The seventh grade North Andover Merrimack Valley Travel Team ended its season with a loss to the Stoughton 57-42 in the first Mass State Travel Team Basketball Tournament, held at Gordon College.
It was the first time in 75 games played that the team did not come out on top.
North Andover earned the right to play in the tournament after finishing its third straight undefeated season in the Merrimack Valley Conference, amassing a 74-0 record over that time. The road to the finals in the State Tournament included victories over Masco, Needham, Milton, and Lynn.
The finals pitted Stoughton, the Division 1 Metro West basketball team, and North Andover. Stoughton grabbed an early lead and stymied North Andover's offense. A game high 29 points by Derek Collins wasn't enough to close the gap.
North Andover's team throughout the year was led by its defense. A rotating backcourt led by Tyler Dooley, Ben Venti, Paul Gonella and Aaron Straus continually forced turnovers, creating easy transition baskets. Derek Collins, Drex Costello, and Glen Hartford provided the bulk of the scoring and controlled the glass on both ends of the court all year. North Andover's deep bench of Jake Crisante, Drew Hanley and Jake Barchard frequently increased the lead and harassed opposing offenses.
The team was led by coaches Mike Costello and Scott Collins.
Walk-in registration for North Andover middle-schoolers
The North Andover Boosters Club will have walk-in registration for field hockey, football and cheerleading on Tuesday, May 20, and Thursday, May 22, in the North Andover Middle School Cafeteria from 6 to 8 p.m. Sports are open to students who will enter grades 5 through 8 during the fall of 2008. If you can't make walk-in registration, you can sign up online at www.eteamz.com/nabc.
Registration open for Masco Youth Football, Cheerleading
Registration for Masco Youth Football and Cheerleading began May 1. Boxford, Middleton and Topsfield youths entering third- through eighth-grades in fall 2008 are invited to experience the fun, excitement and teamwork of football and cheerleading.
Visit www.mascoyouthfootball.com to register online. There is a link to the cheerleading Web site. There will be a late fee charge for registering after July 1.
Boxford Soccer tryout schedule
The Boxford Athletic Association announces the soccer tryout schedule for the 2008-09 season.
All tryouts begin at 5:30 p.m. on the scheduled days. Each child is to bring a soccer ball, water and plenty of energy, according to organizers. Below are the division, date and place for the tryouts:
U10 Boys, two tryouts: June 20 and 21, both at Chadwick Field
U10 Girls, two tryouts: June 20 and 21, both at Chadwick Field
U12 Boys first year players: June 1, at Boy Scout Park
U12 Boys second year players: June 6, at Boy Scout Park
U12 Girls first year players: June 1, at Chadwick Field
U12 Girls second year players: June 6, at Chadwick
U14 Boys, all players: May 31, at Boy Scout Park
U14 Girls, two tryouts: May 31 and June 7, at Chadwick Field
Boxford Men's Softball
The 2008 season signup for Men's Softball will be Saturday, May 17 beginning at 8 a.m. at Johnson Field behind the Boxford Police Station. This league is a slow-pitch league for men 30 and older. League play runs from June 16 until Labor Day, with two weekday games per week.
Registration rain date is Saturday, May 24 at 8 a.m. For information contact riccardiflowers@msn.com.
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack
Registration is open for the Tri-town Babe Ruth Baseball League. Open to boys age 13 to 18, the season runs from June 8 and ends on Aug. 1. Playoffs begin Aug. 3 and will last about two weeks. An all-star game will be played on July 26 for those players selected. All teams will be composed of players from Boxford, Topsfield and Middleton.
Divisions of play are:
A Division, ages 14 and 15
B Division, ages 13 through 15
Senior BR Division, ages 16 through 18
The number of teams is dependent upon number of registrants. Everyone makes a team and the coaches will determine team placement. Eligibility age is based on a player's age as of Aug. 1. A player must be between the ages of 13 and 18 by midnight on July 31. To register, e-mail baseball@baasports.com or visit the Boxford Athletic Association Web site at www.baasports.com.
Registration for Booster Club teams
North Andover Booster Club online registration is open for the following sports:
Football, fifth- through eighth-grades, open through June 30
Cheering, fifth- through eighth-grades, open through May 31
Field Hockey, fifth- through eighth-grades, open through June 30
Visit the North Andover Booster Club Web site, www.eteamz.com/nabc, for more information and to register.
Boxford baseball registration
Registration is open for the 2008 season. Online registration is possible at the Boxford Athletic Association Web site, www.baasports.com. Boxford players ages 5 to 15 are eligible to participate in the instructional, farm, minors, majors or Babe Ruth programs. The spring baseball program runs through late June. Optional summer baseball is available in July and August.
Instructional Softball is a noncompetitive offering for girls currently in kindergarten through second grade. The emphasis is on fun while building basic playing skills such as throwing, fielding, running, and hitting. For information/registration contact Doug Balek email dbalek@comcast.net.
Adults interested in volunteering as a coach or assistant coach, register at www.baasports.com.
