Boys hoop escapes Swampscott, Masco

BY JOE MCCONNELL

The Marblehead High boys basketball team (6-2 in the Northeastern Conference, 7-4 overall) was able to prevail in two close games against rival Swampscott (6160) and Masco (61-58).

Even though they ended up winning both, coach Mike Giardi understands there’s still much room for improvement.

“Both games were extremely close, and both opponents came to play, but we were not ready to play them,” he said. “We had to dig ourselves out of holes in both games to win them.”

The Magicians then lost to Beverly on Jan. 19, 74-67. It was only a three-point game with 45 seconds left in regulation.

“While we played with much more intensity against Beverly, we still had some lapses that allowed Beverly to go on a couple of runs,” Giardi said.

Swampscott led, 23-21 at halftime, and 43-40 after three. But Nick Lemmond and his teammates got to work in the fourth quarter to overcome those deficits.

Lemmond ended up pacing the offensive attack with 23 points. Magnus McCarthy was next in line with 16 points. Isaiah Makor chipped in with nine, Tryone Countrymon tallied five, and Lupo Cabassi accounted for four. Cameron Comstock and Matthew Sherf scored two apiece.

Against Masco, the Magicians trailed at halftime, 40-27, and 51-42 after three. But then, they outscored the Chieftains 19-7 in the fourth to pick up another triumph.

Lemmond (16), Countrymon (14) and Scott Campbell (11) were the top three scorers in the Masco game. Ryan Commoss had 10 points. Makor netted eight. Miles O’Neill ended up with two.

As of Jan. 20, the Marblehead boys are ranked 19th in Division 2. Malden Catholic is on top at 11-0.

Girls basketball wins low-scoring game

The Marblehead High girls basketball team (4-4 in the Northeastern Conference, 5-6 overall) was able to survive a low-scoring game against rival Swampscott, 16-14.

“We didn’t shoot the ball well, but we played really good defense,” said coach Paul Moran. “Both teams played hard and with heart, and I give credit to Swampscott coach Katelyn Leonard, who had her team ready to play us.”

Sarah Bosio was credited with the game-winning basket with a minute to go and ended up with seven points. Junior Samantha Dormer accounted for four

Wednesday, Jan. 25

6 p.m.

Wrestling vs. Lynnfield at Lynnfield HS 6 p.m.

Boys and Girls Swimming/Diving vs. Swampscott at JCC of the North Shore, Marblehead 7:30 p.m.

Boys ice hockey vs. Gloucester at Salem State O’Keefe Center Thursday, Jan. 26

6 p.m.

Alpine ski racing vs. TBA at Blue Hills Ski Area 7:30 p.m.

Girls ice hockey vs. Medford at Salem State O’Keefe Center Friday, Jan. 27

7 p.m.

Girls basketball vs. Salem at Marblehead HS 7 p.m.

Boys basketball vs. Salem at Salem HS Saturday, Jan. 28

TBD Wrestling NEC League at Pentucket HS 10 a.m.

Boys and Girls Indoor Track MSTCA Invitational at Reggie Lewis Center, Roxbury 6 p.m.

Boys and Girls Swimming/Diving NEC League at YMCA Sterling Center, Beverly 7:20 p.m.

Boys Ice Hockey vs. Melrose at Kasabuski Memorial Ice Rink, Saugus 7:30 p.m.

Girls Ice Hockey vs. Masconomet at Valley Forum, Haverhill Sunday, Jan. 29

10 a.m.

Gymnastics vs. Winthrop at Winthrop Gymnastics Academ y 10:30 a.m.

Boys Ice Hockey vs. Medford at Salem State O’Keefe Center Wednesday, Feb. 1

5 p.m.

Boys Ice Hockey vs. Masconomet at Valley Forum, Haverhill Thursday, Feb. 2

3:30 p.m.

Alpine ski racing vs. TBA at Blue Hills Ski Area Friday, Feb. 3

6:30 p.m.

Girls basketball vs. Danvers at Danvers HS 7 p.m.

Boys basketball vs. Danvers at Marblehead HS Saturday, Feb. 4

7:30 a.m. Wrestling vs. TBA at Whittier Regional Vocational Tech 1 p.m.

Boys and Girls Indoor Track NEC League at Reggie Lewis Center, Roxbury 7:30 p.m.

Girls ice hockey vs. Beverly at Ray Bourque Arena, Beverly 8 p.m.

Boys ice hockey vs. Winthrop at Salem State O’Keefe Center

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