ATHOL — A hot-shooting second half from Ware was too much to overcome as the Athol girls basketball team fell, 56-41, Friday night.
The Red Raiders were outscored 19-6 in the third quarter.
“That’s all it was, was the third quarter,” Athol coach Kelly Kaczmarczyk said. “The girls started putting their hands down. We have to work on keeping our hands up at all times.”
The Indians led by 12 at the beginning of the fourth quarter when the home crowd started to get loud for the Red Raiders.
Ware responded with 3-pointers from Olivia Vadnair and Aidyn Welsh to increase the lead.
Haley Bigwood led Athol in scoring with 11 points. Bigwood did not start the game and missed most of the first quarter due to a coaching decision by Kaczmarczyk.
Geca Baptista, Jenna St. Cyr and Sophie Putnam each had six points for Athol.
Taylor Cleveland had five points and three assists.
Kendall Deleo sparked 6-0 second-quarter run to give Athol a lead going into halftime.
Deleo had a steal in the open court and a finish at the rim. She also had a charge taking the final possession of the half away from the Indians.
“Kendall is doing great,” Kaczmarczyk said. “She is hustling. Doing a good job.”
Athol led 27-26 at halftime, but the Indians went on an 11-0 run in the third quarter to take the lead for good.
The Red Raiders (2-8) have lost six straight and will play at Easthampton on Tuesday.
