Boys Hoop: Classical outlasts Winthrop in overtime win

The Classical boys basketball team found a way to outlast Winthrop in a defensive battle, as the Rams defeated the Vikings in overtime 65-63 on Tuesday night at Classical.It was a tale of two halves for Classical. The Rams were down 21-14 at the end of the first half. However, Classical’s second half offensive was just enough to cause a tie score at the end of regulation. Nick Grassa put the game in overtime hitting a jumper with seven seconds left in the fourth.Classical had a 65-63 lead with just 4.5 seconds left when Winthrop got a pretty good look at a game winning three point shot that eventually missed. Classical coach Tom Grassa was very satisfied with his team’s execution in the second half.”My team just played a better brand of basketball in the second half. They took much better shots and the tempo picked up much more which is the way we like to play,” Grassa said.Leading the way for Classical was Grassa (20 points). Keith Nance helped Classical big time in the second half with 14 second half points. Classical improves its record to 4-5.Peabody 60, Marblehead 51At Peabody, it was a back and forth game between the Tanners and Magicians that the Tanners took over in the second half. Peabody was up two at the half (26-24) but outscored Marblehead 34-27 in the second half. Leading the way for Peabody was Bryan DeAngelis. DeAngelis recorded a double-double (24 points and 11 rebounds). John Byrne added 14 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. Kyle Boyce had a strong game (11 points, 8 assists, 9 rebounds, 5 steals). Fotakis Sotiri had 6 points, 4 assists and 10 rebounds. Peabody is now 4-6.English 73, Swampscott 44At English, the Bulldogs got off to a fast start out of the gate and never looked back. English played 13 different players, and all 13 scored in the game. Leading the way for English was Keandre Stanton with a game high 22 points. Travonne Berry-Rogers had a strong game as well (18 points). English is now 8-1.Revere 75, Saugus 53At Revere, it was a close game at the half (32-27) but Revere dominance in the fourth quarter was the difference. Revere was up nine after the third quarter, but opened the game up in the fourth quarter due to the defense. The Patriot defense held the Sachems to just eight points in the final quarter. Leading the way for Revere (3-4) was Frankie Colleran (22 points). The Sachems (4-4) received a monster effort from senior captain Omar Benabicha (36 points).Bishop Fenwick 68, Austin Prep 58At Fenwick,the Crusaders found themselves trailing by five at teh half, but senior captain and guard Alex Morsey, who had eight first-half points, took things into his own hands by scoring 25 second-half points. Ryan Lipka had 11 points and nine rebounds and Bill Klemczuk had nine rebounds and six blocks. Fenwick is 2-5 and Austin Prep is 4-3.Danvers 64, Beverly 62At Endicott College, Beverly had a strong comeback but just came up short. Beverly was only down two at the half (34-32) but was outscored 18-9 in the third quarter. Beverly was down by 13 at one point in the fourth quarter, but tied up the game with 30 seconds left after Ronnie Alford made two free throws. Danvers hit the game winning score on a lay-up on its next possession. Beverly had strong performances from Aven Jones (17 points) and Alford (12 points). Beverly is now 4-5.Salem 66, Gloucester 59At Salem, it was a back and forth affair throughout but Salem’s defense proved to be the difference. Salem was down four going into the fourth but the Witches defense held Gloucester to just 11 fourth quarter points. Leading the way for Salem was the duo of Raphy and Dario Medrano. The Medrano duo combined to score 40 points. Dario grabbed 10 rebounds as well. Salem (6-1) plays Winthrop Friday.