RallyNorth.net

Maurer, Wyner sacrifice to lead Sachems

Thursday, February, 27 By Michael Muldoon
Staff writer

The big scorers almost always get the headlines but it's impossible to overlook the contributions Thursday of Pentucket's Anna Wyner and Greta Maurer.

Their combined offensive output? Zero points. Their impact on the game? Off the charts.
The two guards face-guarded Tewksbury's talented 6-foot senior Allie Wild and held her to two points. That was the difference as Pentucket pounded the Redmen, 41-25. The score was misleading as it was 30-11 at the half and the 22-2 Sachems cruised from there in the Division 2 North quartefinal matchup at Pentucket's Hardy Gym.
"They (Anna, Greta) sadrificed their games," said coach John McNamara. 
Wild was just chosen to the 13-player All-Merrimack Valley Conference team. 
It was yet another easy win for the Sachems, but that doesn't tell the story. Not even close.
Tewksbury is a tough club from the Division 1 MVC. The two played late in the season and Pentucket won 36-34 on a Jelly Hurley hoop at the buzzer.
"Tewksbury (12-10) is one of the top three times in this sectional," said McNamara, himself a former Tewksbury High great.
His Sachems had never played Tewksbury prior to last year's North title game at the Tsongas Arena. 

The defense was suffocating while Hurley (19 points, 5 3-pointers) was hot from deep.  Hurley and Arielle Cleveland both grabbed eight boards for the defending state champions.
The coach said, "Hurley played great and Arielle hit some big shots early."
Tewksbury beat Danvers in its opener while Pentucket, which last played on Feb. 17, received a bye into the quarterfinals.
McNamara remarked, "Some coaches don't even want a bye. I don't mind it. We came out of the gate great so it was not an issue."
There is always a danger of an upset, too. The Pentucket girls hockey players, as part of the Haverhill-Pentucket-North Andover co-op team know that. Unbeaten and top-seeded HPNA was stunned by No. 32 Hingham on Wednesday.
In the semis, Pentucket will play the winner of Sunday's Dracut vs. Wilmington game. That will be at a neutral site and likely be Tuesday or Wednesday.