The Swampscott girls basketball team put an end to any anticipation of a tight game against Danvers last night, taking charge early and running away with a 65-46 victory to solidify their hold on first place in the Northeastern Conference/Small division.Tara Nimkar led the way with 24 points, but coach Jack Hughes was just as impressed with the way the rest of the team played.”We played phenomenal team defense,” he said. “We smothered them on defense from the beginning. Easily our best game of the year.”Marissa Gambale may have scored only four points, but threw in six assists and three steals as well.”She’s just a huge part of this team,” said Hughes. He also cited Tara Gallagher with nine points and eight rebounds, and said that Nimkar and Allie Beaulieu (9 points) played great defense as well.The Big Blue, 14-1, are home against Winthrop Tuesday.Lynnfield 71, Rockport 15At Rockport, the Pioneers moved to 6-9 with a steady effort from just about the whole team. Nicole Crawford had 12 points and sophomore Kelsey Mancini had 13, along with seven rebounds and a block in a “great breakout game,” according to coach Bill Adams.Ali Newell had five rebounds to along with her six points.Classical 56, Revere 49At Revere, Diamond Doe scored 16 points – a career high – as Classical raised its record to 6-10.Doe also figured in prominently on defense as well, chasing Revere’s Morgan Jenkins while the rest of the team sat in a box and one. Jenkins scored 14, “but she had to work for everything the got,” said Rams coach Tom Sawyer.Hannah Byrne was immense on the boards with 21 rebounds.Peabody 50, Beverly 44At Beverly, The Tanners (6-8) shot over 30 percent as they continue to straighten themselves out after a tough stgart.Janelle Rodriguez had 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way, but Brittany LaFavre was immense with eight rebounds as well as eight points.Katie Henrick had six rebounds and Kenya McKeon five assists.St. Mary’s 68, Everett 23At Everett, Tori Faieta led the with 18 points as the Spartans (12-4, 6-3) won their seventh in a row.Nicole Hanlon had 12 points and Kirsten Ferrari and Alison McCarthy each had eight.Faieta had 17 rebounds, even though she only played 2 1/2 quarters.”We’re playing well,” said coach Jeff Newhall. “To win seven in a row any season is a good accomplishment.”Saugus 49, Marblehead 29At Marblehead, Liz Dean had 11 points and Lauren Garchinsky 10 to lead the Sachems.Winthrop 48, Gloucester 46At Winthrop, Lindsey Rogers had 15 points to lead the Fishermen (7-6) but Winthrop?s Courtney Finn led all scorers with 24 as Winthrop broke open a 20-19 game in the third quarter.?It was a back and forth game,” Gloucester coach Jon Flanagan said. “We had a chance at the end and just missed.”Arl. Cath. 59, Fenwick 41At Peabody, the Crusaders (9-4) led 14-12 after the first quarter but things went downhill from there. AC outscored Fenwick 41-11 in the next 16 minutes to blow the game wide open and roll to the win.Lizzy Pelletier led the Crusaders with 14 points while Bridget Dullea added 10. Winthrop?s Meredith Soper had a game high 24 points for the victorious Cougars.