With a 50-27 win over English on the road Tuesday night, the Classical girls basketball team clinched the Northeastern Conference title for only the second time in school history, with the last one coming 14 years ago in 2004. The Rams are now 18-1 with one regular season game to go.
Paris Wilkey led the way for Classical with 14 points, but coach Tom Sawyer was happier with the offensive balance his team displayed. Besides Wilkey, seven other Rams players registered points.
“We had a lot of balance out on the floor tonight, which was great to see,” Sawyer said. “That how we want to play as we go into the tournament season.”
Classical travels to Everett Thursday.
For English, Maylin Echevarria scored 10 points with four rebounds and three assists. Julianna Perry scored six points with three rebounds and three assists.
English hosts Medford Thursday (7).
Saugus 60, Salem 44
The Sachems celebrated their Senior Night with a solid double-digit win at home, and afterwards Saugus coach Mark Schruender wanted to single out his three seniors, Allie Kotkowski, Rachel Nazzaro and Meaghan Gannon, for their substantial contributions to the program.
“They’ve been carrying us for years, literally,” Schruender said. “When they were freshmen, we went 1-21 that year. Now, we’re heading to the tournament for the third straight year, and it’s due in large part to what they’ve been able to accomplish here.”
Marissa Stockwell also had a solid game for Saugus, scoring six points.
The Sachems (11-7) host Winthrop Thursday.
Danvers 44, Swampscott 36
Katie Watts led the way for the Big Blue, dropping 12 points. Nikki Rosa added 10 points, while Ella Sprague had six points and 11 rebounds.
Swampscott (9-8) visits Peabody Thursday.
Minuteman 31, Lynn Tech 26
The Tigers were led by Arianna Anaya, who had 10 points. Michayla Lawrence added seven points, while Jafernee Cruz had five points.
Tech (5-14) will play Greater Lawrence Thursday.
Malden 48, Marblehead 32
The Magicians got eight points and four steals from Hannah Garthe, while Emily Clough had six points, five rebounds and four steals. Madi Ernst also had six points and five rebounds.
Marblehead closes out its season Thursday at Beverly.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Tech 58, Minuteman 41
Belmin Berilo scored 20 points. Rob Wallace added a double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Tre Baldwin scored seven points with eight rebounds and five assists. The Tigers host Essex Tech Friday (5:30) with the CAC Small title at stake.
KIPP 42, Salem Academy 40 (OT)
It was a close game throughout, with the Panthers eventually pulling out the win in extra time.
Salem Academy got 19 points from Joe Daoud, while Kevin Njuguna had nine points on three made three-pointers. The Navigators (10-8) will take on Phoenix Charter Chelsea Friday.
Gloucester 64, Peabody 55
Chris Canela had 16 points in the loss for Peabody. The Tanners (10-8) travel to Swampscott Thursday.
Salem 55, Saugus 35
Behind a huge double-double from Nate Lebron, Salem rolled to a 20-point win. Lebron finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds, while Isaiah Williamson added 12 points. Ethan Espinal contributed eight points.
The Witches (9-9) will look for their tournament-clinching 10th win on Thursday when they host Malden.
For Saugus, Joe Lusso led the way with 11 points. The Sachems (4-14) will host Winthrop on Thursday.
Georgetown 58, Bishop Fenwick 52
Despite 22 points and six rebounds from Nik Pignone, the Crusaders couldn’t get over the hump on the road in Georgetown on Tuesday night. Jack Bowers added 11 points and five rebounds, while Jack Fritz played great defense all night long.
Fenwick (3-14) will host St. Mary’s on Thursday.
Malden 50, Marblehead 48
The Magicians played poor defense for the first three quarters and fell into a hole they just couldn’t climb all the way out of.
Derek Marino had a big night for Marblehead in the loss, recording a double-double with 26 points and 16 rebounds.
Marblehead (11-7) will host Beverly on Thursday night.
Winthrop 72, Medford 54
Winthrop erased a 12-point halftime deficit and outscored Medford 49-19 in the second half. Tayjuan McKenzie scored 18 points, Devin Pulsifer tallied 17, Chrono Washington added 10 and Alex Dernier finished with nine. The Vikings (8-10) have won four of their last six and visit Saugus Thursday (7).
Danvers 68, Swampscott 63
Tony Broadnax scored 14 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to earn a win for the Big Blue. Andrew Augustine added 16 points in the loss, while Jackson Byrne had 14 points.
Swampscott (3-14) plays Peabody on Thursday.
BOYS HOCKEY
Lynnfield 5, North Reading 5
Despite holding a 4-1 lead, the Pioneers gave up a few late goals and ended up with a draw at Kasabuski Rink.
Joey Mack had three goals in the tie, while George Deroche had one goal and one assist. Tyler Murphy also had one goal.
Lynnfield (10-4-2) will host Westwood on Saturday afternoon at McVan/O’Keefe Memorial Rink in Peabody.
