High schools: Smith Academy girls basketball holds Gateway scoreless in fourth quarter, wins 41-15

Smith Academy’s Caitlin Graves (4) attempts a shot past Gateway Regional’s Addison Green (13) on Thursday in Hatfield.

Smith Academy’s Caitlin Graves (4) attempts a shot past Gateway Regional’s Addison Green (13) on Thursday in Hatfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II

Smith Academy's Alexa Jagodzinski, center, dives after the ball through a crowd of Gateway Regional players during the high school basketball game at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield.

Smith Academy's Alexa Jagodzinski, center, dives after the ball through a crowd of Gateway Regional players during the high school basketball game at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Academy's Anna Scagel, center, and Gateway Regional's Char Hansen, right, reach for the ball during the high school basketball game at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield.

Smith Academy's Anna Scagel, center, and Gateway Regional's Char Hansen, right, reach for the ball during the high school basketball game at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Gateway Regional's Char Hansen, left, attempts to swat the ball from Smith Academy's Molly O'Brien, right, during the high school basketball game at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield.

Gateway Regional's Char Hansen, left, attempts to swat the ball from Smith Academy's Molly O'Brien, right, during the high school basketball game at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Gateway Regional's Grace Renauld, left, attempts to dribble around Smith Academy's Sofia Jagodzinski, right, during the high school basketball game at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield.

Gateway Regional's Grace Renauld, left, attempts to dribble around Smith Academy's Sofia Jagodzinski, right, during the high school basketball game at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Academy’s Alexa Jagodzinski attempts a free throw against Gateway Regional on Thursday in Hatfield.

Smith Academy’s Alexa Jagodzinski attempts a free throw against Gateway Regional on Thursday in Hatfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II

Smith Academy's Anna Scagel (1) looks to pass the ball during the high school basketball game against Gateway Regional at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield.

Smith Academy's Anna Scagel (1) looks to pass the ball during the high school basketball game against Gateway Regional at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Gateway Regional's Amy Fisk, left, guards Smith Academy's Sofia Jagodzinski, right, during the high school basketball game against TKTKTK at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield.

Gateway Regional's Amy Fisk, left, guards Smith Academy's Sofia Jagodzinski, right, during the high school basketball game against TKTKTK at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Gateway Regional’s Rylan McCaul (43), Smith Academy’s Caitlin Graves (4) and Gateway Regional’s Lily Peloquin (4) look to grab a rebound Thursday in Hatfield.

Gateway Regional’s Rylan McCaul (43), Smith Academy’s Caitlin Graves (4) and Gateway Regional’s Lily Peloquin (4) look to grab a rebound Thursday in Hatfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Academy’s Jane Lavallee (24) attempts a shot past Gateway Regional’s Grace Renauld, right, on Thursday in Hatfield.

Smith Academy’s Jane Lavallee (24) attempts a shot past Gateway Regional’s Grace Renauld, right, on Thursday in Hatfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II

Smith Academy's Caitlin Graves (4) attempts a layup during the high school basketball game against Gateway Regional at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield.

Smith Academy's Caitlin Graves (4) attempts a layup during the high school basketball game against Gateway Regional at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Academy's Caitlin Graves, left, looks to pass the ball during the high school basketball game against Gateway Regional at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield.

Smith Academy's Caitlin Graves, left, looks to pass the ball during the high school basketball game against Gateway Regional at Smith Academy, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Hatfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Staff Reports

Published: 01-30-2025 9:38 PM

Offense was clicking for the Smith Academy girls basketball team in the first half on Thursday night, and the Falcons’ defense took over from there. The hosts scored 30 points in the first half to take 30-11 advantage at the break, then surrendered only four points over the final two quarters en route to a dominant 41-15 triumph over Gateway Regional at Sherry Webb Gymnasium in Hatfield.

The Falcons held the Gators scoreless in the fourth quarter to help them sweep the season series with Gateway.

Seven different players scored for Smith Academy, including Jane LaVallee’s game-high nine points and Caitlin Graves’ eight points. Anna Scagel tossed in seven points, Alexa Jagodzinski scored six, Vivian Higuera chipped in five points while Sofia Jagodzinski (four points) and Jayden Place (two points) rounded out the Falcons’ scoring.

Smith Academy (11-5) has two regular season games remaining – both coming at home – on its schedule, starting with Sci-Tech on Monday night.

Amy Fisk scored a team-high eight points for Gateway, who next plays St. Mary’s on Feb. 7.

Wahconah 59, Amherst 15 — The Warriors outscored the ‘Canes 25-4 in the second half to pull away to victory on Wednesday night.

Aaliyah led Amherst with eight points while Sama Mady scored three.

Smith Vocational 41, PVCICS 8 — A terrific defensive effort for 32 minutes lifted the Vikings to a decisive road win on Thursday night.

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Smith Vocational improves to 9-4 on the season.

SICS 62, Holyoke 34 — The Purple Knights trailed by only three (15-12) after one quarter of play, but the Bulldogs took off from there and a 25-10 third quarter helped them pull away.

Kiara Perez notched a team-high 15 points for Holyoke in the loss.

Boys basketball

Frontier 77, Southwick 40 — Max Millette tossed in 20 points while Garrett Dredge finished with 17 points, lifting the Redhawks past the Rams in an independent contest at Goodnow Gymnasium on Thursday. 

Frontier led 29-28 at the half before taking control in the third, outscoring Southwick 29-8 in the frame. 

Rowan Modestow tallied with 13 points while Alex Ellis recorded 11 points in the winning effort. 

Swimming

Amherst 122, Northampton 48 (girls); Amherst 83, Northampton 18 (boys) —  Caprial Dibartolomeo won four events for the ‘Canes girls on Wednesday, claiming first in the 100 butterfly (1:06.52) as well as three relays (200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle). Finnley Chambers was a part of two of those relays as well as the 50 freestyle, which Chambers won in a time 26.37.

Amalia Guerra won the 100 breaststroke (1:14.96) and took second place in three other events for Northampton.

On the boys side, Lewin Halasz grabbed first place in four different events for Amherst, including the 100 butterfly (1:03.29), 100 backstroke (1:07.55), 200 freestyle relay (1:46.54 alongside Rhys Prindle, Soren Castenson and Joe Hazlip) and 200 medley relay (2:04.26 alongside Castenson, Nam Nguyen and Hazlip).

Northampton’s Cole Mattison-Gulotta took first in a pair of events to lead the Blue Devils, as he won the 500 freestyle (5:45.30) and the 50 freestyle (25.36) – accounting for the short- and long-distance races.

Alpine skiing

The sixth alpine ski meet of the season took place at Berkshire East on Thursday night, with all four Hampshire County teams – Amherst, Hampshire, Northampton and PVCICS – in action on the slopes. The boys competed in the giant slalom while the girls hit the slalom.

Billy Warren (fourth) and Isaac Stith (fifth) cracked the top five to lead the way for the Raiders, finishing in 34.83 and 34.85 – posting almost identical times. Coleton Duda (ninth, 36.91) and Cobyn Barry (10th, 36.93) also cracked the top 10 for Hampshire.

Northampton’s Keller Mahoney took seventh, finishing in 36.02 to pace the Blue Devils, while teammate Henry Fallon was the next ‘Hamp finisher in 25th (40.73). Per usual, Teddy and James Scott were PVCICS’ top two finishers, posting times of 37.99 (14th) and 39.09 (17th). Amherst’s Wes Dunford had a solid outing, grabbing 15th place in 38.43.

On the girls side, the Hurricanes’ Amelia Morse was the top local finisher on the day, posting a time of 54.78 to take 14th place. Anne Haugsjaahabink (21st, 1:02.36) was next in for Amherst.

Hampshire had two participants inside the top 20, with Brooke Hockenberry (16th, 56.32) and Dana Warren (17th, 57.34) finishing right next to one another. PVCICS’ Sarah Fardal took home 15th place in 55.01 and teammate Luo Yi Zhang finished 22nd (1:02.74).

Crystal Eichwald-Hoopes (20th, 1:01.26) and Zivia Parikh (32nd, 1:06.24) were Northampton’s top skiiers on Thursday.

Late Wednesday results

Boys ice hockey

Easthampton 5, Taconic 3 — The Eagles scored five goals, and all five came from different skaters in Wednesday’s win over the Thunder.

Jimmy Bresnahan, Rob Herman, Max Scribner, Minti Peterson and Jae'vian Lopez all scored while Anthony Torchia (two), Grayson Prevey-Catrambone, Cal Gworek, Wyatt Hunter and Bresnahan picked up assists.

Wrestling

Holyoke 48, Hampshire 33 — Zaire Burton-King (113), Steven Santiago (120), Johann Lopez (150), Cecilio Sanchez (157), Jack Perez (165), Jaime Rivera (190), Felix Marrero (215) and Parker Brunelle (285) all picked up pins for the Purple Knights to help the team to a win on Wednesday night.

Hampshire’s winners were Eli Willard (pin, 106), Robert Zononi (decision, 126), Taylan McColgan (pin, 132), Finn Dewitt (pin, 138), Adin Clifford (pin, 144) and Cody Gaida (pin, 175).