The champs are back on the court, and they got a good test to open up the new year.
Following a magical run to the program’s first ever State Championship last winter, the Georgetown boys basketball team kicked off its 2025-26 campaign with a good win over a solid Ipswich team. Tied with a minute left, two-time Daily News All-Star point guard Brendan Loewen got fouled in transition after a steal from Aleks Dimov, and would calmly knock down six straight free throws over the final 30 seconds to lift the Royals to a 61-55 victory.
“The expression ‘A win is a win’ definitely applied here,” said new coach Kevin Fair. “We got off to a solid start, our press was very effective in the first half. We played unselfish basketball and got great shots that led to a 35-21 lead at halftime. But give Ipswich a ton of credit, they played hard and competed.”
True to form, Loewen stuffed the stat sheet.
The senior captain finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. Dimov led the way offensively with 14 points to go along with 8 boards, and the Daily News All-Star duo of Irvin Zapata (13 pts, 3 3s) and Jomar Terrero (10 pts) also played well.
Amesbury hockey starts with shutout win
If last year was any indication, then this Amesbury hockey team could be pretty good.
It was an epic Cinderella run to the Division 2 quarterfinals for Amesbury a year ago, and many athletes from that young team are back this winter. Saturday afternoon, the Redhawks opened up the new season with a dominant 4-0 shutout of Westborough.
Grady Stickney led the way offensively for the Redhawks, scoring a goal and assisting on two others. Wes Ackerman (1a), Evan Murphy and Logan Pickering also scored, Colin Brown had an assist, and junior Eli Gaeta had the clean sheet in net in his first ever varsity game.
Mastrangelo clutch for Newburyport
It was a pretty memorable debut for this Newburyport sophomore.
Playing in her first varsity game, Chiara Mastrangelo knocked down a huge go-ahead 3-pointer with 45 seconds left, ultimately leading the Clippers to a season-opening win over Lynnfield, 38-34. It was the second triple of the night for Mastrangelo, and one that gave new coach Tim Mahan a victory in his first game on the sidelines.
Offensively, Morgan Rouba led Newburyport with 8 points, and returning Daily News All-Star Ava Bailey was right behind with 7. Mahan also credited Kady Tabor with being “a defensive wizard” for the Clippers.
Balanced Amesbury girls basketball opens with win
If you’re an Amesbury girls basketball fan, then this was a terrific sign.
A year ago, the Redhawks made it back to the Division 4 playoffs, but were handled by CAL foe Hamilton-Wenham in the first round by 30 points. But in Friday night’s season opener — which happened to be a rematch — the Redhawks flipped the script and earned some revenge with a 52-43 win.
And the Redhawks were balanced in victory, getting a team-high 14 points from sophomore Delaney Sargent. The exciting freshmen duo of Maddy Rodrigeus (10 pts, 2 3s) and Haley Dube (8 pts) played well, and both junior Ellison Talbot and sophomore Shelby Massey added 9 points.
But the best part?
Amesbury was able to get that big win without sophomore Olivia McKay. The returning Daily News All-Star averaged 12.6 ppg with 21 3s a year ago, and is expected to return soon.
Triton wrestling splits in opening tournament
All told, it was a solid start for a new-look Triton wrestling team.
The Vikings got four matches in during a tournament over the weekend, and split the day with victories over North Middlesex (57-23) and Lynn (60-22), and losses to Wellesley (46-36) and Bedford/Acton Boxboro (65-9). A pair of stalwarts had perfect 4-0 days, with two-time Daily News All-Star junior Riley-Anne Tarmey earning three pins between 106 and 113, and Ben Imlach getting two pins and two decisions between 144 and 150.
“It wasn’t a bad start for a team that lost 13 seniors last year and has no current seniors,” said Triton coach Shawn McElligott. “I was pretty pleased with our effort.”
The longtime coach also made sure to mention three other wrestlers. The trio of Sawyer Harriot, Hugh Copland and Efe Uslosoy all picked up their first varsity pins.