Big Blue Sports

Second Half Blues

Winthrop Runs Away From Swampscott, 72-49

With tournament elimination staring them in the eye, the undermanned Swampscott High hoopsters trekked into Winthrop Friday night and dogged the Vikings relentlessly in the first half, hanging in at only a one point deficit at halftime, down 26-27. But the second half was a different story.  With Josh Babb and Jeff Laguerre leading the way, the Vikings stretched the lead to 47-38 after three then piled on 25 fourth quarter points to seal the win and end Swampscott's dim hope of post-season play. The Blue sorely missed forward Val Temin, sidelined with a concussion.  Dan Trentsch answered the call with 16 points to lead Swampscott, the Vikings had too much second-half firepower.  Steve Bowers with 8 and John King with six were the other top…

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Classical Crushes Blue 63-47

Eraldo Custodio, Phillip Rogers, and Jalen Brown combined for 58 for Lynn Classical as the Rams were too strong for Swampscott on the fast break.

  Although Coach Justin Fucile had proclaimed it a “new season” for Swampscott before its victory over Peabody on Tuesday, Friday’s loss against Lynn Classical brought back many memories of previous losses in the season. Swampscott struggled to get back on defense against the Rams’ high-tempo offense, losing, 63-47, in a game that some considered over at halftime. After three consecutive baskets by Steven Bowers gave Swampscott an 18-15 lead with 5:07 left in the second quarter, Eraldo Custodio, Phillip Rogers, and Jalen Brown led a 19-6 run into halftime that resulted in a ten-point Classical advantage at the end of the second quarter. Swampscott had a strong offensive game, mainly thanks to Bowers’ 18 points. However, the Big Blue were …

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Danvers Defeats Swampscott, 65-42

The strong starting lineup of the Falcons was too much for Swampscott, who had difficulty securing rebounds in the paint.

  The Danvers Falcons began the game on a 7-0 run within the first two minutes and did not look back, defeating the Swampscott Big Blue 65-42 thanks to Danvers’ quick start and its ability to secure offensive rebounds. Captains Eric Martin and Nick McKenna led the Falcons to a hot start in the first half, while Nick Bates and Dan Connors rebounded missed shots from the perimeter that allowed second-chance points. The Falcons boarded a total of 20 offensive rebounds, while Swampscott only got 16 defensive rebounds. In the first quarter, Swampscott regained confidence after coming within three points with four minutes left to go. Big Blue captain Danny Trentsch and Val Temin combined for six points to make it a 9-6 ball game, before another …

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St. Mary's Edges Big Blue in Jamboree

Add Swampscott High basketball photos from this game or their alumni game as we look forward to the 2012-13 season.

Swampscott was outscored 25-21 by St.Mary's in the Elmo Benedetto Jamboree at Lynn Classical High School on Friday.The teams tuned up for the season playing two 10-minute periods. Among the Big Blue's returning players this season are seniors Dan Trentsch and Val Temin.

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Blue Girls Basketball Rocks Stoneham

What started as a battle for the Big Blue girls basketball team ended in a 25-point blow-out that moves them to the semifinals of the Div. 3 North tournament.

  Big Blue girls basketball dropped Stoneham 67-42 on the Swampscott hardwood Saturday in the North Div. 3 quarterfinals. The win advances the Swampscott squad to the semifinals, Thursday, when they will play the winner of tomorrow's match-up between Pentucket and Newburyport. On Saturday in the Swampscott field house, Niki Laskaris, 27 points, Ara Talkov, 17 points, and Caroline Murphy, 13 points, led the Big Blue attack. Smiles broke out on the Swampscott girls' faces as their lead grew in the fourth quarter.  Laskaris was relentless going to the hoop and, when fouled in the act of shooting, drained most of her free throws. She said after the game that the team got going in the second half when junior Ara Talkov's shots started falling. …

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NEC Boys Basketball Standings

Big Blue is 5-7 with five games remaining in the season. Courtesy of James Caswell.

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Image Gallery: Big Blue falls to Lynn English 76-63

Swampscott jumped out to a 10-point lead, 29-19, with two minutes left in the first half, but the Bulldogs' height and quickness turned the table early in the second half.

Swampscott jumped out to a 10-point lead, 29-19, with two minutes left in the first half, but the Bulldogs' height and quickness turned the table early in the second half.

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GALLERY: Salem Bewitched, 55-53

Mike Walsh haunted the Witches at both ends of the court.

  Mike Walsh was a one-man wrecking crew all night, but he was a cool-handed sharpshooter when it mattered most. He sank a pair of free throws with 18 seconds left to provide the Swampscott boys the margin of victory over a relentless Salem team that clawed its way back from a woeful first quarter when they fell behind by as many as 15 points. Walsh led all scorers with 23 points, including 7 of 9 free throws.  His constant drives to the basket were key to Swampscott holding off the Salem wildfire attack that included 10 three-point field goals. The Blue led 15-2 at the end of the first quarter but by halftime, Salem had narrowed the difference to 6, 32-38.  The Witches grabbed their first lead of the game with 3:44 left, creeping ahead 50…

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Salem Bewitched, 55-53

Mike Walsh haunted the Witches at both ends of the court.

Mike Walsh was a one-man wrecking crew all night, but he was a cool-handed sharpshooter when it mattered most. He sank a pair of free throws with 18 seconds left to provide the Swampscott boys the margin of victory over a relentless Salem team that clawed its way back from a woeful first quarter when they fell behind by as many as 15 points. Walsh led all scorers with 23 points, including 7 of 9 free throws.  His constant drives to the basket were key to Swampscott holding off the Salem wildfire attack that included 10 three-point field goals. The Blue led 15-2 at the end of the first quarter but by halftime, Salem had narrowed the difference to 6, 32-38.  The Witches grabbed their first lead of the game with 3:44 left, creeping ahead 50-…

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