Westfield’s Colin Dunn makes a pass just beyond the fingertips of a Spartans’ player. (Photo by Chris Putz)
EAST LONGMEADOW – Westfield built a commanding lead early, and held off East Longmeadow late to avoid a road block en route to a 62-51 win over the Spartans Tuesday night.
Manny Golob poured in a team-high 20 points, and Isaiah Headley put together a great all-around effort with 19 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for Westfield, which led by double-digits for much of the game.
East Longmeadow cut the lead to single digits in the second half, but Richie Barnett and Golob converted key free throws down the stretch to ice the game. Barnett finished with 13 points.
“We needed a win,” Westfield coach Bill Daley said. “I didn’t care how we got it. We kind of righted our ship a bit.”
Westfield improved to 8-5 overall, and now need just two victories to earn a Western Massachusetts Division 1 tournament berth. The Bombers have little time to rest as they return to the hardwood Wednesday against visiting West Springfield at 7 p.m.
Gaels tip Tigers
Holyoke Catholic 62, Westfield Voc-Tech 58
Voc-Tech suffered a hard-fought loss. Xavier Haskins (17 points), Tyler French (16) and Tim Shevchenko (16) led the Tigers, who were 14 of 21 from the free throw line.
“(We) gave a full effort,” Westfield Voc-Tech coach Kyle Dulude said. “Holyoke Catholic beat us all over the court the first time we played them. It was extremely rewarding for me to see as a coach that the players were determined to put in a better effort tonight and go out and believe in themselves.”
McCann tops STM
McCann Tech 51, St. Mary 32
Steve McKenna (12 points) and Nick Garde (6) led St. Mary at Westfield Middle School South.
Southwick guard Darius Webb, left, attempts to dribble up the court during Tuesday night’s game against Monson. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Mustangs push back Rams
Monson 59, Southwick 34
Ryan LeClair scored 15 points to lead Southwick, and Nick Chambers collected 15 rebounds.
Pioneer catches Gators
Pioneer Valley Christian 41, Gateway 24
Johnny Haskell scored a team-high nine points for Gateway. Gators’ Peter Kowal had seven.
GIRLS’ HOOPS
Turners sinks Saints
Turners Falls 40, St. Mary 12
Haleigh Basset scored nine points, and nine others etched their names in the scorebook to help Turners Falls overcome St. Mary at Westfield Middle School North.
Saints’ Karissa Foley scored a team-high six points.
