to bring us back, but they were tougher than us," Backer said.
Even more saddening than the loss for Fesetch is the end of his time working with this Green Hornets unit.
"It's going to be tough not to coach these guys because of the kind of kids they are," he said.
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