WESTHAMPTON — David Helems came off a screen with an open lane in front of him.
The Hampshire Regional boys basketball team’s offense had become stagnant and a 12-point lead had dissipated.
The Raiders were protecting a one-point lead against Granby Friday.
With less than a minute to play, Helems attacked the rim and calmly hit a soft floater in the paint.
“I came off the screen and saw the guy trailing behind me,” Helems said. “It was open. I saw it and went for it.”
The score propelled the Raiders to a 56-51 win over the Rams.
Helems got the start over starter Greg Laroche, who missed the game with flu-like symptoms.
“I knew they were going to pressure us,” Helems said. “I was just trying to take care of the ball and not turn it over.”
The win clinched a spot in the Western Massachusetts Division 3 Tournament for the Raiders (10-5, 7-3 Bi County).
“We have become very dangerous,” Hampshire coach Claud Salomao said. “We have guys inside that can score and we can spread the court outside.”
Helems had nine points, three rebounds and three assists.
Granby (9-7, 5-6) stormed back behind the 3-point shooting of Joe Desormier (14 points), who hit two from the arc to cut the lead to 50-49 before Helems’ play.
“It came down to us making shots,” Granby coach Tim Sheehan said. “We weren’t making shots in the first half.”
Zach Gorham had a slow night offensively (six points), but two scores in the paint helped erase Hampshire’s lead in the fourth quarter.
With Granby trying foul late, Helems hit a free throw along with Jacob Bihler, who made 3 of 4 to close out the Rams.
Hampshire center Matt Babyak led the Raiders with 16 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
But a technical by the senior at the beginning of the fourth quarter sent him to the bench and that coincided with Granby’s comeback.
“It’s an emotional game and I’ve been struggling the last couple weeks,” Babyak said.
On the play, Babyak clapped when a call went against him.
“There’s always going to be good calls and bad calls,” Babyak said. “That’s what sports are. I was having a good game and a couple bad things went against me and I got frustrated.”
The strength of this year’s Hampshire team is that other players can make big plays with starters out or on the bench.
“That’s what we need in the tournament,” Babyak said. “All of us need to play well.”
Tim Krasun had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Raiders.
Bihler assumed some of the point guard duties for Hampshire and finished with five assists to go with his 15 points.
Noah Bleakley added 12 points for Granby.
