HOLYOKE, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The Pioneer boys basketball team has proven to be virtually unbeatable during the 2024-25 season, and Saturday night’s Western Mass Boys Class D Final followed that same script.
The Panthers (21-0) shook off a slow start offensively to take an 18-point halftime lead, and ultimately won the game by that same margin, 57-39, over the Duggan Jayhawks at Holyoke Community College.
Pioneer led 8-4 at the end of one quarter, but proceeded to outscore Duggan 24-10 in the second quarter. Late in the first half, senior Kurt Redeker drove to the basket and scored as he was being fouled, recording his 1,000th career point. His teammates quickly rushed in to congratulate Redeker, who was able to enjoy the moment, albeit only briefly, as the game was not stopped due to its being a tournament sectional final.
Duggan scored the first four points of the second half to cut the deficit to 14, and twice the Jayhawks got to within 11, but each time the Panthers were able to get a big bucket and/or necessary stop on the defensive end, and took the title decisively.
The Panthers received the top-seed in the upcoming MIAA State Division 5 Tournament, and will be a heavy favorite to win the school’s first state basketball title since 1997.