Belchertown girls’ hosts Palmer in Bi-County East clash
Post-game analysis:
Palmer defeated Belchertown here tonight by the score of 63-33 as the Panthers improved to 19-0 and won the BCE with a perfect 8-0 record. The Orioles, who played a very strong second half schedule, dipped to 12-8 overall and 7-2 in league play.
The Panthers, who will look for a perfect season next week versus Quabbin Regional, received a game-high 25 points by Orszulak tonight. Supczak struck for 10 and Caufield totaled nine points.
The Orioles received 10 points by Goodale and seven each from Aponte and Pare. Belchertown is still trying to regain its form after injuries crept in midway through the season.
Thank you all for tuning in don’t forget we are back here tomorrow for the South Hadley/Ludlow boys game and again on Tuesday as Palmer visits Belchertown in a game with seed and league implications.
4th Quarter:
We will be back shortly after the game to give you the final score and some comments as Palmer will celebrate a league championship on its opponents floor.
4:00: It remains a commanding lead for Palmer here at 54-29 though the Orioles are playing their best quarter of the night. Palmer is being patient and using the entire shot clock and Belchertown is starting to think about finishing strong as they will wait for their seed next week.
Goodale has 10 points off the bench for Belchertown, which trails 54-28 here with 5:58 remaining. Aponte has also been a spark off the bench.
3nd Quarter:
End of 3rd: Palmer holds a comfortable lead here as we head into the final quarter. It appears the Panthers will repeat as BCE champions. Haley Lavoilette got into the mix as did Breautl. Hannah Aponte hit a 3-pointer and B. DelValle finally found her shot late but it may be too late. Caufield scored at the buzzer.
Palmer 49 Belchertown 24
There is a timeout on the floor. The Orioles will have to start making a run if they are going to cut into the lead here. We have just under4 minutes left and so far turnovers have haunted the home team.
5:47: Palmer opened the second half on a 7-2 run and their lead has been extended to 39-19. Orszulak did it again with a long 3-pointer from the corner. She has 16 points. K. Del Valle has scored for Belchertown. Supczak has also scored for the Panthers.
2nd Quarter:
Halftime: It’s been all Palmer here in the first half. The tandem of Orszulak and Caufield inside has given the Orioles problems. But let’s not underestimate the guard play for the Panthers. They are distributing the ball really well. Katherine Goodale helped Belchertown with a 3-pointer from the bench and a strong drive but Palmer holds a 32-17 lead at the break.
We’ll be back shortly for the second half.
3:23: The Panthers have responded to Belchertown’s surge. Orszulak hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key and she assisted on a Caufield bucket down low. She just scored again inside on some nice ball movement and suddenly the Panthers have a commanding 24-9 lead.
5:22: The Orioles opened the second period with a score as Pare found K. Del Valle on a 2-on-1 break.Orioles’ coach Jason Woodcock is urging his team to keep shooting. Cavanaugh has also scored and the Panthers’ lead has been cut to 17-9. Palmer is using its bench. Kierstin is battling inside in only her third game back since a foot injury suffered at Pittsfield
1st Quarter
End of 1st: Alyssa Darling came off the bench and hit a 3-pointer to extend Palmer’s lead to 17-5 as the Panthers looked very strong here in the first in a bid to remain unbeaten and secure the BCE title. The Orioles have had decent shots but have not converted those looks. They have only two field goals.
2:32: Palmer leads 14-5 here in the first quarter. Olivia Pare put the Orioles on the board with a drive and lay up and she followed it up with a 3-pointer. But Orsalak responded with a money shot from the outside and she also scored off a turnover.
424: Palmer is out to an 8-0 lead here. Dykstra has four points. The Orioles have turned the ball over and have missed their first four shots. Breault found Orsalak inside and the forward made a strong post move to score. The Palmer “D” has been impressive thus far. Caufield also assisted on Supczak make.
We are just about to tip off here.
Tip off is 6 minutes away as these two Bi County East powers are set to thrill fans here in Belchertown.
Starting line-ups
Palmer: Katrina Caufield (F), Megan Breault (G), Alyssa Orsalak (F), Emily Dykstra (G) and Shannon Supczak (F)
BTown: Brianna Del Valle (F), Katelyn Cavanaugh (G), Kiersten Del Valle (C), Kaleigh Kopacz (F/G) and Olivia Pare (G)
Will the return of Kierstin Del Valle help the Belchertown girls’ basketball team hand Palmer its first loss of the season.? Can Palmer run the table?
Palmer, the defending Western Massachusetts’ Division 2 champion, is making a strong case for the top-seed as they near a perfect season. The Panthers enter this showdown 18-0 and 7-0 in the BCE, though a loss to Belchertown would mean both teams would share the league crown. The Panthers also play Quabbin next week to close out the regular season.
Belchertown is 12-7 and 6-1 in the league but that one loss was a 58-38 defeate to Palmer on February 5th. The Lady Orioles have won two straight and would like nothing better to impress the committe with a tournament-like win tonight on their home floor.
All of these questions and more will be answered when the two Division 2 schools meet head-to-head at Belchertown this evening. Tune in at 6:45 p.m. to get starting line-ups and a feel for what the atmosphere is like in this rivalry game between neighboring towns.
