During Saturday’s Northeastern Conference championships at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, Peabody’s girls track and field team (121 points) cruised to glory against runner-up Marblehead, Masconomet, and Gloucester. The Tanners ran away with it behind gold performers Avery Marcus (600m – 1:46.52), Lauren Foley (1,000m – 3:12.75), and the 4x400m relay team of Foley, Ella Braz, Lilah Trombley, and Marcus (4:27.39). The Marblehead boys were victorious, but Peabody’s Osama Mishal won the 600m (1:26) and Mohamed Lhassouani captured the 1,000m (2:45).
TRACK AND FIELD
St. John’s Prep captured the Catholic Conference championship in the varsity (150 points) and freshman/sophomore (48) divisions. Varsity winners were Leo Emerson, Tyson Stroope, Ethan Caulfield, Ahmir Hykel, Andrew McManmon, Quinten Murray, Will Quigley, Jack McIntosh, Hunter Opal, Liam Mahoney, and Mateo DeOrio.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Peabody 58
Bishop Fenwick 47
The Tanners (4-11) took care of a familiar foe behind Mark Mendonca (18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals), Dom Domenici (12 points, 3 assists), Jeremiah Agbonavbare (11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists), Jeremiah Gerard (8 points, 7 rebounds), and Thad Broughton Jr. (7 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists).
“We are getting contributions from a bunch of different guys,” said Peabody coach Thad Broughton, whose group has rattled off back-to-back wins.
Peabody 79
Excel Academy 55
Do-it-all Broughton Jr. recorded 24 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, seven steals, and two blocks for the Tanners, who cruised at home. Mendonca compiled 23 points, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals, while Domenici (8 points), Agbonavbare (6), Gerard (6), and Jack Smith (6) also contributed.
“This win was a team effort,” Broughton said.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Billerica Memorial 46
Bishop Fenwick 37
Fenwick dropped a road game and fell to 10-4. Senior captain Celia Neilson led the Crusaders with 18 points, five rebounds, four assists, and six steals.
St. Mary’s 70
Bishop Fenwick 60
St. Mary’s (14-2) avenged a previous loss to Fenwick (10-3) with a 70-60 victory at the Tony C. Gymnasium in Lynn. The Spartans took a 39-30 lead into halftime after freshman McKenna O’Connell buried a deep 3-pointer at the buzzer. In the second half, it was all Sysy Emmanuel, who came up clutch whenever Fenwick went on a run. The freshman poured in 30 points to fuel St. Mary’s. Fenwick was led by Neilson, who finished with 25 points and seven assists, while scoring her 1,000th career point.
Peabody 52
Masconomet 47
One win from a Division 1 state tournament berth, Peabody (9-5) took care of business against the visiting Chieftains. The Tanners were led by Olivia Gaynor (16 points), Avery Bettencourt (9), Ava Ryan (8), and Aliana Ryan, who “did a great job running the offense,” according to coach Stan McKeen.
SWIMMING AND DIVING
The Bishop Fenwick girls traveled to UMass Dartmouth and competed in the Cara Buckwell Memorial Catholic Central League championship, named after Fenwick’s late head coach. Despite sporting the smallest team, the Crusaders (160 points) took fourth place of seven teams. Caroline Blatchford won the 100 freestyle (56.40) and 200 freestyle (2:02.68), while Sarah Shann secured first place in diving and qualified for North Sectionals and Division 1 states.
GYMNASTICS
Peabody competed in its fourth meet of the season during a tri-meet against Beverly and Salem, held at the Beverly YMCA. Final scores: Peabody: 84.9, Salem: 101.5, Beverly: 133.7.
“Overall, the team demonstrated resilience and determination, and we look forward to our next meet at the end of the week,” said Peabody coach Keri Kelleher. “Ella Walsh and Molly Hagerty were Peabody’s all-around gymnasts, though both were unable to complete the competition due to injuries sustained during floor.”
Margaret Shaker, Hagerty, Sophie Silveira, Walsh, Katrina Carmack, Megan Babiarz, and Janelys Serrano impressed during their respective events.
