RallyNorth.net

MANCHESTER — In two seasons on the varsity team, Londonderry senior Frank Wynters had never lit the lamp for a goal.

So when he jumped into the arms of a teammate to celebrate his second goal of the biggest victory in Londonderry hockey history, the exuberance was more than deserved.

BOSTON — After three straight losses in early January, Central Catholic boys basketball, for the first time in a long time, looked vulnerable.

After opening the season with three straight wins, Central lost to St. Anthony’s of Jersey City, N.J., Andover in the Christmas tourney final and North Andover High.

Division 1 North Final

LOWELL — In another year, Central Catholic probably would have got onto the bus back to school last night as Division 1 North champs. The senior-laden Raiders roared back from a 27-12 deficit against an undefeated team and eventually got the lead at 43-42 following a three-point play by its best player last night, senior Amanda Williams. The problem was Lynn English’s best player, Catherine Stinson, scored five of her game-high 25 points to help end defending state champion Central’s season last night, 52-49. “I knew Central was going to come back. They always come back,” said Stinson. “That is one tough team. They’ve experienced winning (a state title) ... But we’re hungry, too.” Central appeared to be playing the Merrimack Valley Conference card, as soon as the game started, running off five straight points and holding Lynn English scoreless for nearly four minutes. But then Lynn English (25-0) showed its “undefeated” self running off 14 straight points, coupled with two fouls on Central’s star guard, Courtney Walsh, as the quarter ended. Central was a mess, falling behind by 15 points when coach Sue Downer called a timeout. “I just told them we had to keep fighting,” said Downer, whose team finishes 21-2 a year after winning the state title. “We were giving up too many easy offensive rebounds and putbacks. We just needed to play tougher, box out and settle down.” Central’s comeback was not immediate. It was more methodical. Four 3-pointers, two by Alex Nagri and Walsh, with Williams becoming more of a force down low. Central got the lead on three occasions, the last of which was on Caitlin Dell’Orfano’s 3-pointer (48-46) with 3:30 left in the game. But that was Central’s last stand. Central turned the ball over five times in its last six possessions and was able to get only one free throw the rest of the way. Central had the ball with 11.5 seconds remaining in the game but couldn’t get off a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds. The loss ended an incredible four years for Nagri, Walsh, Dell’Orfano and Williams, who scored 47 of Central’s 49 points. All four played varsity from Day 1 at Central. “That’s the hard part, thinking about this being the end for those incredible young women,” said Downer. “They all fought until the end and with a few breaks could be playing (at the TD Garden) on Monday.” Nagri, who is expected to be a point guard at Suffolk University next year, had one of her best games of her career during crunch time, hitting all of her 3-pointers in the second half. “We really wanted this. We didn’t want it to end this way,” said Nagri “I am so proud of every senior. We are very close and have been through a lot. We just ran into a team that wanted it as much as we did. Lynn English was for real.”

Division 1 North Final

LOWELL — In another year, Central Catholic probably would have got onto the bus back to school last night as Division 1 North champs. The senior-laden Raiders roared back from a 27-12 deficit against an undefeated team and eventually got the lead at 43-42 following a three-point play by its best player last night, senior Amanda Williams. The problem was Lynn English’s best player, Catherine Stinson, scored five of her game-high 25 points to help end defending state champion Central’s season last night, 52-49. “I knew Central was going to come back. They always come back,” said Stinson. “That is one tough team. They’ve experienced winning (a state title) ... But we’re hungry, too.” Central appeared to be playing the Merrimack Valley Conference card, as soon as the game started, running off five straight points and holding Lynn English scoreless for nearly four minutes. But then Lynn English (25-0) showed its “undefeated” self running off 14 straight points, coupled with two fouls on Central’s star guard, Courtney Walsh, as the quarter ended. Central was a mess, falling behind by 15 points when coach Sue Downer called a timeout. “I just told them we had to keep fighting,” said Downer, whose team finishes 21-2 a year after winning the state title. “We were giving up too many easy offensive rebounds and putbacks. We just needed to play tougher, box out and settle down.” Central’s comeback was not immediate. It was more methodical. Four 3-pointers, two by Alex Nagri and Walsh, with Williams becoming more of a force down low. Central got the lead on three occasions, the last of which was on Caitlin Dell’Orfano’s 3-pointer (48-46) with 3:30 left in the game. But that was Central’s last stand. Central turned the ball over five times in its last six possessions and was able to get only one free throw the rest of the way. Central had the ball with 11.5 seconds remaining in the game but couldn’t get off a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds. The loss ended an incredible four years for Nagri, Walsh, Dell’Orfano and Williams, who scored 47 of Central’s 49 points. All four played varsity from Day 1 at Central. “That’s the hard part, thinking about this being the end for those incredible young women,” said Downer. “They all fought until the end and with a few breaks could be playing (at the TD Garden) on Monday.” Nagri, who is expected to be a point guard at Suffolk University next year, had one of her best games of her career during crunch time, hitting all of her 3-pointers in the second half. “We really wanted this. We didn’t want it to end this way,” said Nagri “I am so proud of every senior. We are very close and have been through a lot. We just ran into a team that wanted it as much as we did. Lynn English was for real.”

Eduardo Machado is a standout for the Andover volleyball team — he leads the team in assists and kills — and is also a star in the classroom. He is ranked in the top 10 percent of his class, scored a 2,170 on his SATs and will be attending RPI.

Salem runner Eric Tahtamoni talks about his new love of hurdles, and his hopes to break the school record in the 400.

Take a look back at some of the best highlights from the 2012 high school hockey season.

Take a look back at some of the best highlights from the 2012 high school hockey season.

Andover captains Nicole Boudreau and Ally Fazio talk about their state title game an hour before game time.

Video highlights and interviews from Worcester after Pentucket won the Division 3 North title at the DCU Center in Worcester.

Meet the Golden Warriors in this video featuring the members of the Golden Warriors.

Check out the video featuring every member of the state title-bound Pentucket Sachems.