WESTFIELD – The task at hand for the Frontier boys basketball team was simple Tuesday night: win or go home.

Danny Fellows and the Redhawks weren’t interested in missing out on the postseason completely.

The senior poured in a game-high 22 points, including 15 in the second quarter when Frontier snatched control of the game and took off en route to a convincing 66-45 victory over Westfield High School in a non-playoff game.

With the win in its final game, Frontier improved to 10-10 on its season, clinching a berth in the MIAA Division 4 state tournament thanks to a .500 or better record.

“We feel like we’re peaking right now and this is our opportunity,” Frontier coach Josh Morse said after Tuesday’s big win. “We’re confident right now. We knew we had to win our last two games to get in and we went about our business and got it done.

“To be in the tournament is great, but this has been about the journey these kids have been on this season,” he continued. “We’ve dealt with sickness, we’ve got four guys out with injuries, and these guys never stopped believing. The culture of this team is what got us here.”

That, and a healthy second quarter dose of Fellows. Trailing 15-11 after one quarter, the Redhawks got to work in the second period behind their senior. He scored the first seven points of the frame to give Frontier its first lead of the night, and drained a pair of 3-pointers later in the quarter to continue the run. All told, Fellows scored 15 points in the second quarter, hitting three 3’s, and the visitors led 36-26 at intermission.

“He’s a gamer and he’s tough as nails,” Morse said of Fellows. “Danny Fellows is as tough as they come. He’s dealing with a major foot injury this year but he stepped up and has led our group.”

Nico Fasulo took control of the Frontier offense in the second half, as he scored 15 of his 17 points after intermission to help keep the Bombers at arm’s length. Westfield (2-18) never got closer than 11 points in the second half, and Frontier closed the game on a 10-0 run, holding the home side scoreless over the final 3:52 to secure the 66-45 win.

Owen Babb made it three Redhawks in double figures with 14 points in the win, while Max Millette chipped in with eight points.

Despite missing out on the Western Mass. Class B tournament, Frontier entered the non-playoff portion of the season with an 8-10 record. The Hawks beat Southwick on Friday to set up Tuesday’s win-and-in scenario.

Now they’ll wait for the brackets to be released this weekend for next week’s state tournament.

“I think a lot of teams aren’t going to want to face us in the state tournament,” Morse said. “We have a lot of different qualities that make us a good team and a tough team to play in a postseason environment. We’re excited about the opportunity.”

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