RallyNorth.net

DERRY — It would appear the Pinkerton girls have found the optimum point total needed for winning basketball games.

Seeded fifth entering the postseason, the Astros had won six of their final seven, scoring between 57 and 59 points in five of those victories.

And it proved more of the same in the preliminary round of the Division 1 tournament running away from 12th-seeded Salem in a 60-44 victory before a crowd of about 100.

"I know what her (Salem coach Michaela Galvin) game plan is, and it's a smart one," Pinkerton coach Lani Buskey said. "She tried to get us off our composure. We've had some games where we've lost our composure, and it's cost us.

"But we've been practicing, man. We've been practicing for teams that try to get at us mentally and emotionally, and I'm really proud of my girls. They held their own."

The Astros (15-6) rode an erratic first half into a 27-19 lead before erupting early in the third from long range. A trio of threes from Jaime Caron, Melissa Martel and Emilie Laliberte were each set up on assists from Valerie Martin. Three free throws from Martin also were part of a run that opened a 37-23 lead midway through the third quarter.

"In the first half, they were really on me, and I let the pressure get to me," said Martin, who finished with eight points. "In the second half, I just tried to calm down, and make the smart moves. Then get the ball to my teammates, and they definitely stepped up."

The Astros never let the Blue Devils, who finished 6-15 overall, closer than 12 until fewer than 2 minutes remained.

Martel, who finished with a team-high 16 points, and Marissa Stacy, who added 12, combined to score 17 of Pinkerton's 33 second-half points. But almost as important was the inside play of 5-8 Sara McLeman, who grabbed 12 boards and blocked four shots.

"You can't ask any more than that from your (power forward)," Buskey said. "She's pure heart, and she always works on that. She always asks how many rebounds she has. Points are good for her, but you can't help but love a kid who wants to know how many rebounds she has."

Pinkerton hauled in 13 offensive rebounds over the first three quarters.

"That's kind of been something we've struggled with throughout the season," second-year Salem coach Michaela Galvin said. "Sometimes we're so tough and aggressive and box out every time. Other times we just have these mental lapses. You can't do that and win the game."

Allie Sirmaian simply wouldn't let her team lose, hitting 10 of 11 from the line in the fourth quarter to lift Salem past Trinity, 51-45. Sirmaian netted 22 points, knocking in four threes.

Allie Sirmaian simply wouldn't let her team lose, hitting 10 of 11 from the line in the fourth quarter to lift Salem past Trinity, 51-45. Sirmaian netted 22 points, knocking in four threes.

Co-captains Allie Sirmaian (13) and Lizzy Twomey (12) combined for 25 points to spark Salem to a 58-47 win over Merrimack. Sirmaian had three of her five steals in the fourth to thwart the comeback try.

Kelsey Coffey scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers, in the first half alone to lead Londonderry 63-41 over Salem. 

Jackie Luckhardt recorded a double-double (12 points, 10 assists) while Ashley Berube (14 points 10 rebounds) did the same. 

 Allie Sirmaian had 14 points, 7 assists and 3 steals as Salem's girls slipped past Exeter 48-46. Lexi Longtin chipped in with 10 points and 11 rebounds and Liz Twomey had nine points and six rebounds.

Allie Sirmaian scored 23 points to cut Salem's 10-point deficit at one point against Winnacunnet to one point late in the fourth quarter.

Salem's Lizzy Twomey appeared to make a go-ahead layup with a minute left but was called for a travel.

In Salem's 45-22 win over Spaulding, Montana Davis, Ari Sullivan and Lizzy Toomey each scored seven points.

By Christopher Smith  csmith@eagletribune.com  — Posted: Monday, December 22, 2014 2:00 am

NORTH ANDOVER — Pinkerton 5-10 senior forward Val Martin scored consistently throughout all four quarters Sunday against rival Salem on her way to a game-high 22 points.