Boys and Girls Hoops Fall, McVeigh Announces Retirement

Both North Andover basketball teams made the trip to Lowell's Tsongas Center for their respective North Division 2 title games on Saturday. Unfortunately for the Knights, neither was able to leave with a title.

In the first game of the morning, unbeaten defending champion Reading toppled the Lady Knights, 50-33. Then in the second game, the boys team fell, 64-59, to Brighton.

Following the boys game, head coach Mike McVeigh announced that the game will be his last. The veteran mentor decided about two months ago that he will retire following the current campaign.

"I knew it was the right thing to do," said McVeigh, who told his players in the locker room following the contest. "The feeling I have for North Andover, for my players for 31 years, all my assistant coaches, the booster program, the school administration, fans, pep band and the number of former players is so precious to me and a big part of my life."

Check back on Monday for a complete photo gallery from the games, and for more reaction to the losses.