Bird, Yearsley Lead MCLA Men in Road Win

MCLA Sports InformationPrint Story | Email Story
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- The MCLA duo of Hayden Bird and Noah Yearsley combined to score 41 points in leading the Trailblazers past the Framingham State Rams, 74-62, in MASCAC action on Monday.
 
MCLA (8-10, 3-4) never trailed in this one.  The Trailblazers jumped out to an 8-2 lead after back-to-back 3-pointers from Drury graduate Bird just under three minutes into the game. The Rams (3-18, 1-8) answered with six straight tying the game on jumper with just less than 15 remaining in the first half.  
 
A few minutes later leading 14-13, the Trailblazers rattled off a 10-0 run capped by a Yearsley jumper taking a 24-13 lead with just over six to play in the first. The Rams cut the deficit to eight on an Ivan Nyantenji 3, but the Trailblazers pushed the lead back to double digits and headed to the locker room leading 37-22. 
 
MCLA led 44-28 six minutes into the second half before the Rams rattled off an 8-0 run capped by an Joshua-Daniel Okafor layup to pull within ten at 44-34. The two teams traded points until back-to-back 3s from Yearsley put the visitors up 56-40 with eight to go. Framingham got no closer than the final margin.
 
Bird went 7-for-15 from 3-point range for his 21 points. He didn't attempt a shot from inside the arc. Yearsley was 8-15 shooting for his 20 point night. Taconic graduate Quentin Gittens stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists.
 
MCLA shot a solid 44% from the field in the win.
 
The same two teams will meet again on Wednesday night in North Adams.
 
Women's Basketball
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The visiting Bridgewater State women's basketball team started the game on an 18-0 run and never looked back as they defeated the MCLA Trailblazers 105-42 in MASCAC action.
 
To say the Bears (14-7, 6-2) started fast would be an understatement. Caroline Tripp began the scoring on the opening possession with a bucket and then back to back triples from Sydney Bradbury made it 8-0. Destiny Fitzgerald scored six of the next eight points and just four minutes into the game, the Bears led 18-0. 
 
MCLA (1-18, 1-7) finally got on the board with an Olivia Pressley free throw, however the Bears would continue the surge and lead 34-8 after one quarter of play.
 
MCLA was paced by Drury graduate Brooke Digennaro's team-best 17 points. Shannon Carney added 13. MCLA shot just 28% in defeat.
 
MCLA is back in action on Wednesday evening when it hosts Framingham State in the Amsler Campus Center.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories