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The Brooks boys basketball team recorded a sweet payback victory over Beaver Country Day, 54-36, in the first round of the Class B prep tournament yesterday. Beaver Country Day is the defending B champ and knocked Brooks out of the tournament last year.

LAWRENCE – Entering the postseason minus a couple front-court starters might cause most teams concern.

Jake Vaiknoras scored a career-high 32 points, including the go-ahead jumper with just over a minute left to lead Pelham to a 75-68 win over pesky Milford. It was Vaiknoras' fourth game of at least 28 points this season.

ANDOVER — After traveling north 20 miles, Medford wasted no time making itself at home.

Before the night was over, however, Andover showed the Mustangs just who owned the joint.

Patrick Benzan hit two free throws with 1.3 seconds left as Roxbury Latin beat Brooks 49-48.

HAVERHILL – While losing any championship tilt is disappointing, the State Vocational title isn’t the ultimate prize Whittier has been building toward the past three years.

Andrew Ruffen connected on four of Salem's 10 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 22 points as the Blue Devils topped Pinkerton 67-61. Michael Felix added three treys of his own.

The Wildcats scored 28 of the 32 points the teams combined for in the first period en route to a 60-50 victory over Bay Path Regional in the State Vocational semifinals. Andrew Wells and Nate Frongillo scored 14 and 13, respectively, as Whittier starters watched the second half from the bench. The Wildcats play host to Greater New Bedford in today's noon championship.

Jackson Morton closed out his junior campaign with a career-high 44, but it wasn't enough as Sanborn fell in the finale, 72-62, to Raymond.

Pelham kept its drive alive for a home playoff date alive with a 56-22 dispatching of Plymouth. Jake Vaiknoras and Keith Brown tossed in 20 apiece for the winners.

North Andover's boys basketball team grabbed a share of the MVC large school title by surging past Newburyport 60-54. Isaiah Nelson and Chris Bardwell were a two-man wrescking crew with 21 and 18 points respectively for the Knights (16-4).

Whittier's boys captured the Brad Sheridan tournament at Marblehead with an easy 55-34 win over St. Mary's. Justin Reyes led a balanced attack for the Wildcats (18-2) with 18 points.

Reading inbounded under its own hoop with 1.1 seconds left and banked in a short jumper at the buzzer to beat Haverhill 53-51. Saul Phiri led the Hillies with 17 points.

Pentucket's girls basketball team celebrated Senior Night by defeating Hamilton-Wenham 54-40 for its 21st win of the season. This year's senior class finished with three Cape Ann League titles and have won 89 games.

Max Silveira (11 points in the finals, 12 in semifinals) named the MVP of the Roche Bros. Roundball Classic after his Andover boys basketbal squad won 60-39 over Somerville in the championship game last night.