GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Two area high school basketball teams have separated themselves from the rest of the pack as the second half of the season begins, but the battle for tournament qualification and seeding continues for several more local teams.
The Pioneer boys have met every challenge to date, surging to a 10-0 record. The Panthers’ most recent victory was decisive 70-53 road victory over Frontier on Friday, a game that saw Pioneer stretch their lead to 24 points in the second half before cruising to victory. Pioneer is ranked #1 in the state in Division 5 according to the latest MIAA power rankings. Mahar is at #11, Athol 28th, and Turners Falls at 42nd.
In boys Division 4, Frontier is at #22 and Greenfield #24. The Green Wave will host Pioneer on Friday night.
In girls Division 4, the one-loss Frontier Red Hawks are slotted in at #9. In Division 5, Mahar is ranked 20th, Greenfield 24th, Franklin Tech 2th, Pioneer 39th, Mohawk 42nd, and winless Athol is at #60.