Big First Half Carries Hoosac Past Greylock

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The Hoosac Valley girls' basketball started really strong in its season-opening game against Mount Greylock on Monday, giving the Hurricanes enough of a cushion to withstand a second-half run by the Mounties and hang on for a 50-38 win on the road. 

Ron Wojcik's squad led 15-7 after the first quarter before breaking the contest open with a 17-3 run in the second quarter. Hoosac's 22-point lead at halftime came in handy in the second half, as the Mounties showed some resiliency by outscoring the visitors by 10 points after the break. 

Junior Jenn Gale led the Hurricanes' offense, knocking down three shots from long range on her way to a game-high 16 points. Classmate Megan Rodowicz also had a solid night, scoring 13 points to go along with six rebounds and three assists. 

"I thought we played a very aggressive first half with a lot of energy, forcing turnovers, getting steals and getting out in transition," Wojcik said. "The second half, not so much.  We let down with our intensity, and Greylock took advantage by hitting a number of open looks and climbing back into it.

"Fortunately for us, we were able to withstand their comeback and, hopefully, can use it as a good learning experience for future games. Overall, it was a decent first game for us."

Mounties sophomore Lucy Barrett matched Gale's total of 16 points, hitting four of her shots from behind the arc. Fellow captain Mackenzie Flynn chipped in with seven points on the night.

"Early pressure by Hoosac, and the inexperience of our team was not a good combination for us in the first half," Greylock head coach Paul Barrett said. "A woeful second quarter put us in a big hole at halftime, but the girls didn't get discouraged. We got their lead down to 10 with numerous opportunities to get it to single digits. A couple of late baskets by the Hurricanes kept the game out of reach, though."  

Hoosac returns to action on Wednesday with a home game against Wahconah at 7 p.m. Greylock next plays against Lenox in the Gene Wein Holiday Tournament hosted by Drury at 6 p.m. on Thursday.