A Saturday matinee saw Swampscott’s boys basketball team head to overtime, but the No. 4 Big Blue (17-4) escaped visiting No. 29 Nantucket 67-61 in the Division 3 Round of 32.
On upset alert, Swampscott trailed by 12 points at halftime before allowing just 19 second-half points.
“When Will Rowe entered the game, the atmosphere changed,” said Swampscott coach Jason Knowles. “Rowe harassed the Nantucket guards relentlessly, forcing multiple tie-ups and key rebounds. His energy disrupted the Whalers’ rhythms.”
Leading the Big Blue were Connor Chiarello (26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals), Teddy O’Neill (25 points, 11 rebounds), Chase Groothuis (7 points, 11 rebounds), and Michael Lutko (7 points).
BOYS BASKETBALL
No. 7 Lynn Tech 77
No. 26 Amesbury 40
Sunday came with smooth sailing for Lynn Tech (14-7), which advanced to the Div. 4 Sweet 16. The Tigers received strong games from Ulices Diaz (17 points, 16 rebounds), Giovanni Jean (16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists), Xavier Rodriguez (13 points, 5 rebounds), and Andy Batista (10 points, 5 rebounds).
No. 17 Lynnfield 62
No. 16 Greater New Bedford 59
In Div. 3 action, Lynnfield (18-4) returned home victorious and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season. The Pioneers were paced by red-hot Grant Neal (25 points), Brandon Doherty (16), and Justin Flores (10).
GIRLS BASKETBALL
No. 9 Hanover 60
No. 41 Lynn Classical 26
Hanover netted 13 threes to clip Classical (13-5), which was led by Divine Egbuta (10 points, 12 rebounds) and Aliyah Alvarado (10 points). The Lady Rams graduate Yari Ruiz, Jayliana Wesley, Evelyn Diaz, Jada Tejada, and Deleisha Perez-Vazquez — a group that won two Greater Boston League titles and a pair of state tournament games.
“They are terrific student-athletes who represented Lynn Classical and Lynn Classical girls basketball very well,” said coach Tom Sawyer.
No. 3 St. Mary’s 68
No. 30 Burlington 36
The Spartans (20-3) nearly doubled up Burlington inside of the Tony C. Gymnasium. Sysy Emmanuel (26 points), McKenna O’Connell (13), and Jaylin Frye (8) helped send St. Mary’s to the Div. 2 Sweet 16.
No. 1 Bishop Fenwick 58
No. 32 Wilmington 27
In a Div. 3 clash, Fenwick (16-5) was led offensively by Celia Neilson (23 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 8 steals), Caitlin Boyle (9 points, 9 rebounds), and Jane Koulopoulos (8 points, 3 rebounds). Abby Jenkins, Brittney Figulski, and Reese Spurchise “played great defense,” according to coach Adam DeBaggis.
BOYS HOCKEY
No. 7 Pope Francis 4
No. 10 St. Mary’s 0
St. Mary’s (12-10-2) trailed 1-0 midway through the third period, but Pope Francis (16-5-3) tucked three more goals to advance in Div. 1.
No. 14 Arlington Catholic 2
No. 3 St. John’s Prep 1
St. John’s (16-4-2) was stunned on home ice, falling to Arlington Catholic by a goal. The Eagles, who received a goal from Ryan Doherty, were riding a 12-game winning streak. The visitors scored the game-winner with less than six minutes remaining in the third period.
No. 5 Winthrop 3
No. 12 Abington 1
Behind Joe Pumphret (2 goals, assist), Dom Spinale (goal, assist), Nick Romano (assist), Stephen Calla (assist), and Braedon Lounsbury (assist), the Vikings (14-6-2) advanced to the Div. 4 Round of 8.
No. 1 Hanover 6
No. 17 Lynnfield 1
The Pioneers couldn’t contain the high-powered offense of top-ranked Hanover. Lynnfield bowed out of the Div. 3 tournament with a record of 9-10-3.
