TO THE HOOP — Pete’s Eujeyn Smith (right) carries the ball toward the hoop while Quabbin Inc.’s Khalifa Seck chases down the play during Wednesday’s game in Orange.
TO THE HOOP — Pete’s Eujeyn Smith (right) carries the ball toward the hoop while Quabbin Inc.’s Khalifa Seck chases down the play during Wednesday’s game in Orange. Credit: Athol Daily News/Mike Phillips—

ORANGE — In an Orange Recreation Association basketball doubleheader Monday afternoon, Quabbin Inc. outscored Pete’s Tire Barn 7-0 in the third quarter to pull away for a 20-14 win in the opener.

The teams played close despite the final score. Quabbin Inc. led by only one at halftime, 8-7, while Pete’s Tire Barn went on a 7-0 run to end the game. Quabbin Inc.’s defense played a key role in the win, with Michael Gamelli hauling down six rebounds and Noah Bailey adding two key boards in the final minute of the third quarter to prevent Pete’s Tire Barn from putting up points.

Joey Walker started things off by netting two layups for Quabbin Inc., while Gemelli followed with a layup to end the first quarter up 6-0. Tristen Robideux played the point well for Pete’s Tire Barn and recorded a couple of steals despite the team coming up empty throughout the quarter.

Quabbin Inc. then went up 8-1 in the second quarter thanks to a layup from Jayden Delgado, but Pete’s Tire Barn stormed back for six straight points to end the half down by only one, 8-7. Caleb Rodriguez handled things offensively for Pete’s Tire Barn, netting four points in that span, while grabbing one offensive rebound.

Quabbin Inc. found a way to hold Pete’s Tire Barn scoreless in the third quarter, breaking away from the Tire boys 15-7 by quarter’s end. Day Bedward started the scoring with a long jumper, while Gemelli netted one basket and Walker netted a free throw and a layup.

Quabbin Inc. moved out front 19-7 in the fourth quarter thanks to four points from Bedward, but then came the Lopez-Baez twins to take over the game. Both Lian and Luan Lopez-Baez worked well together, combining for five points during the Tire Barn’s 7-0 run to end the game. Aiden Britt also got things done defensively for Pete’s, corralling three rebounds during the quarter. Rodriguez scored on a jumper to bring it to 20-14, but Pete’s Tire Barn had ran out of time in their comeback as Quabbin Inc. won 20-14.

Big-league play of the game

Within the first minute of the second quarter, Luan Lopez-Baez had the open path to the hoop, going up for what looked like an easy layup. However, Delgado hustled on the play and got to the hoop. He swatted the layup down and got all ball, creating the big-league play of the game.

Points

For Quabbin Inc.: Joey Walker, 7; Day Bedward, 6; Michael Gamelli, 4; Jayden Delgado, 2; Morgan Softic, 1.

For Pete’s Tire Barn: Caleb Rodriguez, 6; Luan Lopez-Baez, 5; Lian Lopez-Baez, 3.