WESTFIELD — Jack Zigmont entered Monday night’s game against Westfield Tech needing 19 points to reach 1,000 in his Smith Academy boys basketball career.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t that night for Zigmont, who finished with 11 points in what was a balanced effort from the Falcons, who won 58-41.
Zigmont will have a chance to eclipse the mark Tuesday night at home against Mohawk in the team’s regular-season finale.
“It’s the icing on the cake,” Falcons coach Matt Zerneri said. “Being able to do it in front of your family and friends and stuff. So, hopefully he gets his eight at home tomorrow night and we can celebrate it.”
Carter Woodward rained 3-pointers, hitting 5 of his 6 in the first half alone. Woodward finished with a team-high 18 points with Brett Gratz adding 10 points.
The Falcons weren’t forcing the ball to Zigmont. The senior took what the defense gave him and was content with having the opportunity to achieve the accomplishment at home.
Nonetheless, Zigmont slipped on some condensation on the court from an open door and stayed down for a moment as everyone held their breath. Fortunately, Zigmont was fine, but the realization hit that nothing is guaranteed.
“I just look at it, you don’t want to mess with fate,” Zerneri said. “We tried to let him get it. He had the scary fall at the end and that’s something that can happen. So, we weren’t trying to force it, but we weren’t trying to not have him get it either.”
There was certainly a level of anticipation in the gym. From Zigmont warming up with his hood up, laser-focused, to the buzz building with every made shot for his seven first-quarter points. There were also the nervous sighs with every shot that didn’t fall. Parents and players kept track of each point on the countdown, with Woodward even leaning to the JV players in the stands to ask how many Zigmont still needed in the fourth quarter.
The buzz is certain to continue Tuesday night in Hatfield.
The Falcons (8-11) need to win their final game and have Athol upset Frontier Regional in Athol Tuesday night in order to tie for second place in the Hampshire North and qualify for the postseason.
Aside from Zigmont’s milestone, the Falcons took the opportunity to get some JV players in Monday’s game.
“That’s one of the great things, being able to get those guys the experience from next year since we’re graduating a bunch of guys,” Zerneri said. “Try to do it this year instead of the first couple of games next year.”