RallyNorth.net

Trailing Reading 52-41 in the fourth quarter, North Andover coach Mike McVeigh put the Division 2 North semifinal game and the season in the hands of his five seniors.

The gallant Knights nearly pulled off another sectional semis miracle.

Over his 26 years on the North Andover High bench, Mike McVeigh has seen a slew of potential hoop Picassos end in heartbreak at the hands of Middlesex League foes.

An ugly Friday night for North Andover? McVeigh and the Knights, survivors by a 44-37 score over Winchester in the Division 2 North quarterfinals here at Crozier Field House last night, will take it just fine.

Methuen closed the season with a flourish, defeating North Andover 52-50. Romeo Diaz capped his fine career with a 21-point performance.

The Scarlet Knights had a shot at the buzzer, but it rimmed out. Sean McManus chipped in 16 points and Steve Boudreau scored a team-high 17 points.

On a Senior Night worth celebrating, it was a sophomore who led the way for rejuvenated North Andover yesterday.

Sophomore guard Tommy O'Connell came off the bench to pump in a career-high 21 points to pace the Knights to a resounding 65-40 victory over Masconomet. With the win, the hosts earned a share of the Cape Ann League Division 1 crown with Wilmington.

Last winter's whispers were actually screams, followed by laughter.

"Lots of friends just like me didn't even bother to try out," said North Andover High senior Will Enright. "Friends said I had no chance. Even after I made the team, some kids who thought I shouldn't have, were like, 'Why did you make it?' I tried not to listen to it."

Prior to last night's battle for Cape Ann League supremacy, North Andover head coach Mike McVeigh noted containing Wilmington's offense would be vital.

Unfortunately for the Scarlet Knights, the Wildcats erupted for 68 points through three quarters and whipped the visitors, 75-57.

Sean McManus scored 15 points to lead North Andover past Methuen, 54-47. Steve Boudreau added 13 points for the Scarlet Knights.

"We defended the 3-pointer much better in the second half," said North Andover coach Mike McVeigh. "Our defense was just better than their offense after halftime and that was the difference in the game."

Freshman guard Jaymie Spears poured in 22 points, but it wasn't enough for Georgetown, which fell to North Andover 57-49.

The Royals trailed for most of the night, but caught the Knights in the fourth quarter. The Royals were able to take a four-point lead, but North Andover stormed back, outscoring the Knights 21-15 in the fourth to win what was a one possession game until the final minute.

Numbers, especially records, don't always tell the whole truth.

Such was the case last evening when Newburyport (6-4) hosted North Andover (6-3).

However, one look at the degree of difficulty of the Scarlet Knights' three losses | a one-point loss to No. 17 ranked Wilmington, a 14-point loss to No. 2 ranked Central Catholic, and a seven-point loss to New Hampshire's No. 2 ranked team, Salem | proved the visitors had a more difficult road to six wins. After all, the three losses came to teams with a combined record of 19-1.

Shawn Stoodley hauled in a whopping 20 rebounds to lead Salem over North Andover 59-46 in Greater Lawrence Christmas Tourney consolation play.

The 6-3 senior, a second-team New Hampshire All-Division 1 defensive end in football, outmuscled and outhustled everybody on the glass. The Blue Devils needed his yeoman play as the Scarlet Knights, who had trailed by 17 early in the fourth, made a late run.