MIAA Roundup: Gloucester’s big fourth quarter helps hold off Magicians

The fifth-seeded Gloucester girls basketball team needed a big fourth quarter to hold off Marblehead in a Division 3 first round game, 63-54, at Gloucester Tuesday.Gloucester was up 45-42 after the third quarter, and outscored Marblehead (No. 12 seed) 18-12 in the final frame. Gloucester coach Jon Flanagan was very impressed with both teams.”My team came out of the gate fast, which was very important,” he said. “It seemed like every time I thought my team was going to blow this game open, Marblehead always made an impressive run to keep the game close.”Leading the way for Gloucester was Sophia Black (12 points) and Audrey Knowlton (15 points). Gloucester will wait on the winner of Danvers-Salem Wednesday night.Fenwick 66, North Reading 47At Salem State, Fenwick (No. 8 seed) was up 29-25 at the half in a Division 3 first round game. Fenwick outscored North Reading (No. 9 seed) 19-3 in the third quarter to put the game away. Fenwick coach Tim Harrington was pleased with his team’s performance.”My team had great intensity in the second half and the second half defense was terrific,” Harrington said.Leading the way for Fenwick was Amy Pelletier, who scored a game-high 33 points. Senior co-captain Erin Botticelli had a strong game as well (10 points, 10 rebounds). Fenwick will play number one seed Stoneham on Friday night at Stoneham.Triton 54, Lynnfield 49At Triton, the No. 10 seed Pioneers had a strong team effort against number 7 seed Triton. Lynnfield coach Pam McDonald was very proud of her team’s performance.”My team played very hard tonight and for the whole season. We have won close games all year long, but my team just didn’t execute enough at the end of the game this time around,” McDonald said.Leading the way for Lynnfield was senior Brittany Hunt (15 points). Kelsey LeBlanc had a strong game on the boards (11 points, 17 rebounds). Lynnfield finished the year with a 10-10 record.BOYS BASKETBALLWinthrop 70, Snowden 54At Winthrop, the number five seed Vikings’ third quarter dominance was the difference in the game. Winthrop outscored Snowden (12 seed) 24-12 in the third quarter. Winthrop coach David Brown was very happy with his team’s performance.”We have a young group of guys and it’s good to see them win their first tournament game,” Brown said.Leading the way for Winthrop was Quinton Dale (17 points, 17 rebounds, 4 blocks). Anthony Hatzisavas had a strong game as well (17 points). Winthrop (15-6) plays four seed Mystic Valley Friday at Malden Catholic.Burlington 69, Salem 64At Salem, No. 5 seed Salem was tied with No. 12 seed Burlington (64-64) with under a minute left in this Division 2 first round game. Salem missed a three and Burlington grabbed the rebound and banked in a three pointer to put the game out of reach. Leading the way for Salem was Brad Skeffington (11 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists). Antonio Reyes recorded a near triple double (15 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists). Salem ended the year with a 16-7 record.BOYS HOCKEYBeverly 3, Concord-Carlisle 1At Woburn, Beverly received goals from Jake Strong, Troy Cabral and Mitch Hamor in this Division 2 first round game. Connor Irving assisted on all three goals. Beverly (15-5-1) will play the winner of Winthrop/Lincoln-Sudbury on Saturday.