RallyNorth.net

All good things have to come to an end eventually.

Such was the case last night for the Georgetown boys basketball team, who after going 12-7 and beating Tyngsboro in the first round of the Division 4 North tournament, finally succumbed to the North Cambridge Catholic Panthers, 85-50.

If stats and records indicate anything, last night's opening-round Division 4 North contest should have been a blowout.

However, in a game with a mere two lead changes, the battle between No. 3 Georgetown and Tyngsboro, which earned the 14th and last berth with a 5-15 record, was anything but a lopsided affair.

Georgetown beat Division 4 rival Winthrop in the consolation round of the Spartan Classic. The Royals (13-7) received 24 points from Jaymie Spears, 22 of which came in the second half.

"They shut him down with a box-and-one in the first half," Georgetown coach Mike Rowinsky said. "He made the adjustments in the second half, and we won a game we probably shouldn't have won."

Playing against a quality opponent like Georgetown, the host Rockport boys basketball team knew it had to come out hard to stay in the game. The Vikings (2-14) did that in the first half as they led 26-25 at the break but they lost steam in the second half as the Royals (10-6) showed the skill of a team that clinched a tournament spot last night. Georgetown went home with a 66-46 win.

Freshman guard Jaymie Spears poured in 22 points, but it wasn't enough for Georgetown, which fell to North Andover 57-49.

The Royals trailed for most of the night, but caught the Knights in the fourth quarter. The Royals were able to take a four-point lead, but North Andover stormed back, outscoring the Knights 21-15 in the fourth to win what was a one possession game until the final minute.

If you are not a fan of a get-on-the-floor, scrappy, up-and-down game than last night's Georgetown-Amesbury clash was not your cup of tea.

With all the loose ball scrambles, tie-ups, and steals, the contest looked more like football than basketball.

The Georgetown boys basketball team is off to a curious start when you consider the makeup of the 7-2 Royals. Youth, talent, and upside are not normally the adjectives one associates with a winning basketball team.

Forget the fact that a 1-8 team traveled to a 5-2 team last evening in one of the hardest gyms in which to play in the entire Cape Ann League.

Instead, take a minute to remember some of the down-to-the-wire affairs between Triton and Georgetown during the last two seasons.

Back on track thanks to a more efficient offense, the Newburyport boys basketball team ended a three-game losing streak with a 58-54 victory over previously-undefeated Georgetown.

Midway through the third quarter with the Clippers up 36-32 and the Royals trading baskets, Newburyport big man Chris Barry began to take over. He scored 11 of the Clippers' next 13 points and was dominant on the boards stretching all the way into the fourth quarter.

Coach: Mike Rowinski (3rd year)

Last season: 14-8

Key players: Tim Holland, sr.; Brandon Wade, sr.; Jayme Spears, fr.; Kyle McKay, jr.; Joe Esposito, jr.

Newcomers: Julio Colon, so.; Kyle Perry, jr.; Mike Messman, so.; Josh Ingram, jr.; Anthony Conte, jr.; Mike Ruh, jr.