A single-digit game throughout in the 3rd Annual Zach Markowitz Memorial Basketball Tournament held at Salem Academy Charter School, Marblehead’s boys basketball team escaped Bishop Fenwick in a “hard-fought game,” according to Marblehead coach Mike Giardi. The Magicians won the tournament championship, 55-53, on Saturday.
Leading the way for the Magicians was sophomore Finn Baron, who poured in 20 points. Senior captain Sam Thompson (8 points) earned himself tournament MVP after netting another eight points, while junior Finn Gallup made the all-tournament team after his “defense once again sparked,” as said by Giardi.
Marblehead bested Danvers, 54-47, earlier in the week’s tournament.
As for Fenwick, Dom Torres led the effort with 19 points and five rebounds. Jake Bellacini did his thing with 15 points and four assists.
BOYS HOCKEY
St. John’s Prep 8
La Salle Academy 2
Sometimes, it’s all about the start. Defending Division 1 state champion St. John’s Prep (1-0) ripped three goals in the first period en route to an 8-2 victory. Add three more goals in the second period and two more in the third, and you’ve got yourself a well-rounded showing. AJ Farese began the game between the pipes and was replaced by Nathan Michaud. Ryan Finn dished out two assists, while Braden Hurley delivered another helper to go with a goal. Sam Croke joined the party with another goal and assist.
Marblehead 3
Beverly 1
Call Saturday’s game a success for Marblehead in defense of its state championship from last winter. The Headers (2-0) tripled up Beverly, 3-1, at Endicott College. London McDonald continued his hot start to the season with another goal and two assists. Defender Colin White scored his first varsity goal, while Hayden Gallo polished things off with an empty-netter.
GIRLS HOCKEY
Leominster 5
Marblehead 2
Despite some individual firsts at the varsity level, the Lady Headers fell to Leominster, 5-2, Saturday night. Viola Fazio scored Marblehead’s first goal – her first on varsity. Better yet, Nola Conley dished out the assist for her first varsity point. From there, Emma Johnson scored after a Paige Waldman feed and goalie Scarlet Lee stood strong with 40 saves. Marblehead takes on Newburyport at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
WRESTLING
Marblehead/Swampscott coach Michael Stamison called Saturday’s Anthony Lisitano Memorial Tournament a “good experience” and “very competitive.” The tournament was held at Wakefield High as the Black and Blue finished ninth out of 15 teams. Senior captain Mason Hinshaw placed second at 157 pounds, earning his 100th career varsity win. Liam O’Brien finished third at 132, Jaymes Carey fourth at 113, and Justin Gonzalez fourth at 285.
SWIMMING AND DIVING
Marblehead 88
Salem 51
Marblehead kicked off its winter with a meet against Salem, putting on a show from beginning to end.
“It was a really, really good first meet of the season and we actually have some qualifiers for the postseason,” said Marblehead coach Susan Guertin.
FENCING
St. John’s Prep 14
Concord-Carlisle 13
The Eagles of St. John’s Prep (1-0) kicked off the winter with a bang. The Prep Sabre squad of captain Ethan Ho, Finn DiBiase, Phil Maestranzi, and Nick Sorrenti went 7-2. Foil, led by juniors James Solopoulos and Ben Shore, finished 6-3. Epee faced a very strong group from Concord-Carlisle, dropping eight consecutive bouts before Manu Challagulla pulled out a victory in the last bout of the night to turn the table toward The Prep. The Eagles’ home-opener is Thursday when they host Brookline at Memorial Gym.
