Girls basketball: Swampscott wraps up NEC South crown

The Swampscott High girls basketball team wrapped up the Northeastern Conference South title Friday with a 62-35 win over Marblehead.Although the Big Blue and Winthrop battled it out for overall league bragging rights last year, they were in different divisions. This year, with both in the South, it was an even more intense race to the finish line. Although Swampscott won both meetings against the Vikings, the Big Blue suffered a ding in its otherwise perfect record when they were upset by Gloucester. Last night’s win gave them a 15-1 NEC record and the title outright. Winthrop finished 14-2.”I think it’s great,” Swampscott coach Jack Hughes said. “We lost players (from last year), but a lot of kids stepped in. they got their varsity minutes. I’m very proud of the team.Tara Nimkar had the hot hand for Swampscott with 19 points. Kara Gilberg had 16 points and Allie Beaulieu contributed 13. Laura Kanarski topped the ticket for the Magicians with 12 points.Peabody 55, Revere 51At Revere, it looked like the Tanners (15-3, 14-2, 10-0 NEC Large) had this one under control, taking a 33-18 lead at the half and a 52-31 lead after three quarters. The only thing Peabody didn’t count on was Revere senior Christina Cavagnaro going on a scoring rampage in the final quarter. Cavagnaro ended her high school career by hitting seven threes and finishing with 25 points.Peabody had its usual balanced scoring, with Michelle Grifoni (13 points) and Janelle Rodriguez (12 points). Tawney Palmieri had six points and nine assists. The future continues to look bright for the Tanners given the fact their junior varsity team won again to finish a perfect 16-0.No. Reading 35, Lynnfield 27At Lynnfield, Alison Newell had 15 points, but overall it was a struggle offensively for the Pioneers, who finish 3-17. Lynnfield led 11-2 in the second quarter, but turnovers allowed North Reading right back in the game. Nicole Crawford, eight points, also played well for Lynnfield.