SOUTH DEERFIELD — With a 64-42 win over the Pope Francis, the Frontier Regional girls basketball team captured the Suburban League championship on Monday at Goodnow Gymnasium.
It’s the 24th league championship in program history. The Redhawks were new to the Suburban this season. Frontier also brought in a new coach in David Hastings. Everything is progressing nicely for the team as the playoffs approach.
“I think they’ve done a phenomenal job,” Hastings said of his team. “They all recognized that they moved up a league. The travel was way more. I think they have adjusted well to understanding that regardless of the travel or the league you are in you have to come to play every night.”
Addie Harrington took over in the third quarter for Frontier (14-2, 9-0 Suburban). The junior scored 10 of her 19 points in the third frame. With the Frontier lead only 31-26, Harrington connected on consecutive 3-pointers to boost the advantage for the Redhawks. The win came on Senior Night for the Redhawks.
“I knew we needed to win this game,” Harrington said. “It was a big game for our seniors and for our league. We are down to our last league game and we are undefeated. It feels great, especially since we have a new coach. It’s a big accomplishment for him but for our team as well.”
There were moments of trepidation going into the season with a lot of unknowns. Whitney Campbell scored 15 points for the Redhawks.
“We definitely had, not doubts, but worries with a new league and a new coach,” Campbell said. “We came in with an open mindset and a fresh start. We knew we could work to make ourselves better. We knew we could play to our potential. We are very happy with what we are doing so far.”
After games against Easthampton and Drury, the Redhawks will set their sights on the playoffs. Frontier is ranked No. 2 in the latest MIAA Division 5 power rankings. In the PVIAC Western Mass. rankings, the Redhawks are ranked second in Class B.
“We have to keep pushing our style of play,” Campbell said. “We really shine when we play our way. We need to shoot some more threes, push the ball and stay together as a team.”
Harper Modestow (10 points) and Skyler Steele (12 points) were both in double-figures for Frontier. Pope Francis held an early 10-4 lead, but the Redhawks came back to take a 14-12 lead heading into the second quarter. Steele hit a couple big 3-pointers to stretch the lead out before halftime.
Frontier visits Easthampton on Friday at 7 p.m.
Easthampton 61, Mt. Greylock 40 — The Eagles put an end to their two-game skid with the comfortable win over the Mounties.
Samone Young went off, scoring a game-high 29 points for Easthampton. Nola Roos (13 points) and Piper Collins (10 points) each eclipsed double figures for the Eagles.
South Hadley 83, Longmeadow 56 — It took 10 tries, but the Tigers notched a Valley League win at last.
Kate Phillips sank 25 points as South Hadley’s top scorer, while Taylor Bullough (19 points) and Cara Dean (17 points) rounded out the Tigers’ attack.
Pioneer Valley 51, Smith Voc 33 — The Vikings were held to just 11 points in the second half in the non-league defeat. Smith Voc fell behind 30-22 at halftime and never made up ground against the Panthers.
Savannah Fredette led the Vikings with eight points.
Southwick 67, Belchertown 37 — The Rams raced out to an early lead and never looked back as the O’s fell for the second consecutive game. Southwick was ahead, 41-20, at halftime.
Belchertown’s Morghan Litz registered 10 points.
Pittsfield 64, Northampton 47 — The Generals came out of the break firing on all cylinders on the way to the big win against the Blue Devils.
Northampton surrendered 27 points in the third quarter, following an even first half in which the score read 20-20.
Emme Calkins and Anna Oravec each earned 19 points for the Blue Devils.
Boys basketball
Amherst 78, Chicopee 50 — The Hurricanes swarmed past the Pacers for their 11th win of the season.
Three players tallied double-digit points for Amherst in Mitchell Carey (26 points), Gael Buford (18 points) and Sam Woodruff (17 points).
Pioneer Valley 52, Smith Voc 43 — The Panthers picked up their first win of the season, despite a double-double from Vikings’ Josh Cole.
Cole contributed 16 points and 13 rebounds for Smith Voc in the defeat.
Turners Falls 57, Smith Academy 37 — Rowan Jeffress scored 14 points for the Falcons in their seventh straight loss.
Weekend Results
Girls basketball
Minnechaug 50, South Hadley 34 — Olivia Athas scored a team-high 15 points for the Tigers in the Valley League loss on Saturday.
Science & Tech 39, Amherst 32 — The Hurricanes dropped their third straight contest on Saturday, despite 15 points from Iman Skouta.
Boys basketball
Easthampton 70, Hampden Charter 33 — The Eagles made quick work of the Wolves on Saturday, with 20 points from Ryan Guyette, 16 points from Patrick Larson and 11 points from Rae Mathurin.
Hockey
Amherst 4, Gardner 0 — Jason Kim collected the shutout for the Hurricanes, stopping all 25 shots he faced. Grahm Arguin paced the Amherst offense with a hat trick.
