RallyNorth.net

Last winter's whispers were actually screams, followed by laughter.

"Lots of friends just like me didn't even bother to try out," said North Andover High senior Will Enright. "Friends said I had no chance. Even after I made the team, some kids who thought I shouldn't have, were like, 'Why did you make it?' I tried not to listen to it."

Drew Smith had a list of excuses at his disposal.

Who could blame the Timberlane Regional senior sharpshooter if he imploded?

His 6-9 center had transferred to prep school. His coach had moved on to a different job in a different state. Smith was left to pick up the pieces for the Owls.

Ryan O'Connell had a lot of basketball fans on his side last night in his successful quest to become the all-time leading scorer at St. John's Prep.

First, there was his family. Then there was head coach Dan Letarte and the rest of the St. John's Prep team. The vast majority of the Ipswich High basketball team also showed up to see O'Connell, who lives in Ipswich.

When it comes to athletics, Rockport High School is fighting an uphill battle.

Rockport's total enrollment for all of its high school students is routinely less than 400 year-in and year-out, a number that is far less than some of the larger schools that play alongside the Vikings boys and girls basketball teams in the Cape Ann League. Thus, talent and depth is difficult to come by on the hardwood for Rockport, which sits in the basement of the CAL standings in both boys and girls hoops.

Senior night is always special for any athlete. Manchester Essex boys basketball star Marty Nally made sure his would be especially unique as he pumped in a career-high 41 points. It was an incredible individual performance that people will remember forever as his Hornets held off visiting Rockport 71-57 in both team's season-finale.

Salem breezed past Merrimack 70-50. Mike Kimball had a big night, scoring 16 of his 23 points in the second half. Josh Frederico scored seven points and dished out nine assists and Alex LaRosa added eight points.

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.

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.

Goffstown entertained thoughts of an upset for a half, Londonderry to a halftime, 24-24 stalemate, but all that changed after the break.

The Lancers, who only have one Class L loss, ripped off a 24-6 third quarter and never looked back, rolling 60-33. Matt Travalini paced the winners with 21 points, and Desmond Lumpkins chipped in 13.

When the Ipswich boys basketball team got off to a 2-5 start this season, coach Doug Woodworth wasn't thinking about the postseason. But Woodworth and the Tigers can start preparing for the Division 4 North tournament now after reeling off eight wins in the last 11 games.