A single-digit game throughout in the 3rd Annual Zach Markowitz Memorial Basketball Tournament held at Salem Academy Charter School, Marblehead’s boys basketball team escaped Bishop Fenwick in a “hard-fought game,” according to Marblehead coach Mike Giardi. The Magicians won the tournament championship, 55-53.
Leading the way for the Magicians was sophomore Finn Baron, who poured in 20 points. Senior captain Sam Thompson (8 points) earned himself tournament MVP after netting another eight points, while junior Finn Gallup made the all-tournament team after his “defense once again sparked,” as said by Giardi.
Marblehead bested Danvers, 54-47, earlier in the week’s tournament.
As for Fenwick, Dom Torres led the effort with 19 points and five rebounds. Jake Bellacini did his thing with 15 points and four assists.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
KIPP 37
Pioneer Charter School of Science 30
KIPP, the road team, put on a show in its season-opener. The Panthers trailed, 27-25, after three quarters, but turned up the intensity in the fourth. Leading the charge were Jaiska Delacruz (6 points, 6 rebounds, 6 steals, 2 assists), Naomey Mingo Vazquez (10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals), Hailey Herrera (11 points, 5 rebounds, 6 steals), and Janelle Reyes (7 points, 2 assists, 75 percent free-throw shooting).
“Our team battled all night, showing grit and focus in a tough away game. While this win highlights our resilience, we are already working to address our mistakes and improve for the next matchup,” said KIPP coach Jacob Roman. “The game was intense from start to finish, and our resilience and determination pushed us through to the win.”
BOYS HOCKEY
Peabody/Saugus/Swampscott 6
Masconomet 4
With Masconomet making its way to Peabody for a Saturday evening clash at McVann-O’Keefe Rink, the Peabody/Saugus/Swampscott boys hockey team – in game No. 1 as a co-op – went home with a 6-4 win to kick off the winter. Consider Nike Muse the weekend hero. He netted four goals with two of them coming in the second period. Jake Kelley tallied a goal and an assist in his first high school game, and Dom Pappalardo made 41 saves between the pipes.
Marblehead 3
Beverly 1
Call Saturday’s game a success for Marblehead in defense of its state championship from last winter. The Headers (2-0) tripled up Beverly, 3-1, at Endicott College. London McDonald continued his hot start to the season with another goal and two assists. Defender Colin White scored his first varsity goal, while Hayden Gallo polished things off with an empty-netter.
Andover 4
Bishop Fenwick 1
Fenwick’s Paul Smith netted his first varsity goal and goalie Jim Lyman delivered a 30-save performance, but that was about it against visiting Andover, which ran away with a three-goal victory on Saturday.
Triton 4
Lynnfield 1
The Vikings conquered Lynnfield, which had no answer for Triton’s offense despite a few positives. Lynnfield’s Lucas Deraps ripped his first varsity goal, while Owen Considine and Brendan Driscoll assisted. Angelo Covino held his own with 26 saves against high-powered Triton sticks.
GIRLS HOCKEY
Leominster 5
Marblehead 2
Despite some individual firsts at the varsity level, the Lady Headers fell to Leominster, 5-2, Saturday night. Viola Fazio scored Marblehead’s first goal – her first on varsity. Better yet, Nola Conley dished out the assist for her first varsity point. From there, Emma Johnson scored after a Paige Waldman feed and goalie Scarlet Lee stood strong with 40 saves. Marblehead takes on Newburyport at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
Bishop Feehan 5
St. Mary’s 1
Dede McCarron tucked a power-play goal for St. Mary’s, but Saturday evening in Attleborough was all Bishop Feehan. MacKenzie Bryda scored her first varsity goal for the Shamrocks, while Chloe Bryda put the pressure on the Spartans with a hat-trick.
PLNR 4
Falmouth 0
Unfamiliar ice was no problem for the Peabody-Lynnfield-North Reading squad, which took down Falmouth by four goals on Saturday. Alyse Mutti was perfect in net – something PLNR fans have heard before – while Shirley Whitmore (2 goals), Ava Buckley, and Chloe Gromko got the job done in the scoring department.
WRESTLING
Marblehead/Swampscott coach Michael Stamison called Saturday’s Anthony Lisitano Memorial Tournament a “good experience” and “very competitive.” The tournament was held at Wakefield High as the Black and Blue finished ninth out of 15 teams. Senior captain Mason Hinshaw placed second at 157 pounds, earning his 100th career varsity win. Liam O’Brien finished third at 132, Jaymes Carey fourth at 113, and Justin Gonzalez fourth at 285.
