Basketball Roundup: Peabody girls take positive step

Helped by a dominant first-half performance, the Peabody High girls basketball team defeated St. Raphael’s, 45-36, in the Tanner Holiday Classic on Peabody’s home court on Wednesday.”It was quite a great defensive performance,” Tanners coach Jane Heil said. “It was our best first half of the year.”Brittany LeFave led the Tanners (4-2, 3-1 NEC) with 15 points (6-of-7 on free throws); she also had 15 rebounds. Carolyn Scacchi added 13 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. Victoria DiGiacomo contributed four steals and two deflections, while Katie Brunelle did a good job holding St. Raphael’s top scorer to 14 points.Scacchi was the game MVP of the Tanners’ opening game in the Holiday Classic on Tuesday, a loss to Acton-Boxborough. Last night’s MVP was LeFave. Brunelle and Taylor Provost made the all-tournament team. Sportsmanship scholarship awards went to senior co-captains MaryKate Helas, Hannah Simard and LeFave.”The kids stepped up and made some adjustments,” Heil said. “All in all, I was pleased.”Revere 64, Fenwick 51At Fenwick, the Patriots broke out for 40 points in the second half to win the Fenwick Tournament. Heading into the half, the score was tied at 24.The talented Revere squad (6-0) was led by Morgan Jenkins with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Jenkins is now 12 points shy of 1,000 for her career. Senior Marisa Parent scored 17 points and 10 assists and earned Fenwick Tournament MVP honors. Gina Restiano scored 10 points and made the all-tournament team.”We’re very excited,” Revere coach Diana DeCristoforo said. “It was a really great tournament with really good competition.”For the Crusaders (3-3) Amy Pelletier scored 18 points and Sarah James scored 17.S’scott 45, Pope John 27At the Malden Tournament, the Big Blue (3-3) won the consolation round. Nikki Laskaris led Swampscott with 15 points and seven rebounds.Danvers 52, Conc-Carl 29At Concord-Carlisle, Kellie McDonald led the Falcons (5-0) in scoring with 15 points, and rebounds with 11. McDonald also blocked five shots and recorded four steals. Danvers’ dominance was also helped along with Sarah Palazola and Kasey Sherry, each of whom scored 12 points. Sherry also proved tough on the defensive end of the court, making four steals.”We finally played four quarters,” said Danvers coach Patrick Veilleux. “We’ve been waiting to do this and we got it against a good opponent on the road.”Winthrop 48, Georgetown 38At Georgetown, the Vikings (1-5) picked up their first victory of the season. Angelina Favaloro, a junior guard, led Winthrop with 15 points. Senior center Johnna Fisher added 12 points.BOYS BASKETBALLSt. John’s 81, New Bedford 77At Chelsea, the Prep took home first place in the Chelsea Holiday Tournament. The Eagles (5-0) were led by Steve Haladyna with 23 points. Senior captain Pat Connaughton scored 21 points and hauled down 10 rebounds as Isaiah Robinson netted 13 points and nine rebounds.Somerville 78, Fenwick 67At Peabody, Somerville captured the Tanner Holiday Classic. Alex Morsey led the Crusaders with 14 points against the Highlanders.North Shore 49, Peabody 44At Peabody, the Tanners (1-5) fell in the consolation game of the Tanner Holiday Classic despite making it interesting in the fourth quarter. Bryan DeAngelis led the Tanners with 12 points and Jon Byrne added 11.Beverly 73, Triton 62At Chelsea, the Panthers advanced in the Chelsea Holiday Tournament to play Masco tonight (7) in their title round. Ronnie Alford led Beverly (3-2) with 16 points and Connor Mahan added 15.