Rosse Helps 'Canes Clinch WMass. Berth

CHESHIRE, Mass. -- The Hoosac Valley girls' basketball team had reason to celebrate on Tuesday night. Not only did beating Monument Mountain 46-38 at home qualify as one of the Hurricanes' biggest wins of the season this year, but it also clinched a spot for Hoosac in the Division 2 Western Mass. tournament. 

Ron Wojcik's squad improved its record to 10-3 this season in large part because of the play of Emily Rosse. The sophomore forward had one of her best games of the year, recording a triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 13 steals. The Hurricanes started the game off strong, jumping out to a 15-8 lead after the first quarter of play. The Spartans (5-5) rallied back to make it a two-point game at halftime, but Hoosac's defense held them to just four points in the third quarter to allow the hosts to maintain a comfortable lead the rest of the way. 

"This was a good win for us against a good Monument club," Wojcik said. "Our pressure forced many turnovers and allowed us to come up with 29 steals in the contest. A good defensive effort in the third quarter allowed us to hold between and 8 and 10-point lead the rest of the way." 

Junior Jenn Gale sank two more 3-pointers on her way to an 11-point night. Gale now has 24 threes on the season, 10 more than Amber Lesure, who is second on the team with 14. Sam White led the way for the Spartans with 15 points. 

The 'Canes return to action on Thursday with a road game against Wahconah at 7:30 p.m.