Whalers clinch Big 3 title

By Amara Grautski, Globe Correspondent | February 10, 2010

Although Brockton and New Bedford feature high-powered offenses, coach Mickey Gonsalves chose to rave about his defense after the Whalers clinched the Big Three girls’ basketball title with a 59-56 victory over the Boxers in New Bedford last night.

About three minutes into the fourth quarter, junior guard Alyssa Roach stole an inbounds pass and banked in a layup to give New Bedford its first lead since halfway through the third. Two minutes later, the Whalers extended the margin to 8 points -- the largest of the game -- and the Boxers never recovered.

“She came up huge when we needed it,’’ Gonsalves said of Roach, who had 12 points and 4 assists. “I think we wore them down. We played tremendous defense in the second half, and that was a big key.’’

The largest margin through three quarters was 5 points, with the score tied at 25 heading at the half. Brockton carried a 42-39 lead into the final period.

Roach and Boxers junior Vanessa Suarez were the stars of the second half, each netting 10 points down the stretch. Suarez sank a pair of 3-pointers in the third, the last giving the visitors a lead they held until Roach took it away.

No. 1 New Bedford (18-0, 3-0) had three players in double figures, including sophomore guard Alexia Barros (14 points, four rebounds) and junior forward Arielle Gomes, who tallied a game-high 15 points, and had six rebounds.

Fifth-ranked Brockton (15-3, 2-2) had four players in double figures, including junior forward Jenn Rafuse (14 points), senior forward Morgan Thatcher (12), and sophomore guard Tianna Johnson (11).

Peabody 59, Lynn English 58 - Jenny Fleming’s free throw with a half-second remaining snapped the Bulldogs’ 29-game Northeast Conference winning streak. Fleming scored 19 points for Peabody (15-1, 13-1).

Waltham 65, Boston Latin 61 - Nadia Kern scored 29 points as the Hawks soared.

Braintree 52, Framingham 50 - Amanda McKenney poured in 22 points for the Wamps.

Quincy 44, Rockland 41 - Sophomore center Kiley McDonald had 16 points and 11 rebounds to spark the Presidents.

Lynn Classical 46, Salem 43 - Junior Hannah Byrne scored 18 points to propel the Rams.

Fenway 57, South Boston 17 - Freshman point guard Tajanay Veiga’s quadruple-double - 21 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds, and 10 steals - led the Panthers to the blowout victory.


Boys’ basketball

Central Catholic 78, Haverhill 47 - Senior center Carson Derosiers had 21 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks and 3 assists as No. 1 Central Catholic (17-1, 17-0) kept its Merrimack Valley Conference record spotless. Classmate Andrew Oullete added 15 points and four rebounds.

Madison Park 78, Charlestown 55 - Senior center David Campbell had 25 points and 15 rebounds as the Cardinals (15-1) clinched their second straight Boston City North title.

Snowden 67, Latin Academy 65 - Jose Vasquez had 21 points and 13 rebounds and Jherson Colon added 20 points and nine assists for the Cougars.

Greater Lawrence 66, Chelsea 64 - Donald Celestin pumped in 36 points as the Reggies (6-11) handed the Devils their first Commonwealth League (17-3, 13-1) loss of the season.