NTL BOYS BASKETBALL: ATHENS FALLS TO NORWICH, 68-50, IN OPENING ROUND OF JC TIP-OFF TOURNEY (December 11, 2025)
Valley Sports ReportJOHNSON CITY — Norwich used a strong second quarter to take control on its way to a 68-50 win over Athens here Thursday evening in the opening round of the Johnson City Tip-Off Tournament.
The Purple Tornadoes led 15-9 after the first eight minutes, then used a 22-10 second-quarter blitz to extend the lead to 37-19 at the half.
Senior Nick Grazul scored 10 points in the first half and senior Talon Baglini added seven, but sophomore Dom Robbins was the only other Wildcat to produce a bucket.
Athens picked up the pace offensively in the third quarter as junior Gage Marmor knocked down a pair of 3-pointers for six points, and freshman Aiden Briggs and junior Kam Wheeler each canned a trey and scored five points, but the Tornadoes still outscored the 'Cats, 19-18, to extend their lead to 56-37 heading into the final eight minutes.
Briggs pumped in nine points in the fourth quarter for the Wildcat to fuel a 13-12 advantage over the eight minutes.
Briggs led Athens with a career-high 14 points, while Grazul had 12 points, three assists and four steals, and Baglini had seven points and five boards.
Wheeler added seven points and four steals, while Marmor chipped in with six points, James Friend added three rebounds and two blocked shots, Adam Kemp had four assists and one blocked shot, and Eli Hobday dished out three assists.
Aiden Young led a balanced Norwich attack with 14 points, and Carter Chrystie added 13.
Athens, now 1-1, will face Newfield Saturday at 1:45 p.m. in the consolation game.
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IN PHOTO: Athens freshman Aiden Briggs. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.
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