Turners Falls High School jumped out to a large first-half lead and went on to defeat Mohawk Trail Regional High School, 50-31, in a Franklin County League South Division girls’ basketball game Tuesday night in Buckland.
The Indians (4-4) came out much stronger in the first half against the Warriors (0-8) than they did their last time out against Southwick-Tolland Regional High School. That time, Turners Falls scored just one point in the first half. On Tuesday, Turners scored 17 in the first quarter and 24 in the second to mount a 41-11 lead at the break.
“It’s like a light switch, I don’t know what it is,” Turners Falls coach Ted Wilcox said. “I’ve got to get them to score in the first half. Tonight we played good defense and we were able to score. We shot it and it went in. It’s a good win and we will take it and we will practice hard and see if we can score Friday when we play Ware. We will see if that light switch is on or off, because that is where we are right now.”
One area where the Indians did not see much improvement was at the free-throw line. On Friday, Turners shot just 10-for-36 from the line in the loss to Southwick. Tuesday’s numbers were only 5-of-14.
Maddy Chmyzinski finished with 20 points and 6 steals in the win, and Kylie Fleming added 11 points. Dabney Rollins took four shots and made all four to finish with 8 points. Chloe Ellis added 5 points.
Ashley Reynolds led Mohawk with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Emma Poplawski had a team-high 17 rebounds to go with 7 points, and Hayley Lowell added 7 points.
“We started taking chances in the second half,” Mohawk coach Larissa Miner said. “Our defense picked it up in the second half and they went out and were animals on the boards.”
Greenfield 48, Soutwick 39 — Samantha Smith recorded a double-double with 13 and 15 rebounds as Greenfield High School edged Southwick-Tolland Regional High School, 48-39, in an independent girls’ basketball game Tuesday night in Southwick.
The Green Wave jumped out to an early lead, holding Southwick to two first-quarter points en route to a 26-14 halftime lead. Raegan Hickey also played well for the Green Wave, filling up the stat sheet with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals. Molley Duclos contributed 9 points.
McKinley White led the way for the Rams with 14 points. Brooke Waitt finished with 10.
South Hadley 55, Mahar 50 — Cassie Verheyen scored 6 points and hauled down 17 rebounds but it wasn’t enough as Mahar Regional School fell to South Hadley High School 55-50 in an independent girls’ basketball game Tuesday night in South Hadley.
The Senators fell behind 27-16 at the half but came back in the second half, pulling within five but the Senators couldn’t get over the hump.
“I’m really proud of the way we played tonight,” said Mahar head coach Larry Fisher. “We broke their press pretty well in the third and fourth quarter and we were able to get within five but just couldn’t find a way to take the lead. I thought the girls played hard and I thought we played one of our better games.”
Sophie Gatzounas was the high scorer for South Hadley, finishing with 31 points, while teammate Mikhaila Edge added 11.
Kenzie Tenney also played well for the Senators, netting 9 points to go along with 7 steals while Kadie Jillson notched 10 points.
The Senators return to action on Monday when they travel to face Greenfield High School.
Granby 62, Athol 35 — Kaeleigh Croteau netted 25 points, including six 3-pointers, as Granby High School erupted for 48 second-half points and the Rams downed Athol High School, 62-35, in an independent girls’ basketball game Tuesday night in Granby.
The Red Raiders managed a 20-14 halftime advantage but Croteau, combined with 27 points from Nora Young, helped the Rams complete the second-half comeback.
Julia Carey led the way for Athol with 18 points. Hope Parked chipped in 9.
Hampshire 69, Frontier 25 — Hampshire Regional High School took a 18-0 lead after one quarter and rolled to a 69-25 win over struggling Frontier Regional School in an independent girls’ hoops game Tuesday in Westhampton.
Katy O’Connor led Hampshire with 20 points and Caroline O’Connor added 15. Katelyn Pickunka and Lexi Turgeon each added 9.
Lisa Portier finished with 8 points to pace Frontier (3-4). Helena Diaz chipped in 6.
Duggan 53, FC Tech 34 — Nala Roache scored 28 points Tuesday night to lead Duggan Academy to a 53-34 independent win over Franklin County Technical School in girls’ basketball action in Springfield.
Jesalie Torres added 16 points for Duggan, which held a 33-16 halftime lead.
Michelle Leh led Franklin Tech with 11 points, Ashlee Townsley added 8 and Bri Wilder chipped in with 4.
Boys’ game
Four Rivers 47, Putney 43 — Oscar Gibson scored 15 points, including 9 from the free-throw line, to help Four Rivers Charter School hold on for a 47-43 win over The Putney School in a River Valley Athletic League boys’ basketball game Tuesday afternoon in Vermont.
Gibson made key free throws down the stretch to help the Otters improve to 4-1 on the season. Marcel Pattavina was the high scorer for Four Rivers with 17 points. Mac Almeida added 11.
The Otters return to action Friday at Indoor Action Sports against the Dublin School at 4 p.m.