We're Talking About Playoffs

With the regular season under wraps, three teams weren’t content with ending their seasons without a few extra games.

The first local team to open its second season was the girls basketball team, which traveled to Boston Latin Academy as the No. 10 seed in North Division 2 play.

Though the Dragons were the seventh seed in the bracket, it was the Lady Wildcats who looked like the unstoppable force. Wilmington led 17-5 after one quarter of play, and .

“We thought we were prepared,” said head coach Jay Keane. “We play in a very tough league. Cape Ann girls basketball is very competitive. We have to work on some things, but our goal was to come in and play well and move on.”

Keane’s charges then traveled to North Andover to face the second-ranked Scarlet Knights. The Wildcats were no match for North Andover, and .

The Wilmington boys basketball team earned a well-deserved rest when they ended the year as the No. 1 squad in North Division 2 play.

In the team’s first game, Winchester proved their seed wasn’t indicative of their level of play. The Sachems trailed by two points at halftime, but .

Head coach Joseph Maiella preached how critical defense was for his team to make a lengthy postseason run throughout the regular season. As it was at times during the campaign, defense proved to be the Wildcats’ Achilles heel during the playoffs.

“We had a great year with big games and big memories,” said Maiella. “This wasn’t a No. 1 vs. No. 16 game. They’re a good team. I’m proud of my guys for not quitting when the lead got up to 12 or 13 points there. We played until the end.”

The Wilmington team that came closest to bringing home postseason glory was the boys hockey team, which skated its way to the North Division 2 semifinal contest.

Head coach Steve Scanlon’s charges opened with a tilt against Danvers after a preliminary round bye as the No. 1 seed. .

Entering play against Masconomet in the quarterfinals, Scalon said how difficult it would be to beat his Cape Ann League rival for a third time. He was right.

The Wildcats mounted a 3-0 lead and appeared headed for an easy berth in the semifinal round. Instead, Masco scored three third period goals and capped its rally with a tally as time expired to force overtime.

But junior forward Dalton Rolli would not be denied. .

The dramatic finish against Masco was surprising, but the team’s semifinal contest against No. 4 Saugus was stunning. The Sachems scored one minute into the game and by the time the opening stanza was halfway over, the Wildcats faced a 3-0 deficit.

Though freshman Cody McGowan broke the shutout late in the first, .

“We just had a bad night on a night when you can’t afford to have one,” said Scanlon. “When you stop playing your system and do it individually, that doesn’t work. We weren’t disciplined enough. Kids were desperate I think and trying to get a spark somewhere. It just didn’t come.”

Though each playoff team in town ended the season with a difficult setback, there is good news on the horizon for Wildcat faithful. Spring sports are right around the corner.