If Greenfield High School is hoping to earn a postseason berth, Tuesday night’s performance was a good step toward keeping that goal within reach.
The Green Wave opened up a commanding 25-8 lead after the opening quarter and was never seriously threatened en route to a 74-50 victory over Smith Academy in Hampshire League boys’ basketball action at Webb Gymnasium in Hatfield.
“We forced the tempo early and they turned the ball over a little bit,” offered head coach Tim Caplice. “It’s nice to see the kids smile and enjoy a W. They’ve been working really hard, and our health is headed in right direction.”
It was a timely win for Greenfield for a few reasons: 1.) it stopped a brief two-game skid; 2.) it was the Wave’s first road win after a tough opening stretch; and 3.) Caplice had nearly everybody available after several players were battling the flu (Colin Cloutier dressed but was unable to go, according to Caplice).
Two players who returned to action after dealing with their illnesses were seniors Kevin Mendez and Connor Joy, and both made an impact in the win.
Mendez led all scorers with 29 points and hauled down 18 rebounds for a double-double. He also drained three of the Green Wave’s 10 3-pointers.
Joy, meanwhile, also reached double figures with 10 points while handing out 7 assists.
Greenfield also received contributions throughout the lineup, including an 8-point, 7-rebound effort from Zack Avery. Tyler Boissonneault also netted 8 points, including a pair of treys, Arlo Larange totaled 7 points and 3 assists, and Adam Phelps and Jake Suhl both knocked down a pair of trifectas for 6 points.
Brett Gratz led the Falcons (1-10, 0-9 HL) with 17, Nick Leary added 12 and Matt Bouley threw in 10. They also combined for all 8 of Smith’s 3-pointers, led by Leary’s 4.
The Green Wave improved its record to 4-7 overall and 4-4 in the HL. It’s still an uphill climb to reach the .500 mark and make the playoffs, but Caplice figures they have to start somewhere.
“We had a tough schedule to start and hit a rough patch as far as health, but the kids still believe we can turn this around,” he said. “I told them, ‘If people want to count us out that’s fine, but we’re got gonna quit fighting.’”
Greenfield has an opportunity to get a critical win when it hosts Turners Falls High School Friday night at Carl H. “Ump” Nichols Gymnasium at 7 p.m.
Turners won the first meeting, 46-44.
“That was a tough loss, so I’m hoping we can avenge that (Friday),” said Caplice. “I think we match up well with them. I hope it goes our way so we can take that momentum into next week, now that we’re on the back end of that flu bug and were getting healthy.”