High schools: Kyler McClelland (28 points) powers Pioneer girls into Class D title game
Published: 02-21-2024 9:20 PM |
The Pioneer girls basketball team is on to the Western Mass. Class D championship game.
After knocking off Duggan in the quarterfinals, the third-seeded Panthers traveled to Monson to take on the No. 2 Mustangs on Wednesday in the semis.
Pioneer didn’t play like an on-paper underdog, holding Monson to just 11 points in the first half before pulling away in the final 16 minutes to earn a 50-33 victory, sealing a spot in the championship game.
“It was a fun game,” Panthers coach Kevin Harrington said. “The girls played so hard defensively.”
The Panthers will take on No. 1 Hoosac Valley in Saturday’s title game, which is currently scheduled for noon at Westfield High School.
Pioneer (15-5) held a 17-11 lead at the half but turned it on offensively in the second half of action.
Much of that was the hot shooting of Kyler McClelland. The sophomore had three points at the break but caught fire in the second half, making five 3-pointers in the third quarter and two in the fourth to finish with 28 points on the night. That shooting in the third helped the Panthers take a 37-20 lead going into the fourth.
Addison Harrington tallied 10 points, swiped five steals and dished five assists in the win. Hailey Ring scored seven points to go along with 11 rebounds and five assists, Fota N’Diaye scored three points while Natalie Rios added two points in the win.
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