BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem 78, Saugus 48: Five players scored in double figures, led by Nate Lane’s 15 points, 11 assists and four steals, as the Witches prevailed in their season opener. Sophomore Elian Rodriguez added 14 points, seven rebounds, six steals and five assists for the winners, with Canei McLeod (13 points), Sean Murphy (11) and John Giaff Hodge (10) also providing an offensive spark.
Captain Rocco Ryan added nine points and seven rebounds as Salem finished with 27 steals as a team to go with 24 assists and 14 three-pointers.
Marblehead 54, Danvers 47: Senior captain Sam Thompson scored 21 points with 17 of those coming in the second half as the Magicians fought from 12 down to advance to the finals of the Salem Academy tournament. Finn Gallup helped spark an outstanding defensive effort and also scored eight.
Danvers was led by junior Kyle Sillars with 21 points and six rebounds and Kevin Ahearn added 13 with six boards.
Bishop Fenwick 58, Salem Academy 41: Nate Allder dropped in a team-high 15 points to power the Crusaders into the final of the third annual Zach Markowitz Memorial Tournament. Captain Brady Jenkins had an excellent all-around game, scoring 13 points, with teammate Dom Torres adding a dozen.
Fenwick will meet Marblehead at Salem Academy Saturday (1 p.m.) in the tournament title game.
Masconomet 74, Concord-Carlisle 67: Jimmy Farrell scored 27 points as the Chieftains began the 2024-25 season with a non-league road victory. Devin O’Brien added 20 points and Jamason Vella 10 for the winners, who expanded on a two-point edge going into the final quarter to earn the ‘W’.
Swampscott 69, Gloucester 41: The Big Blue won their season opener on the road as Connor Chiarello scored 24 points and Teddy O’Neill was close behind with 23. Chase Groothuis and Gabe Tripp contributed nine points apiece while also helping to dominate the boards along with Adam Sparacio.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Peabody 60, Beverly 49: Alaina Ryan began the year with a hot shooting night, scoring 13 points and handing out six assists to help the Tanners (1-0) get a tough road win. Sophia Coburn had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, junior Lizzy Bettencourt scored 12 and ripped down eight boards and Liv Gaynor and Ally Bettencourt provided quality minutes throughout.
The Panthers (0-1) got within five in the fourth quarter but ultimately couldn’t get over the hump despite 11 points each from Anna Michaud and Jayden Starr. Anna Fertonani scored 10 while Infinity Burns filled up the sheet with six points, seven rebounds, six steals and four assists.
Marblehead 28, Danvers 24: Trailing by five at halftime, the Magicians got a huge three-pointer late from Lucy MacDonald to pull away for a season opening home decision. Greta Sacks finished with a team-best 13 points and Tessa Andriano added 10 for MHS.
Swampscott 49, Gloucester 26: Freshman Anna Kanders had a smashing debut for the Big Blue with 26 points alongside six rebounds and six steals. Sophomore Olivia Quagrello also played well for the winners with 11 points, five assists and seven thefts.
Saugus 63, Salem 19: It was a tough opener for the Witches on the road on Route 1.
Essex Tech 37, Rockport 18: Thais Dos Santos had a double-double at the Stephen Rowell Gymnasium in Rockport by scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to power the visiting Hawks to a season opening triumph. Marissa Perez and Avery Barteaux both had six points for the winners while Nicole Mwauar was everywhere on defense in addition to pulling down seven rebounds, blocking four shots and scoring two points.
GIRLS HOCKEY
Berwick 1, Pingree 0: Sophomore goalie Piper Davekos was outstanding between the pipes for the Highlanders (3-3), stopping 43 of 44 shots against the EIL powerhouse from Maine.