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JERREY ROBERTS

Nate Perret, top, scored 25 points in a double-overtime win over Turners Falls on Jan. 13.

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JERREY ROBERTS

Paul Decker of Frontier, center, shoots against Smith Academy Monday at Smith Academy. Looking on are Smith Academy defenders Seaver Rickert, left, and Derek McMahon.

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JERREY ROBERTS

Ryan Hoar of Frontier, left, and Seaver Rickert of Smith Academy reach for a rebound Monday at Smith Academy.

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JERREY ROBERTS

Keith Natale of Smith Academy, left, and Danny Kieras of Frontier go after a loose ball Monday at Smith Academy.

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JERREY ROBERTS

Nate Perret of Frontier, left, looks for a way around Smith Academy defenders Keith Natale, center, and Derek McMahon Monday at Smith Academy.

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JERREY ROBERTS

Ross Kellogg, center left, has been one of the many contributers to the Frontier Regional boys basketball team, which moved into first place in the Hampshire West with its win over Smith Academy Monday.

HATFIELD - With first place in the Hampshire West standings on the line Monday at Webb Gymnasium, Frontier Regional's Paul Decker led all scorers with 13 points as the Red Hawks defeated Smith Academy 56-49.

Up one at halftime, 22-21, the Red Hawks (9-1, 8-1) came out flying in the second half to break the game open. At one point, they went on an 11-3 run in the third quarter to make it 35-24. Mat Sulda answered for the Falcons, knocking down two quick 3-pointers to cut the Frontier lead to 35-30. But the Red Hawks scored four of the next five points to lead 39-31 heading into the fourth, and never let Smith get within one possession.

The Red Hawks have enjoyed success with a healthy lineup this season as senior guard Justin Mieczkowski, who missed 18 games last season, is back.

"Justin creates a lot of mismatches on the offensive end, and he also opens up opportunities for others," Frontier coach Ben Barshefsky said. "He plays within himself, and is a kid who makes everyone around him better."

Smith Academy did a good job slowing Mieczkowski, holding him to seven points, but Frontier used its depth to its advantage led by Decker.

"Decker's using his pullup jumper more, and he is confident with shooting the ball from downtown," Barshefsky said.

His teammates picked up their games to help pull out the win. Junior Peter Watroba had 10 points off the bench and Ryan Hoar had all nine of his points in the second half.

"What leads to our overall success, win or lose, is our balanced scoring effort and we got that tonight," Barshefsky said. "Watroba is starting to take those pullup jumpers, and he is so explosive that he can get by most guys."

Coming off the bench, Watroba is trying to create energy on defense and take his chances on the offensive side of the ball.

"I go for steals, try to shut down their scorers, and then do what I can off the ball setting screens and get my own when it's there," Watroba said.

On Jan. 13, Nate Perret led all scorers with a career-high 25 points as the Red Hawks escaped with a 71-67 double-overtime victory over Turners Falls in South Deerfield.

Girls basketball

Olivia Riordan and Amanda Calvo both scored 10 points as the Red Hawks (6-3) extended their winning streak to four with a 41-28 home victory over Smith Academy Tuesday night.

Keegan Downie, a Frontier student, scored twice as Turners Falls knocked off Amherst 5-2 in Greenfield on Saturday.

Jake Arnold (126), Kirby Compton-Birch (138) and Marc Saulnier (145) earned pins in a 51-24 loss to Hampshire last week.

Sean Doyle of Frontier came in third overall in the boys giant slalom race Tuesday at Berkshire East in Charlemont.

Doyle finished with a time of 25.57 seconds as the Red Hawks finished seventh as a team in the North Division.

Jacob Conroy (27.98) came in 23rd overall.