GREENFIELD — Following a close first quarter, the Easthampton girls basketball team locked in on the defensive end to take command against Greenfield on Friday. 

Trailing 16-15 after eight minutes, the Eagles opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run to take a 22-16 lead. Easthampton limited the Green Wave to just one field goal in the second quarter to take a 28-20 lead at the break. 

The Eagles kept Greenfield at arm’s length the rest of the way, leading 40-30 after three quarters. The visitors withstood a late charge by Greenfield senior Amber Bergeron, who scored 11 of her game-high 30 points in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 49-43 with 30 seconds to go. 

Kayley Downie closed the game out at the foul line and didn’t let the Greenfield get any closer, with Easthampton earning a 54-43 Franklin County League North victory at Nichols Gymnasium. 

“Every win is a good win.” Eagles coach Brian Miller said. “Offensively we weren't able to get out and run. They did a nice job of taking that away from us. It took Kayley waking up and making some shots. The girls didn’t have their best game but they fought through it and were able to do enough.”

Easthampton (6-0, 3-0) wanted to get out and run, but the Green Wave defense did their job of limiting the transition game of the Eagles. 

Instead it was the play inside that helped Easthampton build its lead, as Sophia Faginski led the way with 19 points in the win. 

“I wouldn’t say we ever took control of the game,” Miller said. “It was hectic the whole time. Greenfield did a great job running their offense and getting looks they were trying to get. Amber does a nice job and creates a lot of problems but the other girls do a good job as well.” 

Downie added 14 points, Samone Young tallied 10 points while Veronica Rapoza scored  seven points in the win. 

South Hadley 44, Wahconah 37 — Leading 31-30 after  three quarters, the Tigers outscored the Warriors 13-7 in the final eight minutes to pull away with an impressive victory in Dalton on Friday night. 

Freshman Cara Dean finished with 11 points to lead the charge, while Drew Alley scored eight points. Maddie Soderbaum and Caitlin Dean both finished with seven points in the win for South Hadley, which improved to 4-3 on the season.

Frontier 41, West Springfield 29 — The Redhawks stayed unbeaten and moved to 8-0 on the season after Claire Kirkendall scored 17 points to help Frontier knock off the Terriers in South Deerfield on Friday. 

Olivia Machon and Hailey Hutkoski each finished with nine points while Harper Modestow and Jazzy Hayes both scored two points in the win for the Redhawks. 

Boys basketball

Amherst 58, Longmeadow 46 — Clinging to a two-point halftime lead, the Hurricanes turned it on after intermission to power past Longmeadow on Friday night.

Amherst (4-4) outscored the Lancers 31-21 in the second half. Marcielo Aquino led the way with 20 points, drilling six 3-pointers (five in the first half). Liam Stewart scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half for the 'Canes, and Brandon Stewart joined them in double figures with 13 points.

Northampton 52, Central 49 — The Blue Devils handed Central its first loss of the season, holding court at home for their best win of the 2023-24 campaign.

Northampton trailed 30-28 at halftime before outscoring Central by a 15-9 margin in the third quarter.

Four Devils scored in double figures, led by Silas Coles’ 13 points. Luke McGrath (12 points), Jackson Lockett (11) and Naihmond Peters-Wolfe (10) also tallied in double digits on the night for ’Hamp.

Northampton improved to 4-4 on the season, while Central fell to 7-1. The teams will meet against on Jan. 23 in Springfield.

Smith Voc 67, PV Christian 41 — Trailing 21-14 after one quarter, the Vikings locked down defensively over the final 24 minutes en route to a decisive victory on Friday.

Dom Sanchez led the way offensively for Smith Voc (2-5), scoring 25 points in the victory. Jack Riley and Harrison Roberts each notched 12 points, and Luis Delerme made it four Vikings in double figures with 10 points.

Smith Voc, which rallied to lead 34-29 at halftime, outscored the Eagles by a 53-20 margin after the opening quarter.

Boys swimming

Central 122, Easthampton 9 — Max Kreuger won the 500-yard freesyle for the Eagles’ lone victory, posting a top time of 9:32.27.