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BEDFORD - Where a high school basketball career ends, with a senior fighting back tears after defeat, a future has been spawned.

BEDFORD — Where a high school basketball career ends, with a senior fighting back tears after defeat, a future has been spawned.

HAVERHILL - There are statement games.

Welcome to statement week, Whittier Tech style.

The Wildcats polished off their fourth win in five days, improving to 12-4 with a dramatic, 77-73, overtime victory over Pelham, N.H.

 HAVERHILL — In one of the highest scoring games in the region in area history, Whittier held off Greater Lawrence 92-81.

"It was just up and down. Everybody is so athletic. It was a lot of fun to watch,'' said a hoarse Whittier coach Tom Sipsey.

After a five-year drought, Whittier qualified for the state tournament with its 56-49 defeat of Minuteman.

"This is a big deal for the seniors that absolutely paid their dues and worked hard to get where they are," first-year head coach Tom Sipsey said. "They should be proud of their effort."

Whittier Tech moved within one game of the state tournament with a solid 52-39 victory over Northeast. Tito Pizzaro paced the Wildcats (9-4) with 14 points and nine rebounds. "He just controlled the game," said Whittier coach Tom Sipsey.

Whittier first-year coach Tom Sipsey said his team is just two wins away from qualifying for the state tournament after a 55-42 victory over Assabet Valley. Whittier now has an 8-4 record. The last time it made the tourney was the 2004-05 season.

Whittier stayed close to a powerful Chelsea team through the first half but the visitors' offense exploded into a 69-48 victory.

"We're not at their level yet but we're working at it," Whittier head coach Tom Sipsey said. "Chelsea is the pick to win the Commonwealth Conference but we've got another shot at them." 

Paced by Tito Pizzaro's 24 points, Whittier knocked off Assabet Valley 65-48. The Wildcats (6-2) will host first-place and undefeated Chelseas tomorrow (5 p.m.) at Whittier Tech.

Whittier had its full complement of players for the first time all year according to first-year coach Tom Sipsey and played like it according to first-year coach Tom Sipsey in a 71-63 victory over Greater Lowell. Giovanni Gomez led four players in double figures with 18 points.