NORTHAMPTON – The Westfield High School wrestling team has pinned down a historic reversal of sorts.
Westfield defeated Northampton 58-21 Wednesday night to cap off a 9-2 regular season, but more importantly complete the most improbable of turnarounds going from last place a year ago to a league best 5-1 this season.
“They are the hardest working team I have ever been around,” Westfield wrestling coach Chris Malinowski said of his bunch. “We don’t have the superstars, but what we do have is a bunch of really tough wrestlers who wrestle really hard for each other.”
Westfield was helped by the return of 113-pound junior Josh Iarriu, who pinned Northampton’s Josh Beinhardt in 43 seconds.
Westfield’s Cole Cannady (120 pounds) pinned senior Alex Cotter 56 seconds into the second period. At 126 pounds, freshman Caleb Cree lost a close decision to Noah Brink. At 132, sophomore Ed Towers handled Cole Benoit, winning by pin in the first period. Sophomore Ke-Andre Godbout held an 8-0 lead before falling by pin in the third period against senior Jesse Evers.
Junior Dennis Sevastyanov (160) won by pin for Westfield in the third period over James Biddulf. At 170, sophomore Doug Rogers wrestled very hard before falling to senior Alex Meunier. Bombers’ senior captains Mike Malinowski (195) and Johnny Gourde (220) picked up forfeit wins.
In JV action, Ed Borodin won with an impressive pin over Sebastian Abend.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Smith Vocational 72, Westfield Technical Academy 65 (OT)
Smith Voke made 16-of-24 free throws, and held on against Westfield Tech in overtime. The Tigers finished just 6-of-13 from the foul line.
Mark Kluychits forced the extra frame by tying the game up for Westfield Tech with a 3-pointer at the end of regulation. The Tigers had a chance to win it with five seconds remaining, inbounding the ball from under the own hoop with five seconds remaining but could not convert.
“We definitely are improving on the offensive end,” Westfield Tech coach Kyle Dulude said. “We just need to find a way to make more stops defensively. …Sometimes being very competitive is very frustrating, especially with an overtime loss, but I believe it builds character and makes these kids stronger. They have showed no quit all season long.”
Mastello, Turban fuel Gators’ win
Gateway 51, Pioneer Valley Christian 46
Shane Mastello scored a game-high 23 points, and Brett Turban had 19 as Gateway turned back Pioneer Valley Christian.
Gateway’s Jake McKittrick delivered a solid effort filling in for Mastello, who picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter. McKittrick finished with six points, but more importantly dominated the paint, hauling down some key rebounds.
Panthers race past Rams
Palmer 62, Southwick 57
Matt Niemczura (18 points), Ryan McCarthy (15), and Drake Bucknam (10) combined to lead Palmer at home.
Hunter Iglesias (17), Ryan LeClair (16), and Nick Hough (10) led Southwick.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Gators top Saints
Gateway 29, St. Mary 17
Bryanna Fellows and Lily Waters scored six points apiece to lead Gateway past St. Mary at Westfield Middle School South. Rebecca Herman and Donna Viel each had four for the Gators.
Madie Donais led St. Mary with eight points.
White leads Rams
Greenfield 62, Southwick 19
McKinley White led Southwick with eight points.
Hall paces Tigers
Duggan Academy 57, Westfield Technical Academy 18
Nala Roache (19 points) and Jesalie Santini Torres (17) combined for 36 of Duggan Academy’s 57 points.
Westfield Tech’s Jaymee Hall scored a team-high seven.
JV GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Southwick 39, Greenfield 10
Kathleen Shea recorded a career-high 15 points, and Emily Martin added 10 for Southwick.
