Keeping Score with Chip Ainsworth: Spring training’s return a sight for sore eyes

Good morning!Interstate driving isn’t what it used to be. There was a time when the next Dunkin’ Donuts past Richmond wasn’t until Jacksonville, when Jesus and country music dominated the airwaves and brake lights were the first warning of trouble ahead.

MIAA tourneys: Lockdown defense powers Frontier girls past Manchester Essex, into Div. 4 Round of 16 (PHOTOS)

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

SOUTH DEERFIELD — After a hard-fought loss to Pittsfield in the Western Mass. Class B semifinals, the Frontier girls basketball team was more than ready for its MIAA Division 4 tournament opener against Manchester Essex on Thursday. 

Northfield Mount Hermon boys and girls ski close season with Mt. Institute titles

It was a season to remember for the Northfield Mount Hermon alpine ski team. 

All-State Wrestling: Four local boys, six local girls set to face the best competition in the state on Friday

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

Since the MIAA All-State Wrestling Tournament returned in 2022 following a hiatus due to COVID-19, eight Recorder area wrestlers have qualified for the meet but just one has placed.

UMass basketball: Daniel Rivera to miss remainder of Minutemen’s regular season due to injury; Jaylen Curry likely to return against Rhode Island

By GARRETT COTE

AMHERST — UMass men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin confirmed Thursday that senior forward Daniel Rivera would miss the remainder of the regular season with a knee injury. The third-year Minutemen head coach didn’t offer a timetable for Rivera’s return, but did say that he had been playing through an injury for about a month.

Bulletin Board: Mohawk Trail girls basketball falls to Holbrook, 63-25, in D5 prelims

A successful season for the Mohawk Trail girls basketball team came to a close on Wednesday. 

Deerfield Academy girls hockey hands Williston its second loss of the season following 2-1 victory (PHOTOS)

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

DEERFIELD — After taking the Williston Northampton girls hockey team to overtime the last two years, Deerfield Academy finally got over the hump on Wednesday. 

High schools: Greenfield hockey heads to the Cape for state tourney opener with Sandwich

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

The Greenfield hockey team has been preparing for Thursday’s contest all season. 

UMass basketball: Minutewomen rally late, close regular season with 61-55 win over George Washington

It was a winning conclusion to the regular season for the UMass women’s basketball team.

MIAA tourneys: Greenfield boys basketball blows past Maimonides, 67-33, and into D4 Round of 32 (PHOTOS)

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

GREENFIELD — It might not have been the regular season the Greenfield boys basketball team had hoped for, but the Green Wave are hoping a run in the MIAA Division 4 state tournament can make up for it. 

Alpine ski: Mohawk Trail girls capture third state title in four years following victory at Berkshire East

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

CHARLEMONT — There’s a new dynasty in Buckland. 

Boys basketball: 45th-seeded St. John Paul pulls ahead late to upset No. 20 Athol in MIAA Div. 5 prelim

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

ATHOL — Nobody told the Saint John Paul II boys basketball team they were the underdogs Monday. 

Alpine Ski: Mohawk Trail hoping for strong showing on home course in MIAA Championships

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

After giving up their crown last winter, the Mohawk Trail girls alpine ski team is looking to reclaim its title as the best ski team in the state on Tuesday. 

UMass basketball: Rhode Island survives for 42-40 win in Minutewomen’s final A-10 home game

By GARRETT COTE

AMHERST — Emotions continued to run high well past the 40 minutes of action between the UMass women’s basketball team and Rhode Island. The two rivals had not only just played their last-ever Atlantic 10 matchup, but it was also the Minutewomen’s senior night – where they recognized Stefanie Kulesza and Mikenzie Jones. Head coach Mike Leflar and Kulesza both shed tears in the post game press conference following UMass’ 42-40 loss to the Rams on Sunday afternoon at the Mullins Center.

UMass basketball: Minutemen drop 4th game in a row in blowout loss to George Washington

By GARRETT COTE

It feels like an eternity ago that the UMass men’s basketball team was in the mix for a second consecutive double bye in the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament. Back on Feb. 4, the Minutemen gave away a late lead to Saint Louis with third place in the conference on the line. They beat La Salle the very next game, but have since dropped four in a row – losing by an average margin of 18.5 points.

UMass hockey: Owen Murray, Cole O’Hara help Minutemen capture important 3-1 win over New Hampshire

By RYAN AMES

AMHERST – Two goals just 56 seconds apart helped the No. 16 UMass hockey team take down New Hampshire, 3-1, Saturday night at the Mullins Center.

MIAA tourneys: Jocelyn Antes, Delana Fausett capture titles at D3 Girls Wrestling Championships

The MIAA Division 3 Girls Wrestling Championships took place on Saturday at Foxborough High School, with two Recorder area wrestlers earning first place finishes. 

Boys basketball: Kurt Redeker scores his 1,000th career point to help Pioneer take down Duggan, 57-39, for Class D title (PHOTOS)

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

HOLYOKE — It’s safe to say Pioneer’s Kurt Redeker will have fond memories of the Panthers’ PVIAC Class D championship game against Duggan Academy. 

Hockey: Westfield’s Joe Maffia records six points as Bombers take down Greenfield, 7-3, in Class A title game (PHOTOS)

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The scoring came early and often at Olympia Ice Center on Saturday as the Greenfield and Westfield hockey teams battled it out for the PVIAC Class A championship. 

Pioneer boys snag No. 1 seed as basketball, hockey brackets released for MIAA tournaments

Come get your brackets.