SPRINGFIELD — With about five minutes remaining on Monday night in the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16, the Springfield International Charter School boys basketball team held a double-digit lead – just as it had throughout most of the second half. The Bulldogs seemed in control, primed to finish off a state tournament win.

That was until South Hadley’s Colin Quinn caught fire.

The senior guard hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 59-54 with under three minutes to go. That was just the beginning of his run.

Moments later he flew to the hoop for a layup – making a one-possession game for the first time since the start of the third quarter. Then with 38 seconds to go, Quinn nailed a deep 3 to cut the deficit to 63-61. 

Since time was not on their side, the Tigers used late game fouling to stop the clock. SICS made its free throws however, forcing South Hadley to score quickly. Quinn once again came up clutch – hitting an even deeper 3 and making it a one-point game with 22.5 seconds to go. That brought Quinn’s total to a game-high 41 points, including 19 in the fourth quarter alone. 

South Hadley head coach Chris Gerber said he simply put his trust in Quinn’s ability.

“He’s such a special kid,” Gerber said. “Sometimes you just gotta let kids like that go.” 

But in the end, time was not on the Tigers’ side, as the third-seeded Bulldogs sank their late free throws, coming away with the 69-64 win and advancing to the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division 4 state tournament.  

“We certainly had a shot,” Gerber said. “A bunch of shots went in to get us back in it. We just needed one more.” 

Although the 14th-seeded Tigers made it close late, it's what came earlier that put them in the late hole. 

The first half was close, as SICS carried a 31-26 lead into halftime. 

But the Bulldogs would go on to extend that advantage in the third quarter.

When SICS defeated South Hadley nearly two weeks ago in the Western Mass. Class B semifinals, it was Sam Fleming who took over in the second half.

Although Fleming's impact was still felt in Monday’s rematch – distributing the ball and drawing double teams – it was Kenny Rogers who took over the game offensively.

Following his 14-point first half, Rogers continued to get what he wanted on the offensive end, scoring eight more points in the third, bringing his total to 24 and extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 10 entering the final quarter. 

“[Rogers and Fleming] are incredible,” Gerber said. “Those two are a complete handful and everybody knows it. That's why they're the [number] three seed and one of the favorites to win the whole tournament.”

Although the Tigers’ season came to a conclusion, Gerber said he was pleased with the way his team performed, all the way down to the last buzzer. 

“I couldn't be more proud of my guys,” Gerber said.

SICS (20-2) advanced to the Div. 4 quarterfinals where it will play the winner of No. 11 Monument Mountain and No. 6 Clinton. Those teams play Tuesday in the Round of 16.

South Hadley capped its season with a 14-8 record. Chase Mathers scored 11 points to join Quinn in double figures.

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