RallyNorth.net

Amid her teary-eyed players, Methuen High girls basketball coach Karen McLaughlin dispensed a small nugget of wisdom. "This is the hardest part," she said. "I always said, to get here, you had to be successful."

Trailing after each of the first three quarters, the Methuen High girls simply refused to allow their season to end. Playing at Somerville in the Division 1 North opening round matchup, the Rangers rallied for 23 points in the fourth quarter, erasing a 42-39 deficit to defeat the host Hilltoppers, 62-55.

After upsetting Central Catholic a month ago, Methuen achieved another landmark victory last night. This one, however, needs an asterisk placed next to it.

The Rangers' pressure defense and timely fast-break offense overcame early foul trouble to gallop past Haverhill, 51-24, their first win over the Hillies since January 4, 2001, a span of nine consecutive setbacks.

METHUEN | With her team trailing Pinkerton Academy by eight points late in the fourth quarter, Methuen coach Karen McLaughlin tuned her voice as high as it could go.

She doesn't remember much of what she said during the timeout, except that she ordered her players not to sulk like former Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe used to.

Minutes before Methuen secured the biggest upset of the young season, coach Karen McLaughlin reminded her team of what was at stake.

The Rangers, who were leading Central Catholic by two points with a minute to play, were acting too giddy, too early. "Pay attention to me instead of celebrating!" she yelled. In other words, stay calm. Slow down. Breathe.

In seventh grade, Rashidat Agboola shot up like a beanstalk. It came suddenly, she said. By the end of the school year, she was 5-foot-11.

Shocked at first, Agboola wasn't sure what to do. She figured out quickly.

Methuen was paced by 17 points from Rashidat Agboola, downing Wilmington, 51-43. Senior Lea Freeman had 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Rangers.

2006-07 record: 11-10, lost in Division 1 North first round

Returning starters (3): Lea Freeman, 6-0, Sr., center; Kierstyn Donnelly, 5-8, Jr., guard; Rashidat Agboola, 6-0, Soph., center

Returning lettermen: Anna Mackey, 5-5, Sr., guard; Sujaliz Dominguez, 5-7, Sr., guard; Jessi McCarthy, 5-10, Sr., forward; Lindsay Pare, 5-10, Jr., forward; Ashley Adams, 5-6, Soph., guard; Katelyn Ortiz, 5-4, Soph., guard; Megan Cessa, 5-7, Soph., forward