ORANGE — Matt Vitello got aggressive at an opportune time for the Mahar Regional boys basketball team on Tuesday night. Vitello took it to the hoop and scored with around a minute to play to help the Senators to a 34-31 win over Pioneer Valley Regional at Grzesik-Bixby Gymnasium.
Vitello grabbed the ball at the top of key and didn’t expect to shoot the game-winner in the Hampshire North contest. As he slithered into the paint, the shot was there for the point guard.
“I wasn’t even planning on shooting it,” Vitello said. “I was just going in to get a lay down pass. But the opportunity was there. It feels good. I loved hearing the crowd cheer after a big bucket like that. It’s one of those things that make me love the game.”
Mahar (2-8, 2-3 Hampshire North) trailed by nine points in the third quarter but managed to close the gap heading into the final frame.
“We were able to get some ball pressure,” Mahar coach Chad Softic said. “They made mistakes. There was a nice stretch of basketball there, doing enough to win the game. But I am really frustrated, [we had] an awful half of basketball.”
Pioneer (0-8, 0-6 Hampshire North) built the lead under the aggressive play of Judah Glenn. Time and time again, Glenn went to the basket and either scored or got fouled. But an offensive foul call sent Glenn to the bench with five minutes, 14 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Without their primary ball-handler, the Panther lost their offensive groove. Glenn finished with 17 points.
“They panicked,” Pioneer coach Seth Kratz said. “That’s what happens when they are in uncomfortable positions they aren’t used to being in. The offense kind of stalled.”
All was not lost for the Panthers in the late stages of the game. Matt Richotte did hit a big jumper to give Pioneer at 31-28 lead late in the fourth quarter. Richotte scored nine points for the Panthers.
On the next play, Vitello set up Ishan Coburn for bucket in the paint to cut the lead down to one. Trevor Odenbaugh scored for the Senators with time running out to close out the game. Odenbaugh was a force in the paint for the Senators, finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
“Trevor was huge for us tonight,” Softic said. “Great to see him growing his game.”
Vitello had eight points for Mahar.
Frontier 64, Hopkins 27 — The Redhawks were too much for the Golden Hawks in Hadley. Alex Ellis dropped 19 points for Frontier (9-1, 4-0) in the Hampshire North Contest. Dean Gray (12 points) and Ty Skroski (11 points) were also in double-figures.
Smith Voc 77, Turners Falls 56 — The Thunder lost to the Vikings in Northampton in Tri-County North play. Kainen Stevens (16 points), Cam Johnson (13 points) and Robert Goff (10 points) were all in double-figures for the Thunder (2-6, 1-5 Tri-County North)
Athol 42, PVCA 35 — Karim Thompson scored 14 points in a road win for the Bears in independent play. Ethan Goodwin added 10 points for Athol (4-4). Brody Brockney scored eight points.
Greenfield 83, Smith Academy 41 — Greenfield was too much for the Falcons in Hatfield in a Hampshire North match up. Grayson Thomas registered a triple double for Greenfield (5-3, 4-1) with 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Conner Bergeron and Gavin Arsenault each scored 15 points for the Green Wave.
McCann Tech 42, Mohawk 22 — The Warriors left the Berkshires with a loss to the Hornets in Tri-County North play. Noah Sprague scored eight points for the Warriors.
Girls basketball
Easthampton 39, Greenfield 31 — A slow fourth quarter on offense doomed he Green Wave in an independent loss to the Eagles at Nichols gymnasium.
Tayler Bergeron led the way for Greenfield (4-6) with 14 points. Gloria McDonald added 11 points.
Frontier 85, Monson 8 — The Redhawks overwhelmed the Mustangs at Goodnow Gymnasium in an independent contest. It was Frontier’s (9-1) ninth straight victory.
Addie Harrington scored 15 points with five assists and five steals. Skyler Steele (11 points), Harper Modestow 15 points and Rowan Riley (11 points) all reached double-figures for the Redhawks. Riley added five steals for Frontier.
Boys swimming
Turners Falls 76, Hampden Charter 17 — The Thunder are still unbeaten after the win over Hampden Charter at the Wes Snapp Aquatic Center.
Liam Bliss won (1:06.22) the 100 butterfly and the 100 breaststroke (1:13.22) for the Thunder. Malcolm Tyler was another winner in the 50 free (27.91).
Girls swimming
Turners Falls 78, Hampden Charter 8 — Alice Fortin was among the winners for the Thunder at the Wes Snapp Aquatic Center in Constitution play.
Fortin finished first (29.35) in the 50 free for the Thunder (5-1, 4-1 Constitution). Tristan Bliss blazed past the competition in the 100 butterfly. Rose Fortin won (1:12.84) the 100 free.
Nordic Skiing
In a MIAA Berkshire League race at Ski Butternut in Great Barrington, Augustus Niswonger finished fourth overall (16:11) for Mohawk Trail.
Adam Mueller and Luke Pickard were 16th (18:39) and 17th 18:45) respectively for the Warriors.
Late Monday results
Boys basketball
Hampden Charter 78, Turners Falls 66 — Jackson Cogswell scored 31 points, but the Thunder lost in Chicopee. Kainen Stevens added 15 points.
