Marblehead’s boys basketball team (6-3) used a 29-8 halftime lead and took down visiting Salem Academy 54-35 Friday night.
“Defense was the key tonight,” said Marblehead coach Mike Giardi, whose Magicians held the opposition to four points in each of the first two quarters.
Nine Marblehead players scored points with Tommy McGovern (13 points) and Cam Weaver (10) leading the way. One of the team’s top players, Finn Baron, was sick and missed the game.
The Magicians return to the court Tuesday in Danvers.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Danvers 66
Peabody 62
Despite a narrow defeat, Peabody’s Thad Broughton shined with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. Helping the Tanners’ (2-8) cause were Jeremiah Agbonavbare (13 points), Mark Mendonca (11 points, 9 assists), and Cory Dooley (6 points, 6 rebounds).
Salem 59
Swampscott 39
Salem’s Nathaniel Lan (21 points, 7 steals, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) did a little bit of everything as the Witches (7-1) handed the Big Blue (9-1) their first loss. Elian Rodriguez added 12 points and seven boards for Salem, while Connor Chiarello, Chase Groothuis, and Michael Lutko led Swampscott with 10 points apiece.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Bishop Feehan 53
Bishop Fenwick 45
The Fenwick duo of Caitlin Boyle (21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals) and Celia Neilson (9 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists) played well, but the Crusaders (8-1) suffered their first defeat with the Shamrocks in town.
Lynn Classical 69
Pioneer Charter School of Science II (Saugus) 17
Classical (4-3) crossed the .500 mark with a dominant win against Pioneer Charter. Leading the Lady Rams were seniors Evelyn Diaz (15 points) and Yarilenny Ruiz (13).
SWIMMING AND DIVING
East Boston 49
St. Mary’s 44
The Spartans fell in enemy waters, but received first-place finishes from Izzy Amodeo (200 free, 500 free) and the 200 free relay team of Sheila Pimentel, Luka Kukolj, Anastasia Butova, and Travis Smith. Kukolj (100 breaststroke) and Butova (100 backstroke) were also victorious in solo events.
Blue Hills 99
Lynn Tech 79
Tech dropped one at home after recording just two first-place finishes. Hunter Carmody impressed in the 200 free, while Addisyn Brown did so in diving. The 400 free relay team of Filipe Oliveira, Hunter Flores, Colin Newhall, and Brown swam well.
