Sports
A return to the Garden
Pentucket set to face Archbishop Williams
For the third time in four years, the Pentucket girls basketball team this afternoon will face Archbishop Williams in the Division 3 semifinal at the TD Garden.
Pentucket lost each of the first two meetings — in 2007 and 2008 — falling one game short of the state-title game.
The Sachems (25-0) are two wins shy of posting a perfect season for the first time in program history.
"We first set the goal of winning the Cape Ann League, and then once we got through the weekend of beating Ipswich and St. Mary's in the middle week of January, we set the goal of staying undefeated," Pentucket coach John McNamara said. "Once we achieved that, we knew that tourney play was a completely different type of beast where one bad night and you can be done."
Archbishop Williams (20-5) will make its fourth straight appearance at the TD Garden. The program collected state titles in 2007 and 2008 before falling to Swampscott in the Division 3 state semifinal last winter at the Garden. Although it's not quite the same feat, McNamara takes great pride in the fact that his squad reached the EMass. Division 3 final each of the last four seasons.
"That's probably even more impressive than going undefeated during the regular season," McNamara said. "You have to be good, a little bit lucky, and kids have to step up and play great games against a lot of good teams to survive."
Only two other girls basketball teams in the state remain undefeated. Division 4 South champion Cohasset is 24-0 leading into its state semifinal matchup with Division 4 North champion Manchester Essex (13-12). Division 2 West champion Palmer is 23-0 heading into its state semifinal matchup with Division 2 Central champion Millbury (19-4).
The winner of the Pentucket-Archbishop Williams game will play the winner of the matchup between Division 3 Central champion Quaboag (20-4) and Division 3 West champion Lee (22-1). Two other previously undefeated teams have already lost in the state tournament. Division 1 Central representative Wachusett was 22-0 before losing to Shepherd Hill (22-1) in the sectional final. Division 1 West representative Amherst (21-0) was undefeated before losing to East Longmeadow (17-4) in the sectional final.
Despite its success over the last four seasons, Archbishop Williams has never posted an undefeated record. The squad went 22-4 in 2007, 22-2 in 2008, 17-11 last season before going 20-5 this winter.
"People say that teams should get a loss in so you get the pressure off, but once the tourney starts, you have to go undefeated anyway," McNamara said. "Going undefeated during the regular season is like a marathon, and that's impressive because we didn't have any let-downs during those cold January nights when mental lapses tend to occur. We didn't have any of those, and now the tourney is like the sprint."
McNamara does not believe that Pentucket's recent struggles against Archbishop Williams will have any bearing on this afternoon's game.
"Everyone's nervous before a game, but they've been through so much together," McNamara said. "Whether it's high school or AAU, some people know how to deal with the pressure, and they've been doing it for four years now. They take it in stride, and we have a great fan base."
Staff writer Evan Mugford contributed to this report.
Welcome to the Garden
What: Division 3 state semifinal
Who: Division 3 North champion Pentucket (25-0) vs. Division 3 South champion Archbishop Williams (15-11)
Where: TD Garden in Boston
When: Today, 4:30 p.m.
History: Archbishop Williams beat Pentucket in the Division 3 semifinal in 2007 and 2008.
What's at stake: The winner will play for a state championship Saturday at the DCU Forum in Worcester.
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Two heads are better
NEWBURYPORT — The decision to bring in Steve Malenfant as Newburyport's next head golf coach was no sand shot.
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Local schedule
TUESDAY
CROSS COUNTRY: Pentucket at Amesbury (3:45 p.m.); Wilmington at Georgetown (3:45 p.m.); Masconomet at Newburyport (3:45 p.m.); Lynnfield at Triton (3:45 p.m.)
FIELD HOCKEY: Amesbury at Pentucket (3:45 p.m.); North Reading at Georgetown (3:45 p.m.); Newburyport at North Andover (3:45 p.m.); Triton at Wilmington (6 p.m.) -
Golf capsules
AMESBURY INDIANS
Coach: George Dodier (4th season)
Last year: 7-9
Returning players: Jon Fournier, sr. (captain); Sean Ward, sr. (captain); Peter Merrow, sr.; Tyler Smith, sr.; Eric Eaton, jr.; Troy Eaton, jr.; Mike Zielinski, jr. -
Local briefs
Football
MVP Flag Football in Amesbury is now accepting registrations for the fall season. The league is co-ed and is open to ages 5-10. Registration can be completed on-line at mvpflagfootball.com. Visit mvpflagfootball.com or call Steve Coco at 978-378-0MVP for more information. -
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Shortly after joining the team as a seventh-grader in 2005, he learned his enjoyment and the team's winning percentage would have to be mutually exclusive. The Royals have posted a combined record of 3-52 in his five seasons with the team. - A 5K family
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Two heads are better
