GREENFIELD — Racquel Provost made major contributions on both ends of the floor for the Greenfield High School girls basketball team in a 63-45 win over Mahar Regional in the Franklin County League North finale for both squads on Tuesday at Nichols Gymnasium.
Provost stifled Mahar leading scorer Micalyn Mailloux defensively, and sank four 3-pointers on offense to help space the floor for the Wave.
Greenfield went with straight man-to-man against the Senators with plenty of help defense coming from all angles.
“I know I have a role and I have to finish it every game,” Provost said. “Compete and do well and help my teammates out. Last game, I was on Mailloux and I shut her down. I just needed to have the same mindset tonight.”
The Green Wave pulled away using a 10-0 run in the first half. Provost scored 10 of her 16 points in the second quarter, going 4-for-4 from the line with two 3-pointers.
Greenfield (15-5, 8-0), which capped an undefeated FCL North season, still has work to do heading into the postseason, according to head coach John Hickey.
“I was happy with the defense for the most part,” Hickey said. “We didn’t box out as well as I would like. We have to hit open shots against these defenses.”
Mahar (12-8, 4-4) played zone with four players and used another defender to shadow Katie Haselton. The junior still scored 13 points, mostly from the free throw line. Haselton went 9 for 11 from the line. On defense, she recorded seven steals.
Provost and Haselton hounded Mahar ball handlers for most of the night.
“We had each other’s back,” Provost said. “I pressure, she comes up and grabs the ball. We are always there.”
Amber Bergeron scored a career-high 20 points for the Green Wave. Bergeron missed most of the season with a foot injury but is working her way back into the rotation.
“Those two stepped up,” Hickey said of Provost and Bergeron. “We just need that third person to help. If we can hit those open shots, it forces them to get out of those defenses and opens up Katie (Haselton) more.”
Bergeron did most of her work in the paint. The eighth-grader collected nine rebounds to go along with her 20 points.
“It was a little hard at the beginning because I didn’t know the plays. Now that I am going through everything in practice, I am used to it,” Bergeron said. “I think I can push myself even more in practice.”
Greenfield honored seniors Bryanna Rivera and Tina Reed before the game. Rivera hit a 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter to break a 9-9 tie going into the second quarter.
Reed stayed in her comfort zone in the paint and collected eight rebounds.
“In practice we do a lot of post moves,” Reed said. “That’s what I am working on. I do want to help out a little more in the playoffs. I remember coming here as an eighth-grader. It’s been a climb. I have improved a lot from when I first showed up here. I am proud of that. I have grown as a player.”
The Green Wave had a hard time staying with the speed of Delaney Parker, who scored 18 points to lead the Senators. Parker did well drawing contact, going 8 for 9 from the free throw line. She also connected on two 3-pointers for Mahar.
Mahar’s MaryAnne Prescott and Saylor Kegans chipped in offensively with seven and eight points, respectively.
Haselton led the Wave with six assists.
Greenfield led 31-19 at halftime before extending the lead to 19 points going into the fourth quarter. The Greenfield defense held Mahar to eight points in the third frame.
Haselton got to the line seven times in the third quarter, connecting on six.
Both teams now await their draw in the upcoming Western Mass. Division 3 tournament, with seeds to be released on Saturday.