Danvers Boys' Basketball Finishes Strong

The Danvers High boys' basketball completed its turnaround season under first-year coach John Walsh with a 66-45 dismantling of Triton Regional Monday night at the high school. The Falcons (11-9) won their final four games and six of their last seven to qualify for post-season play for the first time since 2005.

“It's crazy. I honestly felt that we could get here, but after some of the distractions and things that happened early in the season I just didn't know how we'd do it. This is a credit to the kids and their perseverance,” said Walsh. Tournament pairings are scheduled to be released during the day Friday. Danvers will compete in the Division 3 North Sectional.

Against Triton, Danvers continued to play the stellar defense that helped turn the season around. Sophomore Eric Martin excelled, holding Triton's top scorer to nine points while contributing offensively with five assists. The Falcons' guard trio of Martin, Cormack Powers and John Amico effectively shut down the perimeter portion of the Triton offense.

Meanwhile, junior center George Merry dominated the paint with 22 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks while Amico dropped in a career-high 21 points as the Falcons continued to spread the wealth on offense.

Boys' hockey earns tourney berth

The Falcons knocked off Gloucester in their final league game last Saturday, 3-1, to qualify for the upcoming Division Two North Sectional. Joe Strangie, Jack McCarthy and AJ Couto accounted for the goals while Seth Kamens registered 20 saves.

Danvers lost to two-time defending North Sectional champion Newburyport, 4-3, in a shootout Tuesday night in the Bresnahan Division semifinal of the 16th annual Newburyport Bank Classic. Since the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) does not recognize regular-season OT, the game counts as a tie on the final record.

Brian O'Keefe tied the game with 14 seconds left in regulation on a penalty shot. McCarthy and Strangie also scored as the Falcons battled back from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits with three third-period goals. Kamens had 22 saves.

Danvers (9-6-4) concludes its regular season in tonight's Bresnahan Division consolation game against Lincoln-Sudbury in Newburyport (5 p.m.), then awaits tournament pairings to be made this weekend.

Beck shines at state swim meet

Senior capped his Danvers career with a stellar performance at Sunday's Division 2 State Meet. Beck accounted for all 22 Danvers' points with a third-place finish of 1:00.72 in the 100-yard breaststroke and a fifth-place finish of 2:01.54 in the 200-yard Individual Medley.

Caldarone places in girls' track

Senior Amanda Caldarone claimed eighth place in the 55-meter hurdles in a time of 9.18 seconds to account for the Falcons' lone point in the Division Three State Meet.

Girls' basketball drops finale

After capturing the NEC North title with a 54-51 win against Gloucester last Friday, the Falcons were soundly beaten by Bishop Fenwick Tuesday, 68-38, the regular-season finale. Sarah Palazola paced the Falcons with 11 points, following up an 18-point outburst against Gloucester. Danvers is 15-5 overall and will compete in the Division Two North Sectional. Pairings will be released later today.

Girls' hockey splits final two games

The combined Beverly-Danvers squad knocked off Cathedral, 2-1, on Monday then fell to Reading by the same score in Wednesday's regular-season finale. Emily Ouellette had the lone goal against Reading as goalie Jenn Toussant turned back 30 Lady Panthers' shots. Olivia Konaxis connected for both goals in the Cathedral win. Beverly-Danvers finished 13-7-0 and will compete in the State Division One Tournament.