This upcoming week will say a ton about where the Newburyport boys basketball team is at mentally heading into the Division 3 playoffs.
And, expectedly, they’re heading into it on a high note.
The Clippers had little issue winning their 14th straight game over the weekend, blasting North Reading, 78-40. The “Big 4” once again paved the way, with Carson Gretz pouring in 21 points, Zayd Leanna adding 14 points with a 3, and both Sam Craig and Cal Atherton finishing with 13 points. Plus, before the game, the Clippers (16-1) got a huge boost with the latest Div. 3 rankings that had them up at No. 4. If they’re able to hold that ranking heading into the postseason, that would mean home games at High Street through the quarterfinal round.
But that will be easier said then done.
Newburyport will begin this week with a trip up to Lynnfield on Monday. If you remember, the Pioneers (12-4) — ranked No. 18 in Division 3 — gave the Clippers by far their closest CAL game this winter when they only lost by 11. Then on Wednesday, the Clippers will welcome in undefeated St. Mary’s (17-0), which has basically been the wire-to-wire No. 1 ranked team in Div. 3.
If the Clippers run the table, they’ll for sure be a top-4 seed when the official bracket gets released.
Mariani, Royals get big win
It appears that the Georgetown girls basketball team has Cohasset’s number.
The Royals won the first meeting between the two teams a few weeks ago, then went on the road on Saturday and took the rematch as well, 45-40. More impressive when you consider that the Skippers (9-7) entered the game ranked No. 4 in Division 4, while the Royals (10-6) were at No. 10.
So in its quest to earn a top-8 seed, Georgetown got some good work done.
Leading the way offensively was sophomore Talya Mariani, who hit four 3s and finished with 15 points. Katie Davies also hit a pair of 3s and added 13 points for the Royals, and Victoria Barbarick connected twice from beyond the arc and chipped in 8 points.
Clippers upended by Beverly
The Newburyport girls hockey team had won three of its last four games, but couldn’t keep it rolling over the weekend with a loss to league rival Beverly, 5-3. Delaney Belanger, Joely Middleton and Olivia Wilson scored the goals for the Clippers (7-8-1), while Allie Simons had two assists and both Riley Freeman and Wilson had helpers as well.
The Clippers are right on the bubble at No. 32 in the latest Division 2 rankings, and need a strong finish over their final four games of the regular season.
Crowe leads Pentucket past Triton
The Pentucket girls basketball team needed to get back on track after a tough loss to Bridgewater-Raynham, and it was able to do just that.
Junior wing Amelia Crowe led the way with 18 points on a pair of 3s, and the Panthers were able to roll past league rival Triton, 54-23, on Friday night. Both Lexie Thompson and Sofia Bellacqua chipped in 6 points for the Panthers (15-3), and the trio of Kate Conover, Chloe Dancewicz and Devyn Walsh all finished with 5 points.
For Triton, both Ashley Jones and McKensie Byrnes had 4 points.