TURNERS — The press of the Franklin Tech girls basketball team was a problem for Athol on Friday. 

The Eagles ratcheted up the tempo against the Bears early and often, causing numerous turnover and keeping Athol from finding a rhythm offensively. 

Tech was able to hold Athol to six points in the first quarter and just two points in the second, building a 32-8 halftime lead en route to a 49-20 Franklin County League South victory. 

“It feels good to get a win,” Eagle senior Kait Trudeau said. “We needed it going into the break. It gives us an upward trajectory looking at Pioneer next week.”

Playing without Lea Chapman due to injury, it was on other Franklin Tech players to step up and fill the offensive and defensive void left without her out there. 

Trudeau was one of those players, leading the Eagles with 15 steals in the contest. 

“We pride ourselves in our defense,” Trudeau said. “Lea is a huge part of our team. We did really well without her and played for her.” 

Hannah Gilbert led Franklin Tech (5-2) with 11 points in the win. Trudeau and Kyra Goodell each tallied 10 points while Brayleigh Burgh and Haleigh Benoit both finished with four points for Franklin Tech. 

Ally Robertson led Athol (1-2) with five points. Jenna Bonenfant scored four points while Brooklyn Hopkins, Abby Spooner and Anna Duquette each had three points in the defeat. 

Pioneer 43, Ware 32 — Addie Harrington led the way with 14 points to help the Panthers come away with a Franklin County League South victory over Ware on the road on Friday. 

Kyler McClelland finished with 12 points, Fota N’Diaye scored eight points, Leah Potter tallied six points while Hailey Ring had three points for Pioneer. 

Frontier 55, Hopkins 14 — Jazzy Hayes led the way with 15 points as the Redhawks moved to 5-0 on the season with a Franklin County League North victory over the Golden Hawks in Hadley on Friday. 

Claire Kirkendall tossed in 14 points, Hailey Hutkoski scored 11 points while Whitney Campbell added five points for Frontier. 

Greenfield 53, Mohawk Trail 36 — Amber Bergeron’s 25 points powered the Green Wave to an independent win in Buckland on Friday. 

Tayler Bergeron (11), Carly Blanchard (8) and Anna Bucala (7) rounded out the Greenfield scorers. 

Rachel Pease scored nine points, Natalie Lanoue finished with eight points while Valerie Bzomowski and Bella Pettengill each scored six points for Mohawk Trail. 

Easthampton 56, Mahar 31 — The Eagles pulled away in the second half to earn a Franklin County League North victory over the visiting Sens on Friday. 

Irati Martinez scored 13 points, Nevaeh Scribner finished with seven points, Alivia Patch tallied four points while Thea Whitmore had three points in the loss for Mahar. 

Boys basketball

Athol 61, Narragansett 39 — Ben Kearney continued his hot streak offensively, finishing with 24 points as the Bears cruised to an independent win on the road on Friday. 

The win moves Athol to 4-0 on the season. 

“We grinded and grinded tonight,” Bear coach Brian Patria said. “We got a special effort from Colby Goodwin, Ben Kearney and Angel Castillo offensively. 4- 0 feels good going into the break but now we have the meat of our schedule coming up with Frontier and Mahar. It’ll be a different breed of basketball.” 

Castillo scored 12 points, Ray Castine finished with nine points and Goodwin scored seven points in the win. Athol led 36-22 at the half.