ORANGE — It took overtime and some frantic moments, but the fourth-seeded Mahar Regional girls basketball team got past No. 5 Lenox, 53-47, in the Western Mass. Class C quarterfinals on Thursday night.
Mahar advances to play top-seeded Drury on Saturday in the Berkshires at 5 p.m. In regulation, the Senators were six seconds away from advancing with possession of the basketball. Lexi Ares’ bucket in transition had just given Mahar the 45-43 lead at Grzesik-Bixby Gymnasium.
Lenox’s Evelyn Julieano came up with a miracle steal for the Millionaires and scored, sending the game to overtime. Hayden Comeau and Taylor Paluk took care of the scoring in overtime to close out the feisty Millionaires.
“We’ve talked about fighting adversity all year long,” Mahar coach Francis Phillips said. “We are not going to win every game big. You are not going to win the game with one possession. You have to grind it out. Fight through the ups and downs.”
Comeau scored 23 points for the Senators. She attacked the rim relentlessly throughout the game, going 13-for-24 from the free throw line. Lenox was a relatively unfamiliar opponent for Mahar.
“It was definitely a challenge,” Comeau said. “Overtime was huge for us. We hadn’t played in overtime this season. We had to win in any way we can. We had to stay calm on offense and not turn that ball over.”
The Senators battled back from multiple deficits throughout the game. The steal at the end regulation deflated Mahar, but the team persevered in the overtime.
“The steal definitely stunk,” Comeau said. “It was defeating because we worked so hard in that fourth quarter to grind our way back. But I think we didn’t let it get to us. We just had to move past it. We had an end goal to win. Keeping that mindset and moving forward from that one play was the key to winning.”
The Millionaires lethal outside shooting gave Mahar a lot of trouble. Lenox made 10 shots from beyond the arc in the game. The Senators adjusted to a 3-2 zone to counter the shooting of the Millionaires. The very top of the zone, Ares and Nastasia Sanders, flew around in the second half in an effort to slow down Lenox’s shooting.
“It was mainly our coaches motivation,” Sanders said. “Me and Lexi can switch fast and get comfortable with whatever needs to happen…we had to protect the threes”
Sanders played aggressively on offense as well, scoring eight points. Sander is an eighth grader who has played starters minutes all season for the Senators.
“It’s my team that helps me get motivated,” Sanders said. “This season has been really fun. With our coach and this team, it’s a great environment.”
Ares had seven points for the Senators. Lenox moved the ball around the perimeter quite a bit. Both Ares and Sanders had to follow the ball around the whole night at the top of the key. The team had to adjust to a new opponent with varying skillsets.
“We were nervous at the beginning,” Ares said. “When we got going we got along and caught the flow.”
Mahar faced its biggest deficit in the third quarter after consecutive 3-pointers from Lenox. The Senators trailed 33-25 midway through the third frame. Mahar erased the deficit to head into the fourth quarter tied, 35-35.
Paluk’s basket on a third effort put Mahar ahead, 50-47, with 2:15 left in overtime. Paluk and Comeau went a combined 3-for-6 from the line in the final minutes of overtime to help put the game away for the Senators.
Lee 53, Greenfield 33 — The seventh-seeded Green Wave could not get past No. 2 Lee in the Western Mass. Class C quarterfinals in the Berkshires. Tayler Bergeron (15 points) and Gloria McDonald (11 points) were both in double-figures for Greenfield.
Mika Diller dropped 25 points for the Tigers.
Turners Falls 31, Westfield Tech 23 — The Thunder collected their second straight win of the season in a non-tournament contest at home. Autumn Thornton scored 15 points for the Thunder. Autumn DiMare also reached double-figures with 14 points. Thornton hit three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter for Turners Falls.
Ludlow 41, Franklin Tech 18 — The Eagles lost on the road against the Lions in non-tournament play. Brayleigh Burgh scored 10 points for the Eagles. Lindsey Taylor added five points.
Boys basketball
Ware 46, Athol 38 — The sixth-seeded Bears fell to the third-seeded Indians on the road in the Western Mass. Class C quarterfinals.
“We started off sluggish again but stayed vigilant throughout the game,” Athol coach Brian Patria said. “Unfortunately, just couldn’t make plays when we needed to. Proud of my guys and the effort they put forth.”
Ethan Goodwin led the way for the Bears with 13 points. Dominik St. Andre added 11 points. Karim Thompson chipped in with seven points.
Mohawk 46, Gateway 36 — Cole Cross scored 15 points to help the Warriors take down the Gators in a non-tournament game in Buckland. It was Mohawk’s second win of the season. Malcolm Briggs added nine points for the Warriors.
Turners Falls 70, St. Mary’s 41 — The Thunder trampled the Saints at home in a non-tournament game. Kainen Stevens scored 16 points for Turners Falls. Cam Johnson (10 points) and Jackson Cogswell (10 points) also reached double-figures for the Thunder.