CHESHIRE -- The Hurricanes may be on to something. They trailed for the first three quarters, but Corey Puccio's only field goal -- a 3-pointer -- pushed Hoosac in front of Monument early in the fourth, and the Hurricanes battled to a 51-47 win, giving them three straight.
"We found a way to win," coach Bill Robinson said. "Early this year and even last year, we wouldn't have won this game."
Robinson gave a lot of credit to Austin Milesi. The sophomore had a big night with 12 points, and was crucial in the fourth quarter.
"He gets the high grade today," Robinson said, adding he was all over the court. "He gave us the energy we needed."
Hoosac had battled from behind the whole game. The Hurricanes cut an eight-point second-quarter deficit to two before halftime. The deficit grew to 10 in the third, but Hoosac brought that to just one by the end of the frame.
After Puccio's 3, Matt Braman hit a 3 to give the Hurricanes a five-point cushion with about 2:30 to go, but that's as big a lead as they enjoyed. Monument's Pete Oggiani answered with a 3 of his own and that set the table for some clutch free throws from Braman. The junior made 4 of 5 in the final 50 seconds to round out his 17-point night and clinch the victory.
"We want him with the ball if somebody's going to foul," Robinson said.
McCann boys' basketball
NORTH ADAMS -- Two games in a row, two losses in the final seconds. Just four days
"It was a tale of two halves," coach Mike Nykorchuck said. "We talked about how to beat the press [at halftime] but didn't execute."
McCann had jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter and led 31-20 at halftime, but two key players were in foul trouble. Chad Raimer had three and was forced to sit. When Justin Cote picked up his second, Nykorchuck sat him too. Already playing without Shane Fuller, the coach couldn't afford to have both Raimer and Cote start the second half with three fouls.
"It hurt having those two in foul trouble," he said. "They're very key in calming things down too."
The Hornets noticed Fuller's absence in the second half when Smith extended its pressure and caused them to panic. That panic translated into 13 second-half turnovers for McCann.
McCann scored just 11 points in the second half and gave up 24, but it was Anthony Karch's only basket of the game that sunk the Hornets.
Greylock boys' basketball
PITTSFIELD -- All five Mount Greylock starters scored in double figures, as the Mounties topped Taconic, 68-60.
Tyler Picard had a team-high 22, Tyrell Thomas and Nathan Majumder added 12 points while Brett McCormack and Hank Barrett each had 10 points.
The game was tied at 28 at halftime, but Taconic got sloppy with the ball in the third quarter. Those turnovers led to quick baskets and the Mounties outscored the Braves 26-14 in the third quarter. Taconic cut the lead to eight points with 2:30 left in the game, but got no closer.
Shaq Ardrey had a game-high 26 for Taconic.
Greylock girls' basketball
WILLIAMSTOWN -- With time running down in the second quarter, Pittsfield's Courtney McLaughlin had the ball. The Greylock defense kept her from driving, so the Pittsfield standout hit a step-back 3-point shot, which led to a 10-point halftime lead. That proved to be too much for the Mounties, as Pittsfield won 51-26.
McLaughlin had a game-high 19 points for the Generals. Lucy Barrett led Greylock with eight points.
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