Hudson girls basketball honors seniors after defeating Blackstone Valley Tech

HUDSON – A larger prize awaits.

But Friday was still a special evening for the Hudson girls basketball team: Senior Night.

Tiaras, streamers, Fatheads, tributes on the wall. And a victory over a solid team.

Using a pair of timely runs, the Hawks continued a winning streak that began a month ago with a 50-34 decision over Blackstone Valley Tech, ending the visitors’ string that dates back to the end of 2022.

Hudson fell behind 7-2 before scoring the next 15 points. After carrying an eight-point lead into the half, the Hawks opened the third quarter with 11 consecutive points.

“The runs that we went on, that’s our style of basketball,” said senior Maddie Kiley. “We just played hard and fast to find the open girl.”

Hudson led by as many as 24 points in the second half.

“We just needed to come in and focus like any other game,” said Kaitlyn “KP” Puim, also a senior, who led all scorers with 14 points. “Tonight, our offense wasn’t there until the second half, but we were trying to focus on our defense.”

Grace Giorgio, also a senior, added 13 points.

What it means: Hudson won its 10th consecutive game, improving to 15-2. The team’s last loss was Jan. 10 to Littleton. Valley Tech saw its 10-game streak end, falling to 12-4.

Key plays: The 11-0 run to begin the second half included a 3-pointer from junior Audrey Lenox and a give-and-go off an inbounds play under the BVT basket. Puim inbounded the ball to Giorgio, who threw a pretty bounce pass to Puim for a layup.

Unsung heroes: Jess “J-Mac” McDonald and Jocelyn Sequenzia. Hudson’s team managers, who were honored after the game with the other five seniors. Family, flowers and speeches highlighted the post-game ceremony as Taylor Bruce, Katie O’Malley, Kiley, Giorgio and Puim were also feted.

By the numbers  

1977: The last time Hudson won a league championship. The Hawks have clinched at least a tie for the Mid-Wach C title, needing a win next week to earn it outright.

5: Number of different scorers for Hudson: Sam Collette had 10 points; Kristina Bruce added eight; Lenox had five.

20: Combined points for BVT’s Mara Keane (12) and Kasey Reeves (8).

They said it: “Tonight, there were a lot of emotions and maybe a lack of focus, but we can put some runs together,” said Hudson coach Marty Murphy. “We just had to move the ball around and get it to our best option. We played much better in the second half.”

What’s next?  

Hudson: Hosts Lunenburg on Valentine’s Day night (Tuesday) with a chance to win the league outright. “We made it a goal during the year, but we never really talk about it,” Murphy said. “As you inch closer to the possibility of it, it’s just a great feeling. We’re not satisfied to share it. We want it ourselves. If we can take care of business that night, it’s on our home court, now it’s something we can talk about. Tonight’s probably the first night I’ve publicly talked about it.”

BVT: Across the street at Nipmuc on Monday at 5 p.m.

Tim Dumas is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News. He can be reached attdumas@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @TimDumas.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Hudson girls basketball wins 10th straight, eyes league title