Northfield Mount Hermon School’s hopes for a second national title were dashed by top-ranked Hargrave Military Academy, 81-73, in the semifinals of the boys’ National Prep Basketball Championship at Albertus Magnuas College in New Haven, Conn.
The fourth-ranked Hoggers (28-8) played the hoops powerhouse from Chatham, Va., to a virtual stalemate in the first half, as they went to the locker room tied 40-40.
After the Tigers jumped out to an 11-point second-half lead, NMH battled back to tie it at 63 with 4 mintues go.
Hargrave (38-1) went back in front and survived a brief Hoggers run, including a missed 3-pointer when the Tigers’ held a tenuous five-point lead.
Andrew Platekhasd had another stellar game for the NEPSAC AAA Conference regular-season and tournament champions, draining a team-high 22 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 4 assists. He was 6-for-14 from 3-point range.
Nate Laszewski collected 13 points and 4 rebounds, Ian Sistare had a good all-around performance with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists, Kellan Grady chipped in 12 points and 4 assists, and AJ Brodeur pitched in with 9 points and 6 assists.
It was the Hoggers’ fourth consecutive appearance in the semifinals and fifth in the past seven seasons. NMH advanced to the National Championship Game in 2010 and won it in 2013.
Umpires sought
The Hampshire/Franklin Softball Umpires Association is looking for umpires for the upcoming season.
A training class will be held tonight at Frontier Regional School at 6 p.m.
Cost for the class and membership is $70, and prospective officials will be required to pass a background check in order to officiate.
For questions, contact Secretary Mike Churchill at nexdog@verizon.net or call 413-834-5388.
GGSL sign-ups
Registration sessions for the Greenfield Girls’ Softball League will take place Saturday, as well as March 19 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Greenfield Elks Lodge on Church Street.
The league is open all girls ages 5 through 16 and includes T-ball, Little Nipper, Ponytaill and Senior divisions.
Preregistrations for the Greenfield Grizzlies 12- and 14-and-under Suburban teams and the Franklin County Crush 10- and 12-and-under tournament teams will also be taken at each session.
For more information, contact Norman Morey at 413-824-7986.
GML registrations
The Greenfield Minor League will hold registrations for the 2016 season on various dates throughout the month of March for children ages 6 through 12.
Registrations will take place in the Community Room at the Greenfield Police Station on High Street on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Other sessions are scheduled for March 11 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and March 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. All players, including returning players, must register. Cost is $75 per player with a $10 sibling discount, and financial assistance is available.
Parents should bring a birth certificate to registrations, and evaluations will take place on April 2 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Lunt Field in Greenfield (weather permitting) or Indoor Action Sports in Greenfield.
There will also be three baseball clinics for all registered players on March 28, March 30 and April 1 at Lunt Field from 5 p.m. until dusk.
For more information visit the league website at www.gmlb.org or call Alex Loud (498-2617) or Ron Lenois (774-1748).
Montague spring programs
The Montague Parks & Recreation Department is taking registrations for the following programs:
• T-ball — Open to children ages 4 to 6 (must be 4 before program start date). Proof of age will be required at time of registration. Program runs Saturday mornings from April 23 through June 4 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Early-bird registration fees (through March 25) are $30 for Montague residents and $35 for nonresidents. After March 25 is $35 and $40. Registration deadline is April 1.
• Rookie League baseball — Open to children ages 7 to 9. Program runs Saturday mornings from April 23 through June 4 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Unity Park. Registration fees are $35 for residents and $40 for nonresidents. This is a coaches-pitch program. All players must bring their own glove, and non-metal cleats are allowed. Deadline to register is April 1 or until roster is full.
• Little Nipper League softball — Open to girls ages 7 to 9. Season runs from early April to mid June. Practice and game schedules vary. Games are weeknights and weekends at Unity Park in Turners Falls, Highland Park in Millers Falls and Murphy Park in Greenfield.
Registration fees are $40 for residents and $45 for nonresidents. This is a coaches-pitch program. All players must bring their own glove, and non-metal cleats are allowed. Deadline to register is April 1 or until roster is full.
• Senior League softball — Open to girls ages 10 to 12. Season runs from early April to mid June. Practice and game schedules vary. All games are played at and Murphy Park in Greenfield. Registration fees are $65 for residents and $70 for nonresidents. All players must bring their own glove, and nonmetal cleats are allowed. Deadline to register is April 3 or until roster is full.
For more information, or to receive a spring programs brochure, call MPRD at 413-863-3216 or log onto www.montague.net.
Deerfield Rec programs
The Deerfield Recreation Department is offering the following spring programs:
• Smart Start for children ages 4 and 5 not in kindergarten — introductory program with parent involvement, held Thursdays from April 21 to May 12 at 5:45 p.m. in Old Deerfield. Cost is $40, which includes a glove and bat.
• T-ball for children in kindergarten and first grade. Practices are once a week, games are held on Saturdays from April 23 through June 4. Cost is $50.
• Rookie instructional league for grade 2 — practice once a week, games on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Coaches pitch to the kids or they can hit off a tee. Cost is $50.
• Minor League for grade 3 through 5 — practice once or twice a week, games on Tuesdays and Fridays. Players pitch and there are umpires. Cost is $50.
• Softball is for girls in grades 2 through 6 (two levels). Practice once a week, games on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Cost is $50.
For more information, contact Sue Antonellis at 665-1400, ext 107, email to suea@town.deerfield.ma.us, or visit www.deerfieldma.us for forms.