WARE — Julia Hatch didn’t play much for the Mahar Regional girls basketball team against Ware on Tuesday night. But then it was clutch time and the Senators needed some big shots in the final minute.
The senior didn’t hesitate in the face of pressure.
Hatch came off the bench and hit multiple big shots including a buzzer-beating, game-winning 3-pointer in a 44-41 win for the Senators in independent play at Paul Orszulak Gymnasium.
After a defensive stop and the score knotted, 41-41, Mahar called a timeout with 3.6 seconds remaining in regulation. Hayden Comeau inbounded to Taylor Paluk who brought the ball up the floor. Paluk then found Hatch on the wing who let the shot go without any time to spare. The bank was open for Hatch, and the celebration began for the Senators (9-2)
“It feels good, especially being on the bench and wanting to play,” Hatch said. “Getting the chance and making it. They (teammates) made it really crazy. It was really surreal.”
The Indians (10-2) represented one of the better teams the Senators have faced this season. Running the point, Taylor Paluk scored 12 points. The environment and the competition represented a good test for Mahar.
“We came out a little flat,” Paluk said. “But we picked it right up and did what we do. Julia (Hatch) is amazing. I love her. Always a good attitude. Always ready.”
On the previous possession, Hatch hit a 3-pointer to tie the game with 30 seconds left. Comeau assisted on the shot and finished with nine points. Nastasia Sanders scored eight points.
“We went into it saying we want to play these types of games,” Mahar coach Francis Phillips said. “We were up for it and excited to play this game. We’ve been playing well the last couple games. We always say to the team that you always need to be ready when your name is called.”
Hatch didn’t play in the third quarter and finished with nine points.
“I’ve used Jules as an example in the past,” Phillips said. “She never complains. She is there to support her team and she’s ready when her name is called. But she knows she has the green light all the time…it was awesome to see her get that done.”
Mahar had a seven point lead in the third quarter. Adalynn Almedia’s steal and score gave Mahar its biggest lead of the game. Ware eventually took a 41-38 lead with around two minutes to play in the fourth quarter.
Mahar hosts Mohawk Trail in a Franklin South contest on Thursday.
Mohawk 63, Franklin Tech 44 — Valerie Bzomowski connected on four 3-pointers in the Warriors win over the Eagles in Buckland.
Mohawk (5-5, 3-3) hit nine 3-pointers in the Franklin South contest. Sadie Wilcox led the Warriors with 18 points. Natalie Lanoue, Zephyr Jetzon and Emmalee Inman each added nine points.
Brayleigh Burgh scored 12 points for Franklin Tech (4-8, 1-6).
Greenfield 48, Smith Academy 37 —A huge third quarter helped the Green Wave defeat the Falcons at Nichols Gymnsasium in Franklin South play.
Tayler Bergeron went wild for the Green Wave (5-7, 4-3) with 30 points. Amy Mihailicenco added seven points. Sarah McCloud chipped in with six points.
Bergeron connected on a career-high six 3-pointers for Greenfield.
Pioneer 45, Hopkins Academy 31 — The Panthers avenged an earlier loss to the Golden Hawks with a win at Messer Gymnsasium in Franklin South play.
Kyler McClelland scored 17 points on five 3-pointers and added five rebounds for Pioneer (7-3, 5-2 Franklin South).
Maggie Tsipenyuk also had 17 points with eight rebounds and two blocks. Deveney Pillsbury added eight points.
Pathfinder 52, Turners Falls 28 — The Thunder lost to the Pioneers on the road in Tri-County North play.
Autumn Thornton had nine points on three 3-pointers for the Thunder. Jojo Hayman added seven points while Ivy Lopez scored six for Turners Falls.
Boys basketball
McCann Tech 60, Turners Falls 54 — Kainen Stevens scored 23 points, but the Thunder lost to the Hornets at home in a Tri-County North match up. Jackson Cogswell added 11 points for Turners Falls (2-8, 1-7)
Mahar 57, Smith Academy 42 — The Senators outlasted the Falcons at Grzesik-Bixby Gymnasium in Hampshire North play. Kayden McGivern scored 16 points with three rebounds and three assists for the Senators (3-9, 3-4). Point guard Matt Vitello had seven points and five assists. Max Kimball added eight points for Mahar.
Frontier 74, Athol 27 — The Redhawks were too much for the Bears at Goodnow Gymnasium in Hampshire North play. Max Millette scored 23 points for Frontier (11-1, 6-0). Alex Ellis (16 points) and Ty Skroski (14 points) were also in double-figures for the Redhawks.
Ethan Heuer scored seven points for the Bears (5-5, 4-3).
Greenfield 67, Hampshire 63 — Grayson Thomas scored 12 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter to help the Green Wave get past the Raiders on the road in Hampshire North play.
Conner Bergeron (12 points) and Gavin Arsenault (16 points) were in double-figures for Greenfield (7-3, 6-1 Hampshire North)
Franklin Tech 66, Mohawk 34 — The Eagles downed the Warriors at home in a Tri-County North match up. Nolyn Stafford scored 16 points for Franklin Tech (6-5, 5-3). Brody Hicks also scored in double-figures with 15 points.
Braydn Marcoux had nine points for the Warriors (1-11, 1-7)
Alpine Skiing
Racing the slalom at Berkshire East Mountain Resort in Charlemont, Addie Loomis torched the field at PVIAC race No. 4.
Loomis finished (42.14) first overall for Mohawk. In second place (45.63) was Alenna Shapleigh of Westfield. Brooke Koshinsky (50.15) and Grace Sisum (50.38) were seventh and eighth, respectively, for the Warriors.
The girls team took home the North League team win (202.21) as well. Longmeadow was second (225.89).
Skiing the Giant Slalom, Mohawk had four athletes in the top 10. Gunner Triggs led the way in fourth place (32.91) for the Warriors. In fifth (33.14) and sixth (33.7) were Ben Zarotny and Liam Zarotny.
Kashton Ryan of Longmeadow had the top overall time (31.50).
Xerxes Law placed 10th (36.10) for Mohawk. The team performance was good for a North League team win (135.94) for the Warriors. Longmeadow was second (142.81).