Westfield’s Manny Golob attempts a free throw during Monday night’s home game against East Longmeadow. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – The Westfield High School boys’ basketball team is alive and well for the chase for the Western Massachusetts Division I postseason.
Westfield staved off the hard-charging East Longmeadow Spartans, winning a double-overtime thriller Monday night at home, 55-51.
“It wasn’t pretty to watch,” Westfield coach Bill Daley said, “(but) it was a really good high school basketball game.”
East Longmeadow rallied from a seven-point deficit by holding Westfield scoreless for the last 3-and-a-half minutes of regulation to force the first overtime.
In overtime, Westfield stormed back from five points down. Isaiah Headley made a key steal and lay-up late to take a one-point lead. The Bombers fouled on the in-bounds play, forcing East Longmeadow to the free throw line. The Spartans made one free throw, and a second OT ensued.
Westfield prevailed in double-overtime thanks in large part to converting 10-of-12 shots from the foul line.
Headley finished with 18 points. Alex Brown and Manny Golob had 12 apiece for Westfield, which improved to 5-10 overall, 2-3 in league play.
Colin Dunn, Richard Barnett, Patrick Wroth, and Aric Laplante came up big defensively for the Bombers. All four players combined to shut down East Longmeadow’s Luis Rodriguez, who came in to the game averaging 26 points per game.
The four Bombers held Rodriguez to just seven points in regulation. He finished with 19.
Westfield will have a few days to prepare for its next big contest. On Friday, the Bombers will host Amherst, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
McCann Tech 60, St. Mary 32
WESTFIELD – Brian Mickalay scored a team-high 16 points for St. Mary at Westfield Middle School South Monday night.
LATE RESULTS
Palmer 68, Gateway 53
PALMER – Kyle Ingram scored a game-high 22 points to help Palmer to the home victory late Friday night. Curtis Dowers (15 points), Calvin Dowers (13), and Justin Edinger (10) powered Gateway’s offense. The Gators fell to 10-4.
