Lady Rams earn tourney berth
Rothermel wins regular season ski title
By CHRIS PUTZ
Staff Writer
SOUTHWICK – While many local basketball teams are fighting to keep their tournament hopes alive, one squad can rest a bit easier after punching their ticket to the big dance.
The Southwick-Tolland Regional girls’ high school hoops team qualified for the postseason with its 10th win last night, a 54-41 win over visiting Sci-Tech.
It is the first time that the Rams (10-3) have earned a Western Massachusetts tournament berth in many years.
“The girls have to be excited,” Southwick-Tolland coach Mike Gill said after the magical win.
Senior Melissa O’Neill scored a game-high 23 points for Southwick. Rams’ junior Mariah Collins recorded a double-double (11 points, 18 rebounds). And freshman Taylor Leclair finished with 11 points and seven rebounds. Leclair also made a big 3-pointer with about 2:30 remaining to seal the game.
But the work is not over for Southwick.
With three games remaining, the Lady Rams have a chance to improve their tournament seed with a few more wins.
Southwick closes the season with home games against Holyoke Catholic (Feb. 14), McCann Tech (Feb. 17), and travel to Putnam to take on the Beavers on Feb. 21.
ROTHERMEL OWNS THE NIGHT: Last season, then-Westfield freshman skier Jenna Rothermel finished in the top three in six races, and third overall at Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference individuals. This season, the sophomore is the regular season league champ.
Rothermel won the league with a fourth-place finish on the GS (26.21) last night. She was perfect on the slalom all season, surpassing all competitors.
“This is a tremendous achievement for a sophomore to finish the league in first place,” Westfield coach Monique Piotte said. “I hope this is just the beginning of her climb.”
Minnechaug’s Mary Claire Crochiere won the race in 25.84.
Lauren Sheehan (27.37), Jen Moller (28.69), and Grace Giffune (31.31) assured Westfield of a 2nd place finish, tying their season best. The Lady Bombers finish the regular season third overall in the North Division.
“The whole team is getting ready for Western Mass., then it’s on to the Big Dance,” Piotte said, referring to the state race in two-and-a-half weeks. The PVIAC individual race will be held next Tuesday.
Rothermel, Sheehan, and Moller will represent Westfield in the state competition.
Michael Beauregard (46.26), Russ Isler (49.08), Jeff Baker (50.23), and Thomas Pepek (53.95) finished 1-4 for the Westfield boys last night. John Mentor, of Longmeadow won the slalom race in 32.2.
