Jaelah Melena made the biggest plays late in this one, and the Pioneer Valley girls basketball team is now 4-1.

Down by three, Valley Christian Academy had the ball with 12.8 seconds left after PV’s Xitali Hurtado missed two free throws with 12.5 seconds left. Melena stole the Lions’ in bounds pass near the VCA basket, was fouled then made both her free throws for the last points in a 50-45 Pioneer Valley non-league win at PV Monday night.

VCA dropped to 0-4. The game was the first half of the third annual Toys for Tota girls-boys basketball doubleheader between the VCA and PV teams.

The VCA and PV basketball programs have worked together each year of their joint Toys for Tots event, with PV hosting. Proceeds from the event have been designated to benefit Toys for Tots.

“The free throw

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