Westfield senior Joe Meade hangs on the rim after slamming one of several rim-rattling dunks against visiting Longmeadow. He made nine in the game. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
Westfield junior Devin Wells defends West Springfield's Alex Kraver (22) in a 2011-12 high school boys' basketball game. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Westfield senior guard Billy Smith (21) looks to make a play against Longmeadow. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
Westfield junior Justin Crosby lays up the ball against New Leadership player. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
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Westfield's Nick Sibilia, left, controls the puck as Longmeadow's Andrew Hadley attempts the steal. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
Westfield senior Connor Laraway, right, attempts to break up a pass from Longmeadow's Glenn LaFountain. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
Westfield junior goalkeeper Nick Liberto makes a save against Minnechaug. Liberto is expected to be the starting goaltender when the Western Massachusetts Division 3 tournament begins. Junior Matt Blascak provides the Bombers with depth at the position. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
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St. Mary's goalie Zach Brown is pictured in net. Brown will be a major key to the Saints' tournament run. (Photo by Chris Putz)
St. Mary senior forward Trey Tremblay, right, battles Taconic's Brian Daury. Tremblay, who joined Nick Masciadrelli as the only two players in school history to reach 100 career points, will lead the Saints' charge into the tournament. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
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Southwick-Tolland Regional senior Melissa O'Neill (3) splits the Monson defense. O'Neill, the lone senior, will lead the Lady Rams in their first postseason appearance in many years. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
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Gateway Regional's Chelsea Merritt (23) battles Holyoke Catholic's Kieran Ramsey, left, and Melissa LaFlamme. (Photo by Jerrey Roberts)
Hometown teams
head to playoffs
By CHRIS PUTZ
Staff Writer
WESTFIELD – The Western Massachusetts tournament field will be announced today for high school boys’ and girls’ basketball, and hockey. The two-time runners-up Westfield Bombers, who finished the boys’ basketball regular season with a 12-8 record, are the area’s lone Division I representative this year. The Bombers are seeking their third straight trip to the finals.
The Southwick-Tolland Regional girls’ basketball team (12-7) rejoins the Division II tournament field after a long hiatus. The Lady Rams are led by lone senior Melissa O’Neill. In Division III, Gateway Regional’s Chelsea Merritt and the Lady Gators get another crack at a title run.
In hockey, the defending Western Massachusetts Division 3 champion Bombers will begin their chase once again as one of the top seeds. But the field is cluttered with possible suitors to upset Westfield’s quest for yet another crown.
“I haven’t seen parity like this between four teams,” Westfield longtime coach C.B. “Moose” Matthews said, following the Bombers’ tournament victory at Bourne on Thursday.
Although Westfield finished with an impressive 14-4-2 regular season record, coach Matthews said getting past West Springfield – the Bombers were 0-2-1 against the Terriers this season – and Ludlow will be just as tough as knocking off Longmeadow, last year’s runners-up.
“It’s immaterial who we’re playing,” Matthews said. “We’re going to be ready – we’re playing some good hockey right now. I’m excited. I feel our chances are pretty good. The (playoffs) are a different animal.”
The Saint Mary’s Saints (11-7-2), whose hockey quest usually ends at the hands of Division 3A beast, Holyoke/South Hadley, will likely go as far as junior goaltender Zach Brown will take them, their coach, Mike Goodreau said after his team’s 4-0 win over Taconic on Thursday night.
Of course on offense, St. Mary’s will look to senior Trey Tremblay to lead them. Tremblay, joined Nick Masciadrelli (2010-11) as the only other Saints’ player to reach 100 career points.
Good luck to all our teams!
Chris Putz can be reached at [email protected]
