SOUTH DEERFIELD — With a 64-42 win over Pope Francis, the Frontier Regional girls basketball team captured the Suburban League championship on Monday at Goodnow Gymnasium.
It’s the 24th league championship in program history. The Redhawks were new to the Suburban this season. Frontier also brought in a new coach in David Hastings. Everything is progressing nicely for the team as the playoffs approach.
“I think they’ve done a phenomenal job,” Hastings said of his team. “They all recognized that they moved up a league. The travel was way more. I think they have adjusted well to understanding that regardless of the travel or the league you are in you have to come to play every night.”
Addie Harrington took over in the third quarter for Frontier (14-2, 9-0 Suburban). The junior scored 10 of her 19 points in the third frame. With the Frontier lead only 31-26, Harrington connected on consecutive 3-pointers to boost the advantage for the Redhawks. The win came on Senior Night for the Redhawks.
“I knew we needed to win this game,” Harrington said. “It was a big game for our seniors and for our league. We are down to our last league game and we are undefeated. It feels great, especially since we have a new coach. It’s a big accomplishment for him but for our team as well.”
There were moments of trepidation going into the season with a lot of unknowns. Whitney Campbell scored 15 points for the Redhawks.
We definitely had, not doubts, but worries with a new league and a new coach,” Campbell said. “We came in with an open mindset and a fresh start. We knew we could work to make ourselves better. We knew we could play to our potential. We are very happy with what we are doing so far.”
After games against Easthampton and Drury, the Redhawks will set their sights on the playoffs. Frontier is ranked No. 2 in the latest MIAA Division 5 power rankings. In the PVIAC Western Mass. rankings, the Redhawks are ranked second in Class B.
“We have to keep pushing our style of play,” Campbell said. “We really shine when we play our way. We need to shoot some more threes, push the ball and stay together as a team.”
Harper Modestow (10 points) and Skyler Steele (12 points) were both in double-figures for Frontier. Pope Francis held an early 10-4 lead, but the Redhawks came back to take a 14-12 lead heading into the second quarter. Steele hit a couple big 3-pointers to stretch the lead out before halftime.
Frontier visits Easthampton on Friday at 7 p.m.
Putnam 68, Athol 31 — The Bears couldn’t stay with the Beavers in Springfield in a Tri-County North match up. Maliah Clark scored 15 points for Athol (4-11, 3-5). Abigayle Spooner added eight points for the Bears.
Pioneer 51, Smith Voc 33 — Kyler McClelland dropped 18 points with five 3-pointers in the win over the Vikings at Messer Gymnasium. McClelland added eight rebounds, four steals and four assists.
Maggie Tsipenyuk had 16 points along with four assists and three steals in the independent match up. The Panthers registered 20 steals as a team. Cobi Tyminski and Kiara Gruszkowski both added seven points.
Pathfinder 48, Turners Falls 30 — Autumn Thornton scored 11 points for the Thunder (0-16) in the loss to the Pioneers at home. Ivy Lopez added seven points, with Jojo Hayman chipping in with six points.
Boys basketball
Pioneer 52, Smith Voc 43 — Seth Kratz claimed his first victory as a varsity coach in the road win for the Panthers in Northampton. Judah Glenn tied a career-high for Pioneer, dropping 31 points on the Vikings.
Matt Richotte added 10 points for the Panthers (1-14). Hayden Killeen chipped in with eight points.
Wahconah 95, Greenfield 61 — The Green Wave trailed big early and couldn’t get back into it in the independent loss to the Warriors in Dalton. Davian Bala led Greenfield (11-4) with 23 points. Gavin Arsenault (11 points) and Grayson Thomas (18 points) also reached double-figures for Greenfield.
Hampshire Regional 65, Mohawk 34 — Cole Cross scored 15 points, but the Warriors lost to the Raiders in Buckland. Charlie Georgantas added nine points for Mohawk (1-15)
Wrestling
Frontier 40, Westfield 39 — The Redhawks took down the Bombers on the road. Jocelyn Antes pinned (2:56) pinned her opponent at 120 pounds. Thomas Bagdon won a major decision (10-2) at 132 pounds. Konnor James picked up a quick pin (1:35) at 157 pounds.
Weekend results
Wrestling
The Frontier Regional middle schoolers placed third out of 22 teams at the Quabbin Youth Tournament on Sunday in Barre.
Sean Eich-Richardson led the way with three wins by fall for the Redhawks. Thomas Bagdon earned second place while Connor McCoy placing third. Ainsley Southergill and Michi Como earned fourth place finishes in their brackets.
Reilly Castellano and Cameron Smith finished tied for fifth in their brackets, earning Frontier team points.
Frontier’s Konnor James earned fourth place in the Mount Greylock Tournament on Saturday. James secured three wins on the day. Frontier placed 14th out of 25 teams.
Jocelyn Antes and Thomas Bagdon had a win each for Frontier. Ainsley Southergill, Larry Grincavitch, Jack Phillips and Max Hunter had two wins. Casey Bestler had three wins while Jacoby Merrill earned four victories.
