CHESHIRE, Mass. -- Pittsfield’s boys played spoilers Monday with a 65-52 win over Hoosac Valley as the Generals denied the Hurricanes a berth in the Western Massachusetts tournament on last night of the season for both squads.

 

Edwin Rodriguez scored 20 points, including three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. 

 

Amin Purry had 11, and Sam Higuerra added seven for Pittsfield (9-11)

 

For Hoosac Valley (9-11), Izaha Stubbs scored 14 and Vance Eugene added 12.

 

In a game where Hoosac had everything to gain and Pittsfield had nothing to lose, it sure seemed like Pittsfield came out the more hungry team. Pittsfield was the more efficient team to start the game with good ball movement against the zone hitting open players for easy shots.

 

It hit three 3-pointers in the first quarter to take an early 12-10 edge despite allowing Hoosac to get into the bonus. The Generals continued this good movement in the second half, going on an 8-0 run early on and extending their lead to six at the break. It was a well rounded first half Pittsfield -- one that in the beginning of the year they may not have had.

 

“Immense growth, a lot of my guys have matured as the season has gone on, and you can see it out there,” Pittsfield coach Brandon Mauer said. “At moments we get stagnant, but that’s something you have to go through as high schoolers.”

 

With Hoosac Valley’s season on the line you knew they wouldn’t go away without a fight, and that is exactly what they did in the second half.

 

Hoosac went down as many as 10 in the third quarter, but it was able to rally and finish the quarter with a tied score going into the fourth. Pittsfield had an answer of its own behind senior Rodriguez, as he hit some timely big shots late in the game. Pittsfield went on a 7-0 run and closed the door on any chance of postseason play for Hoosac. 

 

“I didn’t want to knock them out of the playoffs, but I also wanted to finish out on a high note. They were hurting for a win and so were we,” Mauer said. “We have had a lot of close games and that’s how it turned out today.” 

 

Pittsfield was mathematically eliminated for consideration for the tournament on Friday when it took its 11th loss at Wahconah.