RallyNorth.net

Methuen's boys basketball team had the lead over Everett after the first quarter in the Division 1 North quarterfinals, but then everything fell apart as the Rangers fell, 66-34. Andrew Lussier led Methuen (11-10) with 12 points.

Seven different players hit 3-pointers and 10 players scored overall as Methuen crushed Phoenix 100-44. Mittchell Crowe had 17 points and five 3-pointers for the Rangers (11-9).

Andrew Lussier played like a man possessed with 27 points and double-digit rebounds as Methuen beat Chelmsford, 68-62, spoiling the Lione' Senior Night and clinching a tourney berth for the Rangers. Kevin Garcia added 19 points and Mitchell Crowe nine for 10-9 Methuen.

Haverhill topped Methuen, 56-46. Elijah Haas had a team-high 16 off the bench for the Hillies. Jeremyah Phillips ripped down 11 boards. The story for the Rangers was Andrew Lussier (21 points, 6 3's). At 9-9, Methuen has to win one of its last two (Chelmsford, Springfield Phoenix) to make the state tourney.

Tewksbury's Kalu Olu (29 of his 34 after halftime) sank a lay-up at the buzzer to force OT but it was all Methuen after that in a 71-62 win. Isaac Allen (18 points) and 6-foot freshman Anesti Touma (17 points) hit big threes in the extra session.

Kevin Garcia scored all 15 of his points in the second half, including nine in the crucial fourth quarter that saw Methuen turn a five-point deficit into a 58-51 victory over Dracut. Freshman Anesti Touma knocked down a crucial 3-pointer with two minutes left for the winners.

Andrew Lussier led an inspired defensive effort and Methuen tripped MVC Small-Leading Billerica, 47-46. "He was on Ryan Murphy the majority of the game and Murphy is a monster," said Ranger coach Anthony Faradie. "Andrew did a phenomenal job." Murphy, who was leading the league at 23.4 ppg, was limited to 16 hard-earned points while Kevin Garcia led MHS with 18 and Mitchell Crowe added 13. The Rangers also got a boost from a loud home crowd.

METHUEN – Playing on the road Friday night, Andover’s Kyle Rocker banked in a three pointer from about 60 feet to beat the halftime buzzer.

But that wasn’t even the second-best thing that happened to the Warrior senior.

Junior Nate Godin poured in 27 points with five 3s to lead Central Catholic to a 68-44 win over Methuen. Xavier McKenzie chipped in 14 points for the Raiders, while Kevin Garcia led the Rangers with 17.

METHUEN – In an age when many offenses live – and die – from long range, the Haverhill boys are more than willing to go old school.

Friday night, the Hillies made their living inside, dominating the lane and the boards in a 61-52 victory over Methuen.