New, old Tigers roar on final day
By CHRIS PUTZ
Staff Writer
HOLYOKE – The Westfield Vocational-Technical High School girls’ basketball team closed out its regular season on a positive note yesterday, defeating host Dean Tech 35-26.
Sophomore Shannon Michaels scored a game-high 17 points for Voc-Tech. Outgoing senior Amber Rode added 11 points in her final game for the Lady Tigers (8-10).
“It’s always hard to see the seniors go,” Voc-Tech coach Matt Seklecki said, following his team’s final game of the season. “You think you got them just where you want them, and then it’s time for them to leave.”
Seklecki said it would be especially tough to lose Rode, who used her 6-foot, 1-inch lanky frame to her advantage inside, as well as her ability to shoot outside the perimeter.
Rode made an and-one with 2:07 remaining in the third quarter to give Voc-Tech an 18-15 lead, converting a basket down low with a strong inside post move. She swished the free throw.
Dean Tech trimmed the lead to one, but Michaels helped the Lady Tigers recapture a 3-point lead with an easy basket under the hoop. The Golden Hawks tied the score, 20-20, less than 30 seconds into the final quarter. Rode responded with a pair of free throws, Michaels made an open 2 in the low post, and Nadine Tran’s nice-mid range jumper bolstered the lead, 27-20.
Dean Tech cut the lead to five points late. A Michaels’ put back with 42 ticks left in the game sealed it.
Seniors Monica Iglesias, Oksana Kontsemal, and Judy Seliger will also be sorely missed, coach Seklecki said.
Chicopee Comp 50, Westfield 34
Although it was a disappointing season for the Lady Bombers – they finished with a 4-16 overall record – the Westfield coaching staff said there are high expectations for next season with a lot of up-and-coming talent.
The 2011-12 season began with euphoria as Westfield got off to a 2-0 start. But after losing its next two games, junior Sydney Ezold, who was averaging nine points per game, suffered a concussion and never returned. The going got tough, but some still persevered.
In their final game of the season, every player scored for the Lady Bombers except for one.
Comp’s McKenzie Larochelle led all scorers with 14 points.
Southwick-Tolland 41, Putnam 25
Southwick’s Melissa O’Neill scored a game-high 15 points on the road in the Rams’ final regular season contest.
“It was a good win,” said Lady Rams coach Mike Gill. “Now we just wait for the seedings.”
In other games Tuesday, Gateway traveled to Franklin Tech. No report was available as of press time. The Gators will join the Lady Rams and Westfield High boys’ hoops team as the only local teams to qualify for the postseason. The Bombers travel to Amherst to take on the Hurricanes this evening in their regular season finale. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Chris Putz can be reached at [email protected]
