The Westfield High School boys’ varsity basketball team shares a fun moment prior to Monday night’s game at Chicopee. Bombers’ first-year head coach Joe Balestracci stands fourth from left. (Photo by Lynn F. Boscher)
CHICOPEE – Chicopee closed out the fourth quarter on a 22-14 run to secure a 65-51 victory at home Monday, effectively shutting the door on the Westfield High School boys’ basketball team’s postseason hopes. The loss eliminated the Bombers from tournament contention.
John O’Brien did all he could to try and extend Westfield’s season. The senior guard drained five 3-pointers and finished with 29 points.
Aidan Dunn also added 12 points for the Bombers (8-11).
Three players pumped in double-digit scores for Chicopee. Jake Midura led the Pacers with 19 points, and Milan Harrison and Dario Zamboni finished with 14 and 13, respectively.
Despite Westfield’s departure from the playoff race, there is still one shining moment left for the Whip City’s Division 1 team. The Bombers will host senior night against visiting East Longmeadow Thursday at 7 p.m. The Lady Bombers will tip off against the Spartans’ girls’ hoops team at 5:30 earlier that night.
Tigers roar
Westfield Technical Academy 70, Pathfinder 60
Tournament-bound Westfield Tech closed out its regular season with a six-game winning streak with Monday night’s victory.
Matt Wood (28 points), Tim Shevchenko (12), Tyler French (10), and Luis Ruiz (8) paved the way on offense. Alex Stepanchuk, Ken Flores, and Mark Klutchitz contributed lock-down defense.
“We started the season off with a great win, hit a rocky patch, never quit, and kept improving,” Westfield Tech coach Kyle Dulude said. “We played some great hoop right up to our last regular season game … This is a very special team with great character and we are just looking to have some fun with the bonus basketball.”
Southwick’s Nick Moccio soars past the Hampshire defense Monday night. (Photo by Bill Deren)
Take notice Western Mass!
“We believe we are going into the tournament hot and believe we are going to give some high seed some problems,” coach Dulude said. “If we can pull off an upset, it would be quite the Cinderella story.”
Collins, Butler pace Saints
Smith Voke 44, St. Mary 32
St. Mary’s Drew Collins scored a team-high 13 points. Saints’ Jake Butler had 10.
Red Raiders top Rams
Hampshire 53, Southwick 42
Nick Hough led Southwick with 12 points. Rams’ Hunter Iglesias scored 11.
