The Peabody girls basketball team remained undefeated in Northeastern Conference play with a 61-44 win over Saugus Tuesday.
Saugus didn’t go down without a fight, coming as close as within six points of the Tanners. Peabody put the game away with a solid effort in the fourth quarter.
Oluchi Okananwa fell just short of a triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven steals. Kristina Rossignoll scored 18 points and Catherine Manning just missed a double-double at nine points and 13 rebounds.
“It was a good game,” Peabody coach Stan McKeen said. “They’re a scrappy bunch. Saugus came back in the third quarter. We were sloppy with the basketball and they cut it down to six at the end of the third quarter. Oluchi had another great game. She scored 12 points in the fourth quarter. She’s a real difference maker.”
The Tanners (6-1) host Classical Friday (7).
For Saugus, Alessia Salzillo scored 11 points with seven steals. Marissa Stockwell scored 10 points.
“I liked our team’s overall energy,” Saugus coach Mark Schruender said. “The kids on the bench were really into the game. Peabody’s a great team. I don’t have any regrets, I just wish we could’ve started a little better. We just have to get ready to play again Friday.”
Junior forward Molly Granara made her season debut in returning from an injury.
“It was really good to have Molly back,” Schruender said.
The Sachems (4-5) host Gloucester Friday (7).
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Tech 46, Whittier 38
Alondra Sanchez led the Tigers with 13 points, Jafernee Cruz added 11 and Arianna Anaya scored nine.
Tech (4-6) hosts Greater Lawrence Friday (5:30).
“Overall it was a really good game for us,” Tech coach Kaitlyn Wechsler said. “We were down at halftime. The girls showed a lot of heart and character to push through and come back. It was a really good team effort for us to come from behind and get the win.”
Beverly 57, Classical 54 (OT)
Classical was led by 17 points from Jean Gupton-Morrison. Skylar Crayton (13 points), Jazzmine Masse (10) and Amber Crayton (10) also reached double-figures.
“I’m proud of the kids,” Rams coach Tom Sawyer said. “We were down six with a minute to go and we clawed back to get it to overtime. I give Beverly credit, they made shots that were key. I’m really proud of the kids. When it looked like all was lost in regulation, they found a way to get it to overtime.”
The Rams (4-3) visit Peabody Friday (7).
Bishop Fenwick 49, Austin Prep 31
Liz Gonzalez led the way with 20 points. Sammi Gallant had six points and 14 rebounds, and Elizabeth Pica had 10 points with five rebounds.
Fenwick (5-4) hosts Williams Friday (6:30).
Swampscott 47, Gloucester 19
Nikki Rosa led the Big Blue with 21 points and five steals. Swampscott (6-1) hosts Salem Friday (7).
BOYS BASKETBALL
KIPP 56, Minuteman 33
Wallace Reed (16 points) and Winfred Sanchez (12) paced the Panthers to their seventh victory of the season.
KIPP (7-2) visits Nashoba Tech Thursday (6:30).
Salem 69, Winthrop 43
Salem’s Bobby Jellison led the Witches with 17 points. Jhoan Vago scored 10 points and Ethan Doyle scored nine points.
Winthrop’s Cam Conway scored 14 points.
Salem (6-2) hosts Swampscott Friday (7). The Vikings (1-5) visit Danvers Friday (7).
Whittier 54, Tech 50
Rob Wallace logged a double-double at 14 points and 10 rebounds. Johan Ortega added 15 points, knocking in four 3-pointers.
Gloucester 60, Swampscott 57
Jackson Byrne had a big game for the Big Blue with 22 points. Swampscott (4-4) plays on the road at Salem Friday.
TRACK
BC High 53, St. John’s 42
Top performers for St. John’s were Jack Curtin (first in the long jump, 21 feet, 5.5 inches), Sean Majeski (first in the 55 meter hurdles, 8.24 seconds), George Nikolakopoulos (first in the 2-mile, 9:49), Noah Mooney (third in the 2-mile, 9:56) and Ian Smith (first in the shot put, 42 feet, 2 inches).
SWIMMING
Marblehead 96, Beverly 73
Winners for the Magicians were Theo Chemel (200 freestyle, 500 freestyle), Brian Coleman (50 freestyle, 100 butterfly) and Amanda Wager (200 individual medley, 100 breaststroke).
The Magicians (5-0) visit Malden Thursday (4:30).
“Beverly’s always one of our biggest competitors,” Magicians coach Susan Guertin said. “It was really an awesome meet. It was very exciting. A lot of the kids know each other because they swim for the same club team. That makes it more fun.”
Revere 97, English 77
Winners for English were Caroline Zuffante (200 freestyle), Peter Phelan (200 individual medley) and Hannah Trahant (diving).
English takes on crosstown rival Classical Thursday (5:15) at Tech.