EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA--Sports

Slip, sliding away

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:17:00 EST

Bill Burt
FOXBORO — Sympathy was nowhere to be found in the confines of the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room after the New England Patriots' ugly loss, 33-10, at Gillette Stadium.
The bet here is there wasn't much in the several million homes outside of New England that viewed the contest, either.

Amesbury earns nod over Whittier

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:17:00 EST

Grid Picks
Dave Dyer
Amesbury (10-1) Vs. Whittier (9-2)
How have you played lately?
That's the main question one should ask when analyzing the Eastern Mass. high school football playoffs. It doesn't matter how a team played early in the season, regardless of how impressive it looked.

Two-Minute Drill by Bill Burt

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:16:00 EST

Big Shows & No Shows
Big shows
1. Kevin Faulk — Faulk continues to amaze. The only bright spot on offense, he led the Patriots in rushing (6 rushes, 73 yards) and receiving (7 receptions, 48 yards). His 41-yard run to the Pittsburgh 26-yard line with 1:25 remaining in the half and the score tied 10-10 was an early candidate for play of the game.

Prep School Previews:

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:16:00 EST

Prep School Girls Basketball
Brooks
2007-08 record: 2-18, didn't qualify for New England Prep tourney
Returning starters (3): Natalie Minois, 5-9, Sr., forward; Appalonia Tankersley, 5-9, Jr., guard/forward, North Andover; Britt Hart, 5-7, Sr., forward, North Andover

Renfro takes on basketball, books at Williams

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:16:00 EST

On College Basketball
Alan Siegel
Williams College athletes aren't coddled. Andover's Laura Renfro is well aware of that fact.
But four midterms in four days? Isn't that too much?
"It's so easy to think, 'If I didn't have a sport I could easily get my work done,' " she said.

BCS favors Sooners over Texas as Big 12 tiebreaker

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:15:00 EST

NEW YORK — Oklahoma was ahead of Texas in the BCS standings yesterday and headed to the Big 12 championship game with an inside track to the national title.
A three-way tie between Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech atop the Big 12 South standings forced the league to use its fifth tiebreaker, best BCS rating, to determine which team will play Missouri on Saturday in Kansas City, Mo.

Lawrence Boxing Club hosting card

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:15:00 EST

The Lawrence Boxing Club will be presenting a live amateur boxing show on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. at the Social Naturalization Club at 120 Broadway Street in Lawrence.
There are 12 bouts scheduled with four of them contested for New England Championship titles. New England Golden Glove champions Nick Peralta and Derrik Coutre of the Lawrence Boxing Club will both be on the card and also local Golden Glovers Jacob Solis, Jose Vargas, Augustine Mauras, Carlo Paulino and super heavyweight Jesse Fabian will see action.

Local Notes

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:14:00 EST

Basketball
Methuen Youth Basketball girls in-house registration for grades 9-12 will be Dec. 9 and 10 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the CGS. For more information call John Saba at 978-687-8706 or Larry Retelle at 978-682-6339.

The real deal

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:52:00 EST

HAVERHILL — When Carlos Candelario suffered an ankle injury in the preseason, Whittier coach Kevin Bradley wasn't surprised his running back refused to take a day off. After all, a gimpy ankle is nothing compared to a stiff jab to the face.

Down Memory Lane

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:22:00 EST

Nov. 24-30, 1995
Central Catholic's Bryan Groulx rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown and Jason Belkus rushed for the other score in a 14-8 Thanksgiving day win over Andover. Brian Tisbert connected with Derek DeAngelis for the Golden Warrior score. ...

Kasper advances to Foot Locker Nationals

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:20:00 EST

North Andover standout Kirsten Kasper is healthy again and, as a result, she's headed to San Diego.
Kasper finished seventh yesterday at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx to qualify for the Foot Locker Nationals Dec. 13 at Balboa Park in San Diego. The top 10 runners from four regions of the country qualify.

Chasing the Owls frustrates even New England's best

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:19:00 EST

You've got to feel a little sympathy for Concord wrestling coach Ham Munnell.
Every year, Munnell puts together one of the finest teams in New England, only to be overshadowed by Timberlane.
The Crimson Tide always boast a superb record, capture the local Blue Devil Classic virtually every year and produce standouts like New England champ Tyler Saltsman, Marshall Gleason and Dan Breen among others. But they nearly always play second fiddle.

Men in the Middle

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:19:00 EST

Is it possible to move like a bull and a matador?
Imagine Vince Wilfork, the Patriots' 6-foot-2, 325-pound nose tackle, spinning around a circle 7 feet in diameter, and you'll find the answer. A 12-pound shot, which he's about to launch, sits in his palm like an oversized marble.

Disgraced Ramirez, Clemens lead the 'Golden Gobbler' Awards

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:18:00 EST

From the boorish behavior of Manny Ramirez to the empty-headed world of Roger Clemens, baseball had its share of moments to forget in 2008, and what better time to recognize the turkeys than Thanksgiving weekend?

Local duo behind historic turnaround

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:17:00 EST

Mike Drouin's North Shore Tech football team is 9-2 and headed to the state vocational playoffs.
You had better believe he's enjoying every minute of it.
Having been an assistant at Methuen High during its recent 33-game conference losing streak and head coach of a winless North Shore team last fall, he's earned it.

Around the Horn with Amy Fay, Haverhill swimming

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:17:00 EST

The Haverhill girls hadn't had a state champion in a swimming event in 10 years, but senior captain Amy Fay changed all that last Sunday at the Division 1 meet at Wellesley College.
Fay led the Hillies to a fifth-place finish by capturing the 500-yard freestyle, placing fourth in the 100 backstroke and swimming the final leg of the fifth-place 200-yard freestyle relay team.

Local Notes

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:16:00 EST

BASEBALL
Methuen Baseball is taking registrations for workouts in conjunction with Play Ball in Salem for players ages 7-12. The dates are Jan. 10-March 14 on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The cost is $100 or $10 per week. For more information call 978-416-7273 or contact methuenbaseball@verizon.net.

Field Hockey: Methuenites star for New England champs

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:16:00 EST

GROTON — Seniors Nicole Bartlett and Kelly Horan, both of Methuen, were mainstays for Lawrence Academy, which recently captured the New England Prep Class B field hockey title.
Bartlett, a midfielder, helped limit the opposition to nine goals on the season and an average of three shots a game as the Spartans posted a 19-0-1 record this fall. She is also a standout in softball and ice hockey, earning all-ISL honors in the latter.

Running Calendar

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:15:00 EST

Nov. 30 — 6K Cross Country Race, noon, Andover Country Club (off Route 133), contact Dave LaBrode at 978-373-3408 or ickylabrode@verizon.net
Dec. 14 — Santa's Toy Trot, 2-,4-,6-mile races, 1:15 p.m. (1 p.m. 1/2-mile kids run), Sweetsir School on Church Street in Merrimac, visit www.runthecircle.com

Losing wears on you ... and costs you your job

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:15:00 EST

Before what turned out to be his last game with Washington, Eddie Jordan painted a clear picture of how hard it is to coach a losing team.
The injury-depleted Wizards fired Jordan on Monday after a 1-10 start, replacing him on an interim basis with Ed Tapscott. They lost their first five games, and after picking up their first victory, dropped another five in a row.

Whittier playoff game is in Lowell

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:14:00 EST

The Eastern Mass. football playoff semifinal matchup sites and times have been finalized. The Whittier-Amesbury Division 3A game will be at Lowell's Cawley Stadium at 5:15 p.m.
The bad news for the Wildcats is the only division which won't be playing at Gillette Stadium in Saturday's EMass Super Bowls is 3A. The Whittier-Amesbury winner will play the Martha's Vineyard vs. Monument of South Boston winner at Bentley.

New Hampshire Wrestling: Everybody chasing Owls again

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:14:00 EST

Londonderry
2007-08 record: 15-4
Returning starters (7): Cody Byrd, Sr., 152; Jesse Park, Sr., 145; Tom Manley, Sr., 215; Scott McGowan, Jr., 103; James Chase, Soph., 112; Andy Janowicz, Soph., 130; Joe Maio, Soph., 125

Longwell's still hitting 'em long

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:13:00 EST

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Ryan Longwell's 34-year-old right leg is as strong as ever.
Overshadowed in the shuffle of Minnesota's decisive win last week at Jacksonville was the 54-yard field goal Longwell made midway through the first quarter. That gave him four makes from 50-plus yards this year in 11 games, a Vikings record. Jan Stenerud, Fuad Reveiz and Paul Edinger each had three in a single season.

Bowe, Holyfield chasing glory way past their primes

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:12:00 EST

The Caesars Palace jet taking us from Lake Tahoe to Los Angeles had just reached cruising altitude when the heavyweight champion of the world looked around and smiled at his good fortune.
A few months earlier he had visited the Pope at the Vatican and presented him the gloves he used to beat Evander Holyfield. Now, Riddick Bowe settled into his breakfast as he jetted south for a day that would end with an appearance with Jay Leno on the Tonight Show.

Monarchs' win streak comes

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:11:00 EST

HARTFORD — Left wing Jordan Owens scored with 31 seconds remaining in the game to end the Manchester Monarchs winning streak at six games with a 2-1 loss to the Hartford Wolf Pack in front of 5,819 fans at the XL Center last night.

Moss hits stride just in time

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:10:00 EST

FOXBORO — Randy Moss finally played like Randy Moss.
One touchdown on a pass in the deep right corner of the end zone. Another when he outleaped the cornerback on the left side. And a third on which he lowered his shoulder, knocking back a would-be tackler who couldn't stop him from crossing the goal line.

Who should be the Patriots' quarterback of the future?

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:09:00 EST

This may seem like blasphemy for those who believe Tom Brady is the best QB in the game, but I would go with Matt Cassel. He's five years younger than Brady and he has not been seriously injured. He's an improving passer who just threw for 400 yards two games in a row and he is a threat to run the ball. What's not to like?

Devils Win Fifth Straight, Sink Pirates, 5-1

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:08:00 EST

PORTLAND, Maine — The Lowell Devils won their fifth consecutive game with a 5-1 defeat of the Portland Pirates last night at the Cumberland County Civic Center.
Nicklas Bergfors scored a pair of goals and goalie Jeff Frazee made 40 saves for the second straight game for his fourth win in a row.

UNH drops squeaker to Marist

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:07:00 EST

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (AP) — Ryan Schneider drained three free throws in the final 12 seconds to help Marist fend off a late 17-3 run and beat New Hampshire on Saturday, 63-61.
David Devezin led Marist (2-3, 0-0 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) with 19 points and three assists in a slugfest that featured 45 total personal fouls and only 43 combined field goals. The Red Foxes turned the ball over 21 times to New Hampshire's 10.

UNH wins first playoff game

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:07:00 EST

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — R.J. Toman threw for 257 yards as No. 10 New Hampshire defeated No. 9 Southern Illinois 29-20 in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
New Hampshire (10-2) capitalized on three SIU turnovers and a blocked punt return for a touchdown to advance to its fourth second-round playoff appearance since 2004.

Alabama, Florida win to set up showdown

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:06:00 EST

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Already No. 1 in the nation, Alabama emphatically reclaimed the top spot in the state.
Glen Coffee rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown and Nick Saban's Crimson Tide snapped a six-year Iron Bowl losing streak with a 36-0 win over bitter rival Auburn on Saturday, the biggest margin in the series in 46 years.

A coach with cachet

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:05:00 EST

Oregon State's new basketball coach has an Ivy League education, a former career as a successful investment banker and more than a passing interest in presidential politics.
But it wasn't always so for Craig Robinson.

Bruins roll past NHL champs

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:05:00 EST

BOSTON (AP) — Blake Wheeler and David Krejci both had a goal and an assist, and the Boston Bruins won their ninth straight home game with a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings last night.
The Bruins, who pulled into a tie with the New York Rangers atop the Eastern Conference, went 11-1-1 in November — including eight wins at home. They haven't lost in Boston since Oct. 23 and are on their longest home-winning streak in 25 years.

Fantasy owners have plenty to be thankful for

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:04:00 EST

Fantasy Scene
Mike McMahon
In the spirit of the season, here is what fantasy owners are thankful for.
Nine out of 10 teams in every league are thankful for Bernard Pollard, who took out likely the highest point scorer in the fantasy game, Tom Brady, for the season.

UConn delivers Calhoun 780th win

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:03:00 EST

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Hasheem Thabeet had 16 points and 12 rebounds and No. 2 Connecticut routed Bryant 88-58, giving coach Jim Calhoun his 780th career win.
The victory moves Calhoun into a tie with Lou Henson and Lute Olson for eighth on the all-time list.

Sharks off to a hot start under McLellan

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:02:00 EST

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Todd McLellan knows his first two months on the job were a bigger success than a rookie NHL head coach has any right to expect.
His San Jose Sharks are the class of the league through the season's first quarter, blowing away almost every opponent they've faced with speed, depth and a relentless game plan that puts dozens of shots on net each night. The Sharks' 16-3-1 start matched the third-best mark in NHL history, even with star goalie Evgeni Nabokov sidelined by injury for several games.

UNH wins playoff opener

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:02:00 EST

Auto Racing: Looking back at the highs and lows of a memorable season

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:01:00 EST

It was an auto-racing season of seemingly inevitable conclusions. Some conjured ambivalence, some dread. Some made history. Some may change it forever.
Despite a troubling beginning to his Sprint Cup season in which Jimmie Johnson looked like anything but a two-time defending champion, the 33-year-old rallied in the Chase for the Championship to better Carl Edwards by a wide margin and join Cale Yarborough as just the second to win three consecutive titles at NASCAR's highest level.

Former Patriots player Jones gets probation

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:00:00 EST

NORWICH, Conn. (AP) — Former New England Patriots player Tebucky Jones was granted probation on charges stemming from a fight at a Connecticut casino.
The 34-year-old safety appeared in Norwich Superior Court on Friday. Jones also played for New Orleans and Miami and was released by the Patriots in February 2007.

Giants' Burress shot in thigh

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (AP) - Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress was accidentally shot in the right thigh and spent the night in the hospital, another dramatic turn in a tumultuous season in which the star New York Giants receiver has been fined and suspended.

College Football: Mississippi State looking for a new head coach

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:59:00 EST

Sylvester Croom came to Mississippi State with much fanfare, deemed by many a pioneer, the first black man hired to be head coach of an Southeastern Conference football team.
After five seasons he's out, gone for the most basic reason: His team didn't win enough.

Monarchs takes sixth straight victory

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:27:00 EST

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Jonathan Quick stopped 41 shots to give the Manchester Monarchs their sixth consecutive win with a 3-1 victory over the Portland Pirates, last night in front of 6,328 fans at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

Repeat Performance

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:25:00 EST

On Pro Basketball
Alan Siegel
BOSTON — Can last season be topped? Paul Pierce tried to answer the question honestly.
"Kansas wins the (NCAA) title, I become a dad again and we win it again," he said.

Patriots ready for Roethlisberger, Parker

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:16:00 EST

FOXBORO — Let's get physical has long been the mantra of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have annually featured a stout defense and strong running game in earning a spot near the top of the AFC.
The Steelers' penchant for physical play extends to their quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger.

On the rebound

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:06:00 EST

HAVERHILL — Sarah Dubois is finally enjoying playing basketball in Haverhill.
As a Haverhill High student, she fell behind in her academics as a freshman while she alternated between family members in Haverhill and Lawrence. Then she languished on the court for the Hillies' JV team.

Bruins add to strong month, beat Islanders

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:06:00 EST

BOSTON — The Boston Bruins are dispelling the notion that they must rely on defense to win.
Blake Wheeler and David Krejci set up each other for scores 10 seconds apart in Boston's five-goal third period to help the Bruins pull away for their 10th win in 12 games, a 7-2 victory over the New York Islanders yesterday afternoon.

Chaotic Wrestling helping Toys for Tots

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:05:00 EST

Chaotic Wrestling, based out of North Andover, is holding an autograph signing today from noon-2 p.m. at West Real Estate at 386 Main St. in Wilmington, Fans should bring a new, unwrapped toy.
Stars A

Methuen upsets MVC champ Dracut

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 01:54:00 EST

METHUEN — Matt Bartlett spoke for every Methuen player, coach, fan, parent and alum scattered across the Merrimack Valley and beyond.
"I wish," he said, "that the standings didn't matter."
The Rangers' titanic 37-33 upset of Dracut didn't decide a state championship. It didn't even decide a postseason berth. But to this school, to this program, to this city, it was no ordinary victory.

Sure-handed Acosta gives Rangers a lift

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 01:33:00 EST

METHUEN — Joenrry Acosta is well aware of his catch's importance.
"We felt like the defense was kind of down," he said, "but we all just wanted to keep the momentum going."
After falling behind to Dracut 20-17 early in the third quarter yesterday, Methuen needed a spark. So on the first play of the Rangers' next drive, Matt Bartlett dropped back and found a wide-open Acosta streaking down the sideline.

Andover's McConnell, Hennessy too much for Central Catholic

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 01:32:00 EST

ANDOVER — The moment the ball fell into Sean Ehlbeck's hands, it was clear fate was on Andover's side.
"The play we supposed to go to the other side of the field," said Ehlbeck. "I saw (quarterback John Hennessy) scrambling. He threw it up over me, so I flowed with it and figured I'd give it a shot. It was tipped, fell into my hands, and it went from there."