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Zahoruiko, Knights end Sachems' 45-game streak

NORTH ANDOVER — For the first time in three years (Jan. 15, 2008), Pentucket has lost to a Cape Ann League team.
North Andover used a stifling defense and a terrific all-around game from Erika Zahoruiko (17 points, 13 rebounds) to topple the Sachems, 38-31.
“It was such an intense great game,” said North Andover coach Sue Breen after her club snapped Pentucket’s 45-game winning streak vs. CAL competition. “Our defense was incredible. We did it by committee.”
One person couldn’t do it alone vs. a Pentucket team which was 6-0 and ranked 12th in the entire state by ESPN Boston.
“I’m just so proud of them,” said Breen. “It wasn’t perfect, but we just had to find a way.”
A key stretch came with 3:30 left in the third and Pentucket leading 22-20.
Some slick passing by Zahoruiko, Caitlin Enright and Alex Medlock and two steals by Amanda Foote led to three straight layups. Zahoruiko scored twice and Medlock had the other hoop in the run.
The Knights pride themselves on their defense, despite not having much size.
“Enright maybe be 5-5 on a good day and Alex Medlock is 5-7. They were guarding players much bigger,” said Breen.
In addition to Zahoruiko, sophomore Morgan Lumb (10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks) did a little bit of everything.
Coley Viselli led the Sachems with 13 points.
North Andover is 5-3, but the losses were all close and to a tough threesome (Masconomet, Pinkerton, Lowell).
Pentucket graduated a ton from last year’s team, which went 26-1 and lost in the Division 3 state final. That group enjoyed a brilliant 91-9 four-year run.
But the Sachems got off to another terrific start to this season.
North Andover, though, wasn’t intimidated.
“They know if they play together, good things can happen,” said Breen.
They certainly did yesterday.

Tough Stretch
North Andover had lost four straight to Pentucket:
Date    Score
Feb. 1, 2010    Pentucket 51    North Andover    23
Jan. 30, 2009    Pentucket 52    North Andover 35
Jan. 8, 2008    Pentucket 48    North Andover 31
Jan. 9, 2007    Pentucket 46    North Andover 26