The Athol boys basketball team came to play on the defensive end of the floor against Smith Academy on Friday. 

The Bears pulled ahead 30-16 at the half and held the Falcons to a mere 10 points in the final two quarters, pulling away with a 51-26 Hampshire League North victory in Hatfield. 

The win keeps Athol (8-1, 6-0) unbeaten in league play. 

“This was an amazing win for our players,” Bears coach Brian Patria said. “Our effort was top notch. We were relentless all four quarters defensively and held a good shooting team to 10 points in the second half.” 

Angel Castillo finished with 18 points while Ben Kearney added 13 points for Athol. When Smith Academy went to a triangle-and-two defense to try to slow them down, Ray Castine and Ethan Bacigalupo stepped up, Castine scoring 11 points and Bacigalupo adding seven points. 

Girls basketball

Hampden Charter East 56, Athol 34 — Jenna Bonenfant scored 13 points and pulled down six rebounds for the Bears in a loss to Hampden Charter East on Friday at Mallet Gymnasium. 

Anna Duquette scored nine points and blocked seven shots, Ally Robertson finished with six points while Olivia Horrigan tallied four points and five rebounds for Athol. 

Late Thursday results

Girls basketball

Pioneer 73, Mohawk Trail 31 — Addie Harrington finished with 19 points, helping the Panthers secure a Franklin County League South win over the Warriors in Buckland on Thursday. 

Kyler McClelland scored 15 points, Leah Potter tallied 13 points, Hailey Ring recorded 11 points, Natalie Rios had seven points while Fota N’Diaye scored six points in the win for Pioneer. 

Rachel Pease led the way with 11 points, Bella Pettengill scored nine points while Natalie Lanoue and Valerie Bzomowski both had four points for Mohawk Trail.