The Norwich boys basketball team is on a hot start, a 5-0 record to begin the year as they begin conference play and head coach Joe Alger says a senior leadership group is leading the charge.

"We've got some seniors that are really wanting to be a change culture here in Norwich when it comes to basketball," said Alger. "I really contribute a lot of our success so far right now is to our seniors really paving the way for some of our younger guys."

One of those seniors being point guard Steven Dowdall, who has not only built chemistry with his team on the basketball court, but the turf as well with some of his teammates also playing on the Purple Tornado football team like Mitchell Collins.

"He's my quarterback on the football field and my point guard on the basketball court," said Collins. " I think him and I learn more and more about each other every day and how we play, so it helps to build and grow with each other."

Dowdall over the last three contests has dropped 43 points over the weekend in the Mark Woitach tournament as well as a 33 point performance against Chenango Valley on Wednesday night, however despite some great individual performances the senior says that should not be considered his biggest strength.

"Probably leadership," said Dowdall. "We got a lot of young guys on the team, so just making sure they know where they're supposed to be, giving them the ball and give them opportunities to score and get better".

As for Coach Alger in his first season with Norwich, he says Dowdall not only provides insight on the team, but the overall game as well.

"I look at Steven as an assistant coach," said Alger. " He sees things through the players view that he'll share with me whether it's in game or practice."

However if you ask Dowdall, he is just looking forward to his senior season to help Norwich get back into the discussion of Section IV basketball.

"Just having fun," said Dowdall. "I can tell through the first four games this is one of the most fun teams in basketball I'm going to be able to play on."

The Purple Tornado look to add on to their hot start this Friday as they travel to Delhi for a STAC vs MAC matchup with the Bulldogs.