Norwich Free Academy eliminated by Danbury in state tourney - here's how it went down

DANBURY ― The Norwich Free Academy boys basketball team has had the lead at some point during the game against every opponent this season. So it was no surprise seeing the Wildcats enjoying a six-point advantage early in the third quarter against fifth-seeded Danbury.

NFA’s lead, however, evaporated midway through the third quarter on a breakaway dunk from Danbury senior Quintin Chapman, whose highlight reel play sent the Hatters student section into a frenzy.

Chapman’s dunk came early in what eventually became a devastating 27-2 run by the FCIAC champions.

Yup, the Wildcats up-and-down season was over.

Heartbreaking end

NFA junior guard Tony Williams scored 19 points and junior forward Camron Barboza scored 12 points but the No. 12 Wildcats fell 67-47 in the second round of the CIAC Division I state tournament Wednesday night at Danbury High School.

“It’s just disappointing to lose like this after being up,” NFA coach Dave Cornish said. “We compete. We have to learn to be able to sustain it.”

The Wildcats (10-12) led 13-12 after one quarter and 26-23 at intermission.

Williams opened the second half with a long 3-pointer from the top-of-the-key and the Wildcats had their largest lead at 29-23.

Danbury, which spent a good portion of the season ranked in GameTime CT’s Top 10 poll, responded in a big way.

Hatters senior guard Cushan Perkins (team-high 18 points) drained a pair of 3-pointers. Junior Charnez Perkins (nine points) added a free throw and Chapman’s dunk gave Danbury a 32-31 lead with 4:09 left in the third quarter.

And Danbury (19-2) continued to pour it on.

The Hatters converted three straight conventional 3-point plays to take a 45-31 lead at the end of three quarters. Cushan Perkins capped the huge run with another 3-pointer and a pair of free throws before Williams’ driving layup made it 50-33 early in the fourth quarter.

The closest the Wildcats got was 60-44 after Barboza made three straight free throws with 3:57 remaining.

“Obviously, we ran out of gas,” Cornish said. “We played well for two and a half quarters. We just had a few breakdowns defensively. And it seemed like once they got up by eight it took the air out of our balloon.”

The Wildcats got into foul trouble in the third quarter with Barboza picking up his third personal foul. NFA also had a tough time at the charity stripe, making just 7-of-18 free throws.

More:NFA's Williams relishing leadership role

“We had open looks, we just didn’t finish,” Cornish said. “I told them in a state playoff game or any playoff game you have to cash in on those opportunities. Instead of being up three at halftime we could have been up 11. Those things come back to bite you, especially against great programs like Danbury.”

The Hatters advanced to meet No. 4 Ridgefield in Friday’s quarterfinal round.

Freshman forward Ethan Graham scored six points, while junior Malachy Murray chipped in five points for NFA.

It was the final game for NFA seniors Paul Ericson, Cam’ron Sinvil, Nicholas Camillucci, Branden Prempeh and Evan Keith.

“We have to get better in the offseason,” Cornish added. “You get better as a player in the offseason, and we get better as a team during the season.”

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Free Academy falls to Danbury in Division I state tournament