HS Roundup: Turners Falls boys basketball pulls away to defeat Franklin Tech, 58-35 (PHOTOS)

Turners Falls’ Davian Bala passes behind his back to avoid Franklin Tech defender Caleb Johnston in Montague on  Tuesday evening.

Turners Falls’ Davian Bala passes behind his back to avoid Franklin Tech defender Caleb Johnston in Montague on Tuesday evening. Staff Photo/Paul Franz

Turners Falls’ Caden Williams looks to pass against Franklin Tech in Montague on Tuesday. 

Turners Falls’ Caden Williams looks to pass against Franklin Tech in Montague on Tuesday.  Staff Photo/Paul Franz

Franklin Tech’s Gabe Mota is defended by Turners Falls’ Alex Queszada in Montague Tuesday. 

Franklin Tech’s Gabe Mota is defended by Turners Falls’ Alex Queszada in Montague Tuesday.  Staff Photo/Paul Franz

Franklin Tech’s Dylan Cullen goes up for a shot against Turners Falls in Montague on Tuesday evening.

Franklin Tech’s Dylan Cullen goes up for a shot against Turners Falls in Montague on Tuesday evening. Staff Photo/Paul Franz

Turners Falls’ Jackson Cogswell brings the ball up court against Franklin Tech in Montague Tuesday. 

Turners Falls’ Jackson Cogswell brings the ball up court against Franklin Tech in Montague Tuesday.  Staff Photo/Paul Franz

Franklin Tech’s David Klempner bobbles the ball against Turners Falls in Montague Tuesday. 

Franklin Tech’s David Klempner bobbles the ball against Turners Falls in Montague Tuesday.  Staff Photo/Paul Franz

Franklin Tech’s Gabe Mota is defended by Turners Falls’ Alex Quezada in Montague Tuesday. 

Franklin Tech’s Gabe Mota is defended by Turners Falls’ Alex Quezada in Montague Tuesday.  Staff Photo/Paul Franz

Staff Reports

Published: 01-14-2025 9:29 PM

The Turners Falls boys basketball team came to play against its crosstown rival on Tuesday. 

The Thunder made the short drive over to take on Franklin Tech in a Hampshire League North showdown, and it was visiting Turners which came out firing. 

The Thunder limited the Eagles to just three points — all on free throws — in the first quarter to take a 14-3 lead before going ahead 24-12 at the break. 

Franklin Tech was unable to get back in the game in the second half, as Turners walked away with a 58-35 victory. 

Mahar 61, Greenfield 50 — The Senators brought their best in a big Hampshire League South showdown in Orange on Tuesday, leading 31-17 at the break and holding off the hard charging Wave in the second half to pick up a 61-50 victory. 

“It was a terrific team effort tonight where everyone contributed and hopefully we can take a breath and we can right the ship,” Mahar coach Chad Softic said. “Lack of mental toughness and stubbornness have really done us in so far but I thought the guys checked their egos at the door tonight and played Mahar basketball.”

Marshall Ames was a problem inside, finishing with 25 points and eight rebounds. Derek Collins scored 17 points to go along with eight boards, Jayden Delgado tallied 12 points and eight rebounds, Morgan Softic scored four points and dished four assists while Lian Lopez-Baez tallied three points in the win for the Senators. 

“Marshall Ames was the player I think we all have been hoping for,” Chad Softic said. “Derek Collins gave a real steady game and I thought Lians defense was crucial tonight.”

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Caleb Thomas led Greenfield with 17 points. Grayson Thomas tallied 15 points, Jon Breor scored 14 points while Caleb Murray added three points in the loss. 

Athol 72, Mount Greylock 29 — Ethan Goodwin scored 15 points while Karim Thompson tossed in 13 points, with the Bears rolling to a Hampshire League North victory in Williamstown Tuesday. 

Brandon Adams scored nine points, Ethan Bacigalupo finished with eight points while Dom St. Andre, Aaron Ouellet and Eli Wein each tallied six points in the win. 

Drury 59, Frontier 47 — The Blue Devils pulled ahead 27-17 at the half to earn a Hampshire League South victory over the visiting Redhawks in North Adams Tuesday. 

Max Millette tossed in 17 points, Alex Ellis recorded 10 points while Ty Skroski, Garrett Dredge and Rowan Modestow each scored six points in the loss for Frontier. 

Pioneer 75, Hopkins 25 — Brayden Thayer and Alex McClelland each knocked down four 3-pointers for the Panthers, who cruised to a Hampshire League South triumph in Hadley Tuesday. 

Thayer ended up finishing with 20 points while McClelland tallied 16 points. Kurt Redeker recorded 17 points, Jackson Glazier scored eight points while Matt Richotte added six points in the win. 

Four Rivers 44, Eagle Hill 37 — Cooper Whitney scored 12 points while Meir Dragon added nine points, 10 blocks and 10 rebounds in the Otters’ victory Tuesday. 

Girls basketball

Mahar 43, Athol 10 — Thea Whitmore and Hayden Comeau both scored 12 points to lead the Senators to an independent victory over the Bears at Mallet Gymnasium Tuesday. 

Mahar led its rivals 31-2 at the half. 

Taylor Paluk, Mackenzie Matthews and Julia Hatch each added five points in the win. Madi Hermes tallied four points while Ally Robertson, Emily King and Abigayle Spooner each had two points for Athol. 

Alpine ski

The second PVIAC alpine ski race of the season took place at Berkshire East on Tuesday, with a pair of Mohawk Trail girls skiers finishing at the top of the leaderboard. 

Warrior Addie Loomis was the winner for a second week in ar ow, completing the giant slalom course in a time of 33.03 seconds. Following close behind was Grace Sisum, who took second with  a run of 33.32 seconds. 

Lydie Pinkham placed fifth (33.74), Sofiya Slocik-Gritzner came in 10th (34.81), Caroline Makosiej took 17th (36.50), Brooke Koshinsky placed 20th (37.32), Jaylynn Peters came in 22nd (38.19) while Ohia Dellert took 23rd (38.34) to round out the top 25 placers for Mohawk Trail. 

In the boys race, Warriors Phineas Tuttman, Grayson Bishop and Benjamin Zarotny placed in the top 10, Tuttman taking sixth (48.11), Bishop seventh (50.42) and Zarotny eighth (50.96) on the slalom course. 

Liam Zarotny came in 11th (52.83), Gunnar Triggs took 14th (57.40), Zavel Gardner came in 22nd (1:01.18) Xerxes Law tied for 25th (1:02.59) and Oliver Ferris placed 28th (1:03.45) for Mohawk Trail. 

Monday results

Girls basketball

Ware 44, Franklin Tech 26 — Ware led 19-11 at the half before pulling away in the final 16 minutes to defeat the Eagles in Ware Monday. 

Cordelia Guerin scored seven points and snatched six rebounds, Hannah Gilbert and Lili Inman both tallied five points while Laken Woodard added three points for Franklin Tech.