Westfield’s Kari Paton and Alyssa Clark attempt to fight through Agawam’s defensive front. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – It was a memorable senior night for the Westfield High School girls’ basketball team, and a game that was a shame anyone had to lose.
Westfield and Agawam battled to a 41-41 tie through four quarters, before Alycia Rackliffe hit a lay-up in the final seconds to decide a thriller. The Brownies escaped the Whip City with a 48-47 victory.
“They really all played really well,” Westfield coach Ralph Loos said.
Westfield’s seniors came out with a purpose in their final home game. Senior Amy Wardner was active, stealing the ball, saving it from going out of bounds, and scoring – all in the opening minute. Senior Syd Ezold displayed early poise from the guard position, converting 4-of-4 from the foul line in the first quarter.
The lead bounced between both teams in the opening quarter as Keri Paton (13 points) posted consecutive baskets, as did Karly Mastello during an 8-0 run to give Westfield an early 13-8 second-quarter lead. Agawam responded with the long ball. Brownies’ Margaret Frawley drained two 3-pointers, and Christie Mirski (13 points) made one to help the Brownies reclaim an advantage, 25-18, by the half.
In the third quarter, Jules Sharon’s spirited effort created a steal for the spritely guard and a breakaway lay-up to open the scoring. Paton followed with a putback to cut Westfield’s deficit to 25-22.
The Bombers fell behind by six before going on another 8-0 run to take a 32-30 lead. Ezold and Alexa Morin made consecutive hoops, followed by a 3 from Alicia Arnold. Still, Agawam found a way to seize the lead in the quarter’s final seconds, including a 3-point dagger from Paige Preston to go up 35-32.
Paton made her presence felt in the fourth quarter, fighting for yet another inside basket with about four minutes remaining and laying up a putback with 30 seconds left to tie the game 41-all heading into overtime.
In the extra frame Mirski hit a 3, and Preston nailed a 2 to take a 5-point lead. But Arnold was not done from long range as she hit, not one, but two consecutive 3s – the second of which came from NBA range – to take a 47-46 lead. But the outcome was not solidified as Rackliffe made a lay-up with five seconds left for the win.
“I was really proud of the energy in the last couple of minutes,” coach Loos said. “(Our players) have really come together.”
Loos said the team became more and more unified as the season progressed – that change was evident in the unselfish play against Agawam.
“It would have been easy to phone it in,” Loos said. “But we actually picked it up a little more.”
