Boys hoop: Warren scores 1,000th; Tech clinches spot in tournament

It was a big day for the Tech boys basketball teams in more ways than one on Friday at the T. O’Connor Field House.Click here for a photo gallery of Friday’s Tech-Whittier boys basketball gameSenior guard Richie Warren eclipsed the 1,000 point mark for his career and the Tigers clinched a state tournament berth for the 12th straight year under coach Marvin Avery with a gritty 63-57 win over Whittier.”It was a good game in a lot of ways for us,” Avery said. “It was a very good high school basketball game. Whittier is one of the better teams in our league.”The Tigers (10-4, 7-3 Commonwealth Conference) led 18-12 after a quarter before the Wildcats began to claw back in the second quarter. Warren would reach the milestone with a three in the second but the Tigers only managed nine points and the team’s went to the break tied at 27.The teams were still tied at 45-45 after three quarters before Tech pushed its nose in front in the fourth period and used its defense to hold on down the stretch. Warren finished the night with 26 points while Trey Gallo added 16 and Mike Duarte had 13 points.”There was a lot at stake for us,” Avery said. “Now we can play to get a couple of home games in the tournament.”English 81, Peabody 56At the Paul F. Cavanagh Field House in Lynn, the Bulldogs (16-1) got started slowly on senior night as they trailed 19-18 after a quarter before putting the hammer down.Keandre Stanton led the way for English with a game high 19 points. Corey McMillen added 18 and Travonne Berry-Rogers chipped in 17 for the Bulldogs. Peabody was led by 17 points from Bryan DeAngelis.Swampscott 62, Saugus 50At Swampscott, the Big Blue held a potent Saugus team to just 10 first half points as Zach Biermann had 14 points to lead Swampscott. Brian Sullivan added 12 for the winner.Omar Benabicha had a game high 18 for Saugus.Marblehead 65, G’ster 46At Marblehead, the Magicians (12-4) rebounded from Tuesday’s loss to English with a stellar effort as they blew the game open in the third quarter. Matt Temme led the way for Marblehead with 18 points while Brian Gellert had 14 and Tom Stockwell chipped in with 12.Adam Philpott had 14 for the Fishermen and Mike Tomaino added 12 for Gloucester, who must win its last five games to reach the state tournament.