For the first time since 2023, the Franklin Tech boys basketball claimed victory over Turners Falls on Saturday night. In front of a rowdy capacity crowd, the Eagles downed the Thunder, 60-43, in Montague.
“Tonight we played with our energy,” Franklin Tech coach George Gutierrez said. “The kids are starting to buy in and realize that if we play as a team and pass the ball we can beat anybody. If our defense steps up for us we can win.”
The Thunder (2-4, 1-4, Tri-County North) established some momentum toward the end of the third quarter. Turners Falls trimmed the Franklin Tech lead to 43-30 and the crowd was energized in the Tri-County north contest.
Nolyn Stafford then reentered the game and effectively silenced the crowd. On Franklin Tech’s (5-3, 4-1 Tri-County North) first offensive possession, Stafford aggressively drove to the hoop and drew a foul. The lead went back to 15 after the free throws. For a moment, the crowd went quiet.
“I just feel like I helped my teammates,” Stafford said. “Just gave them more energy. I told them we were going to win this game. It feels amazing, We haven’t won in two years against them.”
Stafford added a couple pinpoint assists to George Gutierrez Jr. and Cole Bassett and then a midrange jumper to give Franklin Tech a 54-35 lead. Stafford finished with 20 points for the Eagles. Hunter Donahue (12 points) and Mason Bassett (15 points) also reached double-figures.
Cole Bassett added 11 points. Franklin Tech had a huge advantage on the glass and spent a lot of time diving on the floor for loose balls.
Kainen Stevens had 15 points for the Thunder with Jackson Cogswell adding 14 points. After a Cogswell put back, the Thunder took an early 8-2 lead in the first quarter. This led to a Franklin Tech timeout. The Eagles went on a 10-0 run after the timeout and never relinquished the lead.
The Thunder could not maintain any momentum after a poor shooting night. The Thunder made one 3-pointer the entire game. Too many shots missed to mount any type of comeback.
“We just can’t make baskets,” Turners Falls coach Gary Mullins said. “This game is pretty simple. We can’t put four or five baskets in a row because we don’t shoot the ball. We don’t do it very well and haven’t done it well for the last several years.”
Franklin Tech takes on PVCICS on Tuesday on the road at Hampshire College. Turners Falls is back in action against Hampden Charter on Monday in Chicopee.
Prospect Hill 43, Mahar 40 — The Senators nearly pulled off the upset of the visiting Wizards at Grzesik-Bixby gymnasium on Saturday. Prospect Hill came into the game ranked fourth in the MIAA Division 5 power rankings.
The game was tied in the final minute before Edward Nyasembi scored to put the Wizards ahead.
“This was one of the better basketball games I’ve been a part of. I don’t think many people gave us much of a chance against today,” Mahar coach Chad Softic said. “I loved the focus and emotional investment we came out with today. I’ve been kind of waiting for this. We are young but I still think this crew is going to be a really good basketball team but I don’t have a clock when that will be.”
Matt Vitello did an excellent job running the point for Mahar. Vitello dealt with tons of ball pressure in the game. Hunter Brooks scored 13 points with Max Kimball chipping in with eight points.
Trevor Odenbaugh scored 15 points with seven rebounds.