By Kevin McCaskill Jr.
2/19/22 * 2:25 PM
(SPRINGFIELD) - Baystate Academy hosted Monument Mountain on Thursday night, in Baystate’s regular season finale. This game was another Western Mass. inter-county match between Hampden and Berkshire counties.
Thursday was also Senior Night at Scibelli Gym. Baystate Academy celebrated their 4 Seniors: Travis Jordan; Dion Byrd Jr.; RJ Mayfield; Michael Terrero.
Baystate HC Dion Byrd Sr announced that Travis Jordan will attend Covenant College Prep (NJ) for a post-graduate season.
There was also a portion of the ceremony dedicated to HC Byrd. This is his last season coaching at Baystate. He received a plaque and a 🏀 that was signed by current and former players.
The ceremony demonstrated that HC Byrd truly cares about his players and the Baystate 🏀 program.
Baystate started slow on Thursday. They weren’t running their offense efficiently. They were missing easy shots at the basket. The same is true for Monument Mountain. Missed shots plauged Monument Mountain all game.
The only bright spot for Baystate in the first quarter was Tareeq Evans. He kept Baystate in the game, hitting 3s and driving to the basket.
Monument Mountain led after one quarter 15-14.
Baystate tightened up on defense in the second quarter. Their zone constricted Monument Mountain. Monument Mountain couldn’t exploit the middle of the zone. They missed a lot of shots in the second. Baystate dominated the offensive glass. Those offensive rebounds gave Baystate more shots. Baystate controlled the pace of game from the second quarter to the fourth quarter. They got out and ran when they wanted to; they slowed it down and executed their half-court offense when they wanted to.
Baystate had a comfortable lead, 30-21, at halftime.
Monument Mountain made a push to even the game in the third quarter. They played better defense and forced Baystate into some uncharacteristic turnovers. However, Monument Mountain continued to miss open, easy layups and other make-able shots. They left a lot points on the court but they did cut the lead after three quarters to five; Baystate led 40-35.
In the fourth quarter, Baystate’s total game came together. They were forcing stops and turnovers on defense. They were getting the shots they wanted to take.
The lead grew and Monument Mountain didn’t have an answer. Baystate won on Senior Night 64-51.
Travis Jordan scored 22 points in his final regular season home game. Tareeq Evans scored 17 points. RJ Mayfield had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in his final regular season home game.
Baystate heads to the new PVIAC Western Mass. tournament with some momentum. They are also going to be a top seed in the MIAA Divison 5 State Tournament (currently Baystate is the #2 seed).
The WMass Tournament starts on Monday ⏳.
🎥
(RJ Mayfield hits a jump-shot)
(RJ Mayfield blocks a shot)
(Travis Jordan finishes layup, through contact)
(Tareeq Evans hits a jump-shot)
(J. Casey drives to the basket and scores)