SOUTH DEERFIELD — The Frontier Regional girls basketball team displayed an aggressive, attacking style with the playoffs on the horizon in a 61-40 win over Mahar Regional at Goodnow Gymnasium on Friday night.
The defense was surgical and the offense made a big run in the second half to pull away from the Senators in the Franklin County League North contest.
“They stood up tall,” Frontier coach Dave Machon said. “In the second half especially. They kept the fire going. I think they did a great job defensively. We score off our defense.”
Marie Diemand helped ignite the run for the Red Hawks and finished with 22 points.
“We definitely got on a roll in the second half,” Diemand said. “That feels really good to go on a run. Basketball is a game of runs. When the other team goes on a run, it’s really hard to come back from.”
The Red Hawks went on a 23-2 run toward the end of the third quarter and into the fourth to take total control of the game.
It was senior night for the Red Hawks (13-6, 4-3). Frontier honored Diemand along with fellow senior Victoria Speth.
Beating another playoff team will help Frontier’s case when seeds are released. Diemand would like to play again at Goodnow Gymnasium.
“I am happy and sad,” Diemand said. “I am hopeful to be able to play here one last time. I have to think about it as my last time just in case it is.”
Speth missed her senior season with a shoulder injury.
During the third quarter run, several players made shots: Sierra Warren canned a 3-pointer, Kylie Laford hit a runner, Amelia Sobieski scored in the paint and Kaitlyn Mackin went 3-for-4 from from the free throw line.
Mackin led the charge for the defense that had a clear focus on Mahar’s leading scorer, Micalyn Mailloux.
The Red Hawks threw a diamond-and-one defense at Mailloux along with a zone. When playing Mailloux man-to-man, Mackin, Alena Maes-Polan and Warren all took turns shadowing Mailloux.
“I think switching on her helps so much,” Mackin said of Mailloux. “It’s not one person getting tired. That was our plan and we did that.”
Mackin scored nine points and had 15 rebounds. Mailloux scored 10 points to lead Mahar.
Mackin has emerged as a perimeter defender for the Red Hawks.
“I think it’s fun,” Mackin said. “Mostly I have been guarding the post all season. It’s changed and I like it.”
Sobieski did not hesitate on her touches in the paint, immediately attacking the rim on the catch.
She finished with 15 points.
“I am attacking more because we have a different style of play than in past years,” Sobieski said. “We attack more than being cautious. The last few years we weren’t Frontier basketball. Now we are Frontier basketball. We are going to be doing this every single game.”
Mahar (12-6, 4-2) stayed close into the second half. An Abby Henne runner on the baseline tied the game, 30-30 midway through the third quarter before Frontier’s run.
“We didn’t finish things all game,” Mahar coach Larry Fisher said. “The third quarter they wanted the ball and wanted the game more than we did.”
Saylor Kegans scored seven points for the Senators.
“They are bigger and more physical and we just didn’t match up to it,” Fisher said. “That quarter and a half at the end we caved. Probably should have got on the bus a little earlier. We have to work a little bit harder.”
The Red Hawks had a 24-18 lead at halftime.
After a Diemand jumper and Warren 3-pointer, the Red Hawks led 35-30 in the third quarter.
From there, Laford nailed a runner before another basket by Diemand on a second-effort play.
Diemand opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer to give Frontier a 42-30 lead.
Mahar plays at Greenfield on Tuesday. The Red Hawks travel to play Hopkins Academy in Hadley on Tuesday.
