West Roars to Final at Bay State Games

10:13PM / Saturday July 19, 2014

This story was updated on July 20.

MELROSE, Mass. -- Some of Berkshire County's best high school girls basketball players have proven to be some of the best in the state.

And on Sunday, they will look to end the debate.

The West team at the Bay State Games will play in the Gold Medal game Sunday afternoon at Roxbury's Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center after posting a 4-0 record on the first two days of the tournament.

Mount Greylock's Lucy Barrett and Pittsfield's Peyton Steinman have been among the leaders of the squad, made up of six girls from public high schools and six prep school athletes.

"I'm so proud of this group of kids," West coach Matthew Ward said. "We have 12, everyone is playing and contributing regardless of the number of minutes. We've been underestimated, challenged, tested, and here we are at 4-0 and in the final.

"This is a cohesive, tough group of kids that can play with anyone in this state. Berkshire County basketball is legit and these kids are proving it in front of everyone in Massachusetts."

On Friday, the tournament started with a 76-56 win over Central. Pittsfield's Lauren Carnevale scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Steinman scored 16 and Drury High's Emily Moulton added eight points and eight boards.

In West's second game, Barrett scored 15 to help the team to a 93-56 win over Coastal.

On Saturday, Steinman scored 20 and Barrett added 19 in a 78-67 win over Metro. Lee's Cam Biasin (Berkshire school) scored 13.

Steinman had the team's best offensive performance of the tourney so far with 28 in Saturday's 88-77 win over Northeast. Pittsfield's Grace Guachione (Miss Hall's) had a double-double with 25 points and 10 boards.

Carnevale pulled down 16 rebounds, and West got big defensive performances from Barrett and Sarah Kinney in the win over Northeast.

"We got two huge wins over most people's favorite in Metro [Saturday] and a tough win over Northeast after a sluggish start in the first half," Ward said. "We outscored them 26-13 in the final 10 minutes to win."

The win over Northeast clinched the berth in the Gold Medal game.

West has one more round-robin game on Sunday afternoon against Southeast before playing for the title at 4 p.m.

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