Drury Wins First Title in a Generation

DALTON, Mass. — The Drury girls basketball team used a dominant 19–5 third-quarter run to secure Western Massachusetts glory.

 

Ashlyn Hayden scored nine points, and the Blue Devils played their usual stout defense in a 48-27 win over Lee in the Class C Championship Game on Wednesday night.

 

The matchup carried extra weight. These two teams met in last year’s state tournament, where the Lee Wildcats edged Drury by two points. This time, the Blue Devils flipped the script, capturing the Western Massachusetts Class C title. 

 

Drury coach Ian Downey had been in this position three years ago, when Drury fell short to Springfield ICS girls basketball in the final.

 

“It’s surreal,” Downey said. “As someone who played at Drury for four years and has now coached for nine, it’s something you’ve always dreamed about. To come back and have this girls team give me a memory that will last forever is special. It’s been 25 years since we’ve won it, so it’s great validation for the girls. They’ve put in so much time and energy to get here, and to actually finish the job feels incredible. I hope it feels just as good for them.”

 

Drury began to seize control midway through the second quarter, forcing turnovers with relentless full-court pressure and disciplined half-court defense. While shots were not always falling, the Blue Devils continued generating quality looks. Their ball movement proved critical, breaking down the Wildcats’ defense with crisp passing sequences that led to open layups.

 

Scoring was balanced across the roster, with six players finishing between six and nine points.

 

Late in the half, Drury delivered its strongest sequence. After breaking Lee’s pressure for a wide-open layup by Eva Moser, Megan McGrath followed with a steal and finish to stretch the lead. The Blue Devils carried an eight-point advantage into halftime.

 

“I thought we were in a good place as a team at halftime,” Downey said. “We were defending well and getting good shots. They just weren’t falling. Our focus was limiting turnovers, and we cleaned that up in the second half.”

 

Drury wasted no time extending its lead, opening the third quarter with an 8-0 run. The defensive pressure continued to frustrate Lee, which managed just five points in consecutive quarters.

 

Gianna Carlino scored 10 of her game-high 17 points in the second half, but by the time the Wildcats found their rhythm, Drury had built a commanding 22-point cushion that held through the final period.

 

The Blue Devils now turn their attention to the state tournament, carrying momentum and confidence from their Western Mass championship.

 

“This win is important,” Downey said. “We’ve had big victories this season, beating Hoosac Valley Hurricanes girls basketball and Wahconah Warriors girls basketball. Each one builds confidence. A title like this shows how much work these girls have put in.”