School Roundup: Peabody boys hoop gets past Essex Tech

The Peabody boys? basketball team easily could have been 3-0 instead of 1-2 entering its game against Essex Tech Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Field House.
With a layoff until Jan. 5 on the horizon, the Tanners didn?t want to go into Christmas vacation with back-to-back losses. And thanks to 21 points from Junior Estrella and stingy second half defense, Peabody took a 60-48 win and evened its record at 2-2.
?We were able to knock some shots down in the second half,” Peabody coach Thad Broughton said. “Junior has been a spark for us off the bench. He gives us instant offense.”
Peabody led most of the way could not put the visitors away until the final minutes. John Lawrence chipped in nine points for the Tanners with Moisse Irizzary adding eight and Mike Raymond, seven.
?We?ve competed in every game so far,” Broughton said. “Coming off the tough loss to Salem (on Monday) it was nice to get back in the win column.”
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Arlington Cath. 39, Fenwick 34
At Peabody, the Crusaders took the defending Division 2 state champion Cougars right to the wire despite shooting only 22 percent from the field for the night.
Sam Mancinelli led Fenwick with 12 points, including two 3-pointers in the final minute that cut AC?s lead to two with eight seconds left.
Colleen Corcoran had 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Crusaders.
Fenwick is off until Saturday (5) when it takes on Reading at the Masconomet Holiday Tournament.
SWIMMING
Marblehead 97, Swampscott 75
At JCC of the North Shore, there were many highlights to be had for Sue Guertin’s Marblehead squad. The boys 200-yard freestyle relay foursome for the Magicians qualified for sectionals with a time of 1:38.93. That qualifying group was made up of Charlie Seltzer, Tom Rockett, Tom Gabel, and Zach Michaels.
Seltzer swam to victory in the 100 backstroke, with a time of 1:01.61, while Rockett took the 100 butterfly (1:04.93).
Gable won the 100 breaststroke (1:11.53), while Robert Hill won the 50 free (26:46). Grace Maguire was a two-time winner, taking first in the 200 free (2:06.19) and the 500 free (5:32.28).
BOYS TRACK
Peabody 69, Salem 17
At Peabody, the Tanners cruised past the Witches with the following wins: Nathaniel Cioffi, high jump (5-8), Marcus Vieira, shot put (48-13/4), Christian Cedullo, 45-yard hurdles (6.1), Doug Santos, 45 dash (5.2), Eric Sanford, 600 (1:34.6), Joseph Farhat, 1,000 (3:03.4), Anthony Pizzo, mile (5:08.9), Cory Jordan, 2-mile (11:32.4).
Salem had wins from Taron Wigfall, 300 (39.5) and in the 4×440-relay (4:29.30).
GIRLS TRACK
Peabody 71, Salem 15
At Peabody. The Tanners ran past the Witches on their way to victory. Peabody had the following wins: Sophia Anderle, high jump (4-4), Katherine Pence, shot put (31-6), Cynthia Aroke, 45 hurdles (7.1), Dayna Vadalla, 300 (47.3), Macayla LaChance, 600 (1:49.4), Jessica Ostrowski, 1,000 (3:25.6), Alyssa Shashaty, mile (6:07.1), Lauren Barrett, 2-mile (14:03.7), 4×440 relay (4:47.0).
Salem had the following win: Desiree Martin, 45 dash (5.8).
WRESTLING
Lynnfield 66, Marblehead 16
Malden Cath. 66, Marblehead 12
It was a tough day on the mats for the Marblehead-Swampscott co-op wrestling team, which traveled to Lynnfield in a day of matches that also included Malden Catholic.Though they were denied the ultimate result, there was a bright spot for the still growing squad. In the 120-pound weight class, Steven Hopkins was a double winner, getting a decision against Malden Catholic, and pinning his opponent during his match against Lynnfield.