Westfield’s Gabe Santos (24) drives past West Springfield’s defense Wednesday night. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The Westfield High School boys basketball team has had a bounce in their step over the course of the first five games of the season (all wins), but on Wednesday the Bombers were bounced from the land of unbeatens.
West Springfield’s Tyler Rochefort scored 31 points to lead all scorers, and the Terriers knocked off previously unbeaten Westfield in double overtime 81-75.
The two teams played to a 62-all tie at the end of the regulation, and entered the first overtime with scores in the 70s. At the bitter end, Westfield was plagued by major foul trouble.
“That definitely hurt us,” said Westfield coach Josh Balestracci, who saw key Bombers foul out in crunch time, “but you have to tip your hat to (West Side). We did not do well defensively.”
Kam Wells (20 points), Javi Santos (18 points), and Aidan Dunn (12) all finished in double-digits for Westfield.
Coach Balestracci said more of a lesson can be learned from Wednesday night’s result than what they have witnessed through the first quarter of the season.
“You almost get a little more from loss than a win,” he said. “You don’t want to lose, but you can learn a little more.”
Rams surf past Green Wave
Southwick 60, Greenfield 41
Hunter Iglesias (11 points) and Devin Parrow (10) led the Southwick attack as the Rams spread the ball around
Southwick, which led 22-17 at the half, outscored Greenfield 24-10 in the third quarter to pull away.
“Another good team effort, very good defense, a lot of good energy,” Southwick coach Dylan Dubuc said.
Butler, Saints prevail
St. Mary 49, Mohawk 37
Jake Butler scored 22 points to help fuel a St. Mary’s victory at Westfield Middle School South.
Luke Willenborg contributed nine points, and Jack Lambert had six.
St. Mary’s outscored Mohawk 22-10 in the fourth quarter to pull away. The Saints entered the final quarter up two points.
“That was the difference,” St. Mary’s coach Joe Molta said. “We were able to pull it out so a nice win for us, well-needed. …I thought our kids responded very well.”
BOYS ICE HOCKEY
Bombers shut out Spartans
Westfield 9, East Longmeadow 0
Westfield improved to 5-2-1 with a convincing shutout of East Longmeadow at Amelia Park Ice Arena. The Bombers return to action Saturday on the road against Wachusett at Northstar Youth Forum at 6 p.m.
Bombers dominate Golden Eagles
GIRLS SWIMMING
Westfield 133, Central 50
Lizzie Fraser, Emily Langlois, and Emilie Pease won two individualized events apiece to lead Westfield to victory.
Fraser won the 200 freestyle (2:12.89) and 100 breaststroke (1:15.22). Langlois took home gold in the 200 individual medley (2:29.79) and 500 freestyle (5:42.47). Pease was first in the 100 free (59.37) and 100 backstroke (1:07.14).
Kathryn O’Connor (50 free, 27.41), Claudia Tosi (diving, 183.85), and Emily Mihalek (100 butterfly (1:07.08) won single events for Westfield.
Westfield also won the medley relay (Pease, Fraser, Langlois, Chloe Schumacher) in 2:05.81, 200 free relay (Alexa Richter, O’Connor, Liz Dion, Shumacher) in 1:55.47, and 400 free relay (Kathryn O’Connor, Liz Dion, Emilie Pease, Lauren Jablonski) in 4:14.13.
“It was a rather dominating meet for Westfield,” Bombers coach Tom Lewis said. “Not a lot of fantastically fast times – we were a little tired from Christmas break – but we’re ready to go after Agawam on Friday at home.”
BOYS SWIMMING
Westfield 117, Central 63
Matt Morash won two events (200 free, 2:00.08; 100 fly, 57.11) as did Tommy Russell (100 free, 50.35; 500 free, 5:34.56) to lead Westfield to help propel Westfield on the road.
Westfield’s Cole Viamari won the 200 IM (2:17.06), Jack Beaulieu captured a win in the 50 free (25.37), Kevin Hayes topped all divers with 201.70 points, and Dominic Navarrete swam to victory in the 100 breaststroke (1:09.12).
Westfield’s medley relay (Jack Beaulieu, Pat Lurgio, Cole Viamari, Adrian Orszulak) won in 1:54.93 and 200 free relay team of Matt Morash, Jack Beaulieu, Pat Lurgio, Tommy Russell also swam away with a first place finish of 1:37.62.
WRESTLING
Bombers flatten Purple Knights
Westfield 57, Holyoke 12
Westfield (4-2) was led by the return of two of last year’s varsity wrestlers making their season debut in sophomore Nic Clauson (152 pounds) and junior heavyweight Johann Schieppe.
Clauson defeated Holyoke’s Antoine Rodriguez in the meet’s most closely contested match, 5-2. Schieppe won by fall over John Richter.
Westfield senior captain Josh Iarriu battled through injury and overcame an early deficit to win by pin over Josmel Cruz in the 113 pound bout. Bombers’ freshman Jack Demarinis won by pin over Ashani Morales.
At 126 pounds, Westfield senior captain Isaac Santos won by pin over Cormac Norton. At 138, Bombers’ junior Vitaliy Borodin won by fall over Justin Morales. Sophomore Cam Foster won by fall over Alex Hernandez, and junior Mike Michala wrestled up two weight classes.
Although Michala fell to Ryan Asselin, the Westfield wrestler earned his coaches’ praises for his work ethic and devotion to his team by willing to move up in weight classes for the betterment of his team.
“As a whole, we wrestled very well,” Westfield coach Chris Malinowski said. “The guys work extremely hard in the wrestling room and it’s great to see it pay off.”
