Westfield’s Max Maggipinto vaults past the check of a Longmeadow defender Friday at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield. (Photo by Bill Deren)
SPRINGFIELD – One might wonder which battle has been waged longer – the one between Luke Skywalker and the dark side of the Force or the one involving the Westfield and Longmeadow high school boys ice hockey teams.
The “Evil Empire” won the latest episode of this never-ending saga as the Longmeadow Lancers upended the defending Division 3 champion Westfield Bombers 5-2 Friday at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.
Longmeadow’s Spencer Robbins (1 goal, 2 assists) had a hand in three scores, and Videep Vemulapalli scored twice. Jack Barron made two assists for the Lancers, who gained command of the matchup with a three-goal, second-period barrage.
Alex Beauchemin and Spencer Cloutier scored one goal apiece for Westfield. Bombers’ Connor Cottengim, Max Maggipinto, and Williams Webster each had one assist.
Longmeadow goalie Max Loyuk collected 22 saves. Westfield keeper Cam Parent made 17.
Westfield and Longmeadow have combined for 15 of the last 16 west sectional titles.
Bombers ground Falcons
Westfield 67, Minnechaug 47
After a tight first half, Westfield pulled away in the third quarter for a key road win.
Kam Wells made three 3’s and finished with 20 points for Westfield. Bombers’ Aidan Dunn (14 points), Javi Santos (10), Gabe Santos (9), and Luis Castro (8) also had big games.
Gabe and Javi Santos delivered a dominating defensive effort, controlling the boards and pushing the ball up the court in transition. Dunn continued his unselfish play at the point guard position, proving that he is the glue that keeps the offense ticking by spreading the ball around to get everyone involved.
Koby Ray led Minnechaug with 14 points. Falcons’ Eric Johnson had 10.
Bushor paces Gators
Smith Vocational 48, Gateway 17
Nathaniel Bushor led Gateway with eight points in the Gators’ final game of the Falcons Hoop Classic at Smith Academy High School.
Rams clip Falcons
Southwick 60, Smith Academy 49
Bradley Durand and Hunter Iglesias pumped in 14 points apiece, and Tim McGrath had 12 to lead Southwick past Smith Academy in a Falcons Hoop Classic game.
Smith Academy’s Brett Gratz tallied a game-high 20.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Kelly, Falcons shoot down Tigers
Smith Academy 58, Westfield Technical Academy 15
Smith’s Emma Kelly led all scorers with 20 points. Ashley Torres (6 points), Leilani Marsh (5), and Jayme Hall (4) scored for Westfield Tech.
