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Riordan the right man on this night for Masco

LOWELL | It was five minutes before 11 p.m. Saturday night when James Riordan finished his conversation with a reporter, looked around LeLacheur Park and realized there wasn't another member of his Masconomet Regional baseball team in sight.

Shepard's clutch hit lifts Chieftains past Danvers for North title

LOWELL | When Masconomet's Kyle Shepard came to bat with the go-ahead run in scoring position in the eighth inning of Saturday night's Division 2 North final at LeLacheur Park, he was looking to accomplish something no one had ever done.

Danvers baseball reaches Division 2 North final

LYNN | Some would call it "small ball." Others would say it was opportunistic baseball.

In this instance, however, you can simply refer to it as The Danvers High Way.

The Falcons, who have become hardball masters at exploiting their opponents' smallest mistakes and capitalizing to the fullest, did so again last night | and in the process earned the program's biggest win in seven years.

Dean fans 12, leads Danvers past Tewksbury and into North semis

DANVERS | The answer: pressure and losing.

The question: What two things do Danvers High senior right-hander Bobby Dean seem impervious to?

As the calendar turns to June and the stakes in high school baseball circles get greater with each new game, Dean remains as calm and carefree as someone laying on the beach of some remote island. He spun another gem yesterday, fanning 12 Tewksbury hitters in a complete game outing to lead the Falcons to a 3-1 triumph in a Division 2 North quarterfinal contest at the Twi-Field.

Once again, Danvers simply finds a way to win

DANVERS | It's all about attitude.

And if you play baseball at Danvers High School, that attitude is about believing that no matter the situation, you're going to find a way to win.

Classical softball team eliminates Danvers

LYNN | Some losses are harder to take than others | and the 6-3 loss that the Danvers High softball team suffered at Lynn Classical Saturday in the Division 1 North playoffs was especially difficult for the visitors.

Pentucket falls just short of upset

DANVERS | By the third trip to the mound for Danvers ace Bobby Dean last the night, Pentucket Regional seemed a bit unimpressed.

Sachem Jordan Silva tattooed a Dean fastball with two outs in the top of the seventh for a game-tying, RBI triple.

Record Broken

Congratulations are in order for Danvers High senior Jay Sabino, who became the Falcons' record holder for most goals scored in a season.

Sabino took over the lead in Danvers' final game of the season against Gloucester. His 57 goals put him atop the Danvers' list.

Burnham unstoppable

Danvers High's incomparable senior shortstop, Ashley Burnham, is giving new meaning to the word "unstoppable." Opposing teams can't contain her offensively | she's hitting .673 with four homers, 13 doubles and 16 RBIs | so they're trying to slow her down by giving her free passes to first base.

Fishermen clinch tourney spot with 11-9 win over Falcons

Can you think of a more satisfying way to clinch a tournament spot than by beating your fiercest rival on their home turf?

The Gloucester Fishermen (9-9) boys lacrosse team can now answer that question after beating Danvers, 11-9, last night in both teams' regular season finale. With the win, Gloucester awaits word on their next opponent which they'll find out tomorrow.

Gloucester upsets Danvers for second time this season

For the second time this season, the Danvers High baseball team was forced to watch their arch rivals celebrate on the baseball diamond.

Host Gloucester completed a season sweep of the Falcons last night by taking a 5-3 decision. Danvers head coach Roger Day could only tip his cap to his opponent afterwards.

Dean's ninth inning hit lifts Danvers softball past Gloucester

DANVERS | One team was dying for payback. The other team was looking to nail down a state tournament berth.

It made for magnificent drama and Danvers eventually received its payback Wednesday afternoon.

Danvers captures ninth NEC baseball title in last 10 seasons

DANVERS | Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.

Bobby Dean, Chris Perry and the other members of the Danvers High baseball team may have no idea who the Talking Heads are | they popularized the above-mentioned lyrics in "Once In a Lifetime" nearly 30 years ago. But when it comes to what they do on the diamond, they certainly know what those words mean.

Beverly survives second half struggles, edges Danvers

Silly penalties cost the Beverly boys lacrosse team a halftime lead. Greg Pierce made sure they didn't cost the Panthers the game.

Pierce scored an unassisted goal with four minutes left to snap a tie and provide Beverly with a 10-9 Northeastern Conference victory.

Saggese's late hit keys Danvers baseball over Swampscott

The Danvers High offense has been sporadic all season, but the Falcons keep piling up the wins, the latest being a 3-2 decision over Swampscott at home Monday night.

Justin Mitchell led off the game with a home run for Swampscott, but Jeff Eldridge's run-scoring double tied in the bottom of the first and Danvers scored the winning run in the bottom of the sixth as Chris Perry led off with a single, advanced to second on Greg Ladd's sacrifice bunt and scored on Larry Saggese's two-out, pinch hit single. Danvers boosted its record to 12-2 while Swampscott dropped to 5-9.

Hamilton-Wenham laxmen make state tourney

Hamilton-Wenham made the cut for the state tournament yesterday with a solid 15-7 win over Danvers. But according to Generals coach Jimmy LaSelva, earning a spot in the postseason was not the primary motivation against the Falcons.

Freshman catches coach's eye

Everyone knows about Danvers' fantastic shortstop, Ashley Burnham, who is headed for Division 1 James Madison next season. But Falcons coach Tara Petrocelli has also been impressed with freshman Alicia Dean, who was 2-for-3 in an 8-1 win over Salem this week.

Moholland, Leonard spark Danvers

The Falcons (9-4) scored seven unanswered runs to erase a 2-0 deficit and trump Lynn English, 7-2. Caraline Moholland hit a two-run single in the third to jumpstart Danvers, which also saw Kim Leonard go 2 for 2 with three runs scored and Ashley Burnham score twice and drive in a run. Diana Bean added two hits and pitched 5<2/3>'s innings with three strikeouts.

Gloucester girls lacrosse knocks off Danvers in overtime thriller

The Gloucester girls lacrosse team picked up its first win of the season in the most dramatic fashion possible: Six minutes into overtime, junior center midfielder Jennavie Orrell scored her seventh goal of the game to clinch an 18-17 win over Danvers and send her teammates into delirium.

Danvers tops Salem

The Falcons hiked their record to 7-3, led by Anna Dokina (6-1, 6-4), Kat Pavlow (6-3, 6-1) and Rachel Gershaw (6-0, 6-0) in singles, and Kristen Parker-Alicia Franklin (6-1, 6-0) and Danielle Kurman-Darcey Cherlin (6-3, 6-0) in doubles.

Kontos' late score tips Gloucester

Danvers captain Steve Kontos broke an 8-8 tie with nine minutes to play to lift the Falcons (5-6) to a pivotal NEC win, 9-8 over Gloucester. Eric Sands had a solid day with three goals while Kontos finished with a pair and three helpers. Danvers, which led 6-4 at the half, got single goals from Jay Sabino, Steve Deroche, Ryan Burrige and Mike Parisella.

Knock on Wood, Gauthier a Vike

Nicolle Wood has a different approach about recruiting. The Salem State College women's soccer coach doesn't call a prospect every week. She'll have a conversation, make her presentation and hope the interview is impressive enough to warrant an application.

Danvers comeback cut short by Big Blue

The Big Blue led 8-3 at halftime but behind four goals from Ashley Sullivan the Falcons came storming back. Swampscott got the last laugh with a 14-12 decision, in spite of three Danvers goals from Erica Veilleux and 17 saves by goalie Nikki Petronio.

Danvers rolls by Revere

Diana Bean pitched six spotless innings, allowing just three baserunners and no runs as the Falcons (6-3) walked away with it, 12-0 over Revere. Ashley Burnham paced the offense by going 4 for 4 with four runs scored, four RBI and a two-run homer in the fourth. Caraline Moholland added a clutch triple and was 3 for 4 with two runs as the Falcons racked up 18 hits.

Eldridge, Danvers walk past Peabody

PEABODY | It is games like last night's 4-3 triumph over host Peabody that the Danvers High baseball team is starting to get accustomed to winning.

In a contest that could've gone either way at a chilly Donahue Field, the Falcons (6-2) benefitted from three seventh inning walks and watched Jeff Eldridge take a pitch off the shoulder to break a 3-3 tie and force home the winning run.

Wilson strikes out 12 as Peabody softball knocks off Danvers

DANVERS | Nicole Wilson delivered a message that should resonate throughout Northeastern Conference circles yesterday: she and her Peabody High teammates are a power to be reckoned with.

The sophomore used an array of pitches to keep Danvers hitters off balance all afternoon, striking out a dozen while scattering just four hits as the Tanners bested the host Falcons, 7-3, at windy Great Oak Field.

Super powers Danvers, Peabody finally collide this afternoon

Imagine a world in which the New England Patriots never faced off against the Indianapolis Colts.

Or what if the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees never locked horns, or Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson didn't go head-to-head on a Sunday?

Super powers Danvers, Peabody finally collide

Imagine a world in which the New England Patriots never faced off against the Indianapolis Colts.

Or what if the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees never locked horns, or Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson didn't go head-to-head on a Sunday?

Danvers tops Dracut

Ashley Sullivan scored three times to help Danvers (1-7) grab its first win of the year, 12-7 over Dracut. Taylor Cross and Steph Costas each notched two goals as the Falcons racked up 10 goals in the first half and were able to hold Dracut off after the break.

Fishermen use extra innings to knock off unbeaten Falcons

There are many different ways to celebrate an extra-innings victory over an undefeated archrival.

The Gloucester softball team decided to take part in a dance to the electric slide after their 5-4 victory over Danvers at Burnham's field. The Fishermen (5-3) had been waiting to bust out the line dance, and a win over Danvers was the perfect time to do it.

Danvers snaps skid

Jay Sabino notched three goals and two assists to help the Falcons (3-6) snap a four game losing streak with an 11-7 triumph over North Reading. Mike Perisella helped set the table with three assists and a goal while Eric Sands chipped in with a pair of goals as Danvers led wire-to-wire.

Zecha off to good start

Playing alongside shortstop Ashley Burnham, who is one of the best players in the state, it's easy for Danvers High sophomore third baseman Joanna Zecha to get overlooked. But Zecha is playing brilliantly in her own right and is appreciated by her teammates and coaches.

Bean helps Danvers top Saugus

Diana Bean was nearly flawless, allowing just an unearned run over seven innings to lead the Falcons (4-1, 4-0 NEC) over Saugus 6-1. Alicia Dean had a two-run triple in the third to give Bean all the support she would need while Ashley Burnham was 3-for-4 with three runs scored.

Ten run first propels Danvers

Tom Marini had four hits and belted a homer while John Gikas had a round tripper of his own and three RBI to key Danvers, which went ahead 10-0 after an inning and never looked back in a 19-6 thumping of Saugus. Bobby Dean had three hits and three RBI, Jeff Eldridge added a trio of hits and Matt Pasquariello had three hits and three RBI to add to the onslaught for the Falcons (5-1).

Tanners outlast Salem

Juniors Katie Henrick and Jessica Leslie each racked up four goals as the Tanners (4-2) held off Danvers, 16-11. Ashley Sullivan had a hat trick to help the Falcons close a deep hole to within two goals late, but Peabody turned the heat back up to pull away. Linda Vitale, Brittany LeFave and Emily Broughton all notched two tallies to key Peabody.

Beverly lacrosse team extends NEC streak to 102 games

The Beverly High lacrosse team's remarkable win streak in the Northeastern Conference is still alive. But Panthers coach John Pynchon doesn't want his team putting pressure on itself.

Jack Liacos scored in overtime, off an assist by Dave Cheney, as Beverly tipped Danvers, 8-7, yesterday. Beverly (4-3 overall) has won 102 straight NEC games going back to 1997.

Burnham's two home runs power Falcons over Marblehead

MARBLEHEAD | A classic battle between last year's Northeastern Conference softball Pitcher of the Year, Courtney Colantuno of Marblehead, and the NEC's Player of the Year, Ashley Burnham of Danvers, turned out to be a gem yesterday afternoon.

Falcons tip Vikings

Elizabeth Burgess won the high jump (4-10) and was second in the mile (5:52) and Marlene Christianson won the discus (72) and added a second in the shot (25-1) to lead Danvers (2-0) over Winthrop 75-47. Maria Pantazelos contributed a win in the 200 and a second place finish in the low hurdles and Katelyn Hartnett won the 800.

Dean is dominant as Falcons shut down Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT | There are a lot of frontline starting pitchers in the Northeastern Conference this season. Yesterday, Danvers ace Bobby Dean may have leapfrogged the pack and gone to the front of that line as the league's best.

Falcons top Witches

A trio of double-winners paced the Falcons (1-0) to an 82-54 win in the season opener for both teams. Maria Pantazelos took the 300 low hurdles (51.3) and the 200 (27.8), Liz Burgess took first place in the mile (5:51.5) and the high jump (4-10) and Taryn Pydynkowski was victorious in the triple jump (29-9) and the javelin (62-9).

Danvers Boys Track Runners to Watch

Coach: Peter Bush (1st year)

Last year's record: 7-3

Runners to watch: Bryan Blanchette, Sr., Discus/300 Hurdles/Sprints; Patrick Hennessey, Sr., Shot Put/Sprints; Kevin Gabel, Sr., Jumps/ 100 Hurdles/ Sprints; Michael Lima, Jr., Shot Put; Christopher Chapruet, So., Distance

Danvers girls runners to watch

Coach: Sean Dunleavy (8th year)

Last year's record: 7-3

Runners to watch: Katelyn Hartnett, Sr., Middle Distance; Christy Kaczynski, So. Middle Distance; Christina Montefusco, Jr., Distance; Maria Pantazelos, So., Hurdles; Pia Kurkuvelos, Sr., Hurdles/High Jump; Amanda Walke, Sr., Sprints

With scholarship in hand, Burnham still relentless

Danvers High shortstop Ashley Burnham can check up on the James Madison University softball team anytime she wants. The team's information is just one click away on her computer.

James Madison, a Division 1 school located in Harrisonburg, Va., is where Burnham will spend the next four years on scholarship, but she's not dwelling on her future role with the Dukes.

Danvers Softball Preview

Last year's record: 13-7

Coach: Tara Petrocelli (5th season)

Returning players:  Ashley Burnham, Sr., SS; Emily Smith, Sr., 2B; Jamie Leonard, Sr., OF; Caraline Moholland, Sr., 1B; Kim Leonard, Sr., OF; Diana Bean, Jr., P; Jill Carroll, Jr., C; Joanna Zecha, So., 3B; Madison Weymouth, So., INF/OF

Danvers Baseball Preview

Last year's record: 20-2 (Lost in Division 2 North semifinals)

Coach: Roger Day (21st year, 317-130)

Key returnees: Bobby Dean Sr., P/CF; Chris Perry Sr., 3B/P; Tom Marini Jr., OF; Jeff Eldridge Sr., C/P; Jake Korthos Sr., SS.

Malley to resign as Danvers hoop coach

After eight seasons on the job, Mark Malley is expected to resign today as coach of the Danvers High boys basketball team.

Malley, 51, said last night that "I will forward my letter of resignation to the athletic department (today). I've been there for eight years and just feel it's time to move on."

Danvers done in by Wilmington's stifling defense

STONEHAM | There was no crying afterwards, no slamming of sticks or moaning about what could've or should've been.

Instead, the Danvers High hockey team simply tipped their helmets to the boys in the other locker room wearing Wilmington sweaters for a job well done, knowing they themselves had given everything they had, yet came out on the losing end of a 2-1 battle in the Division 2 North quarterfinals last night at the Stoneham Arena.

McInnis, Kontos both turn the trick as Danvers knocks off Fenwick in playoff opener

SALEM | The odds were not in John McInnis' favor. When the 2007-08 high school hockey season began a little over three months ago, McInnis was a sophomore defenseman fighting for ice time at Danvers High.

Younger Kontos helps power Danvers hockey to victory

Finding someone who could help complete the team's second line and add a scoring presence is something the Danvers High hockey team has been looking for all season.

They may have found that person in Chris Kontos. A sophomore winger, Kontos had his first varsity goal last night and also dished out his first assist as the Falcons knocked off Haverhill, 4-2, in the first round of the 13th annual Newburyport Bank Classic.

Danvers has no answer for Gloucester in shutout loss

SALEM | Just five seconds into their contest Saturday night, Danvers High hockey captain Steve Kontos drilled Gloucester defenseman Nick DeCoste so hard that he actually knocked the rearguard off his skates and into the visiting team's penalty box.

Masconomet girls basketball presents huge challenge for Beverly in North Shore Final

DANVERS -- Danvers girls basketball coach Pat Veilleux has a pretty good idea about what makes Masconomet special.

"Confidence, experience, and coaching. Those are the only things I can think of right now," Veilleux said after the Falcons fell, 57-35, at the hands of the Chieftains in the first round of the North Shore High School Hoop Invitational Saturday night.

Danvers girls shine on Senior Night with win over Gloucester

It was Senior Night at Danvers High School. It proved to be an excellent motivator for the Falcons girls basketball team.

"I'm glad we got to have it at home," Coach Pat Veilleux said. "We had a good crowd come out for it and it really got the girls going."

Danvers flexes its muscle, puts Beverly on tourney brink

If this one game represented a fork in the road, you can plainly see how the Danvers and Beverly High hockey teams took very different paths.

Similar to the way their seasons have played out. Playing some of its best hockey of the year, Danvers continued on its late-season roll by scoring three times in the final period and owning all areas of the ice. Paced by junior Troy Thibodeau's hat trick, the Falcons turned a close game into a blowout by hammering the Panthers, 5-1, at the Rockett Arena.

Big third period gives Peabody big win over Danvers

SALEM | It started out as a frustrating Saturday night for the Peabody Tanners.

By game's end, that frustrating feeling had turned to happiness.

A little over an hour later, that happiness became pure glee.

Thibodeau's four goals put Danvers in playoffs for 20th straight year

Danvers High hockey coach Kevin Brown has taught his team not to rest their laurels on the achievements of their forebearers.

Translation: just because the previous 19 Falcon editions had qualified for postseason play, this year's club had to make it on its own.

Swampscott spoils Danvers' upset bid

Jenna Mazzaferro cut baseline, posted on the left block and made a spinning layup to tie the score with just 34 seconds to play.

The Swampscott senior captain converted the hoop with such confidence that it appeared to be a designed play out of the timeout Big Blue coach Jack Hughes had just called.

A long road to 1,000 points for Danvers' Sherry

It wasn't the type of follow-up game Danvers' Danielle Sherry was looking for, but not even a heart-breaking overtime loss to Lynn English could take away the magic Sherry felt after reaching 1,000 points a game earlier.

Fulford carries Fishermen on his back past Falcons

It was just about the best compliment an opposing coach could have ever given Andrew Fulford.

The heart and soul of the Gloucester High hockey team, who had been struggling to find the back of the net this season, had just scored twice to lead his Fishermen to a 3-1 victory over their arch rivals from Danvers in another classic at The Tank.

Sherry hits 1,000 in win over Classical

If Danvers High's Danielle Sherry was extremely nervous in her quest for 1,000 career points last night, she didn't show it on the court.

Sherry needed eight points for 1,000. She ended up scoring eight of the Falcons' first 10 points and finished with 22 as Danvers topped Lynn Classical, 47-38. Danvers has won six of its last seven to improve to 8-4.

Danvers midseason grade: B

First half analysis: The Falcons have shown flashes of being a cohesive unit that works best when all of its parts are on the same page. Pat O'Kane has really picked up his play in goal, and the first line of Steve Kontos, Troy Thibodeau and Kyle Larson can skate with anyone. However, they're still plagued by bouts of inconsistency, which has caused them to give away points that should have rightfully belonged to them.

Sherry scores 32 as Danvers dumps Salem

Danielle Sherry is only eight points away from reaching the coveted 1,000-point mark after pumping in 32 in Danvers' 65-38 win over Salem last night.

Sherry was explosive all night, hitting three unanswered shots to key a 21-0 run by the Falcons in the first quarter after the Witches went up, 6-0 on back-to-back 3-pointers by Karly Henderson and Ashley White to start the game.

Sherry closing in on 1,000 points

A third North Shore player will join the 1,000-point club soon. Danielle Sherry, Danvers' senior guard, is knocking on the door and should reach the milestone in the next couple weeks.

When she does hit the mark, she'll join recent 1,000-point club inductees Caroline Stewart of Masconomet and Amber Smith of Ipswich.

Danvers, Fenwick will fight for postseason lives

Part of the excitement of covering girls basketball is following the teams as they make a run for state tournament qualification down the stretch.

Unfortunately, it seems there won't be many teams to root for in such a capacity this winter.

O'Kane's 36 saves power Danvers to 3-2 upset over Peabody

PEABODY | Off the ice, Danvers High hockey co-captain Patrick O'Kane is shy yet friendly, quiet yet verbose, controlled yet extremely confident. As a multi-talented musician, he quite literally beats to his own drummer.

Falcons have an 11-day break

It's strange, at this point in the season, that Danvers (4-2-2) would have an 11-day layoff between games (in a non-exam week, no less).

"We'll be doing bowling, arts and crafts ... anything to stay busy as a team," joked head coach Kevin Brown.

Masco holds off Danvers

Sean Gallagher had 16 points, Kevin Van Lenten scored 11, and Clay Cleveland added 10 as Masco held off a late Danvers rally. Robert Owens pumped in 25 points for the Falcons, while Mike Warren added 13. Tyler Whalen also played well for Danvers (1-6) with eight points.

Freshman Larson nets two goals as Danves shades Winthrop

Kyle Larson made it official last night: the first line freshman left wing can not only play a regular shift for the Danvers High hockey team, but he can also be a difference maker on a nightly basis.

Freshman Kyle Larson a welcome addition

Keep an eye on Danvers freshman left wing Kyle Larson. Having already acquitted himself quite nicely on the Falcons' first line with captain Steve Kontos on the other side and Troy Thibodeau at center, Larson has a goal and two assists in his first three varsity games.

Back and forth action leaves Beverly, Danvers all tied up

What didn't this game have?

There were big hits, big saves and big goals. There were plenty of power plays, a bevy of backchecking and a cavalcade of chances for both teams.

We saw a freshman forward score on a freshman goaltender; the lead see-saw back and forth like a broken teeter-tooter, and even a rare, rocket shot from center ice that beat one of the goaltenders cleanly.

Turnovers and trap game help Marblehead hammer Danvers

DANVERS | Trapping and turnovers.

The Marblehead High boys basketball team used those two key components to force the host Danvers Falcons into submission last night, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back to take a 59-31 road victory at Danvers High.

Two late scores salvage a tie for Swampscott vs. Danvers

SALEM | True, the game ended in a tie.

But it felt like so much more to the Big Blue of Swampscott.

Trailing by two goals with under three minutes to play, Swampscott rallied in dramatic fashion as captain Keith Morgan and defenseman Sam Rakoc both connected late, forcing a 3-3 stalemate with Danvers on opening night of the 2007-08 high school hockey season.

Danvers Boys Basketball Preview

Last year's record: 3-17

Coach: Mark Malley (8th season)

Key returnees: Ben Wood, 5-11, Sr., F; Robert Owens, 6-2, Jr., F; Greg Ladd, 5-6, So., G; Matt Pasquariello, 6-0, Sr., F; Jeff Eldridge, 6-1, Sr., F.

Falcons focusing on breakthrough season

Danvers girls basketball coach Pat Veilluex looks over his roster and likes the talent, experience and leadership the Falcons will feature this winter.

Then, he peers at his team's schedule and wonders where the wins will come from.

Danvers Girls Basketball Preview

Last year's record: 11-10 (lost to Masconomet, 65-35, in Division 2 North first round)

Coach: Pat Veilleux (2nd season)

Key returnees: Cate DiNitto, Sr. F; Ashley Burnham, Sr. G/F; Danielle Sherry, Sr. G; Stephanie Costas, Sr. G/F; Erica Veilleux, Jr. G; Bailey Potter, Jr. G; Taylor Cross, Jr. F.

Danvers Boys Ice Hockey Preview

Last year's record: 9-7-5 (lost to Gloucester, 4-1, in Division 2 North first round)

Coach: Kevin Brown (2nd year, 9-7-5)

Key returnees: Pat O'Kane, Sr. G (8-7-5, 2.57 GAA); Steve Kontos, Sr. LW (14-8-22); Jake Korthas, Sr. D (3-10-13); Jay Sabino, Sr. RW (4-1-5); John Curran, Sr. C (1-3-4); Troy Thibodeau, Jr. C (1-3-4); Colin Cooper, Jr. C/W (2-2-4); D.J. Yost, Soph. F (0-3-3); Brett Spencer, Sr. D (2-1-3); Dylan Carr, Jr. D (0-1-1).

Winless Danvers no match for unbeaten Gloucester

GLOUCESTER | In terms of the standings, yesterday's Thanksgiving Day contest between unbeaten Gloucester and winless Danvers meant absolutely nothing.

The Falcons had not tasted success this fall, but an upset victory over their archrivals from Cape Ann would have put a happy ending on an otherwise frustrating season.

Gloucester rolls past rival Danvers, sight set on playoffs

GLOUCESTER | In terms of the standings, yesterday's Thanksgiving Day contest between Gloucester and winless Danvers meant absolutely nothing.

But that held very little water with the Northeastern Conference Large champion Fishermen.

Danvers' seniors season ends short of state final

Danvers High girls soccer coach Jimmy Hinchion didn't have a speech prepared for the postgame last night.

Even if he had, it couldn't have eased the pain of the 16 seniors who fell short in their bid for a state title. Meeting their match for the first time this postseason, Danvers fell at the hands of a powerful Oliver Ames team, 1-0, at Veterans Memorial Field in the Eastern Mass. final. Hinchion has delivered the season-ending speech several times before, but it hasn't become any easier over the years.

Danvers falls to Oliver Ames in state semifinals

Division 2 South champion Oliver Ames came to last night's girls state semifinal girls looking to force Division 2 North champ Danvers to play their style of soccer.

The strategy worked to a T as the Tigers forc