The St. John’s Prep boys basketball team overcame a nine-point fourth quarter deficit to force overtime before eventually taking down Lawrence, 97-92, in the first round of the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic at Methuen on Friday night.
Nate Hobbs led the way for the Prep with 30 points, while Tommy O’Neill added 26 points and seven rebounds.
The Eagles led at halftime before giving up that lead in the third quarter and having to rally from behind. When St. John’s took a timeout with just over five minutes left in the game, the Eagles trailed 72-63. But then some good defense and timely shotmaking led the Eagles on a 10-2 run to close the deficit to only three points with 2:44 to go. The lead changed three times in the final minute of regulation. St. John’s went up 84-82 before Lawrence buried a three-pointer with 47 seconds left. The Eagles then answered with a three of their own from Christian Plourde to retake the lead 87-86 with 27 seconds remaining. Lawrence went on to bury a free throw to tie and then the Eagles had a chance at the final shot, but missed, sending the game to overtime.
It was there that the combination of Hobbs, O’Neill and Matt Relihan led the Prep to the come-from-behind win.
Next up for the Eagles will be the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic championship game, which will be held on Saturday against the winner of Central Catholic vs. Methuen.
BOYS BASKETBALL
English 86, Tech 26
The Bulldogs had no trouble bouncing back on the win column with a big victory over the Tigers in the consolation game of the Boverini Tournament. English built a 41-12 lead at halftime and never looked back from there. With the victory, English improved to 5-1 on the season.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Swampscott 39, Lynn English 31
The Big Blue were able to come from behind to take down English in the consolation game of the Walter Boverini Tournament at Lynn Classical High School on Friday afternoon. Nikki Rosa led the charge for Swampscott, notching a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. McKenzie Kearney played a great defensive game for the Big Blue.
Bishop Fenwick 44, Beverly 36
Led by junior Sammi Gallant, Fenwick earned a win over Beverly in the consolation game of the Masconomet Holiday Tournament. Gallant had 14 points, four assists and three steals in the win, while junior Liv DiPietro added 12 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Senior Jennie Meagher had a great all-around game with seven points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and three steals. With the win, the Crusaders even their record at 3-3 on the year.
Wakefield 66, Marblehead 20
Hannah Garthe was the top scorer in the loss for Marblehead, recording seven points and five rebounds.
The Magicians will have the weekend off before a rematch with Wakefield on Wednesday.
BOYS HOCKEY
St. John’s Prep 2, BC High 1
Brian Carrabes scored both goals for the Eagles and goaltender Camden Ludwig had an impressive 36 save performance in net as the Prep won in the opening round of the Pete Frates Winter Classic at Essex Sports Center in Middleton on Friday night.
The score was knotted at 0-0 until the very beginning of the third period, when Carrabes slapped one home on a feed from Matty Tighe to take a 1-0 lead. BC High was able to tie the score a little over five minutes later, but Carrabes came through in the clutch with another slapshot goal on an assist from Evan Beers with just 2:38 remaining to help seal the win.
St. John’s (3-0-0) will now face off against Central Catholic in the Pete Frates Winter Classic championship game this evening at 6 p.m. at Essex Sports Center.
