Southwick’s Katelyn Sylvia, right, and Gateway’s Alyssa Moreau battle for the rebound during last night’s game in Southwick. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – The Southwick-Tolland Regional High School girls’ basketball team rose to the occasion Friday, responding to the coaches’ plea and punching their tourney ticket.
“We challenged the upperclassmen to bring their ‘A’ game for the rest of the season,” Southwick assistant coach Rick Harriman said of a speech presented to the team following a blistering road loss to Ware. “All of them – the juniors and seniors – stepped up tonight.”
Southwick responded with a 38-20 win over visiting Gateway.
Southwick senior Morgan Harriman delivered a double-double, scoring 20 points and hauling in 12 rebounds. Tara Dowd added seven points for the Rams, who at 10-3 are now bound for the Western Massachusetts Division III girls’ basketball tournament.
“It was a fantastic defensive effort for the girls, passing, and the basketball intelligence was very great” coach Harriman said. “They protected the ball, and did the right things.”
Alyssa Moreau (7 points) and Chelsea Derrig (6) led Gateway.
JV RESULTS
Southwick 31, Gateway 6
Alyssa Cournoyer scored a team-high seven points for Southwick, and Rams’ Morgan Peterson and Jordan Goodreau netted five apiece.
“It was a team effort,” Southwick head JV coach Rick Harriman said. “We had balanced scoring and fantastic defense.”
