H.S. Roundup: Owen Babb’s 37 points, 23 rebounds lifts Frontier past Commerce and into Div. 4 state tournament

Frontier’s Owen Babb (14) drives to the hoop over Pioneer defender Hugh Cyhowski (11) in the second quarter earlier this season at Goodnow Gymnasium in South Deerfield.

Frontier’s Owen Babb (14) drives to the hoop over Pioneer defender Hugh Cyhowski (11) in the second quarter earlier this season at Goodnow Gymnasium in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Staff Reports

Published: 02-22-2024 9:26 PM

Modified: 02-22-2024 11:09 PM


Last season the Frontier boys basketball team needed to win both their non-playoff games to lock up 10 wins and secure a spot the Div. 4 state tournament. 

Frontier entered the non-playoff slate in the same position this year, and got things going with a victory over West Springfield.

On Thursday against Commerce, Owen Babb did all he could to assure the Redhawks season would continue on, scoring 37 points and snatching 23 boards to give Frontier its 10th win of the season with a 70-64 victory in Springfield. 

“Huge win,” Redhawks coach Josh Morse said. “Owen was unreal. Commerce played super tough. They're better than their record shows.” 

Max Millette also had a double-double for Frontier (10-10), scoring 24 points and dishing 10 assists. Rowan Modestow added four points in the victory. 

South Hadley 62, Greenfield 48 – Jon Breor’s 14 points paced the Wave, which dropped their second game in a row in a non-playoff game at Nichols Gymnasium on Thursday.

Greenfield (14-6) trailed 26-18 at halftime and 43-27 after three quarters. Grayson Thomas hit four 3-pointers to finish with 12 points, and Caleb Murray added 10 points.

Non-playoff games

Girls basketball

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Frontier 38, Wahconah 34 — Tied going into the fourth quarter, the Redhawks locked things down defensively, holding the Warriors to just seven points in a defensive slugfest on Thursday at Goodnow Gymnasium.

Frontier (16-4) received a team-high 13 points from Hailey Hutkoski, while Claire Kirkendall went for eight points. Harper Modestow and Ashley Taylor tossed in seven points apiece in the win, which could help the Hawks earn a top 10 seed when the Division 4 state brackets are released this weekend.

DA results

Here are the Deerfield Academy results from Wednesday: girls basketball beat Westminster in overtime (65-61), boys basketball defeated Dexter-Southfield (59-42) and boys hockey beat Kent (59-42). At the Mount Institute Ski Meet the DA girls took second while the boys placed third.