The Berkshire League Boys Basketball Tournament Final is tonight at 7 at Thomaston High School between No. 2 Gilbert (17-4, 16-3 BL) and No. 1 Northwestern (18-3, 17-2).

The Yellowjackets advanced to the final with an 82-32 win in the semifinals over No. 3 Nonnewaug. The Highlanders reached the final with a 65-58 victory over No. 4 Terryville.

Gilbert and Northwestern played twice during the regular season. In the first game on Dec. 30 at Northwestern, the Highlanders led by 20 points but the Yellowjackets rallied and took a 78-77 victory. Gilbert had four players in double figures, led by Robert Skinner’s 24. Austin Brochu scored 19, Luis Cordova added 16, and Devon Molway chipped in 10. Northwestern was led by John Stevens, who had 20 points. The Highlanders also had four players in double figures. The other three players were Arthur Lefevre (15), Connor Guiheen (13), and Jake Plitt (12). To read Peter Wallace’s story from that game, click here.

On Feb. 3 at Gilbert, the Yellowjackets pulled away for an 80-69 victory. Brochu led Gilbert with 29 points while Skinner added 20. Molway scored 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter of the game. Luis Cordova also hit double digits with 10 points. Guiheen scored 22 points to lead Northwestern. Stevens added 14 while Jeffko chipped in 11. Plitt scored 9 while Lefevre tallied 8. To read John Nestor’s story from that game, click here.

Northwestern won last year’s Berkshire League Tournament as a No. 4 seed. The Highlanders blasted No. 2 Litchfield 71-56 in the tournament final last year. To read Wallace’s story about that game, click here. 

- Kevin D. Roberts