Salem, MA Youth Basketball

Celtics 26 - Raptors 24

Despite losing their inside presence (Josh Sanchez) the Celtics hung on to victory thanks to the 8 pts they got from the sharpshooting Ariel Almonte. Cody Farese and Chris Vaille stepped up in Sanchez’ absence to anchor the interior play, they combined for 10 pts and 6 reb. David Kendrick led the Raptors in scoring with 16 pts.

Spurs 33 - Jazz 31

Billy Garey paced the winners with a game high 13 pts. He was assisted by Brad Skeffington who swooped in at the half, along with Billy Muse who nailed a critical three pointer. The Wilkins brother’s played solidly combining for 10 pts and providing most of the defensive presence for the Jazz, also Nick Salamida hit several jump shots down the stretch to get his team within striking distance.

Knicks 44 - Suns 34

The Knicks were just too much for the Suns. Criss Bozarjian scored a game high 15 pts, but still couldn’t match the pair of Dario and Raphi Medrano who combined for 18 points. Andrew Barbuzzi chipped in with 9 pts banging with Andre Deschenes who was the only big man working for the Suns. Christian Dunston hit 2 three pointers helping him on his way to 11 pts.

Warriors 40 - Lakers 34

With an entire team effort The Warriors defeated the Lakers. Jeff Peres and John Walsh each scored 8 pts, combined with 5 pts each from Nick Walsh, Danny McCarthy and Juan Juan, plus the 6 pts from Sean Patrick O’Leary and Brendan Broderick and the Lakers had no shot. Not even with Kyle Reardon dominating inside with 19 pts, 7 reb and a steal.

By Cowan White

Rockers 25 - Lynx 18

The Rockers led from the beginning of the game and never looked back, as Marissa Garey and Michaela Gaffney each scored 8 pts to pace the winners. Maria Rodriguez was high scorer of the game with 10 pts and managed to get her team back within striking distance in the last couple minutes but couldn’t hurdle the Rockers.

Sting 18 - Sol 15

The Sting squeezed out a victory in the first game of the year against the Sol, thanks to scoring contributions from Leslie Baez 6 pts, Christine Morin 6 pts, and Courtney Shearstone 4 pts and Chyla Moloney (2). The Sol had every chance to win the game but Shirley Jones (6 pts) just didn’t get enough help to overcome the Sting.

Shock 38 - Comets 22

In an impressive performance the Shock dominated the Comets and won by 16 to win the first game of the year. Erin Bottichelli was leading scorer for the Shock with 15 pts, followed by Shannon Sholds who more than chipped in with 10 pts of her own, along with Ashley O’Keefe who contributed 8 pts to her teams win. Maeve Harrington 14 pts and Shannon Tucker, 4 pts 4 ast 2 stls, played very well for the Comets despite losing the game.

Liberty 21 - Storm 11

Their was no doubt about the result of this game as Jasmine Bryant scored 18 of her teams 21 points in the win. The other three points belong to Deedra Donahue 2pts and Alex Carterelli who sunk 1 of 2 free throws. Erin Fahey played very well on both ends of the court, scoring 6 pts, Abby Bedard had 3pts for the Storm.

By: Cowan White

UCLA 42 - Uconn 25

Thanks to some monster play by Marvin Baez 20 pts. 7 ast. the UCLA Bruins defeated the Uconn Huskies. FJ Murphy poured in 14 pts. to go along with his 8 reb. as he dominated the interior play. The Huskies were lead by Ben Kapnis, Michael Marvcini and Kael Schaejbe who would combine for 20 points in a losing effort.

Ohio State 44 - UNLV 26

With a total team effort the Ohio State Buckeyes managed to start the season with a win against the Rebels of UNLV. Jefferson Akers was the straw that stirred their drink all night contributing 15 points to go along with some nice passing and rebounding. Josh Raeford, Nick Botticelli and Nathan Montero all scored six pts each. Aidan Scrimgeor, Chris Matton and Christian Almonte all played well for the Rebels.

Georgetown 27 - Kentucky 25

Newcomer Jonathon Swasey burst onto the scene with 6 first half pts to give the Hoyas a lead at the Half. The secong Half however would belong to Brendan Broderick who scored 13 of his game high 17 pts in the second frame to lead his team back and tie the game in the final minute. However Georgetown eaked out a win, when Kentucky missed a shot at the buzzer that would have sent it to OT, anchored by the strong play in the paint of Jarrod Louf 10 pts and the timely scoring of guard Austin Shea 7 pts.

Boston College 23 - Texas 21

This game could have gone either way down the stretch, but Shakir White refused to let his team fall scoring 6 of his ten points in the last 2 minutes to claim victory for BC. Billy Muse and Ryan O’Connell played well but weren’t able to match the will of the Eagles. Pat Dunning led the Eagles in the first half and ended up the second leading scorer for his team with 8 pts, Matt wilson also chipped in with 4 pts.

By: Cowan White

Boston College 20- Uconn 8

Kicking off the college girls schedule Boston College defeated Uconn handedly thanks to the strong play inside of Ashley Espinal who put in 10 pts. to pace the winners. Shyla Stokes, Christa Leger and Marina McHugh all scored for Uconn.

Georgetown 14- Texas 8

In a game that was well contested the whole way through Georgetown, led by Jackie Panneton who dominated the paint with 6 pts, managed to keep ahead of surging Texas to hold on to the victory. Kathleen Marah and Grace Cawley scored all the points for their team. Nickie Talbot also chipped in 4 pts. for Georgetown.

Michigain State 12- North Carolina 10

The last game of the night turned out to be the best one, it took overtime for Mich. St. to defeat NC. Alex Bozarjian(6 pts) was the leading scorer for the losing team, while Kelly Mclaughlin equalled her 6 pts. for the winners. Brianna Rodriguez was the difference hitting two key free throws and scoring another time to put her team ahead for good.

by Cowan white

Celtics 43- Jazz 35

In the first game of the summer rec season the Celtics jumped all over the Jazz gaining a twenty point lead at the half, thanks to some tough interioir play by Josh Sanchez, who had 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. The Jazz however managed to get themselves back into the game behind the play of Jake Salamida and Edwin Guzman who combined for 20, but in the end the Celtics were just too strong for the Jazz.

Knicks 54- Raptors 32

What was pegged as the game of the night, by some, turned out to be as one sided a match we’ve seen. The Knicks were led by a strong nucleus of Dario and Raphi Medrano(14 points each), Andrew Barbuzzi and Christian Dunston.

Lakers 29- Spurs 28

The actual best game of the night came down to the final minute where Kyle Reardon, 18 points, hit a few key shots including critical free throws that provided the margin for the Lakers. The spurs Brad Skeffington played well for the losing team scoring 10.

Suns 38 - Warriors 37

With all the best efforts of Criss Bozarjian, 17 points, he got just enough help to defeat the very deep Warriors team who had five people with at least 6 points, John Walsh, Jeff Peres, Juan Juan, Sean Patrick O’leary and Brendan Broderick.

By Cowan White