Springfield Central Edges Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The Pittsfield girls basketball team fell just short against Springfield Central in a hard-fought 48-46 loss on Thursday night.

 

From the opening tip, it was clear this would be a defensive battle. Both teams applied full-court pressure, creating a frantic pace that never let up. Springfield Central jumped out to an early 9-2 lead as Pittsfield struggled to find an offensive rhythm against the Central defense. Turnovers fueled the early run, but the Generals responded.

 

A 3-pointer from Harolyn Castillo sparked Pittsfield, which closed the first quarter on a 9-0 run to pull within two. Castillo led all scorers with 16 points and was credited with seven rebounds. Caprese Conyers added 12 points for Pittsfield.

 

Foul trouble limited Castillo’s minutes in the second quarter, forcing Pittsfield to rely on its depth to stay competitive. The Generals began turning defensive pressure into scoring opportunities, an important factor in a game with few clean half-court possessions. Free throws proved costly, however, as Pittsfield went just 2-for-8 from the line in the quarter and entered halftime trailing 22-19.

 

Central opened the second half strong, scoring six quick points to build its largest lead of the night at nine. Pittsfield answered behind Castillo, who knocked down a key 3-pointer and scored seven points in the third quarter. The difference came on the defensive glass, where the Generals surrendered several second-chance opportunities that Juda Watson converted for Springfield Central.

 

Central carried a six-point advantage into the fourth quarter, and the margin fluctuated as Pittsfield made one final push. The Lady Generals cut the deficit to four with 1:23 remaining and had an opportunity to tie the game late after forcing a turnover on an inbounds play. Pittsfield missed two chances in the final seconds, allowing Springfield Central to secure possession and run out the clock.

 

The matchup marked the second meeting between the two teams this season. Their first contest ended in a 68-60 Springfield Central win, and this rematch featured tighter defense and made every possession critical down the stretch.

 

Pittsfield will look to bounce back when it hosts Minnechaug on Saturday.