By Kevin McCaskill Jr.
12/17/21 * 6:15 AM
(EASTHAMPTON) - On Thursday night, the Bulls from Baystate Academy travelled to Easthampton to play the Eagles from Easthampton HS.
The Bulls wanted to bounce back from their home loss to Wahconah. Their normal practice schedule has been temporarily altered due to BASKETBULL: HoopsFest. Baystate Academy’s home gym is The South End Community Center.
From the opening tip, Baystate controlled the game. They scored A LOT of easy transition layups. Easthampton’s offense wasn’t stifled by the Baystate defense. The Eagles had a tough shooting night; they missed a lot of shots. Those missed shots led to fast break, after fast break for Baystate.
In the second quarter, Easthampton started to get their offense going. They hit five 3s in the 2nd. However, the Eagles still couldn’t stop the Bulls on offense. The Bulls got any shot they wanted.
Baystate led at halftime 46-30.
The Eagles spent the entire halftime period in their locker room.
The Eagles came out playing harder in the 3rd quarter. They made an 11-6 run in the first half of the 3rd. Easthampton didn’t cut the deficit any further in the 3rd or 4th quarters
The Eagles couldn’t keep pace with the Bulls. Baystate beat Easthampton 90-67.
Travis Jordan scored a game-high 36 points. Jordan can score from anywhere on the floor. He scored most of the transition layups.
Dion Byrd Jr. scored 16 points. He picked up his scoring in the second half. He scored 8 points in the 4th quarter.
RJ Mayfield chipped in 9 points, which included the best highlight of the game.
Easthampton got a great shooting performance from Sameer Hanafi. He scored 33 points, hitting nine 3s.
After the game Baystate HC Dion Byrd said he “wasn’t sure” what to expect from his team going up to Easthampton. He said the Bulls “wanted to get out and run”. Coach Byrd said Travis Jordan “is a competitor”. He needs Jordan to be a leader for this team and Jordan is doing that job.