Turners Falls High School used a balanced offensive attack and stymied Lee High School with its defensive press en route to a 63-48 win in independent boys’ basketball action Thursday night in Turners Falls.
The Indians (2-0) had four players hit double figures in scoring in the game. Defensively, the hosts used a press to force the Wildcats into 36 turnovers.
Tionne Brown had a nice stat line on the night with 15 points, 5 steals and 5 assists, and Nick Croteau dumped in 13 points. Ricky Craver finished with 12 points, and Josh Obuchowski netted 10 points. Kyle Bergmann finished with 7 rebounds and 6 steals.
“We were spreading the ball out and sharing the ball well,” Turners Falls assistant Jason Liimatainen said. “Guys were getting open looks and knocking them down.”
Julian Nejaime led Lee with 15 points, and Ben Harding added 12 points.
W. Springfield 79, Pioneer 66 — West Springfield High School used a 32-4 edge in scoring in the third quarter to knock off Pioneer Valley Regional School, 79-66, in an independent boys’ basketball game Thursday night in West Springfield.
The Panthers had an odd night offensively in the opener. After scoring just 8 points in the first quarter, the team erupted for 28 points in the second and took a 36-30 lead into the break. They followed that up by scoring just 4 points in the third and watched the Terriers go up 62-40, but Pioneer then scored 29 points in the fourth quarter to make the final score a bit more respectable.
“It was a lack of mental toughness,” Pioneer coach Scott Thayer, who made his debut with the team, said. “We were down 14 at one point in the first half, but we came storming back. The defense picked up and we created better shots. In the third quarter, it was like we had never played basketball before. Remember, I am asking these kids to play a way they have never played before so this was a good barometer as to where we are at.”
Tylor Rochefort led the Terriers with 19 points, while Sharown Fowler added 18.
Tucker Llewelyn led Pioneer with 24 points, including four 3-pointers. Jordan Loughman scored a career-high 15 points, and Tyler Martin chipped in with 10.
Monty Tech 73, Athol 33 — Montachusett Regional Technical High School led 33-0 after the first quarter and the Bulldogs went on to record a 73-33 win over Athol High School during the semifinals of the Red Raider Invitational Thursday night in Athol.
Four players hit double figures for the Bulldogs including Savon Hughes, who led the way with 19 points. Nick McDermott added 15 points, and Trevor MacMaster and Matt Lucas each had 10.
Avery Clyatt finished with 10 points to lead Athol, and Justin Blake chipped in 6.
Athol takes on Murdock High School in the third-place game tonight at 6. Monty Tech faces Gardner High School tonight at 7:30 in the championship.
Four Rivers 54, Buxton 33 — Oscar Gibson scored 25 points on Thursday and Four Rivers Charter School defeated Buxton School, 54-33, in a River Valley Athletic League boys’ basketball game at Indoor Action in Greenfield
Marcel Pattavina netted 16 points for the Otters, who improved to 2-1 on the season.
Mahar 58, Pioneer 34 — Hannah Paul scored 18 points on Thursday night to lead Mahar Regional School to a 58-34 win over Pioneer Valley Regional School in an independent girls’ basketball game in Orange.
The Senators (2-1) led 19-11 after the first quarter and held the Panthers to just two points in the second quarter as they jumped out to a 33-13 lead at the halftime.
Kadie Jillson added 13 points for Mahar, Kenzie Tenney scored 9 points (all on free throws), and Cassidy Verheyen had 4 points and 15 rebounds.
Pioneer was also hurt by its free throw shooting on the night as the Panthers shot just 3-0f-20 from the line. Jess Scoville led the Panthers with 13 points, and Olivia Rowe netted 6 points.
Mohawk 30, Northampton 30 — Mohawk Trail Regional High School won three matches by pin and earned a pair of forfeit wins to tie Northampton High School, 30-30, in an independent wrestling match Thursday in Buckland.
Nate Wooldridge pinned Sebastian Abend in the third period at 106 pounds for the Warriors, and Jaden Moore pinned Aaron Meunier in the first period at 120 pounds. Jameson Bailey-Pecor earned the third pin of the day at 170 pounds with a second-period pin of James Biddulth.
Mohawk’s Mackenzie Mayhew (152 pounds) and Mason Biagini (160) each picked up forfeit wins.