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Beverly beats Peabody, has won eight straight

Beverly High boys basketball coach Scott Lewis can't complain about the way his team closes out a game. In fact, he can't complain about too much these days.

With the issue in doubt late in the game, Beverly went on a 12-2 run to finish off Peabody, 50-41, in the Northeastern Conference.

Beverly (10-4) has now won eight straight and last night's win qualified the Panthers for the state tourney for the third straight year.

"It's a big relief to make the (state) tourney again after being 2-4 early in the year," said Lewis. "Since beating Winthrop (to make them 3-4) the kids have gotten their confidence back. It seems like every game it comes down to the end and we clamp down on defense and make big baskets."

Curtis Manuel hit a pair of 3-pointers in the decisive 12-2 run and Matt Tobin (17 points, 11 rebounds) had a bucket. Sophomore point guard Mike Clayton and Manuel added a total of four free throws.

Clayton finished with 15 points and Manuel had eight.

Peabody, which went on a 17-2 carryover run in the second and third periods, got 10 points from Gary Girolamo. Kevin Skop added nine for the Tanners, who are 7-9.