RallyNorth.net

NORTH READING | When Bishop Fenwick's boys basketball team sported a 6-8 record a few weeks ago, you had to be a big dreamer to think the Crusaders would be any kind of factor in the Division 3 North Tournament.

North Reading instituted its own version of March Madness a few days early, notching a tourney upset its own as the No. 12 Hornets toppled No. 5 Shawsheen, 59-53 in Division 3 North first round play.

When the Ipswich boys basketball team got off to a 2-5 start this season, coach Doug Woodworth wasn't thinking about the postseason. But Woodworth and the Tigers can start preparing for the Division 4 North tournament now after reeling off eight wins in the last 11 games.

Masconomet not only qualified for the state tourney, it did it in the most dramatic fashion last night as Kevin Van Lenten finished off a length-of-the-court possession with a basket and free throw with 1.4 seconds left. North Reading led, 66-64, before James Riordan (13 points, 13 rebounds) rebounded a North Reading missed free throw and got it to Van Lenten, who was hammered while taking the last-ditch shot.

2006-07 record: 13-8, lost in Division 3 North first round

Returning starters (2): Kevin Lentini, 6-4, Jr., forward; Kevin O'Leary, 6-2, Sr., forward

Returning lettermen: Nick Brown, 6-4, Sr., center; Mark Bokuniewicz, 5-10, Sr., guard; Dan Connors, 6-1, Sr., forward; Steve Stewart, 6-0, Sr., guard; Mike Tringale, 5-10, Sr., guard; John Finch, 6-1, Jr., forward