Mounties Beat Braves to Clinch Playoff Spot
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass — The Mount Greylock boys' basketball team has certainly come a long way since finishing last season with a final record of 4-16.The new and improved Mounties were on full display on Monday night, outscoring Taconic 13-4 in the fourth quarter to pull away with a 59-47 win at home. The victory improved Greylock's record to 10-3 this season and qualified the Mounties for the Division 3 Western Mass. tournament.
"We are thrilled to be in the tournament," Greylock head coach Bob Thistle said. "From day one, our players have been committed to the program and to the idea that we could get there if we work hard and stay together. Now we need to regroup and get ready for Hoosac, which is one of the best coached teams in the county."
Despite the loss, the Braves (4-10) remained by the Mounties side right up until the fourth quarter. Greylock led by three at halftime but couldn't pull away in the third quarter, as both teams managed to put up 16 points on the board in the frame. The Mounties' defense stiffened up in the fourth, however, clinching the win by holding Taconic to just four points over the final eight minutes of play.
Junior guard Hank Barrett led Greylock by hitting three 3-pointers on his way to a team-high 15 points. Sophomore guard Tyrell Thomas had another solid all-around game, finishing with 12 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. Junior center Tyler Picard added 12 points and eight boards for the Mounties, who also got four treys and 12 points out of senior Avery Cunningham off the bench.
Tyler Murphy scored a game-high 17 points for the Braves. Greylock next hosts Hoosac Valley at 7 p.m. on Thursday.