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Haverhill's Tom Palleschi scored a team-high 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and Ryan Hartung, also of Haverhill, added 18 points as Phillips bested Worcester Academy 85-73.

Londonderry saw buzzer beaters fall against them in the final seconds of regulation and overtime, falling to Winnacunnet 47-46.

LAWRENCE — Mediocre, very good or an absolute threat.

Only Jaylen Alicea might truly know which identity the schyzophrenic Lawrence Lancers will take down the stretch and into the upcoming Division 1 state tournament.

After defeating Haverhill High earlier in the season, the Pentucket boys basketball team whipped Whittier 63-52 thanks to an overwhelming third period sparked by Corey McNamara. Trailing 22-20 at halftime, the Sachems (7-4) outscored Whittier 23-5 as McNamara sank four 3-pointers and had 14 points in the frame. Ryan Grant had 30 points for Whittier, 17 coming in the fourth quarter.

After an 11-day layoff, it took Londonderry just one quarter to shake off the rust and shut down Nashua North, 61-48. Zach Champa and Troy Mansfield helmed a Lancer defense that shackled North to just 24 points over the final 24 minutes.

Alex Patrikis tried to limit Spaulding's possessions, hauling down 10 defensive rebounds, but Pinkerton just didn't have quite enough in dropping a 65-58 decision.

Senior center Jerry Dolce turned in his best performance of the season, scoring 15 points, defending and rebounding well in Greater Lawrence's 69-42 victory over Shawsheen. 

John Stark Regional's monster fourth quarter held off a determined Windham squad, 59-48. Junior Scott Priestley played well for the Jaguars with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals.

A defensive war went the way of Salem, who battled for a 37-21 victory over Winnacunnet. Joe Gallant was the only player to hit double figures, scoring 18 points and hauling down 13 rebounds. Matt Loguidice's four steals highlighted a defensive effort that "frustrated the heck out of (Winnacunnet)," according to head coach Rob McLaughlin.

With 12 assists and two baskets, Michael Gorman had a hand in over half of Methuen's field goals in a 62-40 triumph over Chelmsford. James Staples highlighted a strong defensive effort with three steals.

Brian Finney knocked down a jumper, and Dean Joyce sunk a pair of free throws in the final minute to clinch Pelham's 66-62 win over Oyster River.

Even with Kyle Lentini submitting his second straight strong effort, scoring 16 points, North Reading couldn't get past Newburyport, dropping a 59-46 decision.

Dawrin Pereyra poured in 18 points, including netting four 3-pointers, to lead Lawrence to a 77-69 victory over Cathedral. 

HAVERHILL - A basketball coach always wonders how his team will recover after a tough loss. Normally, however, he doesn't have to wait nine days to get his answer.

Following up a tough Cape Ann League defeat to Manchester Essex on Jan. 14, North Andover rebounded quite nicely yesterday afternoon, scoring 29 first-quarter points en route to an easy 82-59 nonleague road win over Haverhill yesterday before a packed house.

Ryan Hartung of Haverhill scored 32 points to lead Phillips boys basketball to a 72-61 victory over Deerfield.