High Schools: Smith Vocational boys basketball defeats Smith Academy, 49-46 (PHOTOS)

Smith Vocational’s Justin Porter (14) goes up for a layup during the first quarter of the Vikings’ 49-46 win over Smith Academy on Thursday night in Northampton.

Smith Vocational’s Justin Porter (14) goes up for a layup during the first quarter of the Vikings’ 49-46 win over Smith Academy on Thursday night in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/GARRETT COTE

Smith Academy’s Garret Willard (14) rises up for a mid-range jumper during the second quarter of the Falcons’ 49-46 loss to Smith Vocational on Thursday night in Northampton.

Smith Academy’s Garret Willard (14) rises up for a mid-range jumper during the second quarter of the Falcons’ 49-46 loss to Smith Vocational on Thursday night in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/GARRETT COTE

Smith Vocational’s Joshua Cole leaps to finish a layup over a Smith Academy defender during the second quarter of the Vikings’ 49-46 win over Smith Academy on Thursday night in Northampton.

Smith Vocational’s Joshua Cole leaps to finish a layup over a Smith Academy defender during the second quarter of the Vikings’ 49-46 win over Smith Academy on Thursday night in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/GARRETT COTE

Smith Vocational’s Dom Sanchez (1) makes a pass to an open teammate in the corner during the second quarter of the Vikings’ 49-46 win over Smith Academy on Thursday night in Northampton.

Smith Vocational’s Dom Sanchez (1) makes a pass to an open teammate in the corner during the second quarter of the Vikings’ 49-46 win over Smith Academy on Thursday night in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/GARRETT COTE

Smith Academy’s Connor Kowalski (1) elevates for a baseline jumpshot during the first quarter of the Falcons’ 49-46 loss to Smith Vocational on Thursday night in Northampton.

Smith Academy’s Connor Kowalski (1) elevates for a baseline jumpshot during the first quarter of the Falcons’ 49-46 loss to Smith Vocational on Thursday night in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/GARRETT COTE

Smith Academy’s Grant Murray (23) shoots a free throw during the first quarter of the Falcons’ 49-46 loss to Smith Vocational on Thursday night in Northampton.

Smith Academy’s Grant Murray (23) shoots a free throw during the first quarter of the Falcons’ 49-46 loss to Smith Vocational on Thursday night in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/GARRETT COTE

Smith Vocational’s Joshua Cole (5) attempts a layup while defended by a pair of Smith Academy defenders during the second quarter of the Vikings’ 49-46 win over the Falcons on Thursday night in Northampton.

Smith Vocational’s Joshua Cole (5) attempts a layup while defended by a pair of Smith Academy defenders during the second quarter of the Vikings’ 49-46 win over the Falcons on Thursday night in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/GARRETT COTE

By RYAN AMES

Staff Writer

Published: 01-16-2025 9:30 PM

NORTHAMPTON — Three free throws decided Thursday night's Smith Voc-Smith Academy boys basketball game.

With the score tied 46-46 with 30 seconds left, Vikings' Joshua Cole went 2-for-2 from the line, then Domeniq Sanchez added another from the charity stripe with six seconds to go, to give Smith Voc the 49-46 victory.

The Vikings (7-3) started quickly in the first half, outscoring the Falcons 28-16, before Smith Academy came back after the break and eventually evened the score.

The Falcons had a chance to send the game to overtime with an offensive-end inbound opportunity with 1.8 seconds remaining, however Smith Voc's tenacious defense forced a turnover.

"We were kind of in one defense that then looked like man [coverage]," Vikings head coach Akara Holder said. "That's how we wanted to play. I knew their No. 14 [Garrett Willard] was their main guy. We weren't running a box and one, the thing was making sure our guards were staying up on the three line, covering anyone who got there."

Willard led Smith Academy with16 points and was the only Falcons player to hit more than one 3-pointer.

"They didn't quit, that was the biggest takeaway," Smith Academy (7-3) head coach Matt Zerneri said. "I was hoping it wasn't going to come down to that. For them to keep working hard being down 12 and claw back and try to tie it. Then they hit a big shot and we didn't, they hit free throws and we didn't, but happy that the guys came back and fought."

Sanchez led all players in points on Thursday with 23, including a game-high five 3-pointers. Cole was Smith Voc's next highest scorer with 15 points.

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Cameron Graves trailed Willard in the scoring department for the Falcons by five, finishing the contest with 11 points.

"We were playing in slow motion in the first half and we  needed to pick up the intensity and defense," Zerneri said. "We did and we got back in the game, but we dug ourselves too big a hole in the first half."

Free throws favored the Vikings, who went 10-for-18 from the line, compared to Smith Academy, which concluded the night 3-for-12.

Smith Voc has now won six of its last seven games and will look to finish out its three-game week strong on Friday with a game against Duggan Academy.

"This is two big wins for us," Holder said. "As far as this week's goals, we definitely met the goal and actually took it a little bit further."

The Vikings beat Ludlow, 69-53, on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

Girls basketball

Belchertown 46, Agawam 39 — Chloe LaRoche (15) and Aubrey Klingensmith (12) combined for 27 points as the Orioles avenged their earlier loss to Agawam this season with a seven-point win.

Logan Moses added eight points and Morghan Litz knocked down two 3s for Belchertown, which overcame a five-point first quarter to come from behind on Thursday.

Southwick 47, Granby 46 — In a battle of the Rams, it was Southwick that just squeaked out Granby on Thursday night despite a team-high 21 points from sophomore Kalli White.

Autumn Sicard hit three 3s for Granby while Ellie Slozak added eight points.

Smith Academy 27, Ware 24 — A game-high 11 points from Caitlin Graves, including four points in the final frame, lifted the Falcons over Ware on the road Thursday night.

Smith Academy scored 0 points in the first quarter, but saved its best for last with a dozen over the final eight minutes. Jane Lavallee scored five points and Sofia Jagodzinski chipped in four for the Falcons.

Duggan 44, PVCICS 17 — The Dragons dropped to 0-10 this season and have still yet to score 20 points as the Jayhawks stymied PVCICS on Thursday.

PVCICS next plays at Westfield Tech on Jan. 21.

Late Wednesday results

Girls basketball

Smith Academy 47, Mohawk Trail 39 — Alexa Jagodzinski had a team-high 15 points while Caitlin Graves scored 10 points to give the Falcons an eight-point edge over the Warriors on Wednesday night.

Vivian Higuera, Sophia Jagodzinski and Jane LaVallee all added six points apiece in the Smith Academy win.

Boys ice hockey

Amherst 3, Taconic 2  — Ethan Mooney lit the lamp twice to pace the ‘Canes offense  in a nail-biting win over the  Thunder on Wednesday night in Pittsfield. Amherst has now won five of its last six games.

Sawyer Ferro scored the other Hurricanes goal while Spencer McDonald recorded 23 saves on 25 shots between the pipes.