RallyNorth.net

Central Catholic's Josh Lavallee fired a 75 to earn first place as an individual and lead the Raiders to the team title at the Merrimack Valley Conference Golf Championship on Thursday at Vesper Country Club. 

It took until its final match, but the Haverhill golf team qualified for the state tournament with a 13-7 win over Billerica. Troy Donahue, John Whooley, Jack DiFloures, Aiden Azevedo and Sean Crockett were all winners for the Hillies.

Haverhill golf (now 6-7-1) stayed alive for Division 1 North compettion with a dual meet win (12-8) over Tewksbury. The Hillies need to win today vs. Billerica (at Bradford 3 p.m.) to make the postseason.

Andover's John Rowe came up huge from the No. 8 spot, winning 1-up to help clinch the Golden Warriors' wins over Haverhill (4.5-3.5) and Chelmsford (5-3) in a tri-meet. John Wholley led the Hillies with a 1-up win at No. 2.

Mikey Yfantopulos and Josh Lavalley remained unbeaten as Central Catholic's No. 1 and No. 2 golfers in a 16-4 defeat of Haverhill. Yfantopulos shot a 2-under-par 34 at Atkinson Country Club.

Haverhill's Troy Donahue (2-and-1) and Mitch MacLean (1-up) took the top two spots as the Hillies beat Methuen 16-4. Ranger Zach Alfonso (1-up) was third overall.

Haverhill earned the 10-10 tie with unbeaten North Andover (now 6-0-1). Haverhill's Troy Donahue and North Andover's Tim Dias tied for medalist honors with even-par 35s. Mackenzie Murphy, Haverhill coach Kevin Murphy's daughter, had a big win at No. 7 while the Knights got a big win from Adam Heinze at No. 4.