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VOTE NOW: Boy's Basketball All-Stars

POLLS WILL CLOSE MONDAY APRIL 14, AT NOON

We want you to choose who the top boys ice hockey players were at each position this winter. Vote in the polls below for each position. Think we left someone out? Let us know by writing the players name in the other text area in the poll.

Some bleary eyed memories from covering 18 games in 20 days

The wildness began innocently enough with a Central Catholic boys blowout of Acton-Boxboro on Feb. 25 and ended Saturday night with a pair of Division 1 state finals.

For the record, this corner actually witnessed 18 full games live in those 20 days. From Durham, N.H., to Worcester,  Mass., to a slew of points in between.

Ryan Bourque lives on in the hearts of Central Catholic's players

This is my shot at glory, the skinny, blond-haired kid said to himself. Might as well make the most of it.

Central Catholic led Boston Latin by 18 points. Less than a minute remained. The game was nearly over.

Locals take a look at injuries in youth sports

On average, 18 million youths each year will suffer some sort of injury related to athletics. Of those, roughly 3.5 million will be sustained by kids under the age of 15 years old.

That was the topic of discussion at a lecture on kids and sports injuries held at Merrimack College. The was sponsored by Eagle Tribune Publishing's RallyNorth.net, as well as Merrimack College and the Northeast Rehab Health Network.

A Senior Night to remember

If I could have last Thursday night back, I would make sure that I was sitting in the stands inside the Smith Field House at Gloucester High School around 8:30 p.m.

Eight days ago, in that aforementioned location, arguably the most emotional and inspirational moment of the Cape Ann winter sports season took place.

Power Players, February 14, 2008

Chris Maxson, Salem, MA : Scored 41 points and had seven 3-pointers in the Witches' 94-67 triumph over Revere.

Mike Carter-Williams, Hamilton-Wenham : The Generals' outstanding freshman poured in 37 points in the team's 82-71 win over Lynnfield.

Power Rankings, February 13, 2008

1.Central Catholic (15-1): A date with Lowell looms in the Division 1 North sectional.

2.Salem, NH (15-1): Still untouchable in Class L. You know E.J. Perry would love a re-do on the Greater Lawrence Christmas tourney.

Teen shows fighting—and team—spirit after disabling accident

Gregory Martinez accomplished something yesterday that his parents never thought could happen six months after a bicycle accident that left the teenager with severe brain and spinal injuries.

Greg was back in the Salem High School gymnasium, surrounded by friends and cheering on his basketball teammates. He was the star of the show, joking with his parents and his coach Tom Doyle, and dribbling a basketball with his left hand from his wheelchair.

Power Players, January 31, 2008

Mike Clifford, Bishop Fenwick: The Crusaders' 6-7 junior center was immense against Austin Prep, finishing with 26 points and 17 rebounds in a 74-55 win. Clifford averages nearly 24 points for the season

Power Rankings, January 30, 2008

1.Central Catholic (11-1): Win over Lowell silences critics

2.Salem, N.H (12-1): Devils keep rolling

3.Masconomet (10-3): Chieftains made it 10 wins in 11 tries with dramatic 67-66 win over North Reading

Power Rankings, January 23, 2008

1.Central Catholic (9-1): The loss to Lowell won’t slow Raider trek to Tsongas Arena.

2.Salem, N.H. (10-1): Unflappable on any court in the Granite State,

Power Players, January 17, 2008

Zach Burdeau, Andover: The senior forward scored 14 points in back-to-back games for the Warriors, including a huge near-shocker of unbeaten Lowell.

Jordan Mickens, Brooks: The senior sniper delivered 31 and 28 points in a pair of wins for surging Brooks School, which is off to a 9-2 start.

Power Rankings, January 16, 2008

1.Central Catholic (7-0): Lowell showdown looms, but keep an eye on Billy Marsden's tender ankle.

2.Salem, N.H. (8-1): Until somebody in Class L steps up to their level, Devils shoot to the top of the charts.

Talk Back: Which teams (no matter what sport) have been the most surprising so far this season?

Which teams (no matter what sport) have been the most surprising so far this season?

Leave your answers below. Make sure to list the sport along with the team you are talking about.

Power Players, January 10, 2007

Allen Williamson, Pingree: A junior forward, Williamson shot 13 for 16 from the field and finished with 33 points and 14 rebounds in Pingree's win over Lexington Christian last Thursday. Williamson is averaging 20.2 points for the season.

Power Rankings, January 9, 2007

1.Central Catholic (6-0): The return of Adrian Gonzalez to the lineup makes the Raiders again the team to shoot for in Division 1 North.

2.Andover (6-2): Both losses come at the hands of Central. The Warriors will get one, possibly two more shots.

Feast or famine for teams during Christmas week

High school basketball coaches and players are creatures of habit.

They're accustomed to playing on Tuesdays and Fridays. They set their clocks to it from December through February.

But Christmas week poses a challenge for North Shore teams. The usual routine is suspended because they're either playing back-to-back games in a holiday tournament or they're in the midst of a long break.

Youngest Jones brother may be the best of a talented bunch

"The Gambler" and "Lucille" were officially deleted from Jason Jones' IPod.

Jones isn't too high on Kenny Rogers these days. Not after the aging crooner's rescheduled concert forced the Lowell Devils AHL hockey team to move their game from last night to tonight. That meant Jones couldn't watch his brother, Salem High basketball star Josh, play Trinity High last night in the rematch of last year's Class L championship game. "I've been mad all day," stewed Jason, a senior account executive for the Devils. "It's one of the biggest games of the season. That's tough for me."

Talk Back: Who has the most loyal or rowdy basketball fans?

Who has the most loyal or rowdy basketball fans?

What makes them the most loyal or rowdy?

Do they have T-shirts made up for the team?
Do they travel everywhere the team goes? Are there any unique cheers they have?

Basketball is here

Schedules are now available for the majority of high school ice hockey and basketball teams for the 2007-2008 winter season. Over the next couple of weeks, stories previewing what the winter holds for each team, rosters, and team and individual player photographs will begin to appear on RallyNorth. If your team has a schedule or roster that we do not have yet, please e-mail it to rallynorth @eagletribune.com.

Talk Back: Who will be the top boys basketball teams this year?

Who will be the top boys basketball teams this year?

Leave your answers below