ROCHESTER — The Old Rochester boys basketball team will advance to round 8 of their state tournament after defeating Norton High School with a final score of 71-48 in their sweet 16 round.

Norton barely touched the ball in the beginning of the game, with Old Rochester’s aggressive play style establishing a 16-point lead by the end of the first quarter.

“We came out of the gate running and gunning,” said Old Rochester Coach Steve Carvalho. “Our defense caused some problems with them and we shot well.”

Old Rochester junior Brody Hiles showcased bold offense and sank three-pointers all night, scoring 25 out of 71 points for Old Rochester.

Norton attempted to close the score gap in the second quarter with assertive offense but Old Rochester fought back with increased intensity and strong defensive efforts in the third quarter.

Sophomore Grady Oliveira cut through Norton’s defense efficiently with assists from teammates, scoring smooth layups throughout the game and racking up 19 points for Old Rochester.

Old Rochester senior Gavin Martin’s versatility on the court also made him a potent threat to Norton.

Carvalho said he’s proud of the team’s performance but there’s more work to be done.

“We got to work on taking care of the ball, keeping turnovers down, working on making sure we keep defending and rebounding and trying to set our tempo,” said Carvalho.

Carvalho also complimented Norton’s effort in the game, stating, “They took a punch in the stomach — I think it was maybe 20 [points] or something and they came back.”

For the Round of 8 match, Old Rochester will face off against Greater Lawrence Technical School in an away game on Friday, March 7 at 6 p.m.