H.S. Hockey: Westfield scores late to defeat Greenfield, 4-3 (PHOTOS)

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

GREENFIELD — It could have gotten away from the Greenfield hockey team against Westfield on Wednesday. The Bombers couldn’t have asked for a better start to the game, popping two goals in during the opening five minutes of action. When the Green Wave...

H.S. Roundup: Drury boys basketball snaps Frontier’s win streak with 50-47 win

The Frontier boys basketball team found itself in a familiar position on Wednesday night. Taking on Drury, the Redhawks — as they have all season — found themselves in a tight battle late, with Owen Babb scoring inside to give Frontier a 47-46 lead...

On The Ridge with Joe Judd: Plenty of activities to keep you busy during the winter months

As I write this, we’re in February’s grip, but there’s a lot going on out there that can help keep your mind off the Arctic-like temperatures we’ve been experiencing lately.As you read this, the days are getting longer, the temperatures are climbing,...

Boys basketball: Transition game helps Turners Falls handle Franklin Tech 55-35 in Powertown showdown

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

TURNERS FALLS — Behind its transition game, the Turners Falls boys basketball team was able to get out to a blistering start against Franklin Tech on Tuesday. The Thunder used their speed and athleticism to beat the Eagles up the court early, leading...

High schools: Big fourth quarter lifts Athol boys to Hampshire League North title

Make that a Hampshire League North title for the Athol boys basketball team.The Bears secured an outright league title on Tuesday night with a 52-35 victory over Mount Greylock in Williamstown.Athol improved to 14-2 overall, 11-0 in the HL North. The...

Girls basketball: Franklin Tech girls eyes postseason after winning Franklin County League South title for 2nd straight year

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

There was the expectation that it might be hard for the Franklin Tech girls basketball team to replicate its success from the 2022-23 campaign. After just missing out on a Franklin County League South title in 2021-22, the Eagles went 20-3 last...

South Deerfield native G.P. Gromacki becomes fastest in NCAA history to reach 600 career victories

By GARRETT COTE

Dynasty isn’t a term that gets thrown around loosely – that word holds a ton of weight in the sports world. It takes a lot of success over an extended period of time to call something a dynasty.But that’s exactly what South Deerfield native G.P....

UMass basketball: Minutemen look to keep momentum going at St. Bonaventure – where they haven’t won since 2015

By GARRETT COTE

The UMass men’s basketball team is coming off arguably its most important win of the season, as the Minutemen finally found themselves on the plus side of a thrilling finish when they beat George Mason 66-65 on Saturday at the Mullins Center.For the...

H.S. Roundup: Greenfield takes command of Hampshire League South with win over Drury (PHOTOS)

GREENFIELD — The Hampshire League South title race has taken many twists and turns in the past two weeks.The Greenfield boys basketball team took a step toward clarifying the picture on Monday night.Jon Breor’s tip-in with 14 seconds remaining helped...

Girls basketball: Lenox secures Franklin County League North title with 48-37 win over Frontier

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

SOUTH DEERFIELD — It was a must-have game for the Frontier girls basketball team against Lenox on Monday to stay in the race for the Franklin County League North title. The Millionaires entered the game holding a one-game lead over the Redhawks for...

Bulletin Board: New Salem's Jack Reynolds wins gold at Powerlifting America’s Bench Press Nationals

New Salem’s Jack Reynolds continues to make a name for himself in the powerlifting community. Reynolds traveled to Austin, Texas for the 2024 Powerlifting American Bench Press Nationals on Jan. 27 and took first place in the 183 pounds sub-junior...

Fit to Play with Jim Johnson: One game, 125 commercials

I watched a lot of college football this year and am happy it’s over. Next year will be longer as eight teams are added to the playoffs. Baseball in November, basketball and ice hockey in June, football in February — will seasons ever...

Indoor track: Mohawk Trail’s Virginia Krezmien enjoys record-breaking PVIAC Meet No. 7

It was a record breaking indoor track season for Mohawk Trail's Virginia Krezmien. The freshman placed second in the girls 1,000 meter run (3 minutes, 28.69 seconds), second in the 1 mile (5:41.86) and 12th in the high jump (four feet even) in the...

On The Run with John Stifler: Come one, come all

Recreational running has been part of mainstream American culture for fifty years. Nowadays anyone wanting to run a 5-kilometer road race can find one somewhere nearby. Marathons have grown so popular they have waiting lists.Track meets are different....

UMass hockey: Early goal the difference as Maine blanks Minutemen 1-0

By JESSE KOLODKIN

AMHERST – Maine’s Brandon Chabrier got out on a breakaway, was 1-on-1 with UMass goalie Michael Hrabal and fired a laser bottom left just 1 minute, 16 seconds into Saturday’s game.That early goal turned out to be the game winner.No. 6 Maine hung on to...

High schools: Nevaeh Scribner (17 points) helps Mahar take down rival Athol

A stout defensive effort, and some deadly shooting from Nevaeh Scribner powered the Mahar girls basketball team to a convincing victory on Saturday.The Senators held rival Athol to just six points in the first half, and Scribner knocked down four...

UMass basketball: Last-second George Mason foul helps Minutemen pull off 66-65 victory

By GARRETT COTE

AMHERST — Hanging on desperately to a two-point lead in the final minute against George Mason, the UMass men’s basketball team needed one stop to secure its second consecutive Atlantic 10 victory for the first time this season.The Minutemen forced the...

UMass hockey: Lucas Mercuri’s third period tally lifts Minutemen past Merrimack 3-2

Lucas Mercuri came through in the third period for the No. 10 Massachusetts hockey team on Friday against Merrimack. Tied 2-2, Mercuri smashed home a shot off a dish from Scott Morrow with 16:03 left in regulation to give UMass the lead. Minuteman...

Mohawk Trail’s Will VanVleet becomes first wrestler in program history to reach 100 wins

Will VanVleet accomplished something that no wrestler at Mohawk Trail has ever done before. VanVleet walked away with a win in a match at 215 pounds on Friday against Northampton. The victory was the 100th in his career, making him the first Warrior...

Boys basketball: Pioneer bounces back, hands Duggan 1st loss of the season 51-45

After back-to-back league losses, the Pioneer boys basketball team was in need of a big win Friday night. With undefeated Duggan Academy in town, the Panthers found a way to get their season back on track.It was a balanced scoring effort as the...