GREENFIELD — With just one home game on the schedule all winter, the Four Rivers basketball team gave their fans plenty to cheer about on Monday.

The Otters used their high-octane style of play to turn up the heat on visiting St. Michael’s of Brattleboro, rattling off a pair of 14-0 runs in the second half to capture a 72-32 victory in the quarterfinal round of the River Valley Athletic League playoffs at the Greenfield YMCA.

Four Rivers will play at Dubin School in the semifinal round on Wednesday in New Hampshire, with the winner advancing to Thursday’s title game.

Monday’s convincing win was the lone home game of the season for the Otters, which used to play their games at Indoor Action in Greenfield but have been left without a dedicated home facility. Athletic Director Peter Johnson said the team has practiced in various spots over the course of the winter campaign, but have played road games during the regular season.

The program saved its lone YMCA home game for the postseason, and a full house on Monday watched as Four Rivers stormed out of the gates to the tune of a 10-2 lead less than four minutes into regulation.

The Otters relied on an aggressive, full court press to force countless St. Michael’s turnovers, and cashed those into easy baskets. Caleb Bird Richards drilled a 3-pointer and scored the first six points of the night for the hosts, while Isaiah Goleman got to the rim early and often in the opening half as the Otters staked themselves to a 28-9 halftime lead thanks to a late Brennan Mahoney bucket.

While St. Michael’s scored the first hoop of the second half, it was all Four Rivers from there. The hosts ripped off a 14-0 run in response, six of those points coming from Goleman, to take a 40-11 advantage with 13:30 remaining after a layup from Ethan Sandberg.

The visitors cut into the deficit and trailed 50-28 midway through the second half before the Otters once again went on a scoring spree. Sam Whitney spearheaded another 14-0 run with a layup, and he added a 3-pointer just moments later as the advantage ballooned to 64-28 with 3:39 to play.

That was more than enough for Four Rivers, which was led offensively by Goleman’s game-high 24 points. Kolin Broderick chipped in with 11 points in the victory, and Bird Richards joined him them in double figures with 10.

SBS girls notch playoff win

Aliyah Santana led all scorers with 13 points, and the Stoneleigh Burnham School girls’ basketball team opened its River Valley Athletic League playoff run with a 48-16 win over Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter School on Monday night in Greenfield.

Gabby Frangie chipped in 10 points, and Avi Rowland-Roth had seven points for SBS.

GHS to host Parkinson’s Awareness Night

The Greenfield High School girls’ basketball team will be hosting a Parkinson’s Awareness Night on Wednesday.

The Green Wave will host Mohawk Trail at Nichols Gymnasium for a 6 p.m. start. All proceeds from the game and other various things throughout the night will be donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation in Coach John Hickey’s name.

Miscellany

Petrin alumni game Saturday

The 30th annual David M. Petrin Alumni Hockey Game will be held Saturday, Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. at Collins-Moylan Arena in Greenfield. The game will feature Greenfield High School and Green Wave alumni.

All GHS and Green Wave hockey alumni are welcome to play, with roster spots still available. Rosters are limited to 30 skaters and two goalies. Interested alumni should call Larry Petrin (413-773-9250) and leave their name, telephone number and year of graduation.

There will be a raffle held, with all proceeds going to benefit the David M. Petrin Memorial Scholarship, awarded each spring to Greenfield High School graduates. For more information or learn how to donate, please contact any member of the Petrin family.

GMLB registration

Registration for Greenfield Minor League Baseball is now open. 

All registration is done online (GMLB.org). The cost is $100 per player, $75 for a second sibling and $50 for each additional sibling. Registration closes on Feb. 28. 

Evaluations will be on Saturday, March 18 at Franklin County Technical School with times still to be determined. Team practices will begin on April 1. Any questions can be sent to gmlbcalripken@gmail.com. 

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