Eaglets hover over Everett, but not without resistance

Tide boys basketball drops close contest to host BC High in a Division 1 preliminary round game

By Joe McConnell

The Everett High School boys basketball team (10-11) was on a roll, when it began the Division 1 state tournament against host Boston College High School (9-12) on Monday night, Feb. 24. They won both games in the Dudley Davenport Tournament, hosted by Sharon High School, to get them to that elusive postseason goal.

The BC High Eaglets ended up being the 27^th seed, according to the final power rankings, while the Crimson Tide were seeded 38^th. The home team was then able to come out on top in the Division 1 preliminary round playoff game, 67-56.

“It was a tough loss, but I was truly inspired by the performances of Henrique Pinto and Geordiell Luna Morales,” said second-year head coach Gerard Boyce after Monday night’s game against BC High.

Pinto was the team’s offensive leader against BC High with 22 points. Luna Morales was next in line with 12. “While we didn’t receive the scoring support that we needed from the rest of the team in the second half, there is still so much to be proud of,” said Boyce.

The atmosphere in the BC High gym was electric, which, according to Boyce, “made it a memorable experience for our seniors – Richardson Lamerique, Jevaun Berberena, Tyson Chunn, Luna Morales and Pinto.”

Boyce added that these five seniors “laid the groundwork for a culture of accountability that emphasizes character and academic excellence above everything else.”

It’s Boyce’s hope that their successors in the program build on this incredible culture in order to develop future winning teams, while also adding, “together, we will strive for greatness in all aspects of life.”

For the record, the Top 10 Division 1 boys basketball teams for the 2024-25 season, according to the power rankings, are as follows: 1. Franklin (21-1); 2. Attleboro (18-4); 3. Newton North (20-1); 4. Central Catholic (17-2); 5. Lowell (18-2); 6. Andover (14-6); 7. Springfield Central (16-4); 8. Bridgewater-Raynham (16-4); 9. Winchester (16-4); and 10. Newton South (16-4).

Tide girls basketball completes season in winning frame of mind

In a season where the Everett High School girls basketball team (4-16) has struggled for wins, they still never gave up. As a result of the team’s persistence, the Crimson Tide were able to close out the regular season by coming out on top twice in the last four games.

In the finale, the Everett girls went on the road to defeat the non-league Marblehead Magicians to the tune of 59-51.

“We ended the season with an incredible team win,” said coach Riley Dunn. “My girls left everything on the floor, while playing some beautiful basketball (against Marblehead).

“I’m extremely proud of our resilience after a tough game (against non-league host Gloucester), where we lost, 59-28,” added Dunn. “But then, we bounced back nicely to play our best game of the season, while sending the seniors off with a well-deserved win against a (solid) playoff-bound Marblehead team.”

Senior captain Emilia Maria Babcock poured in 24 points to lead the team in scoring, once again. Maria Babcock also played tenacious defense, which led to numerous fast break opportunities.

Junior Katerin Landaverde Vasquez brought “huge energy” to the team, according to Dunn, as a starter, and when all was said and done, she contributed 10 points to the winning cause, while also making some big stops on defense down the stretch.

Freshman Julianna Rivera was “extremely poised and confident running the offense,” said Dunn, and she even chipped in with 10 points. Juniors Nicole Damaceno and Casey Martinez each accounted for six points.

The Tide also never let up on defense. “We really excelled on our help defense, which we have been working on all year long,” said Dunn. “We controlled the pace of the game, and continued to push the ball up the floor quickly. A combination of great passes, solid decision-making under pressure and unselfish team basketball made me proud of these young ladies.”

On Feb. 13, Lowell was able to double up the Tide at home, 60-30.

María Babcock was the leader on offense with 11 points. Rivera and Damceno were perfect from the free throw line, going 4-for-4 and 2-for-2, respectively.

Against aforementioned Gloucester on Feb. 18, Maria Babcock (10 points) and Martinez (8) were the team’s top scorers.