Swimmers for Westfield High School cheer on their teammates Tuesday against visiting Longmeadow. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
WESTFIELD – A fierce competition between the Westfield and Longmeadow high school swim teams went to the Lancers. The Bombers did not go without a tremendous fight though.
Longmeadow girls 94, Westfield 92
Westfield’s Kelsey Johnstone won the 100 breaststroke (1:10.02), a Division 1 state-qualifying time; Sara Russell took first in the 100 freestyle (59.76), and Alexis Bradley tied for first in the 100 backstroke (1:06.93).
The Bombers’ medley relay team, featuring Kate McCabe, Johnstone, Rachel Charette, and Russell, claimed gold with a winning time of 1:57.39.
Charette also posted a D1 state qualifying time in the 200 individual medley with a second-place swim (2:22.22).
“It was an incredibly exciting meet with a lot of close races up and down the board,” Westfield swim coach Tom Lewis said. “We had a lot of very, very fast swimming on the Westfield side.”
Longmeadow boys 122, Westfield 60
Nick Ross and Patrick Lurgio were double-winners for Westfield (4-2).
Rosso claimed first place in the 50 freestyle (23.36) and 100 butterfly (54.92). Lurgio won the 100 freestyle with a season-best 56.82, and took first in the 100 breaststroke (1:12.60).
Westfield also won the 200 free relay (Cole Viamari/Rosso/Lurgio/Gabriel Centeno) in 1:39.07.
“We were just completed outmanned,” Westfield swim coach Tom Lewis said. “We have a very small team.”
The Gateway and Smith Voke boys’ basketball teams skied high against each other Tuesday night in the Gator Pit. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
BOYS’ HOOPS
Gators scrape together win
Gateway 39, Smith Voke 27
Pete Kowal and Brad Moreau scored 17 and 15 points, respectively, to lead Gateway to a rough, rugged victory at the Gator Pit.
“It was kind of an ugly game, low scoring,” Gateway coach Mike O’Connell said. “Defense was pretty solid, but it was tough for both teams to find some buckets tonight.”
O’Brien, Bombers roll
Westfield 60, Commerce 52
John O’Brien exploded for a game-high 32 points, and Rodney Bernard scored 12 to lead Westfield to a big road victory.
O’Brien made five 3-pointers.
Felix Bou-Rosado and Raul Lopez finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively, for Commerce.
Tigers fall late
McCann Tech 63, Westfield Technical Academy 60
McCann Tech opened up with a 15-4 lead, and led throughout. Westfield Tech finally tied it up 57-all in the waning minutes before McCann hit a three and a few crucial free throws to hang on.
Westfield Tech made just 1-of-3 shots from the foul line late.
“(Our) guys fought hard,” Westfield Tech coach Kyle Dulude said, “but (we) are extremely disappointed with the loss. It was many years since we won at McCann for basketball and (our) guys really believed in themselves this year to get this road win.”
Alex Stepanchuk led Westfield Tech with 16 points. Tigers’ Tyler French had 13, Tim Shevchenko, 11, and Matt Wood, 10.
Pioneers pave way
Pathfinder 63, St. Mary 33
Despite suffering another loss – the Saints are not alone as several area high school hoops’ teams have yet to find their footing on the court – St. Mary High School boys’ basketball coach Joe Molta remained positive in defeat once again.
On the bright side, Molta said, “We’re actually showing improvement, making some strides offensively in the third period.”
St. Mary, after struggling to begin many second halves this season, put together a 16-point, third-quarter effort Tuesday at Pathfinder.
“We struggled on the defensive end,” Molta admitted. “They were pretty athletic and to too, too many baskets in transition on us.”
Jake Butler led St. Mary with 14 points. Luke Willenburg finished with seven points for the Saints (0-7), and Drew Collins and Nick Illnicky each had five.
SKI RESULTS
The Westfield girls’ ski team finished first on the slopes in the North Division with Tuesday night’s PVIAC race at Berkshire East in Charlemont. Bombers’ Rebecca Stephens and Grace O’Connor finished second and third overall in 39.94 and 40.48, respectively.
St. Mary’s Matt Masciadrelli won the boys’ race (25.7), helping propel the Saints to a first-place overall finish in the South.
