The St. Mary’s girls basketball team closed out the season on a high note Monday night, notching an 88-45 win over Amesbury to take home the Spartan Classic on its home court at Tony Conigliaro Gymnasium. With the win, the Spartans set a new school record for most regular-season wins with 21.
“I thought tonight was one of our better performances of the season,” said St. Mary’s coach Jeff Newhall. “I think we’ve been a little sluggish for the past couple weeks, but tonight we put everything together. We talked about good defense, high intensity and playing unselfish, and I think we checked all three boxes.”
Maiya Bergdorf led the way for the Spartans, scoring 28 points en route to Tournament MVP honors. Gabby Torres (four points) was also named to the All-Tournament team. Jannise Avelino added 12 points, while Olivia Matela scored eight points and Yirsy Queliz scored seven points.
Newhall was happy with the turnout for the Spartan Classic, which this year featured 12 teams from all around the state.
“I think it’s great for girls basketball in general,” said Newhall. “We had teams come in from all across the state, we’ve had great crowds here for two days so I think it really was a great atmosphere and it really helps prepare teams for the state tournament.”
St. Mary’s finishes out the regular season at 21-2 and will be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Division 3 North tournament.
“We’re going to be the No. 1 seed, and we know what’s in store for us,” said Newhall. “The only thing that guarantees is that you get a home game in the first round. We’ve been through it before and we understand it’s a one-game season from here on out.”
Spartan Classic: First Round
St. Mary’s 68, Fontbonne 35
In the opening round of the Spartan Classic on Sunday, Gabby Torres led the way for St. Mary’s with 16 points. Van Nguyen added 12 points in the win.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Larry McIntire IAABO Board 130 Tournament
Championship Game
Fenwick 55, Beverly 35
Morginn Kotchian led the way for the Crusaders with 16 points and three steals. Sophomore Maria Orfanos had 12 points and four assists, both earning All-Tournament Team honors for the Crusaders. Junior captain Liz Gonzalez had 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Fenwick finishes the season at 14-6 and awaits its seeding in the upcoming state tournament.
Senior guard and tourney MVP Hailey Anderson led the Panthers (11-9) with 19 points, giving her 43 for the tournament on the way to becoming Beverly’s all-time leading scorer.
Consolation Game
Peabody 58, Revere 40
Georgia Leon scored 14 points in the win, while Amber Kiricoples added 13 points and was named to the All-Tournament Team. The Tanners close out the season at 8-12.
Erika Cheever led Revere with 14 points and earned All-Tournament Team honors. Alanna Nelson and Katie O’Donnell scored nine points apiece. The Patriots finish out the year at 4-16.
Winthrop 40, Ipswich 26
Maura Dorr scored 18 points to pace the offense for the Vikings. Caroline Earl added eight points in the win, while Lily Pulsifer and Julia Marcoccio each scored six points.
Winthrop (13-6) will close out the regular season Thursday (2) with a road game against Classical.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Larry McIntire IAABO Board 130 Tournament
Championship Game
Beverly 77, Gloucester 64
Tournament MVP Jack Crowley (20), All-Tournament Team selection Duncan Moreland (15) and freshman Gabe Copeland (17) combined for 52 points as the Panthers improved to 17-2 in winning their first Larry McIntire IAABO Board 130 Classic.
Marcus Montagnino led the Fishermen with 17 points and scored 53 in two days to earn All-Tournament Team honors. Zach Oliver scored 16 for Gloucester (12-8).
Consolation Game
Fenwick 55, Masconomet 49
Alex Gonzalez led the Crusaders with 14 points, while All-Tournament selection Jason Romans had 13 points — giving him 30 overall for the tournament.
Fenwick (11-8) travels to Manchester-Essex Wednesday evening (5).
St. John’s Prep 89, Charlestown 70
The Prep was led by Rollie Castineyra’s 25 points, while Aidan Callahan added 14 points. Matthew Duchemin (13 points) and Mason Davis (10 points) also scored in double figures.
The Eagles close out the season at 8-12.
Ipswich 72, Winthrop 59
Winthrop freshman Zach Bogusz led the way in the loss with 18 points.
The Vikings host Classical Thursday afternoon (2).
Patton Tournament
Marblehead 66, Hamilton-Wenham 24
The Magicians got the win thanks to a strong defensive effort and a big game from Sean Grady (16 points). Adam Zamansky (13 points, 13 rebounds) notched a double-double.
“The kids played great defensively against a team that’s been shooting lights out,” Marblehead coach Mike Giardi said. “A big thing was Sean hitting four threes while (Hamilton-Wenham) only had five total and they’re a good shooting team.”
The Magicians have a chance to punch their ticket to the state tournament in the second round with a win over Revere Tuesday (7) at Hamilton-Wenham.
BOYS HOCKEY
Jeff Hayes Memorial Tournament
Marblehead 2, Nantucket 2
While the game will go down as a tie for purposes of the standings, the Magicians came away with the shootout victory thanks to a goal from Zach Piersol in the opening round of the Jeff Hayes Memorial Tournament at Gallo Ice Arena.
Collin Hart and Will Shull each scored one goal for the Magicians, while Piersol and Loch Sheridan each had one assist.
Marblehead (13-3-4) will take on North Reading in the championship game of the Jeff Hayes Memorial Tournament Tuesday night (6) back at Gallo Ice Arena.