RallyNorth.net

It's hard to believe it's been 20 years, Leo Parent said. The Pentucket High boys basketball coach and former Central Catholic superstar led UMass Lowell to the Division 2 national championship in 1988.

Playing without senior point guard and co-captain James Settipane, the Manchester Essex boys basketball team used a stellar team effort to take care of visiting Pentucket. The key for the Hornets (4-5) was the free throw line as they made 20 free throws in the game as a team.

Strong defense limited Newburyport to just nine field goals as Pentucket took the Greater Haverhill Tourney consolation game, 45-31.

The Clippers struggled from the foul line, hitting just 10 of 27 attempts, allowing the Sachems to ease to a 13-point lead after three periods and coast to victory.

Pentucket struggled with turnovers on its way to a 62-50 loss to Timberlane in the Haverhill Christmas Classic.

The Sachems trailed by as many as 26 at one point, as Owls marksman Drew Smith hit for a game-high 26 points, including a trio of 3-pointers.

Coach: Leo Parent (13th year)

Last season: 9-11

Key players: Taylor Cahill, sr.; Max Arthur, sr.; Liam Crawford, sr.; Michael Guzelian, sr.

Newcomers: Jordan Silva, jr.; Cam Kitsakof, sr.