Drake, Robinson Key Rout for Mount Greylock
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – Tanley Drake scored 28 points, and Naelyn Robinson added 20 to lead the Mount Greylock girls basketball team to a 64-24 win over Monument Mountain.
Robinson scored eight points in a 13-0 Mountie run to open the game, and Mount Greylock went on to take a 35-7 lead after two quarters, effectively ending the game.
Drake did most of her damage after half-time, scoring 15 points in the third quarter, when the Mounties used a 14-0 spurt to open a 49-7 lead.
“They can score in bunches really quick,” Mount Greylock coach Jabari Powell said of his team’s top scorers this winter. “Their energy level is kind of off the charts when they’re feeling it. And they work well with each other.”
Lauren Powell scored seven points, and Madison Powell had five points and a game-high 13 rebounds for the Mounties.
For the Spartans, Mallory Lucey and Addison Kramek scored five points apiece, and Mackenzie Scarbro and Brooke Decker each pulled down six rebounds.
Kramek scored all five of her points in the fourth quarter, helping Monument Mountain had its most productive period with 10 points.
But Mount Greylock’s defense was dominant, forcing the Spartans into 22 first-half turnovers and setting up quick points at the other end.
It was the second time this year that the Mounties (3-2) have held an opponent in the 20s and, more importantly for Mount Greylock, it snapped a two-game skid to open play in the Franklin North Division.
“I really wanted to see how they bounced back from our last game,” Coach Powell said of the 55-40 home loss to league foe Pioneer Valley Christian. “It was a rough game for us, and I really wanted to see how they bounced back. And they did. They did what I asked them to do. We worked hard in practice after the last one, and it showed. They played great.”
And the Mounties played well enough to avoid an 0-3 start in conference play.
“I told them, if we win this game, we’re not exactly where we want to be, but we’re still right around there,” Powell said. “Which is the best thing.”
Prior to the game, Mount Greylock recognized referee Dick Ward, who was officiating his last high school game after serving Berkshire County for 23 years.
The Mounties get a few days off before hosting Hoosac Valley on Jan. 2.
Monument Mountain (1-3) is at Hoosac Valley on Monday.