ATHOL — Katie Haselton was all over the court for the Greenfield High School girls basketball team in a 63-41 season-opening win over Athol High School on Monday night at Mallet Gymnasium.
Haselton notched a triple-double with 30 points, 15 rebounds and 11 steals in the Franklin County League North Division opener for both teams.
It wasn’t an individual show, however. There were plenty of contributions from the rest of the Greenfield roster.
“We were working the ball around and looking for open people,” Haselton said. “We are all capable of scoring.”
Haselton scored in multiple ways: short jumpers, second chance opportunities around the rim, going hard to the basket in transition. The junior cashed in on those opportunities, going 8-for-9 from the free throw line.
She helped facilitate the offense as well, handing out four assists. Bryanna Rivera and Lillia Kachelmeyer both reached double-digits with 10 points apiece.
The offense, which produced 12 assists as a team, consistently began with a Greenfield defensive play.
“We were getting in passing lanes,” Haselton said. “We had a lot of fast breaks. People were shooting when they are open and not hesitating.”
Rivera knocked down two 3-pointers for the Wave.
“Katie really gives me confidence,” Rivera said of Haselton. “She is always hyping me up, making sure I am not down on myself if I miss a shot.”
Haselton did not play in the fourth quarter. It was her first rest of the evening.
“She got into some foul trouble early,” Greenfield coach John Hickey said. “But she has to stay in the game. Without her, we are a different team.”
Racquel Provost and Tess Rancourt played well on the glass with eight rebounds and 11 rebounds, respectively.
Despite the strong start, Greenfield’s young roster wasn’t flawless, according Hickey. The Green Wave finished with 21 turnovers in Monday’s opener.
“Some things were expected and some were surprises,” Hickey said. “I knew it would be a little sloppy at times. It was our first game, and we are playing a lot of young kids.”
Rivera and Tina Reed are the only seniors on the Greenfield roster. With plenty of defensive attention expected to come Haselton’s way throughout the season, the Wave will need to find contributions elsewhere at times.
“Other people are going to have to score,” Hickey said.
The Red Raiders made a run at the Wave in the second quarter, closing the gap to 20-15. Greenfield closed the half with eight straight points to pull away for good, however.
Athol moved the ball well in the second quarter.
“We did what we did in our first game,” Athol coach Kelly Kaczmarczyk said, referring to the team’s victory over Turners Falls last week. “They were passing and playing like a team.”
Taylor Cleveland and Haley Bigwood each had 11 points for the Red Raiders, with Geca Baptista adding eight.
“This team can be really good,” said Kaczmarczyk of her club. “We saw it in our first game. This game, some of that energy was gone. We weren’t as aggressive tonight.”
Sophie Putnam gave the Red Raiders a nice boost in the fourth quarter with some effective post play. Putnam had eight points, seven coming in the final frame, all on the block.
Greenfield started slowly before building a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.
Cleveland scored six of her 11 points in the second quarter when the Red Raiders pulled to within five.
Haselton helped end the run with a strong take to the rim before a layup after a steal made it 24-15.
Weather permitting, Athol is scheduled to play at Mohawk Trail tonight while Greenfield is back in action Friday night when it travels to play defending champion Hoosac Valley in a rematch of last year’s Division 3 final.