Westfield gets the jump on West Side in this matchup Friday at Amelia Park Ice Arena. The Bombers posted a convincing 7-0 shutout. (Photo by Bill Deren)
WESTFIELD – The Westfield High School boys’ basketball and ice hockey teams closed out the week on a high note Friday.
Westfield’s Gabe Piepergerdes scored a game-high 24 points – all on 3-point shots – to help propel the Bombers’ hoops’ team (1-1) to its first victory of the season, a 56-45 win over visiting Minnechaug.
Shane Keindzior delivered solid defense in the post, making six blocks. Brandon Hicks was strong from the point guard position, and strong on defense.
Westfield built a five-point, first-quarter lead, going up 13-8 on Minnechaug. The Bombers led by 20 at the half, 35-15, and 47-24 after three quarters.
“We got hot at the right time,” Westfield first-year head coach Josh Balestracci said.
The Westfield High School boys’ ice hockey also burned the competition Friday night. The Bombers easily overcame the West Springfield Terriers 7-0 at Amelia Park Ice Arena.
Zach Jarvis recorded a hat trick, and Max Maggipinto and Max Bengston scored two goals apiece in a dominating offensive effort from Westfield. Bombers’ goalies Cam Parent and Chris Anderson combined for a shutout in net.
Westfield’s schedule gets a bit more interesting when the Bombers’ ice hockey squad travels to West Springfield Tuesday to take on the Longmeadow Lancers at the Olympia Ice Center at 8 p.m.
BOYS’ HOOPS
Tigers top Saints
Westfield Technical Academy 56, St. Mary 33
St. Mary held Westfield Tech to a single-digit lead at the half. The Tigers took command by outscoring the Saints by 12 points in the third quarter at Westfield Middle School South.
“We struggled a bit on offense, similar to what we did against Gateway,” St. Mary coach Joe Molta said. “That seems to be hurting us a little bit, coming out of the second half not being able to score the ball.”
Rams improve to 3-0
Southwick 68, Ware 54
Home or away, the Southwick boys’ basketball team has been solid out of the gate this season.
Southwick won its first game away from the confines of its own home court, defeating Ware on the road to improve to 3-0.
“The end of that first quarter and early into the second we kind of got it going,” Southwick coach Dylan Dubuc said.
The Rams build a commanding 41-25 lead at the half, and never looked back.
Southwick’s Matt Daley led all scorers with 23 points. Rams’ Ryan LeClair finished with 12, Nick Moccio had 11, Nick Hough, 9, and Hunter Iglesias, 8.
“These guys executed, worked hard, and ran the game plan,” coach Dubuc said. “They deserve to be 3-0.”
GIRLS’ HOOPS
Donais top Saint in loss
Mahar 56, St. Mary 11
Mahar’s Ally Parker scored a game-high 17 points. Madie Donais led St. Mary with six points.
Waters leads Gators in defeat
Hopkins Academy 53, Gateway 20
Gateway’s Lilly Waters (4 points) and Hopkins’ Allison Kowal-Safron (12 points) led their respective teams in scoring.
GIRLS’ SWIMMING
Bombers trounce Mustangs
Westfield 142, Monson 39
Rachel Charette won two individual events – the 200 IM (2:27.68) and 100 breaststroke (116.55) – and helped catapult Westfield to first-place finishes in both the 200 medley relay (2:06.59) and 200 freestyle relay (1:55.39).
Elizabeth Dion also won two events for the Bombers (3-0), capturing first in the 200 free (2:14.24) and 500 free (5:55.65).
“Rachel Charette and Elizabeth Dion had wonderful events,” Westfield High swim coach Tom Lewis said.
BOYS’ SWIMMING
Bombers clip Mustangs
Westfield 94, Monson 89
Westfield’s Sam Cloutier and Nick Rosso each took two first-place finishes.
Cloutier won the 200 free (2:10.24) and 500 free (5:54.88). Rosso recorded gold-medal performances in the 50 free (23.05) and 100 fly (55.21).
Rosso was also instrumental in helping the Bombers (3-0) orchestrate victories in the medley relay (1:52.59) and 200 free relay (1:41.11).
