The Athol girls basketball team picked up its first win of the season, defeating Duggan Academy, 40-21, at home in a Tri-County North league match up on Tuesday night.
Athol (1-4, 1-1 Tri-County North) started slowly against the Jayhawks. The Bears managed just two points in the first quarter. By halftime, the Bears had an 18-10 edge.
“We started not turning the ball over and getting into our offense,” Athol coach Peter Whitmore said. “Thank goodness they weren’t hitting shots earlier. We turned it around a little bit.”
Point guard Ava Adams did a nice job commanding the offense for Athol. Adams finished with eight points. The Bears got excellent play in the paint from Maliah Clark, who finished with 16 points. Abigayle Spooner added eight points. Both players controlled the glass for Athol.
“It was a good win going into Christmas,” Whitmore said. “We did some nice stuff. A lot we still have to work on. It’s nice to get that first win under your belt for sure.”
The Bears are back in action at Pathfinder on Dec. 30. at 6 p.m.
Boys basketball
Ware 47, Mahar 34 — The Senators (1-3) lost to the Indians on the road in an independent contest. A slow fourth quarter on offense doomed Mahar.
Aydon Davis scored 14 points on four 3-pointers for Mahar. All of Davis’ points came in the first quarter. Ishan Coburn added seven points for the Senators.
Wrestling
Mahar 41, East Longmeadow 35 — The Senators won their Valley Wheel opener against the Spartans at Grzesik-Bixby gymnasium.
Orion Whitehouse picked up Mahar’s first win at 132 pounds. Whitehouse pinned (1:22) Logan Matos. At 138 pounds, Nikolas Fregeau pinned (4:52) Keith Daniels II for the Senators.
Elias Roberts won by technical fall (17-1) over East Longmeadow’s Reynaldo Colon at 144 pounds. Mahar’s Dante Dowler then pinned (2:41) Bladen Bachand at 157 pounds.