McClelland Miscellanea

February 15, 2014 · 1:26 am

Pentucket stuns Newburyport in OT 52-44

Kelsi McNamara (27 points) launches a three. She made five in the game.

McKenna Kilian (15 points) starts her drive for the tying basket in regulation

(Newburyport MA) Pentucket tied the score with eight seconds left in regulation (McKenna Kilian layup) and then dominated overtime as they defeated Newburyport, 52-44, on Friday night in Cape Ann League action.

For the Clippers (12-7), the loss to Pentucket (16-4) was way too similar to their loss on Monday to undefeated Masco. They held the lead in both games in the second half only to come away frustrated when each game was over.

Kelsi McNamara (27 points) had only ten points through three quarters. After that? Wow! The junior guard put up ten points in the 4th quarter and seven points in the four-minute overtime.

Fifteen of Kelsi’s points came on three’s. Biggest one? Her last one in the fourth quarter. An Emily Pettigrew free throw had Newburyport up by three (38-35) with 1:06 left. Kelsi followed by dribbling almost every second off the thirty-second clock before finding a long-range opening. Her shot went in, tying the score, as the shot-clock buzzer sounded.

Kelsi hit her 4th long one 1+ minutes into overtime and Pentucket went up by four (44-40). The lead was still four (46-42) when Kelsi drilled the back breaker with 1:49 left. The 5th of her 3’s hit rim, backboard, and then rim again before sliding in. Now down, 49-42, the struggling Newburyport offense had no quick answers and dropped a tough one.

There was plenty of excitement down the stretch in regulation. After Kelsi tied the score (38-38) with thirty-six seconds left, Aly Leahy (10 points) sank two pressure free throws to put the Clippers on top (40-38) with twenty-one seconds to go.

I was sure that Pentucket, after their timeout, would try to get Kelsi a 3-point attempt or have her drive and draw a foul. Didn’t happen. Instead, Kelsi took the ball out-of-bounds and found teammate McKenna Kilian (15 points) cutting across from the weakside. I then expected Kelsi to jump in-bounds, get a pass back and shoot or get fouled. Didn’t work that way. Kelsi came in-bounds and attracted a double-team but, instead of passing to Kelsi, McKenna drove past defender Aly Leahy to the basket to tie the score with eight seconds left.

Boo Torrisi defends Aly Leahy in the closing seconds of regulation

Still plenty of time for the Clippers. Aly Leahy set off on a full-court drive down the right side with Boo Torrisi on her shoulder. With time just about gone Aly rushed a 10-footer that missed. Abbie Bresnahan grabbed the rebound but there wasn’t time for her to score the game-winner.

Pentucket has now won four straight and fifteen of their last sixteen. Their next game is against Belmont in the St. Mary’s (Lynn) tournament.

Newburyport has lost three of four in February. They face Saugus away on Tuesday. Cape Ann Scores lists the game at 5AM!

Newburyport honored its five seniors: Aly Leahy, Amy Sullivan, Jaycie Triandafilou, Lilly Donovan, and Mary Pettigrew.

The Clippers lost the previous meeting with the Sachems, 45-43, on January 6th at Pentucket. In that one the Clippers had a ten-point lead in the third quarter.

Pentucket came out at least a minute late in the second half.

Kelsi McNamara made ten free throws

Pentucket had only four turnovers total in the second half and overtime. Maybe putting the ball into Kelsi McNamara’s hands on every possession had something to do with it.

Newburyport had twenty-three turnovers in the game. Almost all of them were in the frontcourt.

Former players Sam Leahy and Coley Viselli were on hand for this one.

The interior defense of Pentucket did a terrific job limiting high-scoring Emily Pettigrew to five points. Emily likes to catch-and-spin but every time a pass came in to her the Sachems slid someone over to eliminate the “spin” part.

Seemed to me like there was an awful lot of whining from all parts of the gym during this game. Where was the Valentine’s Day spirit?

Pentucket box

Newburyport box

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Jaycie Triandafilou

Amy Sullivan

Mary Pettigrew

Aly Leahy

Lilly Donovan

Morgan Johnston and McKenna Kilian

Emily Pettigrew finds little room to operate

Lilly Donovan shoots in the lane

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Filed under Newburyport, Pentucket

Tagged as Aly Leahy, Kelsi McNamara, McKenna Kilian

February 12, 2014 · 12:39 am

Central Catholic overpowers North Andover 73-59 to avenge earlier loss

Nick Cambio (13 points) dominated the inside for Central Catholic

Aaron Hall (#30) had nineteen points for CC

(North Andover MA) For a quarter this looked like a duplicate of the January 5th game. The rest of the way…………not so much!

Central Catholic (15-4) took the lead in the second quarter and never looked back defeating North Andover, 73-59, on Tuesday night in Merrimack Valley Conference play.

In January’s 68-65 win at Central Catholic, North Andover had the shooting to match the Raiders. The Knights’ John Enright connected six times from long range and teammate Spencer Reeve added twenty points.

John Enright (13 points) clicked three times from long distance in the first quarter this time around and carried NA to an 18-14 advantage.

Credit the CC defense thereafter. They didn’t cause turnovers (NA only had four in the game) but they forced the Knights into low percentage, contested shots.

Wabissa Bede (21 points) passes

Nick Cambio (6-6) covered John Enright (5-11) and the good looks for John were out at NBA distance.

Spencer Reeve (twenty points in the first game) was held scoreless. The 6-3 junior got into foul trouble early and was a non-factor.

Not only was the Raiders’ defense better but their offense was too. CC’s big men, Nick Cambio and Aaron Hall (both 6-6) ran plays together that turned up layups for both of them on numerous occasions. Nick finished with thirteen points while Aaron had nineteen.

Tyler Nelson (15 points) was his usual self. He made shots and set up teammates.

Brett Daley fires from the corner

The Knights (12-5) had a four-point lead (22-18) two minutes into the second quarter. After this, the visitors from Lawrence put nine straight together over the next 3 1/2 minutes and NA never recovered from the 27-22 deficit.

The damage in the 9-point run was done by Tyler Nelson (two free throws & runner from the right), Aaron Hall (jump shot), and Nick Cambio (old-fashioned 3-point play.)

Central Catholic led, 31-26, at the half.

The Raiders were able to get the lead into double figures (40-29) 2 1/2 minutes into the third quarter. Consecutive 3’s (AJ Pettway & Tyler Nelson) keyed the separation. Tyler’s trey was off an open look from the corner on an inbounds play.

The Raiders kept their advantage at double figures the rest of the way. On this day, NA was overmatched on both ends and no comeback before a sizable home crowd ever materialized.

Kevin Fernandez ends the third quarter from very long range

The icing-on-the-cake shot for CC was freshman Kevin Fernandez’s buzzer beater from very long range as the third quarter ended.

Sophomore Wabissa Bede (21 points) proved to be an adept ball-handler for NA. He was not shy about taking the ball toward the basket against taller opponents. Wabissa ended up at the foul line fifteen times.

Certainly a strength for Central Catholic in this one was their free throw shooting. After missing 3-of-4 in the first quarter they went 19-for-21 thereafter.

Central Catholic is undefeated (8-0) on the road. The Raiders have won eight straight and twelve of their last thirteen. Their last state title was in 2008.

Central Catholic box

North Andover box

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Nick Cambio finishes

Kyle White covered by Alec Buresh

Alex Santon (#32) looks for an opening

James Testa goes baseline

Spencer Reeve (#32) tries for a block

Tyler Nelson passes out of a double team

Tyler Nelson (15 points) puts up a three

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Filed under Central Catholic, North Andover

Tagged as Aaron Hall, John Enright, Kevin Fernandez, Nick Cambio, Wabissa Bede

February 8, 2014 · 12:53 am

Lynn English wins 17th straight 78-46 over Beverly

Catherine Stinson passes ahead to Diondra Woumn (#1)

Diondra Woumn (22 points) shoots over defenders

(Beverly MA) That’s seventeen straight for undefeated Lynn English.

The Bulldogs (17-0) displayed their never-ending offense as they ran away from Beverly, 78-46, on the road on Friday night in Northeast Conference action.

The Panthers (6-9) never could find a way to contain the LE scorers but they did manage to stay competitive through 2 1/2 quarters thanks to the long-range accuracy of Natalie Mellinger (17 points) and Bridget Keaton (12 points).

Natalie had three long ones in the first five minutes of the game and that helped Beverly hold a 15-8 advantage.

Natalie Mellinger (17 points) hit five long ones

Lynn English, however, just never went away offensively. Diondra Woumn (22 points), Catherine Stinson (19 points), and Deidra Newson (16 points) had the speed and dribbling skills to find plenty of layups and open looks from the outside.

Two free throws by Deidra Newson gave LE an 18-17 lead after a quarter. Diondra Woumn cashed four layups and two free throws in that quarter.

The Bulldogs pushed their lead to ten (30-20) in the second quarter but Beverly put seven unanswered points together and were within four (35-31) early in the third period.

Four LE layups later the Bulldogs were in front 43-31 with three minutes left in the third quarter. Beverly answered with two three’s (Bridget Keaton) and a Natalie Mellinger jump shot and only trailed, 46-39, with a 1 1/2 quarters left.

Those last twelve minutes were absolutely all Lynn English to say the least. Fatigue had plenty to do with it as Beverly had played, and defeated, Lynn Classical on Thursday.

The Panthers began to have trouble even getting shots off while, down the other end, the Bulldogs continued to take and make shot after shot. The rest of the way Beverly was outscored, 32-7!

Catherine Stinson (19 points) hit four long ones

LE had unanswered runs of nine points and eleven points during the closing twelve minutes. Beverly was held to just four points in the final quarter.

The individual skills of the LE players were impressive. They could dribble their way into good shots. They could move without the ball to get open.

Then you add 1000-point scorer Catherine Stinson to the mix. She had four 3’s and three layups.

Lynn English has had only one close game this season and that was their 59-51 win over St. Mary’s on December 28th.

Last year the Bulldogs were upset in the Division 1 North quarterfinals by Andover. In that win, Andover made three’s and got several LE starters into foul trouble.

Lynn English is 59-6 over the past 2+ years.

Another thing about Lynn English that caught my attention was their lack of emotion. Nothing seemed to change about their demeanor whether they were behind early in this game or cruising to victory later on.

Very small crowd of spectators watched this game. At times it was so quiet that if you closed your eyes you might have thought you were in the Beverly Public Library.

Makayla Everette (10 points) gets inside

Makayla Everette (10 points) was the fourth Bulldog in double figures.

Beverly had twenty-two turnovers while Lynn English had fourteen by my unofficial count.

Last time I was in the Beverly Fieldhouse they had stands set up under each basket.

Beverly’s next game is at Revere on Tuesday (5:30PM). LE visits Lynn Classical on the same night.

Lynn English box

Beverly box

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Deidra Newson gets two

Bridget Keaton (12 points)

Diondra Woumn defends

Bulldogs double-team

Catherine Stinson guards Melissa Lubas

Michayla Woodward guards Deidra Newson (16 points)

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Filed under Beverly, Lynn English

Tagged as Bridget Keaton, Catherine Stinson, Diondra Woumn, Keidra Newson, Makayla Everette, Natalie Mellinger

February 6, 2014 · 11:28 pm

Speedy Pentucket runs away from Triton 59-39

Jeff Porter (13 points) gets one of many Pentucket breakaways

Will Sullivan (9 points) gets inside Jake Gilbert for two

(West Newbury MA) No catching the Sachems on this night!

Pentucket (7-9) was way too fast as they defeated Triton, 59-39, on Thursday night in Cape Ann League action ending a three-game losing streak.

Triton (4-12) did not shoot very well most of the evening and it seemed as if every time the Vikings missed, Pentucket would break away for layups down the other end.

The Sachems jumped out 7-0 and never trailed.

In the second quarter the Pentucket advantage would reach sixteen (22-6) before Corey Parsons (14 points) hit two three’s in the last 1 1/2 minutes to cut the Sachems margin to eight (28-20).

I anticipated a competitive game in the second half and suspected that Triton would get closer. If the Vikings could start making shots and stop getting caught in the frontcourt on misses, things could turn around. Unfortunately for the visitors, the second half was way too similar to the first half.

Ryan Kuchar tries to drive on Jack Germinara

Pentucket started the second half with eleven straight points. Jeff Porter (13 points) had three layups in the run including one on an inbounds play.

Meanwhile, during this same stretch, Coach Dave Clay of Triton burned his fourth timeout and pulled his starters. However, on this night, there was nothing that the Triton coaching staff could do to turn this one around.

Corey Parson’s three put the Triton deficit at twenty-two (44-25) with 2 1/2 minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The next five minutes of playing time were all Pentucket (again). The Sachems put nine unanswered points together and led, 53-25, with 5+ minutes left in the game.

Corey Parsons (14 points) lines up a three

The Vikings bunched eleven points into the last three minutes to lessen the Pentucket spread to 59-39 when this one was over.

The lights dimmed in the first quarter because of a power outage in another part of West Newbury. Three nights ago in the same gymnasium, the lights went out because someone pulled the wrong switch in the Masconomet girls’ locker room.

Eleven players scored for Pentucket. Jake Bortdeiano and Will Sullivan had nine apiece.

There will be a rematch between the two teams next Monday at Triton.

Triton hosts Newburyport tomorrow. A number of Clippers were on hand checking out the Vikings against Pentucket.

Pentucket hosts North Reading tomorrow.

Pentucket box

Triton box

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Khalil Brito gets into Pentucket traffic

Jeff Porter floats over Brad Whitman

The lights dimmed at Pentucket for the second time this week

tussle for a loose ball

Kevin Clark

Jake Bordeiano blocks Brad Whitman

Nick Venora finds and opening

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Filed under Pentucket, Triton

Tagged as Corey Parsons, Jake Bordeiano, Jeff Porter, Will Sullivan

February 4, 2014 · 1:08 am

Masconomet barely beats Pentucket 39-38 to remain undefeated

McKenna Kilian (17 points) defends Nicky Femino (12 points)

Riley Holden faces defender Stephanie Mini in the closing seconds

(West Newbury MA) Pentucket had two shots in the lane in the last thirty seconds but came up empty and undefeated Masconomet (14-0) survived, 39-38, on Monday night in Cape Ann League action.

Hannah Kiernan’s free throw with thirty-six seconds left proved to be the game winner.

The Sachems (12-4) went down by six (38-32) with three minutes left. However, tireless Kelsi McNamara (17 points) hit a runner in the lane, McKenna Kilian (17 points) made one of three free throw attempts, and Kelsi launched a game-tying three (38-38) with 1:06 left.

The momentum had clearly shifted to Pentucket. I thought that Masco might be in trouble because they hadn’t been in a tight game all season plus this was only their fifth game on the road.

Hannah Kiernan gets to the basket

The Chieftains’ Hannah Kiernan got into the lane, got fouled, and gave Masco the point that decided this one with thirty-six seconds left.

Trust me, that lone point came close to not holding up the rest of the way. First, McKenna Kilian misfired on a runner in the lane. Then, after a Hannah Kiernan traveling violation, the Sachems were able to get back in the lane again. This time it was Riley Holden’s chance but freshman Stephanie Mini blocked her shot with just a few seconds left. The Chieftains were then able to run out the clock without giving Pentucket any more opportunities.

The Sachems had won eleven straight since a December 27th, 66-40, loss to Masconomet.

Masco’s last defeat was on March 2nd (2013) to Billerica (64-42) in the Division 1 quarterfinals.

Meghan Collins had the unenviable task of guarding Kelsi McNamara most of the game. In almost every picture I took of Kelsi dribbling, there was not only Meghan but also one or two other Masco defenders ready to help. What that defense did was to keep Kelsi from driving and either scoring or getting fouled. Kelsi did, however, make the Chieftains pay by hitting shots from the outside.

Kelsi McNamara saw little daylight in the last minute

I think that the key to the Masco win was their ability to keep Kelsi from getting another shot after she had tied the game from downtown with 1:06 left.

Pentucket had the lead or was tied into the fifth minutes of the second quarter. Then a layup and two free throws by Nicky Femino (12 points) put Masco in front, 16-13.

A Kelsi McNamara three, a fall-back jumper by Kelsi, and two McKenna Kilian free throws put the home team back in front 20-16 with 1:43 left in the second period. Pentucket led, 20-18, at the half.

I had a sense at halftime that Masco would pull away in the second half. They had been able to get to the basket but not finish as often as they should. Pentucket had shown only two scorers (McKenna Kilian & Kelsi McNamara) and if either cooled off matching points with Masco would be very tough.

Kelsi McNamara eyes the hoop

The Chieftains moved ahead, 23-22, on a Nicky Femino long shot three minutes into the second half. That lead would be extended to 34-27 on a buzzer-beating three by Amy Fogarty early in the fourth quarter.

McKenna Kilian brought the Sachems within two (34-32) with a three and a floater in the lane with six minutes left.

Stephanie Mini put in a layup (nice pass from Hannah Kiernan) and Nicky Femino got to the hoop for two putting Masco on top, 38-32, with three minutes remaining.

Then it was Kelsi and McKenna combining to tie the score before Hannah Kiernan’s free throw gave Masco a one-point win.

tongue tied

Looking ahead, I suspect that Pentucket will continue to struggle to score points. I also suspect that every opponent they face will struggle against their defense. The Sachems give the opposition little breathing room. Do they have enough offense to defeat Division 2 teams in the tournament?

Division 1 Masco is legit. The two things about them that impressed me in this game were their ability to get the ball to the basket and their gusto getting after rebounds. In this game they had four second-chance baskets and nine scores on layups.

Masco will play five of their last six games away from home. Undefeated? The tournament at the end of the season at St. Mary’s could settle that especially if they get up against the powerhouse host team in it.

Masconomet box

Pentucket box

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Kelsi McNamara breaks on Hannah Kiernan

Stephanie Mini blocks Carolyn Penney

Kelsi McNamara and Meghan Collins

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Filed under Masconomet, Pentucket

Tagged as Hannah Kiernan, Kelsi McNamara, McKenna Kilian, Nicky Femino, Stephanie Mini

February 1, 2014 · 9:04 pm

Cold shooting Pingree falls to Governor’s Academy 53-46

Kam Nobles sends a pass to Matt Peart for a layup

Matt Peart (15 points) shoots over Alonzo Jackson and Kyle Lentini

(Byfield MA) Governor’s Academy took the lead for good with 7+ minutes left and defeated Pingree School, 53-46, on Saturday afternoon in non-league action.

There were five lead changes in the first half and the Highlanders (12-7) had a slim, 29-27, advantage at the half.

The turnover-prone Gov’s (13 in the first half) survived in the first half because junior Matt Peart (15 points) was a force at both ends. Matt blocked shots and intimidated Pingree penetrators while getting eleven of his points in the first sixteen minutes.

Matt Peart converted a rebound to tie the score at 35-35 with just under twelve minutes left in the second half. However, Kyle Lentini (16 points) was part of a Pingree push that had them ahead, 40-37, with 10:12 remaining.

Last year the Gov’s won, 58-57, at Pingree and this game looked, at this point, as if it was heading in the same direction.

It didn’t work out that way.

Justin Assad and Nick Osarenren (10 points)

Sometimes there’s a basket in the game that turns the tide. I think it was the go-ahead-for-good basket by freshman Nick Osarenren. The Govs were very patient on most of their second-half possessions but on this key one, they were almost a little too patient. Nick ended up with the ball on the left baseline and with everyone on the GA bench yelling for him to shoot he did and swished a jump shot as the 35-second clock went off.

Nick’s shot put GA (4-10) in front, 41-40, with 7+ minutes left. The Highlanders had no scoring answers the rest of the way. The visitors from Hamilton made just one outside shot (Justin Assad) in the second half.

The Govs put an 8-2 segment together and increased their advantage to 49-42 with just under three minutes left.

Pingree could not get closer than five points the rest of the way even though GA made only two of seven free throws in the final minute.

Kam Nobles (11 points) tries to go between Erik Fyrer and Griffin Beal

I was impressed with the play of GA point guard Kam Nobles. Kam was the stabilizer against a persistent Pingree press and was the key to GA’s clock-eating offense down the stretch. Kam collected eleven points including two 3’s.

Johnny Spears was back for Pingree and made a number of passes that “wowed” the sizable crowd.

Pingree benefited from a scorebook miscue early in the game. Kyle Lentini ended up with a couple of extra free throws as a result.

Kyle had Pingree’s only three in the game.

Kyle Lentini (16 points) puts up a shot

Justin Assad had twelve points for Pingree.

Pingree’s next game is at Providence Country Day School on Friday, February 7th.

Governor’s will be at Brooks in their next action on Wednesday (7PM).

Governor’s box

Pingree box

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Johnny Spears tries to get between two defenders

Johnny Spears and Charles Odei

Justin Assad gets an open look

Matt Peart blocks the shot of Kyle Lentini

Erik Fyrer (#5) deflects a shot

heavy action under the basket

Pat Davis

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Filed under Governor's Academy, Pingree

Tagged as Johnny Spears, Kam Nobles, Kyle Lentini, Matt Peart, Nick Osarenren

February 1, 2014 · 12:31 am

Newtown holds off Joel Barlow 58-56 in South-West Conference action

Mike Davis (14 points) converts a rebound to give Newtown the lead for good.

Julian Dunn (22 points) shoots over Bryce Fey

(Newtown CT) There was a tie and three lead changes in the last two minutes but at the end it was Newtown (8-5) hanging on to a 58-56 win over Joel Barlow (6-8) on Friday night in South-West Conference action.

The Falcons carried a 56-55 lead into the final 1:24 but had a missed shot, two turnovers, and a desperation heave at the very end to show for the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, the Nighthawks were able to take the lead when Mike Davis (14 points) put back his own missed shot. After a JB miss, Julian Dunn (22 points) made one of two free throws with fifty-five seconds left. That resulting two-point bulge (58-56) turned out to be enough despite Newtown failing to ice the game by missing four free throws in a row after Julian’s made free throw.

Both teams had their moments before the exciting finish.

Newtown jumped ahead 14-7 in the first six minutes riding two 3’s by senior Brian Leblanc.

Will Menapace (15 points) launches a three

Then it was Joel Barlow’s turn to get carried from long range as Will Menapace (15 points) connected four times before halftime. The outside accuracy was part of a 25-11 Falcons’ run that put the visitors from Redding in front 34-25 at the half.

The Nighthawks rallied early in the second half to get within four (37-33). You had to think that Newtown’s luck might have changed for the better when the last three points were off a 3-pointer off the backboard by Troy Frangione.

However this was a game where the direction you thought it was heading could quickly change. Instead of wilting under the Newtown charge, the Falcons put nine unanswered points together. Meanwhile, the Nighthawks put a string of turnovers together (four) and trailed 46-33 with 1:43 left in the third quarter.

Newtown certainly looked to be in trouble but over the next 4+ minutes of playing time, stretching into the final quarter, it was their turn to be in control. The Nighthawks constructed a 16-4 segment, led by two 3’s (Brian Leblanc) and eight points on the inside by Julian Dunn.

When that dust cleared, Newtown had taken the lead, 49-48, with 4:25 to go in the game.

Will Bracken

But credit Joel Barlow. Before you knew it the momentum had changed and they were back in front, 56-55, with 1:24 left after three-point plays by Will Bracken and Will Menapace.

That set up the exciting finish.

Key to the win was the blanket defense Troy Frangione put on first-half shooting star Will Menapace in the second half. Will had trouble getting the ball never mind shooting it. He did, however, make a huge three that gave JB it’s last lead.

A key basket in Newtown’s second-half, 16-4, burst came after a wild 3-point attempt by Brian Leblanc ended up in the layup-producing hands of teammate Julian Dunn. Trust me, there was no assist involved.

Junior John Tucker had eleven points for Joel Barlow.

Jake Ball only scored four points for Newtown but both layups came in the final three minutes of the game.

Newtown has now won eight of their last nine games after an 0-4 start.

Troy Frangione double-teamed

Joel Barlow had now lost four of their last five games.

JB will host Weston on February 4th (Tuesday 7PM) while Newtown visits New Milford on the same day and at the same time.

Joel Barlow was 7-13 last year missing the Class M tournament by one game.

I tell people that they need to come to a Newtown home basketball game just to see what their cheerleaders and dance teams can do. Tonight was no different although I suspect both squads were hedging their bets in this game because of serious competitions tomorrow.

Is there a good reason why programs aren’t produced?

Mike Davis and Julian Dunn ran some excellent give-and-goes for Newtown.

Newtown box

Joel Barlow box

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Julian Dunn and Zach Pompea

Adam Koubeck in heavy Newtown traffic

Brian Leblanc (12 points)

Mike Davis

Zach Pompea breaks ahead

Newtown performers

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Filed under Joel Barlow, Newtown

Tagged as Adam Koubeck, Brian Leblanc, Julian Dunn, Mike Davis, Troy Frangione, Zach Pompea

January 29, 2014 · 1:09 am

Fred Hogan reaches 1000 and leads Lynn English past Danvers 71-66

Fred Hogan afterwards with family and friends

Fred Hogan splits Mark McCarthy and Devon Allen to reach 1000 points

(Danvers MA) A huge second half by Fred Hogan enabled Lynn English to defeat Danvers, 71-66, on Tuesday night in Northeast Conference action.

The 5-11 Bulldogs senior had a 21-point second half and reached the 1000-point plateau in the process.

Fred gained his 1000th point on a drive to the basket in the fourth quarter with 3 1/2 minutes left. The basket was not only cause for stoppage in play but it also gave the Bulldogs their first lead (62-60) of the night.

The score was tied (64-64) going into the last minute of regulation. This was where Fred Hogan really took over. He assisted on Danny Lukanda’s layup and followed that with a fast-break layup of his own to get LE up by four (68-64). After Mark McCarthy’s drive brought Danvers to within two (68-66) with twenty-four seconds left, Fred took the inbounds pass, was fouled, and made both ends of a one-and-one to get the Lynn English lead back to four. Solid Bulldogs defense forced a wild Falcons’ shot and then Danny Lukanda made a free throw with ten seconds remaining to close out the scoring.

Mark McCarthy (17 points) finds an open look

Those of us on hand watching the first half would never have dreamed that Fred Hogan would have a chance to get the sixteen points he needed to reach 1000. In a two-point first half, Fred saw few opening and plenty of freshman defender Devon Allen.

The entire LE team was unimpressive in the first half. They came in having lost three of their last four. They were quickly down 7-2 and then 14-6 one minute into the second period. The Falcons put a 12-2 run on LE later in the second period and had a nice 30-14 led with 1 1/2 minutes left in the half.

The Bulldogs trailed 33-22 at halftime.

But what a difference the second half was. The Bulldogs took control of the tempo and the steals and breakin’s began to add up.

LE got within three (40-37) midway into the third period but credit Danvers they had a rebound putback by impressive Devan Harris (22 points), and a three of the bench by Mike Nestor to keep the lead. The Bulldogs had free throws by Erick Rosario (15 points) and a layup by Fred Hogan to end the quarter trailing by just two (49-47).

Fred Hogan floats in for two

The last quarter featured six ties before Fred Hogan took over the final minutes and led the visitors to an important win.

No question Danvers (10-2) missed inside presence 6-8 Peter Merry. Peter has a hip injury but should return soon. The Bulldogs’ guards took the ball to the basket with a lot less concern with Peter Merry sitting on the Danvers bench and not in uniform.

No question the backcourt pressure created by LE took a toll on the Falcons in the second half. The Bulldogs also had the luxury of having shot-blocker Johnny Hilaire (6-6) as the final defender when Danvers broke through the pressure.

The next game for Danvers will be hosting Billerica (2PM) on Super Bowl Sunday.

Lynn English matches up with Salem away on Friday night (7PM).

Danvers box

Lynn English box

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Devan Harris (#25) had 22 points for Danvers

Johnny Hilaire defends Devan Harris

Erick Rosario (15 points) gets a breakaway

Fred Hogan uses his left hand to get a layup against defender Devon Allen

loose ball

Fred Hogan hits in the lane

Johnny Hilaire (15 points) finishes a dunk

Erick Rosario and Stevie Collins double-team Mark McCarthy

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Tagged as Danvers, Devan Harris, Erick Rosario, Fred Hogan, Johnny Hilaire, Lynn English, Mark McCarthy

January 28, 2014 · 12:25 am

Triton wins tight one 53-52 over Amesbury

Cam Armand (16 points) had four long ones

(Byfield MA) No one person loses a team game but you’d probably have trouble convincing Amesbury’s Pat Scanlon.

Pat had a great chance at a game winner in the last second of the Indians’ 53-52 loss to Triton on Monday night in Cape Ann League action. His shot rimmed out and the Vikings survived to put to rest a six-game losing streak.

For Amesbury (2-9) the string of losses reaches eight.

This figured to be a tight game with both teams looking for their first victory in 2014 and seeing this matchup as one they could win. It turned out to be a tense contest to say the least especially in the last minute.

Ryan Foley set up Pat Scanlon for a basket in the lane with a remarkable behind-the-back pass to pull Amesbury to within one (53-52) with thirty-nine seconds left.

Brad Whitman hit two free throws with a minute left

Triton (4-8) then turned the ball over (Ryan Foley steal) with twenty-five seconds to go. Plenty of time for Amesbury. The Indians, in fact had the ball the rest of the way. Shots in heavy traffic by Jack Fortin and Ryan Foley failed to connect. Then the inbounds play from Fred Halloran to Pat Scanlon failed to get the points needed as the game ended. Close, so very close!

The Vikings relied heavily on the 3-pointer and connected eleven times. Cam Armand and Corey Parsons both cashed in four times from long range. Nick Venora had two and Brad Whitman one.

Amesbury chose to get to the basket as often as possible. Pat Halloran (14 points) and Ryan Foley (10 points) made several successful drives with defenders all over them.

Pat Halloran (14 points) floats in the lane

The Indians ran eleven unanswered points in the first quarter to take an 11-3 lead with 3+ minutes left. The Vikings, playing in front of a vocal support group, recovered in the second quarter putting eight straight together to pull in front, 24-22, four minutes before halftime.

There were six lead changes in the exciting second half and neither team led by more than four points.

Amesbury missed three field goal attempts in the last twenty-five seconds but probably even bigger misses were the three front end’s of one-and-one’s by Fred Halloran, Pat Halloran, and Pat Scanlon earlier in that final quarter. Meanwhile, Brad Whitman made both of his free throws with a minute left. Brad’s second made free throw turned out to be the game winner.

Triton would have cringed at their final forty seconds if this game had been lost. Up by a point, they just did not take good care of the ball. If they had they probably would have been fouled and could have added to their lead. Their turnover gave Amesbury a golden chance.

Corey Parson (14 points including four long ones)

Another Vikings lapse was in Amesbury’s last possession as their defensive breakdown on the inbounds play almost gave away the game-winner to the Indians.

But it was all these near-misses and up-and-down action that made this a terrific game to watch.

And while I think of it, when a team loses by a point you have to go back to what happened to the Indians at the start of the second half. Amesbury was very late getting back after halftime. They never warmed up and came onto the floor not even knowing which end they were defending. As the Indians settled into the wrong end defensively, Triton’s Kevin Clark was left alone to dribble in for an uncontested layup to start the half. Those two points turned out to be huge.

Cam Armand (16 points) and Corey Parsons (14 points) led the Triton scorers.

Jack Fortin had two three’s for Amesbury.

Triton’s next game is Wednesday (6:30PM) hosting Rockport.

Amesbury will travel to North Reading for a 7PM game.

Amesbury box

Triton box

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rebound battle

Triton cheerleaders exceed legal limit in fun

Ryan Foley (10 points) drives on Kevin Clark

Coaches Dave Clay and Tom Comeau

Pat Halloran and Jake Gilbert

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Tagged as Brad Whitman, Cam Armand, Corey Parsons, Pat Halloran, Ryan Foley

January 24, 2014 · 10:45 pm

Dorsey and Swenson lead Middlesex past Pingree 69-59

Austin Dorsey (23 points) shoots over Connor Reardon and Alonzo Jackson

Aaron Swenson found enough room to score twenty-one points

(Hamilton MA) I heard him say it in the huddle before the game even started. “Get up on them. They can shoot.”

Those were the words of Pingree coach Steve Gibbs referring to visiting Middlesex, and were they ever true!

Middlesex (10-2) defeated Pingree, 69-59, finding and hitting open shots with regularity on Friday night at Pingree in a non-league game.

Austin Dorsey, making only his second start for the Zebras, killed the Highlanders from the outside (six 3’s) on his way to a game high twenty-three points.

By the time the 6-6 Middlesex sophomore had canned his 4th trey in the first half, Coach Gibbs had burned three timeouts trying to find defensive answers. The Highlanders trailed, 27-10, at the time with nearly four minutes left in the first half.

Pingree (10-5) was very keen on defending Middlesex point guard Aaron Swenson. And for good reason, the 5-7 senior netted forty-one points on Wednesday against Roxbury Latin. The problem for Pingree was that speedy defender Johnny Spears was unavailable to guard Aaron. Without Johnny, Coach Gibbs gave just about everyone a chance to limit the damage Aaron might do.

Aaron Swenson chased by Chad DiCenzo and Alonzo Jackson

After Aaron’s three on the first shot of the game, Pingree did keep him from hurting them long-range. However, close guarding outside led to cuts to the basket. Aaron finished with twenty-one points including thirteen in the second half.

Middlesex was missing starters Jon Siu and Ben Cherington but on this day Austin Dorsey filled in remarkably well.

The visitors from Concord (MA) had an 8-0 lead before Kyle Lentini (13 points) broke the ice with a 3-pointer.

The Highlanders were within six (16-10) until Middlesex ran eleven unanswered points over the next five minutes to build up a 27-10 spread. Pingree had six turnovers during that five minute dry spell. (Another place where having Johnny Spears available might have made a difference.)

Middlesex led by twelve (33-21) at the half.

Kyle Lentini (13 points)

Pingree showed some life early in the second half cutting their deficit to nine (40-31). They were still close enough (44-33) to make things interesting with 11:20 left.

But in the next 3+ minutes, Middlesex put ten straight points together (3’s by Austin Dorsey and Hamza Usman, plus layups by Aaron Swenson and Hamza Usman) and grew their lead to 54-33 with 8 1/2 minutes left.

Pingree was able to make the final score a little more respectable by swishing three 3-pointers (Reese Fullmer, Tom Lennon, and Kyle Lentini) in the last minute.

Pingree’s Alonzo Jackson (12 points) was very effective in close. The Highlanders did not give the tall sophomore enough touches.

Senior Peter Beatty picked up twelve points for Middlesex.

The Zebras had a number of assisted layups on passes from Aaron Swenson or Austin Perry.