The St. Mary’s boys basketball team clinched the CCL Large title Thursday night with a 74-43 win at Fenwick.
“It’s a great accomplishment by these guys, going into a season where we didn’t know what we had,” Spartans coach Dave Brown said. “To be able to go undefeated (in the league) at this point with one game remaining in the league, considering we lost Matt Cross in the preseason and with our schedule, these kids bought into the system and what the coaches wanted to do.”
Joseph Abate-Walsh led all scorers with 16 points. Jalen Echevarria scored 11, Stephen Fama added 10, and Lee Pacheco contributed 9 points off the bench.
“We’re a very balanced basketball team,” Brown said. “Any given night, we have five or six guys that can lead us in scoring. Fenwick’s in rebuilding mode but Coach (Kevin Moran) does a great job there.”
St. Mary’s (14-2) battles Classical Sunday (3:30) in the Comcast Tournament at Woburn.
Jack Keenan scored 12 points and Nik Pignone added 10 for Fenwick.
English 73, Medford 58
Louis Rivera Jr. led English with 17 points. Alonzo Linton, Javaris Hill and Javonte Edwards each scored 12. Ademide Badmus tallied 10 points and 15 rebounds. English (15-3) plays Billerica Sunday (8) at St. John’s Prep.
Everett 56, Classical 45
Erick and Edwin Solis each scored 12 points, while Jaylen Johnson added 7.
“Everett sped us up and forced us to rush shots,” Rams coach Jasper Grassa said. Classical takes on St. Mary’s Sunday.
Beverly 75, Marblehead 70 OT
Derek Marino scored 20 points, 17 in the fourth quarter and OT. Dan Doherty scored 11 points.
The Magicians (11-8) host Swampscott Monday (5).
Peabody 69, Swampscott 42
Jake Gustin led the Peabody defense with six rebounds and five steals. Avian Hernandez scored 23 points with eight rebounds and five steals, Joe O’Neill scored 17 and Jake Irvine scored 14 with six rebounds.
Peabody (11-8) visits Essex Tech Monday.
Swampscott’s Jake McIntire scored 10 points. The Big Blue (3-15) visit Salem tonight (7).
Malden 66, Salem 62
Salem’s Nate Lebron scored 26 points with six rebounds. Isaiah Williamson scored 11 with 10 rebounds.
Salem (9-10) hosts Swampscott tonight (7), needing a win to qualify for states.
Winthrop 75, Saugus 56
Tyajuan McKenzie led Winthrop with 21 points. Devin Pulsifer scored 16 and Chrono Washington added 14.
Winthrop (9-10) hosts Pope John next Wednesday when the Vikings will celebrate their senior night.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Peabody 43, Swampscott 37
Behind 17 points and 21 rebounds from Catherine Manning, the Tanners stayed in the hunt for a state tournament bid as they celebrated their senior night. Serena Laro scored 10 points and Liz Zaiter added 10 points and 11 rebounds.
“The key in the game was the third quarter,” Peabody coach Stan McKeen said. “We were down 9 in the half and we held them to 2 points in the fourth quarter.”
Peabody visits Woburn Tuesday night, needing two wins to qualify for states with two games remaining.
Classical 61, Everett 31
Irianis Delgado scored 19, Paris Wilkey scored 13, and Jeylly Medrano ran the offense and added 9 points. Classical finishes its regular season 19-1.
“We’re very pleased to have won the NEC and have finished undefeated in NEC play,” Rams coach Tom Sawyer said. “The kids worked hard during the season and in the offseason and we’re very proud of their effort.”
Greater Lawrence 49, Tech 25
Michayla Lawrence scored 14 points and Arianna Anaya added 7. Adrianna Torres and Jafernee Cruz led Tech’s defense. Shyla Jackson “did a nice job running the point for us,” Tech coach Kaitlyn Wechsler.
Saugus 53, Winthrop 35
Taylor Bogdanski and Molly Granara each scored 13 points. Jillian Ricupero and Alessia Salzillo each scored 8 points. Allie Kotkowski added 7.
Saugus (12-7) battles Arlington Catholic Sunday (2).
Beverly 60, Marblehead 50
Marblehead scored a season-high 50 points in its final game of the season. Hannah Garthe had a season high 21 points, Leila Walton added 8 points, and Emily Clough grabbed 12 rebounds.
