Boys basketball: Beverly hands Withrop its first loss

The Beverly boys basketball team headed to Winthrop on Tuesday sporting a three game losing streak and a 3-4 record. The Vikings came in at 6-0 and playing some quality baskeball of late.But games arent played on paper and the Panthers proved that fact.Matt Tobin had 18 points and 14 rebounds as the Panthers dispatched the final unbeaten team in the Northeastern Conference from those ranks with a 71-64 win.”We really needed this one,” Beverly coach Scott Lewis said. “And the kids responded (Tuesday).”Nate Knudson had 16 points and Brian McQuaid had 14 but perhaps the biggest effort came from Justin Resse, who set a career high with 11 points and had 11 rebounds to match.”Justin really had a great game,” Lewis said.Dino Mallios had a game-high 23 in the losing effort for Winthrop.Classical 81, Saugus 67At Saugus, defense wasn’t quite on the agenda as both teams were bombing away from behind the arc. Classical (7-1) was 9-for-18 while Saugus hit on 12-of-22 tries from three.”We both shot the ball very well,” Classical coach Tom Grassa said.Tony Johnson led a balanced Classical attack with 18 points. Quivari Jackson and Cam Smith had 17 and Jarell Byrd chipped in 11.Dan Internicola led all scorers in the game for the Sachems with 25 points. Ryan Anastos added 21 for 2-5 Saugus.English 70, Marblehead 52At Marblehead, the Bulldogs (7-1, 4-1 NEC) were slow out of the blocks but used a 21 point second quarter to put the pedal down against the Magicians.Eugene Turner and Charlie Rucker led the English attack with 14 points each. Rafael Perez and Justin Young also finished in double figures with 10 points.Salem 65, Swampscott 55At Swampscott, the Witches (3-3) made it three wins in a row after overcoming a five point halftime deficit on the road.”I was pleased with the effort that the kids put out,” Salem coach Tom Doyle said.Junior Lugo was outstanding for Salem, leading all scorers with 22 points. Bryan OrtizNo. Camb. Cath. 70,Fenwick 67At Peabody, the Crusaders (3-3) fought back from a 36-30 halftime deficit to tie the game at 50 after three quarters. But the visitors pulled away early in the fourth and hung on or the win.Mike Clifford led Fenwick with 20 points. Phil Eagan added 16 points and 11 rebounds with Nolan DiPanfilo chipping in 11.Peabody 48, Gloucester 44At Gloucester, the Tanners (4-5) were down seven with a shade over 3:00 remaining, but fought back to tie the game with a minute left and eventually take the lead with 29 seconds remaining.”It was a gutsy win,” Peabody coach Chris Mastrangelo said.Kevin Skop led Peabody with 16 points, which included the tying bucket. Mark Linehan also reached double figures with 11 for the Tanners.Lynnfield 82, Rockport 57At Rockportm the Pioneers (4-4) had a 53-24 lead at the half and put it on cruise control from there.Mike Kennedy was outstanding for Lynnfield, leading all scorers with 31 points. John Mehr added 12 for the Pioneers.