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Peabody sees its season ended in quarterfinals by Methuen

PEABODY | The situation was just what the Peabody High softball team was hoping for.

The end result, however, was not.

Despite loading the bases in the final inning, the Tanners couldn't push the tying run across and fell to visiting Methuen, 5-4, in the Division 1 North quarterfinals at Kiley Field.

Fishermen softball team eliminated by Tanners

PEABODY | The Gloucester softball team was hoping history would repeat itself in Saturday's Division 1 North first-round matchup against Peabody.

No. 19 Gloucester had previously beaten the third-seeded Tanners in the regular season and were hoping to send them home early in the postseason. But unfortunately for the Fishermen, the Tanners had other plans.

Andover calms down, rips Peabody

ANDOVER | As Andover knelt in a circle during halftime yesterday, there was one clear message throughout the team.

"We needed to get the jitters out of our system and just relax," said Golden Warriors head coach Wayne Puglisi. "We needed to take a deep breath, stay focused, maintain our composure and tell ourselves, 'We can do this.' "

Newton North stuns Peabody in see-saw slugfest

PEABODY | At the crack of the bat, it looked and sounded perfect.

With the Peabody High baseball team trailing by a run with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 12th inning of yesterday's Division 1 North first round contest against  Newton North, Pat Yeo laced a torpedo towards left field that had the Tanners thinking walk-off win.

D'Addario's OT strike powers Peabody to playoff win

PEABODY | For a moment no one, including Peabody's Mark D'Addario, knew where the ball was.

Weymouth's short-stick midfielder, Mike Guilfoy, was attached to D'Addario's hip as the Tanners' middie gradually curled toward the visitor's goal. As D'Addario neared the point of firing, Guilfoy lifted his stick up and over the head of D'Addario and slashed down on his opponent's stick.

Peabody softball wins Corning Memorial Tournament

BEVERLY | Peabody High's softball team has had its share of tough games this season, but nothing is more difficult for the Tanners than holding down their emotion at the Courtney Marie Corning Memorial Tournament.

Tanners finish perfect in NEC after beating Beverly

The Tanners completed their first season in the NEC perfect at 11-0 by beating Beverly twice in the same season for the first time in school history. The Panthers led by four at halftime before Peabody (13-5 overall) came roaring back and won 9-5 on three goals each from Billy Daly and Derek West. Greg Shidler added a pair while Mike Pennachio had a goal and an assist.

Tanner girls drop Revere

Andrea Saccardo won the low hurdles (48.6) and the triple jump (32-6) as Peabody finished the dual meet season 6-1 with a big 113-18 win over Revere. Kirstin Surman won the shot put (33-5), Pinky Ratanajit took the 100 (12.8) and Kritsin Kolodziej finished first in the 800 (2:35.4) for the Tanners.

Tanners thump Revere

Mark Linehan tossed six scoreless innings to help the Tanners (14-5) take care of Revere, 7-0. Danny Mello and Tom Ciulla paced the offense as each was 2 for 3 with a pair of runs scored. Peaboody broke it open in the fourth on consecutive hits from James Noftle, Pat Yeo, Ciulla and Mark Finnochio.

Peabody softball a step closer to NEC title

PEABODY | Robin Helas drove her black Nissan XTerra to Kiley Field yesterday to watch her daughter, freshman MaryKate Helas, play for the Peabody High softball team. MaryKate Helas then drove Peabody's biggest homer of the season over the fence in left field, smacking the family car.

Skop's gem helps Peabody beat English

Senior Kevin Skop tossed a complete game, two-hit shutout and fanned nine Bulldogs to pace Peabody (13-5) to a 2-0 win. The Tanners got all the offense they needed in the first inning with RBIs from James Noftle and Jared Shields. The middle infield defense of Gary Girolomo and Mark Finocchio, along with Skop's pitching, made the lead stand up.

Dumas, Skop power Peabody past Tewksbury

PEABODY -- Pat Dumas is accustomed to getting saves for the Peabody High baseball team. Last night, the junior closer's performance could be characterized as more of a rescue.

Facing a five-game week, Peabody coach Mark Bettencourt knew his pitching staff needed time to regroup for the stretch run. Dumas' complete-game victory -- in his first varsity start -- was just what the Tanners were looking for.

Theriault's suicide squeeze gives Salem a share of first place

SALEM | Now it's a race in the Northeastern Conference Large baseball standings.

For the second time this season, Salem knocked off neighboring rival Peabody by a run. This time, it was Beau Theriault's suicide squeeze that scored the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, leading to his team's 7-6 victory at the Salem State College baseball field.

Mastrangelo steps down as hoop coach at Peabody High

Chris Mastrangelo, who guided the Peabody High boys basketball team for the past 11 years, resigned from his post yesterday.

Citing a combination of reasons that factored into his decision, Mastrangelo told Peabody High athletic director Phil Sheridan about his intentions recently, and informed his players of his decision yesterday.

Peabody makes it 14 straight playoff appearances

When it comes to scheduling, there might not be a team that is more prepared for the state tournament than Peabody (10-4).

Every year it seems the playoffs require some teams to play on back-to-back days or as many as four times in a week. The Tanners, who'll be making their 14th straight playoff appearance, are in the midst of playing seven games in nine days to get ready for that very challenge.

Tanner bats explode in rout of Winthrop

PEABODY | Peabody's third baseman, Dan Mello, said it best.

"We can hit with any team in the conference," said Mello, and yesterday's final score, 19-3 over Winthrop, was a huge confirmation of his opinion.

Famigletti helps Peabody nip Marblehead

Despite playing two of the last four minutes down a man, the Tanners outlasted Marblehead 8-7 thanks in part to a late kick save from goalie Justin Famigletti, who totaled 23 stops. Billy Daly provided the offense for Peabody (11-4) with four goals while Derek West, Mike Martin and Mike Pennachio each added a goal and an assist.

Will Beringer scored three times and added a helper on the Marblehead side, as the Magicians came within a goal late but could never knot the score.

Peabody softball tops Marblehead, makes state tourney

PEABODY | The Marblehead High softball team had visions of beating powerful Peabody twice in a span of a week.

It didn't work out either time.

The Magicians were in the process of blowing out Peabody last Thursday when it started raining, causing a cancellation. They had to start the game from scratch here yesterday.

Peabody walks off with win

Freshman Marykate Helas knocked in Tawny Palmieri to break a 4-4 tie in the ninth inning as the Tanners (9-3) walked off with a 5-4 extra innings win over Beverly. Peabody had rallied to knot the score in the sixth after Beverly (3-9) went ahead 4-3 on a two-run double by Courtney Brennan.

Earlier, Peabody's Michelle Grifoni hit a two-run bomb to get things started and Beverly's Jess Gagnon responded with a two-run double soon after. Nicole Wilson threw all nine innings for the Tanners and earned the win.

Accomando sisters power Panthers past Tanners

PEABODY | It may have been Senior Day for the host Peabody High girls lacrosse team yesterday at at Donahue Field, but the day truly belonged to a pair of sisters from Beverly.

The Accomando sisters, senior Alyssa and sophomore Mary, combined for four goals and two assists to guide their Panthers to an 11-8 win over the Tanners.

Longtime Tanner Wlasuk named Peabody football coach

As recently as a few months ago, Scott Wlasuk had never imagined he'd be the head football coach at Peabody High.

Whether it was during his four years as a player under the legendary Arthur Adamopoulos, during nearly 20 years as an assistant under Ed Nizwantowski or as an assistant last season with Dick Woodbury, sitting in the big chair was something that Wlasuk simply never considered.

Waltham overpowers Peabody

The Hawks watched Peabody get within one at 4-3 in the second half and then turned on the jets to pull away and win 9-3. Billy Daly scored twice and Derek West had a goal for the Tanners (9-3), who got 25 saves in net from senior Justin Famigletti.

Peabody set to name Wlasuk as its new football coach

The long wait | about five months | is over.

Peabody is expected to name veteran assistant Scott Wlasuk to head its 2008 football program, it was learned yesterday.

Wlasuk, who will become the Tanners' fourth head coach in the last five seasons, succeeds Dick Woodbury, who resigned for health reasons after one year on the job and a 1-10 season last fall.

Peabody making a name for itself

The Peabody boys team is quietly making a name for itself this spring.

The Tanners, who ended Beverly's long Northeastern Conference win streak a week ago, seem to be a great fit for their new conference, but it also seems possible that they could be a factor in the Division 1 postseason.

Helas helps Peabody down Saugus

Freshman Marykate Helas belted a two-run triple and finished 3 for 4 with four RBI as the Tanners (8-2) brushed aside Saugus 6-3. Junior Kellie Multner stepped in at third base and had a crucial RBI while Sam Terenzoni had two hits. Nicole Wilson shined on the hill with five strikeouts and no earned runs allowed as all three Sachem scores were unearned.

After loss to Peabody, Gloucester searching for wins

At the halfway point of the spring season, the Gloucester High School baseball team is in desperate need of wins.

Unfortunately, Gloucester's schedule isn't doing it any favors, and neither are the recent powerhouse ballclubs that the Fishermen have been facing.

Accomando's late goal sparks Beverly past Tanners

Alyson Healey, Beverly's rookie girls lacrosse coach, was the victim of some good natured kidding in school yesterday. She happens to teach freshman English at Peabody High and her Panthers were playing | who else? | Peabody.

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?

Peabody halts Beverly's 103-game streak

Streaks are meant to be broken sooner or later, and it finally ended for Beverly High's lacrosse team yesterday at Donahue Field.

After winning 103 straight Northeastern Conference lacrosse games dating back to 1997, Beverly's remarkable streak was abruptly finished by Peabody, 9-3.

Peabody Tanners off to fast start in NEC

Peabody High softball coach Butch Melanaphy scheduled a pizza party for the varsity, JV and freshman teams yesterday at Bertucci's. He did it for bonding purposes, but the Tanners already seem to have it together.

Peabody thumps Lynn Classical

It was a two-way domination for the Peabody High baseball team yesterday.

The bats were booming for the Tanners in a 10-0 shutout over Lynn Classical. Peabody banged out 15 hits and broke the game open with a seven-run third inning.

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.

Peabody downs Swampscott

Senior captain Mike Berlangieri was a triple winner for the unbeaten Tanners (3-0), qualifying for states in the 100 meter hurdles (11.04), high jump (6 feet) and long jump (20 feet). Junior Dulu Gaye won a pair of events, taking the 300 hurdles (42.5) and 110 hurdles (15.9). Others taking first place finishes included Alex Gomes (2-mile, 9:54.00), Ramses Monteiro (mile, 4:50), Kevin Bettencourt (shot put, 44-10), Nour Shahin (discus, 140-7) and A.J. Grube (triple jump, 39<1/2>).

Peabody stays undefeated with win

Nicole Wilson spun a complete-game, three-hit gem and Michelle Grifoni went 3 for 4 with two RBIs to lift Peabody to a 5-0 start. Wilson struck out 13 and walked one, while surrendering an unearned run in the fifth inning. Kenia McKeon added one hit and two RBIs.

Noone shuts down Peabody

Most would agree that pitching and defense are the cornerstones of championship baseball. Both were on display in prime fashion yesterday at Peabody High, where Salem (2-2) scrathed out a 1-0 win over the host Tanners.

Peabody not ready to name new football coach

The rumors and rumblings about who remains in the hunt to become the newest Peabody High School football coach may be gaining steam, but all the talk will have no influence on how quickly the vacancy is filled, according to Peabody athletic director Phil Sheridan.

Palmieri's blast lifts Tanners

Tawny Palmieri blasted a solo shot to the opposite field for the only runs of the afternoon as the Tanners (3-0) survived Salem (2-3), 1-0, to stay unbeaten. The Witches' Sarah Chasse, a freshman, shined with a complete game, three-hit effort but the Salem offense couldn't muster any runs despite putting runners on second and third twice.

Freshman Helas Leads Peabody over Beverly

Any coach loves to have an impact freshman on his team. The freshman making the biggest impact so far is Peabody High's MaryKate Helas.

Helas, who is the designated player for the Tanners, had her second straight big game yesterday, finishing 3-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs as Peabody defeated Beverly, 6-3. Last week Helas went 4-for-5 with a grand slam homer against Everett, so she is 7-for-9 for the season.

Tanners topple Classical

Sophomore Andrea Saccardo secured wins in the low hurdles, triple jump and long jump to propel the unbeaten Tanners (2-0) to a dominant 112-15 win over Lynn Classical. Peabody also enjoyed a trio of double-winners in Pinky Ratanajit (100 and 200), Kristin Surman (shot put and discus) and Joanna Chanaj (high jump and 400)

Defensive miscues hurt Beverly in loss to Peabody

PEABODY | After months of wondering, the Peabody High baseball team finally knows what they'll be up against each and every time they take the field in Northeastern Conference play this season.

Tanners thump Everett

Freshman Mary-Kate Helas hit a grand slam in her first varsity game as the Tanners (1-0) pulverized the rival Crimson Tide, 18-6.

Seniors Tawny Palmieri, Sam Terenzoni and Michelle Grifoni each contributed three hits and Nicole Wilson fanned 12 Everett batters to earn the win. Peabody went ahead 9-0 after two innings and added six in the seventh frame.

Peabody Girls Track Runners To Watch

Coach: Jose Rocha (10th year)

Last year's record: 7-0

Runners to watch: Pinky Ratanajit, Jr., Sprints; Joanna Chanaj, Sr., High Jump; Andrea Saccardo, So., Hurdles; Brittney Creamer, Jr., Distance; Kristin Surman, Sr., Shot Put/Discus; Rhode Moise, Sr., Sprints

Peabody High boys spring track athletes to watch

Coach: Fernando Braz (7th year)

Last year's record: 7-1 in GBL

Runners to watch: Jim Maheras, Sr., Sprints/Long Jump; Nour Shahin, Jr., Shot Put/Discus; Kevin Bettencourt, Jr., Shot Put/Javelin; Mike Berlangieri, Sr., Jumps/Hurdles; Dulu Gaye, Sr., Hurdles/Long Jump/100; Scott Diefenbach, Sr., Hurdles/Triple Jump; Jake Pimenta, So., 200/400/800

Peabody Softball Preview

Last year's record: 12-8

Coach: Butch Melanaphy (2nd season)

Returning players: Michelle Grifoni, Sr., 2B; Tawny Palmieri, Sr., SS; Samantha Terenzoni, Sr., C; Stephanie Fodera, Sr., CF; Lauren Tucker, Jr., RF; Kenia McKeon, Jr., LF; Samantha Lerner, Sr., 1B; Nicole Wilson, So., P; Amanda Smith, So., 3B.

Peabody baseball shades St. John's Prep

DANVERS -- Mark Bettencourt's philosophy is for his Peabody High baseball team to play quality competition in the regular season because the Tanners will be seeing good teams in the postseason.

Peabody Baseball Preview

Last year's record: 19-3 (Lost in Division 1 North final)

Coach: Mark Bettencourt (Fourth year, 48-18)

Key returnees: Danny Mello Sr., 3B; Josh Band Sr., SS; James Noftle Sr., 1B/P, Kevin Skop Sr., RF/P; Gary Girolomo Sr., 2B; Pat Yeo Sr., CF; Mark Linehan Jr., 1B/P; Mark Finnochio Jr., OF; Jared Shields Jr., OF; Chris Gaudette Jr., P; Brian Latorella Jr., P; Pat Dumas Jr., P

Interview process still a couple weeks away for Peabody football job

Time is of the essence in naming the next Peabody High football coach. But it's not not as important as conducting a thorough and complete search to find the right person.

"That really is the emphasis: let's do it right and take the time to make sure that we dot our I's and cross our T's," Peabody High Athletic Director Phil Sheridan said. "I don't want to do this all over again."

Hot goalie cools off Peabody's playoff dreams

SALEM | Mike Cabral had a pretty good idea of what he'd be facing against the high octane Peabody High offense last night.

"They did everything I figured they would: storm the net, crash for rebounds, throw a ton of shots at me," Wilmington's all-league goaltender remarked. "They put constant pressure on me and kept me on my toes almost the entire game. I tip my hat to them."

Slow start handcuffs Peabody in North semifinal loss

SALEM | When you're in the state hockey tourney, you have to be on the attack from the beginning. Peabody didn't do that last night and it proved fatal to its chances in the Division 2 North semifinals.

Clashing strategies collide tonight when Peabody meets Wilmington

It's simply a matter of what your preference is.

On the one hand, you have a team that has scored 101 times this winter, has five different players with at least 20 points and is stacked both up front and on defense. More than one coach has called them the deepest, most talented team in Division 2 hockey.

Peabody rolls into Division 2 North semifinals after big win over Lynnfield

STONEHAM | Peabody High hockey co-captain James Noftle didn't say much after Lynnfield's Mike Connolly knocked him into the crossbar of an empty net with 46 seconds left in last night's Division 2 North quarterfinal.

LEXINGTON | Peabody came oh-so-close to punching its ticket to the Division 1 North semifinals last night.

But ultimately, the visiting Tanners couldn't hold off a late rally by host Lexington and said their season end with a 46-43 quarterfinal loss.

Three late goals lift Peabody to dramatic win over North Andover

STONEHAM | When the Peabody High hockey team fell behind by two goals with under five minutes remaining in last night's Division 2 North first round showdown vs. North Andover, most figured the end was near.

Peabody girls cruise past Billerica in first round tournament rout

PEABODY | The past two seasons, the Peabody High girls basketball team has been a victim of first round upsets in the state tournament.

Not this season, though.

The Tanners cleared their first postseason hurdle with a 64-38 win over Billerica last night in the first round of the Division 1 North playoffs at Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse.

Peabody rolls to seventh straight Carlin Cup title

Their head coach, Mark Leonard, may have been on crutches after breaking his ankle during a game against the Bruins' Old-Timers this past weekend.

But the rest of the Peabody High hockey team was in tip-top shape | and they displayed that for all to see in yesterday's annual Carlin Cup contest against city rival Bishop Fenwick.

Yeo's two goals help Peabody outlast Revere

Defenseman and senior captain Pat Yeo scored twice (once while shorthanded) while junior center Elijah Cohen had two goals and an assist as Peabody knocked off host Revere Saturday, 5-2.

The Tanners, who improved to 14-5 overall, got a goal and an assist from sophomore Matt Rodgers in the win.

Gloucester falls to Peabody on Senior Night

The Gloucester girls hockey team put up a good fight on senior night at Talbot Rink last night, but the Fishermen came up a bit short.

Peabody was able to get a game-winner in the third period to knock off Gloucester 3-2 in a tight contest. Mia Cohen and Margaret Muniz tallied the goals for the Fishermen, while Andrea Rovedo was fantastic in the Gloucester net, stopping 42 shots.

Gloucester turns the tables on Peabody, clinches NEC

Turnabout is fair play, and the Gloucester Fishermen invaded Peabody's McVann-O'Keefe Rink last night bent on turning the tables on a lopsided loss to the Tanners earlier this season.

An inspired Gloucester squad did just that and dispatched Peabody 7-2 on the Tanners' home ice. It was an emphatic statement for a Fishermen team that came in winless in its last four games and in danger of giving up first place in the Northeastern Conference for the first time all season.

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.

Peabody clinches first NEC title

Peabody is accustomed to winning the Greater Boston League title but now the girls can add an Northeastern Conference Large title as well.

Playing in the conference for the first year, the Tanners (12-2 in NEC, 13-3 overall) used their rebounding advantage to take a 48-45 victory on the road. Peabody outrebounded Lynn English by 20, 53-33.

Woodbury steps down in Peabody

The search for a new Peabody High football coach will begin | again | today when Dick Woodbury will tell his team he is stepping down after one season on the job for health reasons.

Woodbury, who had a nightmarish 1-10 record in his first and only season as head coach last fall, tendered his resignation at a meeting that included Peabody High principal Ed Sapienza and athletic director Phil Sheridan.

Peabody Girls looking for a perfect finish

When 2-13-0 Peabody set out to win each of its final five games, the Tanners weren't kidding. After last night's triumph over Shawsheen Valley, it's so far, so good.

"We really are hoping we can take the rest of the season," said Peabody coach Larry Minehan.

Maxson's last-second heroics power Salem to improbable win

There are late-game dramatics, and there are fantastic finishes.

Then there are those ultra rare, simply unbelievable scenarios that seem hard to believe if you weren't there to witness it yourself.

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.

Peabody hockey qualifies for state tourney

PEABODY | Coming off its worst loss of the season, the Peabody High hockey team felt an urgency to get back on track. But it knew the job wasn't going to be easy against a Beverly team that had beaten the Tanners last month.

Peabody's Mello proves a consummate teammate

Danny Mello's favorite sport at Peabody High is baseball. Everybody knows it, including Tanners basketball coach Chris Mastrangelo.

So when the 5-foot-9 point guard tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a hoop game against Waltham last winter, it was a devastating blow. Mello was out for the second half of the basketball season and lost his entire baseball season.

Can Winthrop Finn-ish off Peabody?

This isn't a case of David vs. Goliath in girls basketball circles.

What it is, this Northeastern Conference between visiting Peabody (10-2) and host Winthrop (10-1), is a collision of two top notch teams who have already qualified for their respective state tournament brackets.

Swampscott out-guns Peabody in NEC showdown

In addition to cramming for school exams all week the Swampscott girls basketball team was also preparing for a huge test on the court.

The classroom grades may not have been handed out yet, but the Big Blue can breath a little easier knowing they passed their on-court exam last night with a 75-67 defeat of Peabody.

Peabody midseason grade: A-

First half analysis: If the Tanners played like they did last Saturday against Gloucester | aggressive, hungry, and with passion for three full periods | all the time, they'd get an A+ grade. Of course, they'd be 12-0-0 if that were the case | something they probably could have been at this point.

Cohen, Peabody make things hairy for Fishermen in blowout victory

Call him Samson on Skates.

With stringy brown hair flying out of the back of his helmet | the kind of hairstyle that was de rigeur in hockey circles two decades ago | Elijah Cohen looks like a player born a couple of generations too late.

Big matchup next Friday

There is a huge NEC matchup between Peabody and Swampscott next Friday night.

The Tanners will come into the game at 10-1 while Swampscott will likely be 11-1.

This game will be a great measuring stick for both teams. Peabody hasn't lost in the NEC, but some would argue that the Tanners are playing an easier schedule in the Large division. Swampscott, meanwhile, is a Small division team that has to play powerful Winthrop twice. It is widely believed that the Big Blue and Vikings are the two best teams in either NEC division.

Peabody girls qualify for states yet again

It remains a goal, not their top priority, but a major one of the Peabody High girls basketball team each season. Qualify for the state tournament as early as possible. The Tanners, behind balanced scoring from a dozen different players, did just that last night, routing host Saugus, 74-48, to punch their tournament ticket for the sixth straight season.

Looking for the silver lining

As tough as it might be to fathom when looking at the 11-1 final score, there was a silver lining in Peabody's loss to Marblehead last weekend. During one of the most difficult stretches of their season, the Tanners have chosen not to focus on final scores but instead on getting as many players as much ice time as possible.

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.

High flying Peabody gears up for two big NEC tests

It is weeks like this why Peabody High decided to become a member of the Northeastern Conference.

It doesn't get much better over the next four days if you're a Tanners' player, coach or fan. Tonight, they'll host long-time NEC power Danvers (5:15 p.m.) at the McVann-O'Keefe Rink, then travel up Route 128 North Saturday night for a showdown with arguably the state's hottest Division 2 team, unbeaten Gloucester (7 p.m.) at the Talbot Rink.

High flying Peabody gears up for two big NEC tests

It is weeks like this why Peabody High decided to become a member of the Northeastern Conference.

It doesn't get much better over the next four days if you're a Tanners' player, coach or fan. Tonight, they'll host long-time NEC power Danvers (5:15 p.m.) at the