Wow, talk about clutch.
It’s been well-documented by this point, but the Triton boys basketball team went into its final two games knowing that it had to win both. The Vikings weren’t going to be making the Division 3 state tournament based on their ranking alone, but did benefit from getting two forfeit wins earlier in the season thanks to Stoneham having an ineligable player at the time.
So as a result, the Vikings drew two games closer to that 10-win plateau.
And hitting that milestone gets you into the playoffs no matter what your ranking is by virtue of finishing .500 or better.
Last Friday, Triton accomplished Step 1 of that do-or-die plan by beating Northeast Metro, 72-61. That set up a win-or-go-home scenario for the Vikings on Tuesday night, when they had to travel over to Pentucket and come away victorious to finish their season at 10-10. Which was no easy feat, as earlier in the year the Vikings barely hung on to beat the Panthers at the buzzer up in Byfield.
But with their season on the line, the Vikings got it done.
Senior captain Liam Friis hit five 3s and finished with a team-high 18 points, and Triton displayed how clutch it can be by beating Pentucket, 56-41. The Vikings (10-10) now automatically qualify for the Division 3 tournament, as the program will be making its first playoff appearance since the 2018-19 season. Jason Holsher added 14 points, and Harrison Huynh hit three 3s and finished with 15 points.
For the Panthers (5-15), the excellent senior season — and career — for captain Matt Pipan came to an end with a 28-point performance on four 3s.
Newburyport falls in Spartans Classic final
Unfortunately, the winning streak for the Newburyport girls basketball team was stopped one shy of reaching double figures.
After winning nine in a row — and 11 of their last 12 — the Clippers found themselves matched up with a Division 1 opponent in the finals of the St. Mary’s Spartans Classic on Tuesday night. It was only a two-point game heading into the fourth quarter, but Lexington was able to make more plays down the stretch to come away with the win, 62-55.
Olivia Foley poured in 23 points for Newburyport (14-5), and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Clara Thompson had another solid game with 12 points, and fellow sophomore Ava Bailey chipped in 7 points. The Clippers will end their regular season on Wednesday night when they host North Reading.
D’Andrea, Triton wrap up against Beverly
The Triton girls basketball team played its final game of the season on Tuesday night, falling to a strong Beverly squad, 55-38. Lily D’Andrea had a team-high 14 points for the Vikings (5-15), while senior captain Margaret Welch chipped in 8 points.
It was a rebuilding year for the program, but the Vikings are in line to return all but two players next season.