RallyNorth.net

LAWRENCE - Its only two inside weapons neutralized and then eliminated by foul trouble, Lawrence High was left with nothing but long-range bombs in its arsenal.

When those stopped falling in the fourth quarter, Somerville capitalized and ended the Lancer season in the Division 1 North preliminary round, 62-59.

LAWRENCE - Maybe Lawrence High needed this one a little more. The Lancers certainly played like it. With a sense of urgency and a captain saving what might have been his career best for Senior Night, Lawrence picked up a victory and a slice of credibility ... at just the right time with the tourney approaching ... knocking off Andover, 62-53, in a spirited Merrimack Valley Conference finale. "We needed this bad," said Lancer guard Justin Nieves, who backboned the Lancer charge. "This is our first (quality win). It sets the tone. We beat Andover. They've beaten Lowell and a bunch of good teams. To beat them, it's just important. It's a start." Nieves, 9 for 21 from the field, led all scorers from the field with 25 points and added nine boards, five assists and three steals. "He shot it well in the first half and we needed it," said Neal of the senior, an Eagle-Tribune All-Star a year ago. "We haven't had that." It was Nieves' toughness when things got a little testy in the second half that set him apart on his night. Down 29-28 at the half, Andover took brief 41-37 lead deep in the third period, threatening to spoil Lawrence's upset ideas. Nieves was there, though, to blunt the visitors. A sweet reverse finish sliced the margin to 41-40 and two free throws put Lawrence up 42-41. No hoop on the night was bigger than Nieves' three from the foul-line extended right, seconds before the third quarter buzzer, making it 45-41 Lawrence with eight minutes left. "I feel like my shooting is coming," said Nieves, sporting a green hoodie and matching cap from Proctor Academy, where he hopes to take a post-graduate year. "Hopefully, it's the beginning of something for me at just the right time." The Lancers would never give up the lead. Both teams chewed up the paint offensively. Lancers Jesse Hiraldo (13 points, 15 rebounds) and Anthony DeJesus (11 points, 12 boards) worked the backboards mercilessly. Warriors Kevin Polanco and Connor Arnold were unstoppable on the other end as well. But Polanco went down with what looked like leg cramps midway through the third with 17 points - never returning - and the Warriors simply got away from Arnold, who had 21 points on 8 of 15 shooting. With this win and potentially another at 6-9 Charlestown (Monday), Lawrence could possibly slide all the way up to a 12 or 13 seed in Division 1 North and avoid a dreaded play-in game.

Needing 27 points to reach the 1,000 mark heading into Central Catholic's game against Lawrence, senior Billy Marsden scored exactly 27 in yesterday's 71-55 victory. Marsden persevered through stifling and oftentimes physical defense — at one time getting a gash on his face — to nail seven field goals and 11 free throws. Carson Desrosiers only had 8 points, but more than made up for it by grabbing 18 boards and racking up 12 blocks. Jimmy Zenevitch (8) and freshman Luis Puello (9) combined for 17 rebounds.

Lawrence defeated Haverhill 80-63 to qualify for the state tournament. Senior Justin Nieves had another huge night with 21 points, and Jaylen Alicea was close behind with 19. Anthony DeJesus chipped in 16 one game after scoring a season-high 21. Javier Bristol had 17 points for the Hillies.

Lawrence had a pair of 13-point scorers (Jaylen Alicea and Justin Nieves) in its 71-50 smack down of Chelmsford. Alicea added a team-high five assists, and Jose Berroa chipped in a game-high 15 points. Jessie Hiraldo ripped down 10 boards in addition to scoring 7 points.

Jimmy Johnson had an excellent all around game (8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) to lead the Andover boys basketball team to a 70-55 victory over Lawrence. Lawrence's Jaylen Alicea poured in 24 points.

Jaylen Alicea poured in 20 points — including six 3-pointers — and added eight assists to lead the Lawrence boys basketball team to a 75-52 win over Billerica.

Lawrence won a barn burner over Dracut 69-66. Sophomore forward Jesse Hiraldo had a huge night with 22 points. Senior guard Justin Nieves chipped in 21 points and two 3-pointers.

LAWRENCE - To say that Lawrence High failed to take advantage of a sluggish Central Catholic start would be understating things more than just a little.

With Central stuck in neutral early, the Lancer offense locked down in reverse.

In a battle of MVC rivals, the Haverhill boys basketball team topped Lawrence, 71-56. Haverhill's Javier Bristol was a terror for the Hillies, scoring a game-high 24 points and pulling down 14 rebounds. Charlie Roche had a near triple-double with 10 points, 12 boards and eight assists. Dennis Driftmeyer (18) and Josh Maissonette (11) also finished in double digits for the Hillies.