Won and Done

The second-seeded  girls’ basketball team beat No. 10 , 51-35, on Sunday in the Division 2 North quarterfinals behind a 29-13 first half.

North Andover opened the first and second quarters with 10-0 and 13-0 runs, respectively, as the team’s pressure, ball-hawking defense proved too much at times for Wilmington’s guards.

“I think our defense helped create our offense,” Scarlet Knights coach Sue Breen said, “and when we have our transition game going, that’s when we’re at our best.”

North Andover (18-4) advances to face No. 6 Arlington Catholic (17-6) in the sectional semifinals at 7 p.m. Thursday at Billerica High School.Wilmington ends the season 12-10.

Sophomore shooting guard Morgan Lumb and senior point guard Amanda Foote wreaked most of the first-half havoc. The backcourt duo had a number of steals, which in turn led to easy transition baskets.

In the 13-0 run to start the second, Lumb had five of her game-high 21 points, while Foote (5 points) had two points and three assists. The run put the Scarlet Knights up 18, at 23-5, with about five minutes remaining in the half.

Wilmington, which matched North Andover in the second half, 22-22, opened the third quarter on a 10-2 run.

Maggie Brown, Wilmington's low-post threat, had all six of her points in the stretch before fouling out later in the quarter.

Senior forward Amanda Keane led the Wildcats with nine points, while junior Emily Crannel had five, sophomore Michelle Woods four. Jen Stewart had three points for Wilmington, while Meaghan Stinson, Christa Brent, Carli Brent and Cailin O’Flaherty each had two.

For North Andover, senior forwards Erika Zahoruiko and Caitlin Enright had 10 and seven, respectively, behind Lumb. Starting small forward Julia Titone had six, Pam Coufos two.

The two Cape Ann League teams battled twice during the regular season, with North Andover winning both contests.

The win makes the Scarlet Knights a perfect 11-0 at home this season. The remainder of the team’s games will be played at neutral sites.