SOUTH DEERFIELD — The Frontier girls basketball team hasn’t had many tests this season. 

The Redhawks have made things look easy en route to a 13-1 record, often putting teams away before halftime. 

That wasn’t the case on Monday at Goodnow Gymnasium against Belchertown. 

Frontier led just 26-21 at the half but it was all the Redhawks in the third, as they outscored the Orioles 19-12 to open up a 45-33 lead going into the final eight minutes. 

Frontier maintained its lead throughout the fourth to walk away with a 60-44 independent victory. 

“We were totally engaged,” Redhawks coach Dave Machon said. “The girls even came into the locker room at the half with a gameplan for the next half. That’s my favorite thing when they come up with the plan, they tell me what’s working and what isn’t working. I just look at them so proud. They’re taking the things we’re teaching them and learning.

“They were really excited to have some competition tonight,” Machon added. “That’s a great team. Belchertown is a well coached team and we have a battle with them every year. That was a great win going into the end of the season.” 

After winning nine of its first 12 games of the season, Belchertown coach Jason Woodcock knew his squad was in for a touch stretch with games against South Hadley, Drury and Minnechaug before Monday’s trip to South Deerfield. 

“We’ve lost four in a row after starting 9-3,” Woodcock said. “I knew this could happen. South Hadley and Minnechaug are two of the best teams in Western Mass., these guys are very good, we went up to Drury and they’re a good team. The schedule got tough. I really wasn’t happy with our rebounding tonight. We’ll look at the film. They’re big, strong and they attack the glass.” 

The size inside of Frontier (14-1) gave Belchertown (9-7) trouble throughout. The Redhawks dominated the glass which led to multiple looks during offensive possessions, with Frontier often making the Orioles pay. 

“We got outrebounded,” Woodcock said. “That was a big issue. They really attacked the offensive glass and were getting three, four chances to score. They won a lot of the loose balls and shot it well. Give them credit, they moved the ball through their offense while we were too stagnant. Give them credit, they outplayed us tonight. That’s a good team and it got away from us at the end.” 

Skyler Steele had the hot hand for Frontier early, scoring eight points in the first quarter alone. Belchertown’s Chloe LaRoche knocked down a pair of triples while Aubrey Klingensmith added a 3 of her own, though the Redhawks led 14-13 after one quarter. 

Three-pointers from Claire Kirkendall and Olivia Machon — coupled with a 6-0 run midway through the quarter — allowed Frontier to stay in control in the second. Belchertown’s Morghan Litz connected on a 3-pointer while Cassidy MacLean converted an and-one, which helped the Orioles cut it to 26-21 at the break. 

Steele got going early in the third with a 3-pointer before Harper Modestow got going in the paint, scoring four baskets inside which helped Frontier take a 39-27 lead midway through the frame. Gabriella Slovack tallied six points in the quarter while LaRoche added five of her own, though the Redhawks were able to take a 45-33 lead into the fourth. 

A Kirkendall 3 to open the fourth followed by a Steele basket extended Frontier’s edge to 50-33, its largest lead of the game. LaRoche hit a 3 late that cut it to 52-42 but the Redhawks closed the game on an 8-2 run to seal the victory. 

Steele led the way with 20 points, Modestow scored 18 points, Addie Harrington tossed in nine points, Kirkendall tallied six points while Jazzy Hayes added four points in the win. 

LaRoche recorded 18 points, Litz and Slovack both scored eight points while Klingensmith added five points in the loss. 

With a rematch looming against Lenox — the only team to hand Frontier a defeat this season — the Redhawks are hoping to keep their foot on the gas and enter the postseason on a roll. 

“Everyone is going to be scratching and clawing to win some games here down the stretch,” Machon said. “We have Easthampton coming up then a big one against Lenox. A real big one against Lenox. That’s what we have to look forward to and that’s what we’re preparing for.”