For the first time since 2007, the Franklin County Technical School girls basketball team will hang a banner in its gymnasium.
The Eagles secured the outright Tri-County League North championship on Wednesday night, dispatching Sci-Tech by a 64-39 margin in Turners Falls.
Franklin Tech improved to 15-3 overall, 8-0 in the TCL North. The squad holds a three-game lead in the division with just two games remaining.
“This group of girls has put a lot of work in,” began Franklin Tech head coach Joe Gamache. “They’ve been extremely coachable. We’ve had some great senior leadership this year from our three seniors. During their four years, they’ve put in plenty of work and I was lucky enough to inherit them. The team has rallied around them.”
Jocelyn Crowningshield led the way with 20 points, five steals and five assists, helping Franklin Tech storm out to a 24-9 lead after one quarter and 44-16 halftime advantage.
Jordan Hurlbert recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Isabelle Duga joined her in double figures with 13 points to go along with eight steals. Emily Ryan notched six points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, while Gem Cruz tossed in eight points and four boards. Gabby Castagna (six points) and Emily Merritt (four rebounds, two blocks) also contributed in the win.
Franklin Tech continues its pursuit of a solid tournament seed when it hosts Renaissance on Friday night. The club wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the upcoming vocational tournament with Wednesday’s win.
“Ideally, we’re looking at things kind of hoping that we end up with a first-round home game,” Gamache said.
Smith Academy 54, Mohawk 49 — A big second-half effort enabled Mohawk a chance to get back into the game, but visiting Smith Academy did just enough late to secure a 54-49 Hampshire League North victory on Wednesday in Buckland.
Mohawk trailed 35-14 at halftime, but outscored the Falcons by a 14-4 margin in the third quarter and made a game of it late.
“Tale of two halves,” Mohawk coach Darren Schmidt said. “They outshot us in the first half, we had trouble getting our offense going. In the second half, guys really picked it up. The players really gave it their best effort.”
Anthony Moffatt’s 19 points paced the Warriors, which received 10 points apiece from Tyler Dubreuil and Reuben Bassett.
Mohawk is back at it tonight with an away game at Athol.
• In JV boys basketball action, Mahar knocked off Athol, 44-33, on Wednesday.
Dilan Fountain’s 17 points paced Athol.
Hopkins 48, Mohawk 40 — Grace Poplawski poured in a game-high 21 points, but visiting Mohawk fell to Hopkins Academy, 48-40, in an independent girls basketball game Wednesday night in Hadley.
The Warriors trailed 25-21 at halftime.
Poplawski scored 14 of her 21 in the second half. Stella Clark came through with a strong performance as well, scoring 15 points, while Grace Ward chipped in four points.
Hopkins was led by Kasey Earle’s 13 points.
Mohawk takes to the road on Friday night to play Franklin County League West foe Easthampton.