Masco girls bench varsity team
SCHOOLS
The first time Cape Ann League girls basketball heavyweights Pentucket and Masconomet tangled on the hardwood this winter, the Chieftains were without their top scorer.
In last night’s highly anticipated rematch of the one-loss teams, Masco was missing a lot more.
Due to a violation of school rules, Masco sat its entire varsity team and started its junior varsity squad against the high-flying host Sachems. The result was predictable as Pentucket (18-1) waltzed to a 72-18 win on Senior Night in West Newbury, as coach John McNamara earned his 250th victory and another CAL title.
“It was an in-house matter. We took care of it, and it’s over,” said Masco coach Bob Romeo flatly of the disciplinary matter. “The decision was made and it wasn’t an easy one.”
With just seven players in uniform for the Chieftains (16-2) and the entire varsity team in street clothes on the bench, the only suspense in this one was what color the roses handed out to Pentucket’s three seniors would be in the pregame ceremony.
The hosts led 21-2 after one quarter and never looked back, shooting 64 percent (24-for-37) in the opening half. Junior center Liv Cross (10 points) led a balanced attack that saw 13 Sachems score.
McNamara reached the 250win plateau in just 12 seasons on the Sachems sidelines.
“John is such a great coach and I think they are the favorites to win the North in Division 2,” added Romeo, who was impressed with how his JV club tackled the mammoth challenge, especially freshmen Alex Locke (10 points, six rebounds) and Kate Zagami (six points).
Lily Sykes scored 23 points for Foxboro (17-1) in a 66-41 victory over Hockomock League foe North Attleboro . .. . Ali Brigham had 28 points and 17 rebounds to power Franklin (13-7) past King Philip, 57-41 . ... Oliver Ames (14-4) edged Mansfield, 49-42, as Kayla Raymond had 14 points.
In the Dual County League, Margret Pimlott finished with 16 points as Cambridge (9-9) defeated Lincoln-Sudbury, 52-44.
Boys basketball
Behind 20 points from Jarron Flynn and unrelenting up-tempo play, Catholic Memorial ran past visiting Brockton, 96-85. Kurtis Henderson and Kani Glover each had 19 points for the Knights.
In nonleague action, Angel Price-Espada struck for 22 points and Mike Thompson added 18 points and 12 rebounds for Pope John (18-1) in a 70-55 win over Arlington Catholic.
In the Patriot League, Sean Leahy had 23 points and 13 rebounds as Whitman-Hanson (15-4) coasted to a 59-45 win against Quincy.
Austin Maffie had 20 points and 10 boards, while Jake Verille scored 20 as Canton (16-4) had a 65-56 win over Stoughton to clinch the Hockomock League title.
Stephen Reddy had 28 points, 12 rebounds and five assists to go with a 20-point night from Ryan Andrews in a 71-56 double-overtime win for Austin Prep (14-4) over Catholic Central League foe Matignon.