Westfield’s D.J. Florek (4) blocks Longmeadow’s Michael Lemke (20) on Friday night. (Photo by Chris Putz)
It was a tough night all-around for the locals on the hardwood as the Bombers, Saints, Rams, Gators, and Tigers’ hoops teams all suffered defeats. Boys or girls, no one was immune.
Longmeadow 46, Westfield 42
LONGMEADOW – Westfield went on a late tear, rallying from a 37-25 fourth quarter deficit but just missed out on pulling out the victory.
Trailing 44-42 with about a minute remaining, Kyle Murphy – who just a short while before knocked down a 3-pointer – had a go-ahead 3 go in and out. Then, with 12 seconds left, teammate Connor Sas’s game-tying 3 missed.
“It was the same old, same old,” Westfield coach Bill Daley said. “We struggled on offense.”
With the loss, the Bombers now must win three of their last four games to earn a Western Massachusetts Division I tournament berth.
“Our backs are getting closer to the wall,” Daley said.
St. Mary’s Justin Crosby, center, splits the Dean Tech defense in a high school boys’ basketball game Friday night at Westfield South Middle School. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
Dean Tech 58, St. Mary 55
WESTFIELD – Dean Tech dashed St. Mary’s hopes for a league title. The Saints had a chance all the way up until the end when a three-pointer went awry as time expired.
Justin Crosby scored a team-high 28 points for St. Mary.
Hampshire 40, Southwick 32
SOUTHWICK – Southwick-Tolland fell just short against Hampshire. The Rams were led by Mark O’Neill (13 points) and Brendan Shea (8).
Franklin Tech 63, Westfield Voc-Tech 57
WESTFIELD – Luis Santos (15 points), Matt Wood (12), Nick Wood (9), and Nelson Roque (9) led Voc-Tech in an inspired effort against Franklin Tech. Cole Provost chipped in six.
It was the final senior home game for Roque.
“It was great to see that no one quit on the program this year, and great to see them peaking the final two weeks of the season,” Voc-Tech coach Kyle Dulude said. “I think our recent play validated that these guys have been playing hard and getting better.”
Renaissance 69, Gateway 38
HUNTINGTON – Zach Mackechnie and Justin Edinger scored nine points apiece to lead Gateway. Mike Arel had a nice all-around game for the Gators, finishing with eight points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.
Earnest Johnson led Renaissance with 20 points.
Gateway next plays Monson, Sunday, at 5 p.m., followed by St. Mary Monday at 6:30 p.m.
GIRLS’ HOOPS
Holyoke Catholic 29, Southwick 27
CHICOPEE – Holyoke Catholic went on a 5-0 spurt to the end the game to pull out a shocker against Southwick.
Taylor LeClair (7 points) and Jackie Maziarz (6) led Southwick (9-10), who must win its final game Monday at home against Putnam to qualify for the postseason.
“That’s two nights in a row that we’ve lost by two points,” said Southwick coach Mike Gill. “We just didn’t execute. …They know now it’s win or go home, and it’s senior night. It’s up to them if they want to keep going.”
JV GIRLS’ HOOPS
Southwick 31, Holyoke Catholic 16
CHICOPEE – Sabrina Provost spearheaded Southwick’s effort to knock off previously unbeaten Holyoke Catholic.
