As always, you can drop me an email at jpignatiello@gazettenet.com.

DIVISION 1

No. 5 Chicopee Comp (15-5) at No. 4 Pittsfield (15-5)

Outlook: This is an interesting matchup for the right to
play undefeated Amherst in the semifinals. The Colts went just 1-6 against
tournament teams this season, with a lone win against Ludlow, while Pittsfield
was 4-5 and ended the year with a 6-1 record in its last seven game (including
wins over Wahconah, Monument and Drury). However, Comp has played a schedule
made up almost entirely of Division 1 teams, including games against the other
five D-1 teams in the tourney while Pittsfield against mostly Division 2 teams
in the Berkshires. Kayla McNeice (13.1 points per game) leads the Generals,
while the Colts feature a balanced attack led by Amber Legare, Erin Sweeney and
J.C. Pickett.

No. 7 Ludlow (11-9) at No. 2 Holyoke (18-2)

Outlook: Holyoke beat the Lions twice in the final seven
games of the regular season, but neither victory was a blowout. Jenna
Williamson gives the Lions a chance to win every night, while Purple Knights’
sophomore guard Monique Heard is one of the most exciting young players in the
region. Holyoke’s lone losses were at East Longmeadow (which they later
avenged) and Amherst. The Lions lost six of their last seven on the court, but
benefited from two forfeits from Central to earn their place in the postseason.

No. 6 Minnechaug (10-10) at No. 3 East Longmeadow (15-4)

Outlook: Like Ludlow, the Falcons earned their postseason
bid via two forfeits from Central. They did go 5-5 in their final 10 games
(after starting 3-7, which included two losses to the Golden Eagles), including
wins over Ludlow and Chicopee Comp. But one of those losses came at East
Longmeadow on Feb. 16 by a 52-33 deficit to the defending western Mass. champs.
The Spartans are a very scary No. 3 seed in this tournament, with maybe the
region’s best player in center Krista Ferrentino leading the way.

DIVISION 2

No. 8 Hampshire (13-8) at No. 1 Palmer (20-0)

Outlook: The two regular season meetings ended in 28- and
25-point wins for the Panthers, who enter their second-straight postseason with
a perfect record. Hampshire beat Mahar 63-46 in the first round. It needs
freshman forward Sarah Kober, who has been a breakout player for the Red
Raiders, to play like an upperclassman and get a star effort from senior guard
Ashlee Moussette to have a chance. The Panthers, meanwhile, have been on a
mission all season and have barely been tested. The super senior duo of
forwards Alyssa Orszulak and Katrina Caulfield lead the way.

No. 5 Cathedral (14-6) at No. 4 Wahconah (14-6)

Outlook: Both teams had byes through the first round and
plenty of time to prepare for each other. The Panthers dropped down from
Division 1 this year and played well against a tough Bi-County schedule.
Wahconah, meanwhile, returned a strong core from last year’s run to the
sectional finals and have had a bit of an up-and-down year (for them). They did
wrap up the regular season with a win over Monument, their vest victory of the
season.

No. 7 Belchertown (14-7) at No. 2 Frontier (18-2)

Outlook: A GazetteLand double local, always a crowd pleaser.
Two very different rosters, but both teams have relied all season on strong
defenses as the backbone of their success. The Orioles reached the semifinals
last year and are led by athletic forwards Olivia Pare and Brianna Del Valle.
The Red Hawks, meanwhile, have a terrific backcourt anchored by guards Kristin
Calvo, Mel Stier and Mel English. The frontcourt duo of Lacie Judge and Lauren
Halla are plenty physical to deal with Pare and Del Valle. Belchertown had the
harder schedule, but the Red Hawks didn’t have any letdowns en route to a share
of the Franklin South title. Both teams are well-coached. Should be a great
game.

No. 6 Drury (15-6) at No. 3 Monument Mountain (14-6)

Outlook: A Berkshire County double local and a rematch of
Monument’s 45-44 regular season win. Could be another classic for a spot at the
Cage. Sara Mills (12.4), Laura Ann Dinan (9.9) and Alyssa Nejaime (9.3) are all
scoring threats. Drury is led by Stephanie Mirante (9.4). Expect this one to
have intense defense and, potentially, a ton of 3-point attempts as Nejaime and
Mirante combined for 74 treys during the regular season.

DIVISION 3

No. 8 Holyoke Catholic (12-9) at No. 1 Lee (19-1)

Outlook: The Gaels overcame an unbelievably bad shooting
night to knock off Gateway in the first round, but will have to play their
perfect game to stay in contention of this one. Kaitlyn Veit led HC with 14.7
points per game this season and has 846 for her career. Annie Broda is another
3-point threat for the Gaels. But this tournament is the Wildcats’ to lose and
Lee isn’t the program to struggle early in the tournament. Katie Eckert led
Berkshire County with 13.8 points per game and the Young sisters Stephanie
(10.9) and Alex (10.1) each get double digits per night.

No. 5 Ware (16-5) at No. 4 Hopkins Academy (16-5)

Outlook: Warriors standout Justine King, a 1,000-point
scorer, sat out the team’s win over New Leadership, reportedly with a minor
ankle injury. They didn’t need her to earn a 58-14 win. But they’ll need her
tonight against a young and scrappy Golden Hawks squad that itself earned a
30-point win in the first round. Freshman Olivia Mathieu and seniors Stephanie
Delue and Gabrielle Pelissier are each capable of scoring in double digits.

No. 7 McCann Tech (13-8) at No. 2 Smith Academy (18-2)

Outlook: An intriguing matchup between a Hornets team that
showed its grittiness against a tough Bi-County schedule and a Falcons squad
that ran through most of the Franklin County (with a split vs. Frontier).
McCann’s resume includes a win over Hampshire, an overtime loss to Ware, close
losses to Belchertown (34-33), Cathedral (59-56) and Monson (51-45). Sisters
Nhi Nguyen and Kathleen Nguyen each average more than 10 points per game.
Smith, meanwhile, is incredibly balanced, led by the inside out duo of Abeni
Davies and Lindsay Gondek, who each scored in double digits this season.

No. 6 Monson (15-6) at No. 3 Sabis (17-3)

Outlook: The Bulldogs had an impressive 64-41 win against
the Mustangs in both teams’ season-finale, playing in their third game in as
many days (including the prior two on Martha’s Vineyard) and fourth in five
days. Monson is led by Meghan Boyle, who scored her 1,000th point in the team’s
first round win, while the Bulldogs are extremely athletic and led by Alexis
Chappell (18.5) and Jazmine Collins (15.0).