You’d need to go back the 2015-16 season to find the last time the Newburyport boys lost to rival Triton on the basketball court.
It’s now eight years, and 18 straight wins.
The Clippers took care of business yet again late last week, crusing past the Vikings, 69-49. Junior big man Carson Gretz was a monster in the paint all night, finishing with 23 points to lead the Clippers. Finn Brennan hit a 3 and added 16 points, and sophomore Cal Atherton hit three 3s and chipped in 13.
But, 20-plus-point blowouts have been commonplace this winter.
Newburyport (13-2, 12-0 CAL) hasn’t lost in the league yet this year, and in fact its “closest” game was a 13-point victory over Georgetown. The Clippers came in ranked No. 10 in the latest Division 3 rankings released on Friday, and are now gearing up for Monday’s mega-showdown against fellow undefeated Manchester-Essex (14-0) — which is ranked No. 6 in Div. 4 — at 6:30 p.m.
For Triton (3-11), Liam Friis hit three 3s and finished with a team-high 20 points, while John Prendergast added 10.
PIPAN PACES PENTUCKET PAST ESSEX TECH
Defense and shooting.
That was the key to success for Pentucket last Thursday in taking down Essex Tech, 47-27. Which, as it thankfully turned out, also coincided with the program’s Youth Night, as tons of future Panther stars got to watch the current group pick up a nice victory.
Leading the way was junior Matt Pipan, who hit three 3s and finished with 15 points. Senior big man Peter Hart continued his fine season for the Panthers (3-12) and added 12 points, and both Trevor Cloutier and Colby Eckholt chipped in 5.
Pentucket will try to make it two in a row at Amesbury on Monday night.
Newburyport 69, Triton 49
Newburyport (69): Craig 2-0-4, Atherton 5-0-13, Osazuwa 2-1-5, Leanna 1-0-3, Thoreson 0-0-0, Walker 0-0-0, Spinney 1-0-3, F. Brennan 7-1-16, Cormier 0-0-0, Gretz 10-3-23. Totals 28-5-69
Triton (49): Bissell 1-0-2, Doucette 1-0-2, Tameirao 1-0-2, Friis 7-3-20, Holscher 2-0-5, Mollineaux 1-2-5, Huynh 1-0-3, Prendergast 4-1-10. Totals 18-6-49
3-pointers: N — Atherton 3, Leanna, Spinney, Brennan; T — Friis 3, Holscher, Mollineaux, Huynh, Prendergast
Records: Newburyport 13-2, Triton 3-11
Pentucket 47, Essex Tech 27
Pentucket (47): Pipan 5-2-15, Plisinski 1-0-2, Harper 1-0-3, Scott 0-3-3, Hart 4-4-12, Eckholt 2-0-5, Tr. Cloutier 1-2-5, Ma. Cloutier 1-0-2, Te. Cloutier 0-0-0. Totals 15-11-47
3-pointers: Pipan 3, Harper, Eckholt, Tr. Cloutier
Essex Tech: 6 9 4 8 — 27
Pentucket (3-12): 6 14 12 15 — 47