Swampscott’s girls basketball team made the 45-mile drive down to Foxborough High, where the team fell short, 54-33, against a Division 3 powerhouse in the No. 2 Warriors.
The No. 34 Big Blue (12-9) were led by freshman Anna Kanders (20 points), who buried four of her six 3-pointers in the opening quarter, one that saw Swampscott jump ahead, 12-5, out of the gates.
Sam Ward (6 points) and Cecilia Tripp (5) also contributed.
“I’m so proud of our effort and our progress all season long,” said Swampscott Coach Katelyn Leonard. “We held this tough Foxborough team to its lowest point total of the season. And the great news – we’re all back next year. This gave us a taste of how good we can be. I can’t wait for next year.”
Foxborough (20-1) heads to the Sweet 16 and awaits Friday’s winner between No. 15 Watertown and No. 18 Oakmont Regional.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
St. Mary’s 68
Belchertown 16
Top-ranked St. Mary’s (21-3) punched its ticket to the Division 3 Sweet 16 with a monstrous win against No. 33 Belchertown inside of the Tony C. Gymnasium. Leading the way were Bella Owumi (11 points), Charleigh Green (11), Juliana Conte (9), Reese Matela (8), and Gabi Lorenzini (8).
Next up for the Spartans is No. 16 Newburyport, which took down No. 17 Springfield International Charter in a nail-biter on Thursday.
Bishop Fenwick 48
Wakefield 43
Division 2 action saw No. 17 Bishop Fenwick squeak by No. 16 Wakefield Memorial in a 48-43 thriller. Wakefield led by seven points at halftime, but the Lady Crusaders (10-11) outscored the hosts, 31-19, in the second half.
The dynamic duo of Celia Neilson (24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists) and Caitlin Boyle (16 points, 8 rebounds) led the way, followed by Caroline Perry, Reese Spurchise, and Brittney Figulski.
Fenwick takes on either top-ranked Medfield or No. 32 Holliston. That game is set for 6 p.m. on Friday.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Lynnfield 61
Wilmington 41
The Division 3 Sweet 16 came calling for No. 15 Lynnfield, which took down No. 18 Wilmington on home hardwood. The Pioneers (15-6) were guided by Alex Fleming (20 points, 10 rebounds), Kelan Cardinal (14 points), Harris Hadzihasanovic (13 points), and Madux Iovinelli (8 points, 12 rebounds).
Lynnfield will play Friday’s winner between No. 2 Norwell and No. 32 Medway.
O’Bryant 67
KIPP 65
Despite Trosky Peña’s 24 points, his No. 10 KIPP Panthers fell in a home-court heartbreaker against No. 23 O’Bryant, which advanced to the Division 4 Sweet 16 behind Caiden Collier’s team-high 22 points.
