Div. 4 girls basketball: Powerhouse Cathedral holds off South Hadley for second straight year in state championship game (PHOTOS)

South Hadley’s Cara Dean receives her MIAA Div. 4 state finalist medal after their championship game against Cathedral on Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Cara Dean receives her MIAA Div. 4 state finalist medal after their championship game against Cathedral on Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Ava Asselin receives her MIAA Div. 4 state finalist medal after their championship game against Cathedral on Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Ava Asselin receives her MIAA Div. 4 state finalist medal after their championship game against Cathedral on Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Sophia Butler (22) reaches for a rebound against Cathedral in the fourth quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Sophia Butler (22) reaches for a rebound against Cathedral in the fourth quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Caitlin Dean (14) puts in a layup against Cathedral in the fourth quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Caitlin Dean (14) puts in a layup against Cathedral in the fourth quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Olivia Athas (5) and Taylor Bullough (4) defend against Cathedral’s Hijjah Allen-Paisley (2) in the fourth quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Olivia Athas (5) and Taylor Bullough (4) defend against Cathedral’s Hijjah Allen-Paisley (2) in the fourth quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Cara Dean (12) dishes a pass against Cathedral in the fourth quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Cara Dean (12) dishes a pass against Cathedral in the fourth quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Ava Asselin (10) puts up a shot defended by Cathedral’s Dynasia Evans-Goode (21) in the third quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Ava Asselin (10) puts up a shot defended by Cathedral’s Dynasia Evans-Goode (21) in the third quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Cara Dean (12) drives to the hoop against Cathedral in the fourth quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Cara Dean (12) drives to the hoop against Cathedral in the fourth quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Kate Phillips (24) drives to the hoop against Cathedral in the fourth quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Kate Phillips (24) drives to the hoop against Cathedral in the fourth quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s CC Gurek (11) puts up a shot against Cathedral in the third quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s CC Gurek (11) puts up a shot against Cathedral in the third quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Caitlin Dean (14) puts up a shot against Cathedral in the third quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Caitlin Dean (14) puts up a shot against Cathedral in the third quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Kate Phillips (24) reaches for a pass against Cathedral in the third quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Kate Phillips (24) reaches for a pass against Cathedral in the third quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Cara Dean (12) takes a shot in the paint against Cathedral in the third quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Cara Dean (12) takes a shot in the paint against Cathedral in the third quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Kate Phillips (24) puts in a layup against Cathedral in the second quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Kate Phillips (24) puts in a layup against Cathedral in the second quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Kate Phillips (24) pulls down a rebound over Cathedral’s Malani Smith (13) in the second quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Kate Phillips (24) pulls down a rebound over Cathedral’s Malani Smith (13) in the second quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Olivia Athas (5) goes up for a layup against Cathedral in the second quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Olivia Athas (5) goes up for a layup against Cathedral in the second quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Kate Phillips (24) dishes a pass between Cathedral defenders Hijjah Allen-Paisley (2) and Keyona Raines (5) in the second quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Kate Phillips (24) dishes a pass between Cathedral defenders Hijjah Allen-Paisley (2) and Keyona Raines (5) in the second quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Cara Dean (12) drives the ball defended by Cathedral’s Malani Smith (13) in the second quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Cara Dean (12) drives the ball defended by Cathedral’s Malani Smith (13) in the second quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Kate Phillips (24) pulls down a rebound over Cathedral’s Leilani Benson (15) in the second quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Kate Phillips (24) pulls down a rebound over Cathedral’s Leilani Benson (15) in the second quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Olivia Athas (5) puts up a shot against Cathedral in the second quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Olivia Athas (5) puts up a shot against Cathedral in the second quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Ava Asselin (10) breaks down the court against Cathedral in the first quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Ava Asselin (10) breaks down the court against Cathedral in the first quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Kate Phillips (24) puts up a shot over Cathedral’s Simone Quinn (15) in the first quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Kate Phillips (24) puts up a shot over Cathedral’s Simone Quinn (15) in the first quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Cara Dean (12) puts up a shot before being fouled by Cathedral’s Keyona Raines (5) in the first quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Cara Dean (12) puts up a shot before being fouled by Cathedral’s Keyona Raines (5) in the first quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Olivia Athas (5) puts up a shot against Cathedral in the first quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Olivia Athas (5) puts up a shot against Cathedral in the first quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s CC Gurek (11) drives the ball against Cathedral defender Hijjah Allen-Paisley (2) in the first quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s CC Gurek (11) drives the ball against Cathedral defender Hijjah Allen-Paisley (2) in the first quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

South Hadley’s Ava Asselin (10) jumps for the tip-off against Cathedral’s Tamia Darling (11) in the first quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

South Hadley’s Ava Asselin (10) jumps for the tip-off against Cathedral’s Tamia Darling (11) in the first quarter of the MIAA Div. 4 state championship Sunday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. PHOTO BY DAN LITTLE

By GARRETT COTE

Staff Writer

Published: 03-16-2025 5:41 PM

LOWELL — It felt like history had repeated itself at the Tsongas Center on Sunday afternoon. A year ago, the South Hadley girls basketball team got off to a hot start before ultimately falling to No. 1 Cathedral in the MIAA Division 4 state championship game on the third Sunday of March.

This season the Tigers had hopes of knocking off the powerhouse Panthers, and they fought hard out of the gates once again. But top-seeded Cathedral proved to be too much for South Hadley, as the Panthers wore down the No. 3 seeds en route to a 68-37 victory and their third straight state crown (and seventh of the last 10).

For the second straight year, the Tigers breezed through their western Mass. schedule with a double-digit-game winning streak, battled their way around a difficult Division 4 field and into a state final. Sunday marked the fourth consecutive year South Hadley has lost to the eventual state champion – Amesbury in 2022 and Cathedral the last three seasons. The Panthers will move up a division next season.

“We didn’t come here for a moral victory,” Tigers head coach Paul Dubuc said, “we came here wanting to win the game. We competed really well in the first half, and we did some real good things. They just hit shot after shot after shot. They didn’t miss too many shots. We’re not going to miss them being at the end of this road in the future. They’re moving up. The last four years we lost to the state champ.”

Kate Phillips opened the scoring in the first quarter with a layup through contact to put South Hadley up 2-0. Cathedral responded with an 8-0 run before Cara Dean hit a pull-up jumper in transition and converted an and-one to cap off a personal 5-0 spurt in about 30 seconds. Just like that, South Hadley was only down 8-7.

The Tigers generated several more open looks in the frame but couldn’t capitalize as they entered the second quarter down 14-7. Phillips began it with another layup before the Panthers roared back with a trio of 3-pointers. Hijjah Allen-Paisley splashed two in a row and Malani Smith made one of her four 3s to make it nine unanswered points for Cathedral (21-5), which took a 23-9 lead.

Phillips, Dean (3-pointer), Ava Asselin and Olivia Athas all scored after Cathedral’s 3-point barrage to keep South Hadley within striking distance at the break (30-17).

“I love my kids,” Dubuc said. “They played hard. We don’t quit, we play hard… We competed, that’s all I can ask for.”

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To continue the theme of South Hadley’s strong starts to the quarter, Dean tossed in a two to climb the Tigers within 11 early in the third. Yet once more Cathedral had an answer, ripping off the game’s next 10 – Allen-Paisley and Smith knocking down one more 3 apiece – to jump ahead by 20, its largest lead of the afternoon.

Dean, a sophomore, finished with a game-high 19 points, and drilled one of her three 3s to stop the bleeding. Cathedral worked its lead up to as many as 23 in the third, however South Hadley kept battling and went on a quick 7-2 run. Dean, CC Gurek and Taylor Bullough – who returned to the lineup after missing a chunk of time due to injury – helped kick-start the run. The Tigers trailed by 19 (51-32) entering the final eight minutes of action.

Cathedral could smell a third-straight title, so it put the pedal down in the fourth. The Panthers outscored South Hadley 17-5 to walk out of the Tsongas Center with another state title.

“We had high hopes,” Dubuc said. “We had them scouted pretty well, we thought our game plan was pretty good. And then they just hit shots, a lot of them contested.”

Aside from Dean and her 19 points, Phillips helped the offense with seven points, Asselin tossed in five and Bullough, Athas and Gurek each scored a pair to round out South Hadley’s scoring.

Dubuc will bid adieu to six seniors, including his four captains – Gurek, Asselin, Caitlin Dean and Maddie Soderbaum. The 2025 class has been to two state finals, three Final Fours, an Elite Eight and won the 2024 Western Mass. Class B title. It’s a group the longtime Tigers head coach will never forget.

South Hadley finished the season 22-4, the same record as last year, and brings back a talented bunch of underclassmen looking to get over the hump in 2026.

“They left a legacy, these seniors,” Dubuc said. “The freshmen are going to have to go to four state finals to be better than they are. And don’t count us out, because we’ve got some horses coming back. We’re going to work at it and get better… The seniors, you can’t ask for anything more from them. They mean everything.”