Furlong Scores 18 as Wahconah Earns Blowout Win in Western Mass Semis

AMHERST, Mass. — The top-seeded Wahconah girls basketball team clinched a bid to the Western Massachusetts Division 3 finals with a emphatic win over Sabis, 75-25, Wednesday night. 

 

This game was decided in the first five minutes of the game as Wahconah came out of the gates strong. Morgan Marauszwski knocked down two early 3-pointers to help Wahconah go on an 11-0 run, forcing Sabis into a timeout. Things didn’t get any better for Sabis after the timeout as Wahconah continued to dominate on the offensive glass giving them second chance points over and over again.

 

The stifling defense we are accustomed to from Wahconah wore down Sabis, with the Bulldogs committing turnovers in uncharacteristic ways. It wasn’t until less a minute left in the first quarter that Sabis picked up its first points of the game, and it finished the quarter down 24-2.

 

“We wanted to go fast and really come out in the first four minutes and do our damage early,” Wahconah coach Liz Kay said. “We shot the ball really well so getting that fast start set the tone for the whole game.”

 

The second quarter brought more of the same as Wahconah was relentless on both sides of the ball. The quick ball movement made it easier and easier for them to score and they cruised to a 43-8 lead at the break. 

 

Noelle Furlong led the way for Wahconah with 18 points, while Maria Gamberoni added 15 and Morgan Marauszwski 14. 

 

The second half was more of the same and was unlikely for any comeback by Sabis as they were just outmatched both offensively and defensively. Wahconah was denied a place in the Western Mass finals last year by Berkshire County foe Hoosac Valley in the semi-finals, part of the Hurricanes' march to the 2019 state title.

 

This year, Wahconah gets a chance at revenge when it faces Hoosac Valley in Saturday's sectional final. 

 

Photos from this game here.