GREENFIELD — Some old-fashioned, bruising play in the paint lifted the Greenfield High School boys basketball team to a 53-50 win over Pioneer Valley Regional on Wednesday night at Nichols Gymnasium.
The Wave added some high-flying maneuvers in the paint for good measure.
Greenfield (13-7) trailed for most of the independent contest before igniting a comeback in the third quarter. The Wave made adjustments at the half, namely putting Mason Meadows at the front of a press.
In addition to the schematic change, there was a change in hustle according to Greenfield coach Angelo Thomas.
“They had more energy and effort than we did,” Thomas said. “I was a little disappointed with that knowing what we were playing for. We are playing for a home game and ending the season on a positive. The second half we came out and gave energy and effort.”
Meadows at the front of the press created turnovers and open floor opportunities for the Wave.
“I was scoreless in the first half,” Meadows said. “I had to come back and help my team. We switched it up. We wanted to get long up front and get a couple steals and try to run. It got me into the game a little more.”
The 6-foot, 4-inch forward took flight twice in the third quarter for dunks that elicited high-volume responses from the student section.
“We got a couple stops,” Meadows said. “Good steals. We got out and ran just like we wanted to do.”
Meadows scored 11 of his 16 points during the third quarter. His second dunk gave Greenfield a 39-38 lead.
While Meadows got his points using athleticism, some good gritty play in the paint helped seal the game down the stretch.
Both Jake Sak and Julius Brewington made fourth quarter shots near the basket.
Brewington’s spinning move in the paint gave the Wave a 49-47 lead with 1 minute, 36 seconds left.
On the next possession, Brewington cooked up another post move after getting behind his defender to give Greenfield a 51-47 lead.
The big forward had no issue getting the ball in pressure situations.
“Usually that stuff is for point guards and shooting guards,” Brewington said. “My teammates trust me. My coaches trust met. I have to deliver. We brought it together as a team and got a good team win.”
Brewington had eight points for Greenfield.
Sak, who scored 10 points, hit a runner in the paint to give Greenfield a 47-45 lead with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter.
Pioneer (7-13) hit five 3-pointers in the first half to take a 30-22 lead at the intermission.
Jared Hubbard and Troy Emond both scored in double figures with 16 and 13 points, respectively.
Emond’s take to the rim cut the Greenfield lead to 52-50 with eight seconds left in the fourth.
Pioneer then fouled Meadows who missed both free throws, giving Pioneer a chance to tie or take the lead with a 3-pointer.
Greenfield fouled Pioneer on the ensuing possession but the free throw missed.
“It’s been a long journey this season,” Pioneer coach Scott Thayer said. “In the locker room they were a little disappointed. If we (would have) given that type of energy, effort and mental engagement throughout the year, we probably wouldn’t be in this predicament.”
Pioneer’s young roster developed nicely this season, according to Thayer.
“They fought ’til the end,” Thayer said. “I am proud of that fact. We have everybody coming back. We didn’t shut down and feel sorry for ourselves. Greenfield is well coached and they play hard. I wish them the best.”
Maverick Ward missed the game for the Wave with an injured knee. Sam Gibson got the start for the Wave and scored four points.
David Carey was in double figures for the Wave with 12 points.
Pioneer took the lead in the first half with an 11-0 run fueled by outside shooting. Ryan Potter, Liam Bradley-Curtis and Hubbard hit consecutive 3-pointers to give the Panthers a 17-11 lead going into the second quarter.
A hard take to to the rim by Jayden Fox completed the double-digit run for Pioneer in the second quarter.
Greenfield now awaits its seed for the Western Mass. Division 3 tournament. The seeds are announced on Saturday.