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Fourteen games into the season the state tournament was already out of reach for Beverly, but that didn't stop the Panthers from making a great run late in the year. After going 3-11 through 14 games, Beverly concluded with a 5-1 sprint to the finish line, with the only blemish coming at the hands of Masconomet in the North Shore Invitational final.

Nineteen times this year, a look of confusion has been painted on the coach's face opposing the Masconomet girls basketball team.

Last night, it was time for Beverly's Matt Smith to take a turn.

"If they're not the best Division 2 team in the state, then they're the best (Div. 2) team in Eastern Mass.," Smith said after the previously red-hot Panthers were dealt a one-sided 64-36 loss in the final of the North Shore Hoop Invitational.

Bishop Fenwick girls basketball coach Tim Harrington needs another victory for his team to qualify for the Division 2 North tournament.

Two weeks ago, Harrington would have been thrilled to see Beverly High on the schedule for such an important game. But not anymore.

SALEM | When the pressure of the game got hot, Ashley White stayed cool | and came up big for the Salem girls basketball team.

White came up with clutch baskets when the game was on the line to power the host Witches to a 61-48 win over archrival Beverly last night at Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse.

Thanks to its junior class, the Beverly High girls basketball team now has its first victory of the season.

Junior guards Kellie Shea and Jess Shaw both scored 16 points last night as the Panthers went on the road to defeat Revere, 74-52, in Northeastern Conference action. Fellow 11th grader Meghan Chatellier, a forward, dropped in 11 points to help aid the victory. Breezy Dwyer added four points and eight rebounds and Alex Vavladellis chipped in with five steals and a basket.

Welcome to Northeastern Conference girls basketball, Peabody High School, where the competition is stiff on any given night.

The Tanners, for years a perennial powerhouse in the Greater Boston League, learned a lesson last night in their first ever contest as a member of the NEC. They left victorious after a hard fought, 48-44 victory over Beverly High at the Henry Cabot Lodge Fieldhouse.

Last year's record: 16-6 (lost to Lexington, 67-46, in Division 1 North quarterfinals)

Coach: Matt Smith (8th season)

Key returnees: Breezy Dwyer, Sr. C; Alex Valvadelis, Sr. G; Kelly Shea, Jr. F.