By Ken Chaisson
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
In a game that was closer than the final score suggested, the Walpole girls’ basketball team edged out the Minnechaug Regional Falcons, 52-45, in a hard-fought battle decided at the free throw line. The opening round of the MIAA playoffs took place at Walpole High’s gym on Friday, February 28, 2025.
Head coach Dave Wall, now in his tenth year leading the Lady Timbs, has steered the team to the playoffs nine times. This season, Walpole secured the 14th seed in the Division 2 playoffs with a 12-8 regular season record, while their opponents, Minnechaug Regional from Wilbraham, entered as the 19th seed.
Walpole showed signs of rust early, having last played nearly two weeks prior in the Riley Winter Classic finals, where they fell to Westwood (ranked 7th in Division 2), 59-48. The Lady Timbs struggled in the first quarter with timing issues, turnovers, and missed three-pointers. Minnechaug, starting a lineup of four guards and one forward, capitalized on Walpole’s slow start, taking a 15-8 lead by the end of the quarter. Junior Bella Bingham kept Walpole within striking distance, scoring six of the team’s eight points.
Walpole found their rhythm in the second quarter, but Minnechaug maintained a 25-18 advantage heading into halftime. The third quarter, however, marked a turning point. The Lady Timbs came out strong on both ends of the court, holding the Falcons scoreless for the first six minutes while their offense began to click. Walpole took their first lead at 26-25 midway through the quarter and extended it to 32-25 before Minnechaug finally scored again. By the end of the third, Walpole led 32-29.
The fourth quarter was a frantic battle as both teams fought to keep their seasons alive. Walpole stretched their lead to six points early in the quarter, but Minnechaug clawed back, reclaiming a 42-41 lead with 2:20 remaining. Fouls became a critical factor down the stretch, with four Falcons fouling out in the final 90 seconds. Bingham’s composure at the free throw line proved decisive, as she went 8-for-9 in the closing moments, sealing the 52-45 victory.
Bingham was a standout performer, finishing with 25 points, including 13 from the free throw line. Sophomore Katie McDonald also played a pivotal role, contributing 18 points on six three-pointers, with her shooting in the third quarter helping shift momentum in Walpole’s favor. For Minnechaug, junior Ava Manning led the way with 15 points. Despite the loss, the Falcons can take pride in their young squad and look forward to another playoff run next year.
Walpole’s next challenge comes on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 6 PM, when they host Tewksbury, the 30th seed, which pulled off a first-round upset over #3 Norwood, 41-38.
In other playoff action earlier in the week, the Walpole girls’ hockey team, seeded 32nd, faced a tough matchup against top-seeded Westwood. Westwood dominated with a 7-0 victory, mirroring the scoreline from their earlier meeting this season. Despite the loss, it marked the fourth consecutive year the girls’ hockey team made the playoffs.
The Walpole boys’ hockey team, seeded 7th, also saw their season come to an end with a 4-1 upset loss to 26th-seeded Amesbury/Whittier at The Caddy.
