Southwick-Tolland’s Monica Kucienski (23) and Westfield Voc-Tech’s Elyza Colson (10) jump for the tip-off to Wednesday night’s game. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – The stretch run begins now.
The Southwick-Tolland Regional High School girls’ basketball team rose up late against Westfield Voc-Tech in an independent game Wednesday night. The Rams experienced a 14-0 fourth quarter explosion en route to a 34-16 win at the Tigers’ home court.
“We just kind of wore them down a bit,” said Southwick coach Mike Gill.
Lindsay Wilcox scored 12 points to lead Southwick. Morgan Harriman had seven for the Rams (5-5).
“That was a really tough ballgame,” coach Gill said. “They were a lot improved since the last time we played them.”
Brandi VanGelder (8 points) and Shannon Michael (4) led Voc-Tech (3-7).
“It was a kind of a deceptive score,” Tigers coach Matt Seklecki said of a game which remained within 2-4 points throughout the first three quarters. “It was not deceptive in the fact that we couldn’t score a single basket in the fourth quarter.”
It was 15-7 in favor of Southwick at the half.
Southwick, which is 0-2 in league play, returns to league action Thursday night when the Rams travel to Putnam to take on the Beavers. Voc-Tech next plays at Pioneer Valley Christian School.
Northampton 52, Westfield 45
Northampton’s Anna Walther scored a game-high 20 points, including 14 points in free throws. In fact, the Blue Devils made half of all its points from the foul line.
Alicia Arnold scored 18 points to lead Westfield, which fell to 1-8 overall. The Bombers are now in desperate need of victory when league play begins Thursday night at home against Amherst. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
“We played really well tonight against one of the top teams in Division 1,” Westfield coach Ralph Loos said. “It was a close game throughout. But our league season begins with Amherst. Hopefully we will get in the tournament that way. That is a must win – that’s just what it is.”
Teams qualify for the postseason with a record of .500 or better, or a first- or second-place league finish at season’s end.
HOCKEY
Westfield 7, Minnechaug 0
It took a little while for Westfield (9-1) to shake off hangover from its first loss of the season, but after a scoreless first period against Minnechaug on Wednesday, the Bombers turned up the offense for seven goals over the last two periods.
Sean Spohr had two goals and four assists to lead Westfield. Bombers’ Anthony Cagliostro, Nate Barnes, Sam Evans, Brandon Miemiec, and Mike Santinello chipped in one goal apiece, as well.
Westfield goalie Mike Chaderjian (12 saves) earned a shutout.
“They gave us a game for awhile,” Westfield coach C.B. “Moose” Matthews said., “then we got it together. …Then we woke up.”
The Bombers will get a bit of a rest as they are off for the next nine days.
