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Jamal Rene led three players in double figures with 15 points as Methuen blasted Greater Lawrence 71-43 to move to within a game of a playoff spot with a 9-10 record. The Rangers meet Lawrence Thursday.

Eagle-Tribune All-Star Tim Galloway-Burke, in his first game back from knee surgery that nearly ended his season, scored 16 points as Methuen edged North Andover 59-58. Wabissa Bede scored 28 points for the Scarlet Knights.

Dantae Neal netted 20 points as Lawrence beat Methuen 82-58.

Jon Paulino (17 points) hit the winning free thows with 3.6 seconds left as Methuen beat Billerica 52-50. Mark Sicard played ferocious defense to help hold Josh Bradanese to 7 points. Keegan Lannon and Jamal Rene combined for 30 points and 8 3-pointers while freshman Angel Mejia contributed some strong minutes.

Tough news on the Super-Teamer Tim Galloway-Burke front. His coach, Anthony Faradie, said the Methuen star had meniscus surgery Tuesday (yesterday) and he's likely out for the season.

NORTH ANDOVER — Beating unbeaten Andover, the fourth-ranked team in the ESPNBoston statewide poll, isn't going to be easy.

Methuen was well aware of that before standout Jamal Rene went down to injury last week and before Eagle-Tribune Super Teamer Tim Galloway-Burke was hurt in practice Friday.

METHUEN — Methuen outscored Central Catholic 25-15 in the fourth quarter and beat the Raiders 59-55 in the season opener for both. That snapped a 19-game losing streak to Central dating back to Feb. 8, 2002. Jon Paulino scored a team-high 19 points including 11 in the fourth, when he made nine free throws. He hit two free throws with about 17 seconds left to seal the win. Tim Galloway-Burke backed him with 18 points. Central put up a game effort while shorthanded due to four returnees being suspended the first five games of the year. The Pettway cousins, AJ (20) and freshman Tanahj (16), combined for 36 points. The last win was a crazy one as a 5-11 Methuen team stunned an 11-3 Raider squad by a 61-57 score at the Klimas Fieldhouse. Ryan Middlemiss had a team-high 15 in that one 12 years ago.