Make it two Bessone Awards for Amherst’s Ryan Leonard.
The Pope Francis sophomore went back-to-back on Friday, as he was selected as the Amo Bessone Award winner for the second consecutive year. The award is given out to the most valuable high school hockey player in Western Mass.
Leonard scored 20 goals for the Cardinals, which went undefeated and earned a trip to the USA Hockey High School Nationals.
Pope Francis senior Ben Zaranek, of South Deerfield, was named as the recipient of the Bruce Landon Award for goaltending excellence following a season where he didn’t lose a game between the pipes.
The Bessone Committee will present their major awards on April 29 between 4-7 p.m. at the Dante Club in West Springfield in a COVID-conscious setting.
Leonard’s brother John, a former UMass standout now playing for the NHL’s San Jose Sharks, won the Bessone in 2015 while playing for Cathedral, before it became Pope Francis.
Hampshire 105, Gateway 27 — Century mark alert.
Justin Forest poured in 33 points, and five different Red Raiders scored in double figures in a 105-27 victory over Gateway Friday night.
Forest had 27 in the first half, as Hampshire built a 64-12 halftime advantage. Dylan Rohan went for 16 points, while Kyle Dale, Miles Lance and Will Rukoski all tossed in 10 points.
Leo Balboni led Gateway with eight points.
Frontier 3, Mahar 0 — On the strength of 21 service aces, the Red Hawks made it three wins in as many nights via a 25-11, 25-8, 25-5 sweep of the Senators Friday in South Deerfield.
Frontier’s Olivia Deane registered five aces and three kills to pace the effort. Lannashia Ngu and Abbe Roberts added three aces apiece, while Morgan Martineau and Samantha Baker powered the back row with three digs each. Roberts tossed in five assists and a trio of digs.
Smith Academy 9, FC Tech 0 — Madelyn Fagan pumped in a trio of goals, and visiting Smith Academy picked up a 9-0 victory over the Eagles Friday night in Turners Falls.
Caitlin Graves and Story Goldman each scored twice for the Falcons, which led 5-0 at halftime. Meghan Bell and Emma Moynihan also tallied.
Katie Shalcross picked up wins in the 1-mile and the 1,000 to lead the Hampshire girls indoor track team to a 54-37 win over Southwick and a 76-2 victory over Hampden Charter.
Grace Plumer took first in the high jump, Chloe Adams won the 2-mile and Ava Gaida came out victorious in the 55 high hurdle for the Red Raiders.
Out of the 11 events on the boys side, Hampshire came out with 10 victories to earn a 65-26 win over Soutwick and a 73-6 triumph over Hampden Charter.
Gulian Marconi won the long jump, 300 and 55, Josh Denoronha took first in the high jump and Jeff Fish earned a wins in the 2-mile and 1000 meter. Nicky Elias-Gillette was the winner in the 55 high hurdle, Nick Brisson took first in the 1-mile and Spencer Reese won the 600. Hampshire also won the 4×400.