Second-Seeded Hoosac Valley Advances to Semi-Finals
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Hoosac Valley girls basketball team used its defensive pressure and dominance on the glass to move past Mohawk Trail on Wednesday night, as the Hurricanes pulled away for a 50-25 win in the Western Massachusetts Class D Quarter-Finals.
Genevieve Lagess led all scorers with 17 points, while Reagan Shea added 12 and Isabella Klose finished with 10.
From the opening tip, Hoosac Valley leaned on its defensive intensity and offensive rebounding to control the game. Reagan Shea attacked the rim early and set the tone offensively, but foul trouble forced her to sit out the remainder of the first quarter and all of the second. Even without one of their primary playmakers, the Hurricanes maintained control.
Mohawk struggled to secure defensive rebounds throughout the night, allowing Hoosac to convert numerous second chance opportunities. Turnovers also plagued the visitors, helping the Hurricanes build momentum and take a 16-6 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was sluggish on both sides, with neither team finding consistent offense. Hoosac Valley managed just three points in the period but maintained its defensive focus. Mohawk had difficulty generating clean looks and often struggled simply to get shots off against the Hurricanes’ pressure. Hoosac carried a 19-11 advantage into halftime.
“I think overall we were flat from the get go,” Hoosac Valley coach Jon Frederick said. “The first three quarters we weren’t doing what we wanted to do, but in the fourth we executed and started playing with a purpose.
“It was nice to see, but it’s not going to get you too far in the tournament if you don’t play a full game.”
Mohawk showed resilience in the third quarter, keeping the deficit under 10 points for much of the period. Hoosac found success when it pushed the tempo or forced turnovers that led to transition baskets. Foul trouble became a concern midway through the quarter, sending Mohawk to the free throw line with five minutes still to play. Once Reagan Shea returned to facilitate, the Hurricanes’ offense flowed more smoothly, and Hoosac extended its lead to 33-22 entering the fourth.
In the final quarter, Hoosac Valley began to wear Mohawk down. The Hurricanes continued to control the offensive glass and turned second chance points into a steadily growing margin. Their defensive intensity remained high, and transition opportunities helped stretch the lead well beyond double digits. Mohawk was held to just two points in the fourth as Hoosac closed out the 50-25 victory.
Second-seed Hoosac Valley moves on to host No. 3 Pioneer Valley Christian, a 41-20 winner over Hopkins Academy on Wednesday, in the regional semi-finals.