High Schools: South Hadley wrestling falls to Franklin Tech, 36-34 (PHOTOS)

South Hadley’s Brock Dufault, bottom, attempts to escape from Franklin Tech’s Mia Marigliano, top, on Wednesday in South Hadley.

South Hadley’s Brock Dufault, bottom, attempts to escape from Franklin Tech’s Mia Marigliano, top, on Wednesday in South Hadley. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II

South Hadley's Eli Yakovlev, left, begins to take off his headgear after losing during the high school wrestling match against Franklin Tech at South Hadley high school, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in South Hadley.

South Hadley's Eli Yakovlev, left, begins to take off his headgear after losing during the high school wrestling match against Franklin Tech at South Hadley high school, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in South Hadley. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

South Hadley’s Patrick Lavelle attempts to escape against Franklin Tech on Wednesday in South Hadley.

South Hadley’s Patrick Lavelle attempts to escape against Franklin Tech on Wednesday in South Hadley. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II

South Hadley’s Javier Rosado, top, competes against Franklin Tech’s Paul Giard, bottom, on Wednesday in South Hadley.

South Hadley’s Javier Rosado, top, competes against Franklin Tech’s Paul Giard, bottom, on Wednesday in South Hadley. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II

South Hadley’s Adrian Debeer, top, competes against Franklin Tech’s Benjamin Baker, bottom, on Wednesday in South Hadley.

South Hadley’s Adrian Debeer, top, competes against Franklin Tech’s Benjamin Baker, bottom, on Wednesday in South Hadley. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II

South Hadley's Eli Yakovlev, left, is wrapped up by Franklin Tech's Travis Eastman, right, during the high school wrestling match at South Hadley high school, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in South Hadley.

South Hadley's Eli Yakovlev, left, is wrapped up by Franklin Tech's Travis Eastman, right, during the high school wrestling match at South Hadley high school, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in South Hadley. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

South Hadley's Jaime Medina, left, tosses Franklin Tech's Jackson Morey, right, during the high school wrestling match at South Hadley high school, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in South Hadley.

South Hadley's Jaime Medina, left, tosses Franklin Tech's Jackson Morey, right, during the high school wrestling match at South Hadley high school, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in South Hadley. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

South Hadley's Roberto Melendez, top, competes against Franklin Tech's Dillon Laffond, bottom, during the high school wrestling match at South Hadley high school, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in South Hadley.

South Hadley's Roberto Melendez, top, competes against Franklin Tech's Dillon Laffond, bottom, during the high school wrestling match at South Hadley high school, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in South Hadley. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

The Franklin Tech bench erupts with cheers after Dillon Laffond, left, defeats his opponent, securing the varsity team's win during the high school wrestling match against South Hadley at South Hadley high school, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in South Hadley.

The Franklin Tech bench erupts with cheers after Dillon Laffond, left, defeats his opponent, securing the varsity team's win during the high school wrestling match against South Hadley at South Hadley high school, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in South Hadley. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

South Hadley's Adrian Debeer, top, competes against Franklin Tech's Benjamin Baker, bottom, during the high school wrestling match at South Hadley high school, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in South Hadley.

South Hadley's Adrian Debeer, top, competes against Franklin Tech's Benjamin Baker, bottom, during the high school wrestling match at South Hadley high school, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in South Hadley. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

South Hadley's Ryan Lachance, bottom, competes against Franklin Tech's Maxon Brunette, top, during the high school wrestling match at South Hadley high school, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in South Hadley.

South Hadley's Ryan Lachance, bottom, competes against Franklin Tech's Maxon Brunette, top, during the high school wrestling match at South Hadley high school, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in South Hadley. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Staff Reports

Published: 01-29-2025 9:48 PM

Modified: 01-30-2025 2:43 PM


SOUTH HADLEY – The South Hadley wrestling team fell short to Franklin County Tech, 36-34, in an entertaining match on Wednesday.

The Tigers led, 34-33 going into the final match of the night, but it was Tech’s Dillion Laffond that earned the deciding three points in the 285-pound match. South Hadley’s Roberto Melendez gave Laffond all he could handle, but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers dropped to 3-3.

“We knew it was going to be close,” South Hadley head coach Byron Joy said. “We knew it was going to be a lot of very close matchups. Franklin Tech has got a phenomenal coach in Mike Aiken and they have a lot of tough kids. So we knew it was going to be tight. I was happy with what we did. There was a couple that we kind of wish went a little differently, but I’m happy with how the team wrestled today.”

Franklin Tech improved to 6-0, winning seven matches, including the final three of the evening to pull of the comeback.

The Tigers received wins from Zack Willette (106 pounds), Javier Rosado (113 pounds), PJ Lavelle (120 pounds), Will Drew (138 pounds), Jackson Erali (144 pounds), Adrian Debeer (157 pounds) and Jasiel Ramos (175 pounds).

Girls basketball

Northampton 70, Shepherd Hill 46 — Bri Heafey tossed in a game-high 21 points for the Blue Devils in a blowout win on Wednesday night, while Emme Calkins and Liv Joensen each scored 18 for Northampton.

Anna Oravec chipped in nine. Northampton outscored Shepherd Hill 22-5 in the third quarter.

Westfield 59, Easthampton 41 – The Eagles fell behind early and never recovered in the defeat.

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Westfield raced out to a 18-5 advantage after the first quarter and despite pulling within seven points at halftime (28-21), Easthampton moved to 9-6 on the season.

Nola Roos (13 points) and Veronica Rapoza (12 points) played well for the Eagles.

Boys basketball

Palmer 43, Smith Academy 39 — The Falcons’ offense struggled to generate consistent looks as they failed to score 40 in a loss to Palmer on Wednesday. Garret Willard scored a team-high 10 points.

Jake Wilcox (eight) and Cameron Graves (seven) combined for 15 points for Smith Academy.

Late Tuesday results

Boys basketball

Belchertown 57, East Longmeadow 45 — The Orioles outscored the Spartans in every quarter and had three players score at least 14 points in a home win on Tuesday night.

Shea McLean put up a team-high 19 points, Brice Letendre added 16 points and Kyle Dunigan scored 14 for Belchertown. Gabe Ibekilo chipped in seven points as well.

Pope Francis 60, Amherst 37 — After leading 25-22 at halftime, the ‘Canes suffered a brutal third quarter as the Cardinals went on a 26-4 run in the frame.

Xavier McCall led Amherst with 14 points and Mitchell Carey scored 10 in the losing effort on Tuesday.