EASTHAMPTON — A comeback attempt came up just short for the Athol boys basketball team in a 51-40 road loss to Easthampton on Thursday night.
After trailing 39-26 at the end of the third quarter, the Bears cut the lead down to five points with one minute 55 seconds left in the Hampshire North match up. The Eagles closed the game on a 6-0 run to finish off the Bears (1-2, 1-2 Hampshire North).
“We battled all game long,” Athol coach Brian Patria said. “I think we matched their intensity. I knew it was going to be a tough place to play. Kind of a hostile crowd. I saw some good things out there tonight. I think it’s a different team than the first game of the season.”
Oliver Johnson ignited the comeback, draining a 3-pointer with 5:52 left in the fourth. Johnson finished with 10 points. Johnson showed a nice touch from the outside throughout the game.
“It felt great to start it up and get it going,” Johnson said. “But we lost it and it got over our heads. We have to keep composure and keep our heads high. Make sure we keep pushing through it.”
Easthampton built the lead with a barrage of 3-pointers. Patrick Larson scored 18 points with three 3-pointers for the Eagles.
“Bad close outs,” Patria said. “Everyone wants to get that shot block and get on ESPN. We need better close outs.”
After the 3-pointer by Johnson, Ethan Goodwin took it the hoop for consecutive baskets to cut the lead down to 44-38. That’s when Brody Brockney got aggressive and took it the rim for another hoop for the Bears.
Jay Brown’s strong take to the rim extended the lead to seven points for Easthampton.
Patria and his team are headed to Boston on Friday to watch the Celtics from a luxury suite. The Celtics host the Heat at TD Garden.
“We’ll watch the game tomorrow. Have some good food,” Patria said. “A little team building. Talk about things. Have Friday off.”
Goodwin has never been to a Celtics game. He’ll be able to attend the game if he finishes a paper. Goodwin had 10 points for Athol. Karim Thompson chipped in with six points.
“We’re excited,” Goodwin said. “We are definitely going to bond.”
Athol hosts Greenfield on Monday at 7 p.m.
Greenfield 68, Hopkins Academy 49 — The Green Wave opened play in the Hampshire North league with a resounding home win over the Golden Hawks.
Grayson Thomas continued his torrid start to the season with 39 points with five 3-pointers. Conner Bergeron added 12 points for the Green Wave (2-1, 1-0 Hampshire North)
McCann Tech 64, Turners Falls 52 — The Thunder left the Berkshires with a loss to the Hornets in a Tri-County North match up.
Turners Falls got 12 points each from Jackson Cogswell and Kainen Stevens. Cam Johnson added 11 points for the Thunder (1-1, 1-1 Tri County North)
Girls basketball
Mohawk 44, Hampden Charter 28 — The Warriors (2-0) were victorious in the independent match up in Buckland.
Mohawk used a big second half to pull away from Hampden Charter. Sadie Wilcox scored 16 points while Zephyr Jetson added 11 for Mohawk. Maddie Finn scored seven points with Natalie Lanoue chipping in with six.
Smith Vocational 38, Franklin Tech 33 — Abigail Dobias and Brayleigh Burgh were both in double figures, but the Eagles to the Vikings in the independent match up at home.
Burgh scored 15 points for the Eagles, with Dobias adding 11 points. Dobias went 3-for-6 from the 3-point line and added six steals for Franklin Tech.
Ariel Peters grabbed six rebounds for the Eagles (1-2).
Late Wednesday results
Boys swimming
Turners Falls 126, Chicopee 21 — The Thunder (2-0, 2-0 Constitution) continued their strong start with a road win over the Pacers.
Malcolm Tyler took first in the 500 freestyle (6:29.54). Tyler destroyed his personal record by six seconds. In a third-place finish (7:13.18), Ryker Bray shaved six seconds off his personal best in the same event.
Tyler Galenski was a winner in the 50 free (27.08). In the same event, Mario Pareja took second (21.61). Liam Bliss swam two individual races without competition from the Pacers. In the 100 breaststroke, Bliss finished in 1 minute, 11 seconds. In the 100 butterfly, Bliss had a time of 1 one minute, five seconds. In the 100 fly, Max Myers eclipsed his personal record by two seconds and finished second (1:16.09) behind Bliss.
Galenski, Malcolm Styler, William Tyler and Bliss won the 400 free relay. Gilbert Cardona, William Tyler, Malcolm Tyler and Bliss won the 200 relay.
Girls swimming
Turners Falls 100, Chicopee 56 — The Thunder (2-0, 2-0 Constitution) won their second straight to open the season on the road.
Alice Fortin blazed past the Pacers in the 50 free for a first-place finish (29.13). The closest Chicopee finisher completed the speed event in 41 seconds. Fortin also won in the 100 free (1:07.73). Tristan Bliss added another win (2:49) in the 200 Individual Medley.
Lillian Walker-Hanning took first in the 100 breastroke (1:23.03) for the Thunder. Kiera Feely posted a personal best in the 100 backstroke (1:47.56), finishing fourth. Avery Houle placed first (1:27.41) in the 100 backstroke.
The 400 relay squad of Fortin, Lillian Walker-Hanning, Jade Walker-Hanning and Bliss took first place in the event. Houle, Bliss, Lillian Walker-Hanning and Fortin also took first in the 200 medley relay. Fortin, Jade Walker-Hanning, Bliss and Lillian Walker-Hanning took first in the 400 free relay.
Addie Cardona grabbed a first place (2:33.62) in the 200 free.
