Roundup: Danvers hockey reaches D2 North final

With a 5-2 win over Concord-Carlisle at the Chelmsford Forum on Monday, the Danvers High boys hockey team punched its ticket to the Division 2 North final.When coach Kevin Brown was asked how his players felt to reach the final, a resounding cheer was heard, and the coach deadpanned, “You just heard them. They’re pretty excited. It takes a lot of hard work to get to where we’re at. You want to keep the ball rolling a little bit.”The North final will take place next Monday at Tsongas Arena in Lowell, against Wilmington.Seeded eighth in the sectional, Danvers burst out of the gates in the first period Monday, potting three goals in the first period.”It was focus, the kids were ready to play,” Brown said.No. 12 Concord-Carlisle cut the lead to 3-2, but Danvers answered with one goal late in the second period and another in the third.Senior forward A.J. Couto led Danvers with two goals while captains Joe Strangie and Rob Buchanan and senior forward Adam Murray all added one apiece.Asked about his captains’ contributions, Brown said, “The seniors, at this time of year, you want to see them step up.”Adam Murray made 19 saves for the Falcons.This represents Danvers’ deepest postseason run since 2005, when it lost in the division final.GIRLS BASKETBALLKIPP-Lynn 51, Pac. Rim 35In a rematch of last year’s MCSAO championship game, point guard Alex Huffman scored 21 points for KIPP Academy-Lynn Collegiate (KALC) against Academy of the Pacific Rim (Hyde Park).KALC led 30-16 at halftime behind fast-break offense from Huffman and Pleilerkay Gaye (14 points). Anaidys Uribe contributed with eight points, and Marie Kamba added five. Helen Maldonado, Mariangeliz Calderon, and Nayeli Germosen all contributed off the bench.The victory brought KALC’s record to 18-0 (13-0 in MCSAO play). APR fell to 10-3 (10-2 in MCSAO play).BOYS BASKETBALLPac. Rim 70, KIPP-Lynn 55At Lynn, in KALC’s last home game of the season, the host team pulled within 12 points but could not get any closer.KALC is in 9th place in the MCSAO league, with one more game Friday against Codman Academy, which coach Duane McClendon called a must-win. The team is 9-9, 6-7 in MCSAO league play.Last night, Pedro Morales had his best scoring game of the season with 24 points; he added six steals. Jose Valera had a great defensive game and contributed 10 rebounds and 10 points for his first double-double of the season. Dave Metelus had eight points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Desi D’Oleo had seven steals and six rebounds.Rich Tenorio can be reached at [email protected].