By Kevin McCaskill Jr.
2/15/22 * 3:50 PM
(WEST SPRINGFIELD) - The final week of the MIAA regular season in Western Mass started on Monday.
FP SPORTS was in West Springfield for the Boys 🏀 Senior Night against the High School of Commerce. West Springfield, known in this area as “West Side”, has two Seniors this season: Mehki Smith and EJ Villalongo.
FP SPORTS was also at West Side’s Senior Night last year.
The game started well for Commerce. They were getting to the basket. They were getting offensive rebounds and multiple shots in the paint. West Side couldn’t find their offensive rhythm in the first quarter. Commerce led 11-10 at the end of the first.
Similar to the Raiders road game against Amherst, the rest of game got away from Commerce. The Raiders missed easy shots and committed multiple turnovers. West Side caused most of the chaos that Commerce went through on Monday. West Side was quick to pressure Commerce players that had the ball. Their active hands caused many of the Raiders turnovers.
West Side led at halftime 37-20.
In the second half, West Side continued their half-court pressure. It was a team effort on defense but on offense West Side was led by Joe Kosior and Joe Ingegneri. Both Joes hit jumper after jumper on Monday. Kosior also got a few baskets in transition for easy layups.
Commerce didn’t quit despite being down double-digits most of the game. They kept playing with effort and made a mini-run in the 4th quarter. That run wasn’t enough to mount a comeback.
West Side beat Commerce, easily, 61-45.
Joe Kosior scored a game-high 19 points. Joe Ingegneri scored 17 points.
“Dae Dae” Reid had a team-high 18 points for Commerce. Chase Johnson chipped in 9 points.
West Side is now 9-7; HSC is 0-13.
