Sam’i Roe fought through foul trouble to score a game-high 27 points and lead Hopkins Academy over Turners Falls High School, 71-54, in a Hampshire League boys’ basketball action Wednesday night in Turners Falls.
The Indians took advantage of Roe’s foul issues and built a 34-24 lead by halftime, but the league-leading Golden Hawks (12-1, 10-0) outscored Turners 26-10 in the third quarter to take a 50-44 lead going into the final period.
Jon Morrison bucketed 20 points and John Earle chipped in with 12 points for Hopkins.
Tionne Brown led the Indians (9-4, 5-4) with 21 points, including four 3-pointers.
Jimmy Vaughn and Nick Croteau both added 8 points, and Kyle Bergmann and Javoni Williams each contributed 6 points.
Mahar 45, Frontier 36 — Mahar Regional School’s defense stifled Frontier Regional School in the second quarter to take a double-digit halftime lead and went on to post a 45-36 HL boys’ basketball win Wednesday night at the Grzesik-Bixby Complex in Orange.
The Senators (11-1, 8-1 HL) led 16-13 after an unusually high-scoring opening quarter between the schools, then their defense limited the Red Hawks to just 2 second-quarter points and extended the lead to 26-15 by intermission.
Frontier (4-11, 4-7) battled back and cut the lead to 5 at the end of the third period, but Mahar held on during the final 8 minutes.
Gabe O’Lari led the Senators with 14 points and 6 rebounds. His 8 points in the final quarter were crucial for Mahar.
Brennan Mailloux had a solid all-around performance with 9 points, 7 boards and 5 steals, Issak Reinikainen chipped in 7 points and 9 rebounds, and Sam Paul and Bryce Cleveland both finished with 5 points. Jack Temple contributed 4 rebounds.
Keaton Warren, Myles Freeman and Trevor Gilmore all had 8 points and Ben Lowe added 5 for the Red Hawks.
“We really had to grind this one out, and it wasn’t pretty,” offered Senators head coach Chad Softic. “Frontier has done that to us quite a bit over the years and we were very fortunate to come out with a win. Coach Barshefsky’s matchup zone has always given us fits, and his kids are tough, so we just have to move on and be happy we got the W.”
Pioneer 50, Greenfield 44 — Pioneer Valley Regional School used a 19-9 scoring margin in the final quarter to overtake Greenfield High School, 50-44, in a HL boys’ basketball contest Wednesday night at Nichols Gymnasium in Greenfield.
The Panthers (9-4, 7-2) benefited from a balanced offense, led by Tucker Llewelyn’s 11 points. Jake Willis threw in 10 points and Garrett Cote pitched in with 9, including back-to-back layups in the final period that put Pioneer ahead to stay. Jacob Hill and Hunter Cote finished with 5 points apiece.
Kevin Mendez had another big game for the Green Wave (5-8, 5-5), pouring in a game-high 27 points and pulling down 15 rebounds. Connor Joy added 8 points and 6 assists.
Pioneer led 23-17 at halftime, but Greenfield grabbed a 35-31 lead after three quarters.
“We just didn’t make shots down the stretch,” said Greenfield head coach Tim Caplice. “I thought played pretty good defense.”
Greenfield hosts Mahar Friday at 7 p.m.
FC Tech 66, Smith Voke 38 — Colin Gould drained a career-high 42 points and powered Franklin County Technical School to a 66-38 win over Smith Vocational & Agricultural High School in Tri-County League boys’ basketball action Wednesday night in Northampton.
Joel Farrick finished with 7 points, Tyler Hastings added 6 and Bailey Young had 5 for the (8-6, 6-4 TCL), who led 20-18 at halftime but broke it open with an 18-5 scoring advantage in the third.
Jayon Cardova hit for 11 points and Drew Brida added 10 for the Vikings (2-11, 2-8).
Franklin Tech hosts Westfield Technical Academy Friday night at 7.
Pope Francis 54, Mohawk 37 — Pope Francis High School jumped out to a 24-5 lead after one quarter and rolled to a 54-37 win over Mohawk Trail Regional High School in an independent girls’ basketball game Wednesday night in Buckland.
Chelsea Velazquez poured in a game-high 24 points and Megan Driscoll added 16 for the Cardinals.
Grace Poplawski netted 11 for the Warriors, while Ashley Reynolds had 8 and Ashley Walker finished with 6. Emma Poplawski grabbed 15 rebounds.
Mohawk hosts Pioneer tonight at 7.