WESTFIELD — In order to break through and reach both the Western Massachusetts and state tournaments last year, the Minnechaug boys basketball team had to figure out how to win close games.

That successful recipe carried over into Thursday’s season opener, as the Falcons kept their composure down the stretch to start the 2025-26 campaign with a hard-fought victory.

Visiting Minnechaug outscored Westfield 9-2 over the final three minutes and 21 seconds of regulation to turn a tie game into a 51-44 independent victory.

“A part of it’s our experience from last year,” said Minnechaug coach Mike Orzech. “Last year, we were able to qualify for the Western Mass. and state tournaments. And with a bunch of guys coming back, six guys coming back from that team, we kind of learned how to win in th

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