RallyNorth.net

BILLERICA — As the pass from behind the net found his stick, Jimmy Boyle struggled for a split second to control the puck.

Then, the North Andover senior took care of business.

The big scorers almost always get the headlines but it's impossible to overlook the contributions Thursday of Pentucket's Anna Wyner and Greta Maurer.

Their combined offensive output? Zero points. Their impact on the game? Off the charts. The two guards face-guarded Tewksbury's talented 6-foot senior Allie Wild and held her to two points. That was the difference as Pentucket pounded the Redmen, 41-25. The score was misleading as it was 30-11 at the half and the 22-2 Sachems cruised from there in the Division 2 North quartefinal matchup at Pentucket's Hardy Gym. "They (Anna, Greta) sadrificed their games," said coach John McNamara.  Wild was just chosen to the 13-player All-Merrimack Valley Conference team.  It was yet another easy win for the Sachems, but that doesn't tell the story. Not even close. Tewksbury is a tough club from the Division 1 MVC. The two played late in the season and Pentucket won 36-34 on a Jelly Hurley hoop at the buzzer. "Tewksbury (12-10) is one of the top three times in this sectional," said McNamara, himself a former Tewksbury High great. His Sachems had never played Tewksbury prior to last year's North title game at the Tsongas Arena. 

Angelica Hurley made a lay-up at the buzzer to help Pentucket girls basketball pick up a thrilling 36-34 win over Tewksbury in Sunday's MIAA Endowment Game. Arielle Cleveland led the Sachems with 15 points and Hurley finished with 13, including the game-winning basket.

Andover held Tewksbury to 13 second-half points in a 65-41 romp. Kyle Rocker (22 points) and Aidan Cammann (14) led the way. This clinched a tourney berth for Andover, which has made it all 31 years under Dave Fazio.

Tatum Shaw drilled a pair of threes and finished with a team-high 22 points to lead Andover to a 49-36 win over Tewksbury. The Warriors led 30-12 at halftime before cruising to victory.

Tewksbury's Kalu Olu (29 of his 34 after halftime) sank a lay-up at the buzzer to force OT but it was all Methuen after that in a 71-62 win. Isaac Allen (18 points) and 6-foot freshman Anesti Touma (17 points) hit big threes in the extra session.

Zach Guertin scored a career-high 15 points on five 3s, as Haverhill hung on in overtime to beat Tewksbury, 70-64. Phillip Cunningham added 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Jeremyah Phillips chipped in 9 points and 11 boards for the Hillies, who were also celebrating coach Souleymane Wayne's birthday.

Hannah Whipple scored a team-high 12 points, including three 3-pointers, as North Andover topped Tewksbury 37-35.

Lowly Tewksbury (now 2-9) outscored Central Catholic 15-4 in the fourth quarter to rally for a 48-47 victory. Xavier Mckenzie led the Raiders (9-4) with 21 points.

Central Catholic's girls won their eighth straight game, but it wasn't easy, pulling away slightly in the fouth quarter for a 37-32 win over Tewksbury. Nadeshka Bridgewater was the lone player in double figures for the Raiders (11-1) with 11 points.