Westfield's Billy Smith lays up the ball. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Westfield's Devin Wells defends West Springfield's Alex Kraver (22.) (Photo by Chris Putz)
Bombers' Justin Crosby (23) looks to get around the Terriers' defense as teammate Casey Willey (2) looks on. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WHS' Joe Meade (35) takes a jump shot as a fallen West Springfield player looks on. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Westfield's Matt Krutka (1) looks to make a play. Bombers' Devin Wells (11) muscles his way inside the lane. (Photo by Chris Putz)
HS ROUNDUP
Terriers win dogfight
WHS boys’ hoops team falls to 4-5
By CHRIS PUTZ
Staff Writer
WESTFIELD – The Westfield High School boys’ basketball team is in a dogfight to reestablish its mark atop Western Massachusetts.
On Monday night, the two-time defending Western Massachusetts runners-up Bombers fell one game below .500 at 4-5 with a 58-50 home loss to the West Springfield Terriers.
West Springfield buckled down on defense in the game’s final minute – save for Joe Meade’s blistering dunk – and converted 6-of-6 free throws to emerge the victor.
For Meade, it was his third dunk of the quarter. He finished with 15 points, but was forced to heave up a desperation 3 with less than 30 ticks left. The ball went awry, as did Westfield’s chances for a heroic finish.
Justin Crosby scored 13 points for the Bombers, and Devin Wells had 10.
The lead seesawed several times throughout the entire game. The only difference between the two teams was that West Springfield spread the ball around a bit better – five players scored in double digits.
Chris Lipscomb led West Side (10-1) with 15 points. Teammate Andy McNulty had 13; Paul Bressette, 11; Riyadh Asad, 10; and, Kevawn Lord, 9.
Renaissance 52, Southwick-Tolland 43
Mark O’Neill had 14 points for Southwick (5-8), and Rams’ Tommy Mahoney finished with 13.
LATE RESULTS
GIRLS’ HOOPS
Northampton 74, Westfield 29
Beka Santiago scored nine points for Westfield (2-9).
HOCKEY
St. Mary’s 2, Turners Falls 1
Nate Tremblay and Zach Slepchuk each scored a first-period goal, and the Saints held on for the victory. St. Mary’s improved to 6-4-2.
