Kaitlyn Kupiec
@kaitlynkupiec
The beginning of the 2024 Spalding Hoophall Classic brought a sense of accomplishment and excitement to a nearby basketball community. Berkshire County and the rest of Springfield College’s Blake Arena witnessed Hoosac Valley High School secure a 68-53 win against Pioneer Valley Regional High School.
This year commemorates the 22nd anniversary of the Hoophall Classic, which is held in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as the primary venue for some of the best boy’s and girl’s high school basketball teams to exhibit their talents and compete at the top level.
For a smaller Berkshire County high school team, with around 350 students, it’s a great accomplishment being able to even compete in the Hoophall Classic.
Senior guard Joey McGovern, still riding the waves of excitement, expressed the team’s awe.
“It was unbelievable; we’ve been in awe the whole time walking around, and getting the chance to play here is an honor,” said McGovern.
At the end of Thursday’s game, McGovern’s stellar performance in the opening game earned him the Most Valuable Player award, with an impressive stat line of 25 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the season, the leadership role shifts to Hoosac Valley’s senior forward, Frank Field. Recently crossing the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career points, Field emerged as a key asset for the team. His eyes are set on leveraging this achievement for future success.
“I wouldn’t have gotten here without my teammates. I had a couple of injuries and came back, but the main goal is to just win another championship,” said Field. “We got one my sophomore year but came up short last year, so the team has to have one goal in mind and that’s to bring back a championship to Cheshire, Mass.”
The significance of Hoosac Valley’s presence in the Hoophall Classic was magnified as they are the first Berkshire County boys’ team to compete in the tournament since Pittsfield’s Taconic High School in 2020.
The last triumph for a Berkshire County boys’ basketball team in the Hoophall Classic dated back seven years when Taconic High School secured a 78-58 win against Sabis Charter School.
The biggest message from Hoosac Valley’s head coach Bill Robinson was to show up and compete against the reigning Western Mass. Champions.
Despite facing adversity, which included a six-day hiatus from practice due to snow and gym closings, Hoosac Valley’s energy was at an all-time high.
Robinson’s strategic guidance resonated with the team.
“I told the team in the gym last night that I was going to give them a couple of things that we could do,” said Robinson. “One of them was just making sure we got to the glass and got rebounds because this team is fierce, and I thought we did more than our share on the glass today.”
Since the last appearance of the Hoosac boys’ team in the Hoophall Classic in 2011, Robinson has been a constant presence, providing leadership and guidance. With over two decades of coaching experience, Robinson’s team has now secured their first win in the prestigious Hoophall Classic.
Robinson’s daughter, Riley Robinson, attended Hoosac Valley, where she had a notable basketball journey herself, playing in the 2020 Hoophall Classic. She is currently showcasing her skills as a senior guard for Springfield College’s women’s basketball team.
As the Hoosac boys’ team savored their victory in the Hoophall Classic, McGovern encapsulated the team’s main mission.
“We came down here to win, and represent the county and show that there are players that can play from Western Massachusetts,” said McGovern.
Photo by Luke Whitehouse/The Student