DALTON, Mass. — After a dominant third quarter, the Wahconah Regional High School boys basketball team held off Hoosac Valley High School to win at home 57-48.
Brody Calvert had a game-high 18 points, eight of which came at the free-throw line. Carson Meczywor led Hoosac Valley with 17 points.
Wahconah took a slight early advantage in the first quarter, scoring 12 and holding Hoosac Valley's offense to only eight. Both teams applied significant defensive pressure throughout the game, each getting several steals, blocks and deflections.
The Hurricanes were able to turn it around in the second quarter, scoring 19 and turning a four-point deficit into a four-point lead going into halftime, with a score of 23-27. Wahconah coach Dustin Belcher said the team struggled in the first half but was able to turn it around after the break.
"I thought we got sluggish at times in the first half," he said. "But I thought, in the second half, we did a much better job on the boards, rebounding the ball cleanly and getting out and running."
Wahconah took control on offense to start the second half, nearly doubling their score and holding Hoosac Valley to only 8 points in the quarter. Going into the fourth, the hosts had a nine-point lead with a score of 44-35.
Belcher credited several players for helping the team regain offensive focus in the second half. He said the team's depth allows multiple players to step up when needed.
"Brady Payson comes in, plays some big minutes for us. I think he did a nice job," he said. "Braedyn Melle coming in, different guys stepping up. And that's, really, what we have been preaching since day one. Look at our wins; we have a different third guy in double [figures] usually."
While the Hurricanes fought to bring the game back throughout the fourth quarter, Wahconah was ultimately able to maintain their lead and win.
"Overall, just a great team win on both sides, offensively and defensively," Belcher said.
With the win, Wahconah snaps a three-game losing streak after starting the season 7-0. Their record sits at 8-3, heading into a home game against Bay State Academy at 7 p.m. on Feb 1.
After losing, Hoosac Valley's record is 6-3, with a road game against Monument Mountain at 7 p.m. on Jan 31. Earlier in the season, the Hurricanes held on to beat Monument Mountain 69-68.
