Gateway’s Brooke Fairman (44) attempts to strip the ball from a PVCS player as teammate Kaitlyn Mastello (43) cuts off any retreat. (Photo by Chris Putz)
HUNTINGTON – The Gateway Regional girls’ basketball team is about to rub shoulders with a bunch of Millionaires.
No. 5 Gateway locked down 12th-seeded Pioneer Valley Christian School in the second half of a Division III tournament opener Tuesday night en route to a 41-33 victory in the Gator Pit. The Gators earned a trip to Lenox to take on the No. 4 Millionaires (13-8), 57-21 winners over Franklin Tech.
Kaitlyn Mastello (15 points, 12 rebounds) and Brooke Fairman (11 points, 10 rebounds) both recorded double-doubles, patrolling the low post for Gateway (17-4). The Gators, who led by one point after the first quarter and trailed by one at the half, tightened up its perimeter defense in the second half.
Gateway’s Becca Williams (7 points) and Chelsi Derrig (4) held PVCS’s Emily Jefson in check, holding the leading scorer to four points in the first half and just seven in the second half, most of which came in garbage time late.
Jessie Walton and Ariell Baillargeon also played well defensively for the Gators.
It will take another Herculean effort for Gateway in the next round of the tournament as Lenox features a more up-tempo style on both ends of the court.
“We’ve got to be able to handle the pressure and play our game,” Gateway coach Eli Robbins said. “We need to control the pace, play solid defense, and take care of the basketball.”
PVCS finishes the season with an overall record of 10-11.
No. 5 Belchertown 59, No. 12 Southwick 22
Tea Spellacy scored 19 points, Jillian Cavanaugh had 10, and two others finished with nine to lead Belchertown (15-6) in a home rout.
Morgan Harriman finished with a game-high 15 points for Southwick (10-11).
“Our girls stepped up and took advantage of the opportunity,” Rams coach Mike Gill said of his team, which rallied to earn a tournament berth on the final day of the regular season.
And although graduation will prove a challenge to next year’s team, there is still much promise. The junior varsity squad finished the regular season as co-champs at 14-5.
“These girls need to play more than three months a year,” Gill said. The Rams head coach said if his incoming players devote the offseason to improving their basketball skills, they could be a threat in the coming years.
STATE SKIING RESULTS
Jenna Rothermel had the best finish for Westfield, completing the girls’ slalom event in 27th place with a time of 40.61. Wellesley’s Sami Rubin claimed first in 36.67.
The Bombers finished 20th as a team with 245 points.
“It was a great race, well held,” said Westfield ski coach Monique Piotte. “Our kids did fine for themselves.”
