Westfield’s Jacob Beman (13) attempts an off-balance shot against West Springfield Monday night. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – The Westfield High boys’ hoops team’s “senior night” was filled with red, black, and white, pageantry, a packed gymnasium, and a boisterous home crowd until the Bombers’ opponent rained on their parade.
One could hear the pin drop after West Springfield popped Westfield’s balloon, escaping the Whip City with a 54-44 win Monday night. The Terriers received a big-time effort from one of its seniors, Andy McNulty, who poured in 20 points.
McNulty made three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, and West Side (11-6) converted 10-of-13 free throws in the final 1:58 to secure the victory.
Westfield fell behind by 11 points early in the final quarter – following consecutive 3s from McNulty to begin – but rallied to within three with an 8-0 run. Alex Brown made an interior basket and two free throws, Richard Barnett scored on a breakaway, and Demetrius Rogers (10 points) dropped in a 2-pointer to cut the West Side lead to 38-35 with 3:50 remaining.
Just when it appeared Westfield was poised to retake the lead, West Side converted from long range.
West Springfield’s Kail Hastings (11 points) hit a 3-pointer to halt Westfield’s run. Isaiah Headley scored on two free throws to bring the Bombers a bit closer again, but McNulty dropped the nail in the coffin with another 3.
Westfield was forced to foul, and West Springfield salted the game away.
The game began with much optimism as an all-senior starting lineup raced out to a 9-2 advantage for Westfield over the first four minutes, 24 seconds. Patrick Wroth opened the scoring barrage with a 3.
“We just outhustled and outmatched them, and hit a couple of lucky (shots),” Westfield coach Bill Daley said. “I thought we were in good position, but then we hit a wall.”
Following a wave of Westfield substitutions, West Springfield managed to get back into the game. The Bombers’ lead shrank to 13-11 by the end of the quarter.
West Side surged ahead in the second quarter, but Westfield fought back. The Bombers reclaimed a 23-20 lead when Headley banked a buzzer-beating 3 off the glass, flashed a half-smile in disbelief, and tugged at his jersey in celebration as a deafening crowd rose to its feet.
The third quarter turned out to be an ugly exhibition on shooting that even had fans slumping in their seats. Aside from an opening 3 from Paul Bessette (12 points) and a McNulty shot from beyond the arc to close the quarter, both teams combined for three made shots from the floor.
In the end it was McNulty who ended it.
“Truthfully, this is the first game that these guys have played in that had this sort of playoff atmosphere with their backs against the wall, and it was senior night, blah, blah, blah,” Daley said.
But all is not lost for the Bombers.
Although Westfield (6-11, 3-4) no longer can finish with a .500 or better record, it is still mathematically alive for the postseason. The Bombers must win two or three of its final games, all on the road, and hope for a combination of losses from league opponents to sneak in to second place and earn a playoff berth.
Westfield’s three-game road trip to end the 2013-14 regular season begins Thursday at Northampton at 7 p.m.
