Basketball roundup: Tech girls defeat PMA

The Lynn Tech girls basketball team won’t be going to the state tournament, but coach Kevin McDormand couldn’t be happier following his team’s 43-40 win over Presentation of Mary Academy Thursday at Tech.The Tigers (6-13) had their work cut out against the top team in the Commonwealth Conference Small (17-3), but they were up to the challenge.”We knew we’d have to play our best to beat them,” McDormand said, crediting his defense with doing what had to be done to keep the team in the hunt.”This was by far the best game I’ve been a part of,” McDormand said.Octavia Harper led the Tigers with 17 points. Fanice Jean-Baptiste contributed 11 and Jenna Kulakowski, nine.Fenwick 81, Matignon 39At Peabody, the Crusaders (11-7) clinched a spot in the tournament. Sarah James led Fenwick with 18 points. She also had five rebounds and three steals. Lizzie Trainor finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, five steals and four assists. Amy Pelletier scored 15 points, and added eight assists and four steals. Sidney Southern picked up nine assists, to go with her three points.”We’re thrilled to qualify,” Crusaders coach Tim Harrington said. “That was our number one goal. It is nice to get that off of our minds going into these big games that are coming up.”It was senior night for Fenwick. Lauren McHugh ripped down six rebounds, to go with her two points. The Crusaders had two other seniors: Trainor and Southern.Classical 63, Everett 43At Everett, Diamond Doe scored a game-high 23 points for the Rams (11-7). Hannah Byrne and Brianna Capone both finished with 15 points. Byrne also finished with 11 rebounds to complete the double-double.Dora Malila had a monster game underneath, pulling down 16 rebounds for Classical.North Reading 47, Lynnfield 27At Lynnfield, Sarah Goldstein had a strong night on the boards for the Pioneers (6-14). She pulled down nine rebounds. Abby Tobin led Lynnfield with five points. Abby Shove pulled down seven rebounds, and made three blocks.BOYS BASKETBALLSaugus 78, Georgetown 75At Saugus, the Sachems (10-8) qualified for the tournament thanks to big games form Omar Benabicha (24 points), Brian Boyajian (15 points) and Andrew Turgeon (13 points, 9 rebounds).Swampscott 74, Danvers 66At Danvers, the Big Blue (2-16, 1-15) outscored Danvers 20-5 in the third quarter to pull ahead for good. Peter Yasi recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Brian Sullivan had a monster game, scoring 32.”We have played through so much this year,” Swampscott coach Justin Fucile said. “I’m really proud of them for getting this win. Hopefully we can build off of that third quarter defense. Peter (Yasi) was the MVP today.”Malden 73, Winthrop 60At Malden, Dino Mallios led the Vikings (17-3) with 17 points. Jared Bingham chipped in with 15 points.