Danvers Boys Basketball Closes in on State Tournament Qualification

Two games. One win. It's that clear-cut for the Danvers High boys basketball team, which has a 9-9 record and could qualify for upcoming Sectional play as early as tonight with a home win against rival Gloucester. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

After starting 0-4 and falling to 2-6 after a Jan. 7 loss to Northeastern Conference power Lynn English, the Falcons have executed a reversal of fortune and won seven of 10 to give themselves a chance to extend their season. Tough road wins at Winthrop (57-50) last Friday and at Swampscott (64-49) on Tuesday have put the Falcons in position to qualify at home in front of a supportive crowd.

Junior center George Merry continued his stellar play in the win against Swampscott, scoring 25 points and blocking 10 shots. Sean Mahegan added 15 points and John Amico added 13. Danvers set the tone in the first quarter, holding Swampscott to five points.

Sophomore Nick Bates stepped up with a 20-point performance in the win at Winthrop and Cormack Powers drained a key three-pointer in the final two minutes to seal the deal. Mahegan (18 points) and Merry (13) contributed to another balanced offensive performance.

Beck shines at Swimming Sectionals

Junior standout Graham Beck nailed down fourth-place finishes in the 200 IM (2:00.45) and the 100 breaststroke (1:00.93). The Falcons finished 15th with 22 points in last Saturday's North Sectional at MIT's Zesiger Fitness Center.

Junior Julianne Hopkins swam the lead leg on the girls 200 medley relay team that placed 23^rd in the 200 medley relay that included Molly Spring, Tory Ganley and Molly Lueke, and the third leg for the 400 freestyle relay team made up of Hannah Reich, Ganley and Lueks that finished 21^st. Hopkins also ranked 29^th in the 100 backstroke.

Girls hockey wins two of three

The tourney-bound Lady Panthers (12-5-0) had their seven-game winning streak stopped Thursday evening in a 3-2 loss to Cambridge-Somerville. Beverly-Danvers knocked off Auburn on Monday, 6-1, behind two goals from Clare Leathersich and one each from Corinne Woods, Allyson Spencer, Andrea Peterson and Caitlyn McBride. Shannon McDonald and Nicole Woods had the goals in last Saturday's 2-1 win against Marblehead-Swampscott.

The Panthers wrap up the regular season during school vacation week. Saturday's key game against Winthop-Lynn English (Stoneham Arena, 6 p.m.) is followed by a Monday date with Springfield Cathedral (McVann-O'Keefe, noon) and Wednesday's trip to Reading (Burbank, 8 p.m.)

Boys hockey drops two

The Falcons remain mired in an 0-4-1 slump after losses to Peabody (5-2) and Winthrop (2-1) dropped their record to 8-6-3, leaving them one point shy of Division Two North Sectional qualification with three games to play.

Brian O'Keefe gave Danvers a 1-0 lead against Peabody Wednesday night, but the Tanners tallied the next four before Jack McCarthy registered the Falcons' final goal. McCarthy had the lone goal in the loss to Winthrop.

Danvers faces Gloucester Saturday night (Salem State, 6:30 p.m.) before taking part in next week's Newburyport Bank Classic. The Falcons are in a division with three teams that have already qualifed for post-season – Newburyport, St. Mary's of Lynn and Lincoln-Sudbury.

Girls basketball bounces Swampscott

Junior Sarah Palazola poured in 24 points as the Falcons improved to 14-4 with a 44-30 decision of Swampscott Tuesday night. Danvers secured a share of the NEC North championship with the win and can claim the title outright with a win at Gloucester tonight. Danvers led 26-15 at the half. Alison Tivnan added seven points and Kellie Macdonald has six.

Upcoming …

Girls gymnastics is seeded seventh in the North Sectional Meet to be held at Hudson High School tomorrow (4 p.m.) … Track returns to action in Saturday's Division Three event at Reggie Lewis.