Sports
March Madness Tips Off This Week
North Andover hoopsters host Melrose Tuesday to tip-off the basketball playoffs; playoff hockey also begins tomorrow when NAHS battles Bishop Fenwick.
Head coach Mike McVeigh and the North Andover Scarlet Knights have accomplished quite a bit in the last two seasons.
Two Cape Ann League Titles (one ) and 35 wins have highlighted the past two years for North Andover basketball fans.
North Andover has clinched a remarkable five straight Cape Ann League crowns.
Find out what's happening in North Andoverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Crozier Crazies have had a lot to cheer about recently, and that is expected to continue on Tuesday night when the Knights hosts fourteenth ranked Melrose High.
The Knights are ranked at #3 as they finished the 2010-11 regular season campaign at a strong 16-4 clip.
Find out what's happening in North Andoverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
is ranked #1 after finishing the season at 17-3. The Knights and will share the Cape Ann League title because of their matching 11-2 records within regular season league play.
A playoff battle with the Knights' archrivals Masconomet could be in the cards should North Andover take care of business tomorrow.
If the Knights win and 11th ranked Masco upsets sixth ranked Woburn, the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division II North Sectional Tournament would feature a rivalry matchup that is well over 40 years old.
For now, the Knights cannot afford to look ahead. Their battle against the Melrose Red Raiders will not be easy.
Melrose began the year on a rough 2-6 slide but finished strong going 9-3 the rest of the way.
Melrose's senior center Andrew Scocca is the player to watch for the Red Raiders as he scored 26 points in .
The playoffs will finally tip-off Tuesday night at 7, and North Andover Patch will be courtside to capture all of the action.
Here is a look at the week ahead for the rest of the varsity teams:
Team Opponent/Event Date/Time Venue MIAA State Championship Tuesday, March 1, 3:30 p.m. Berkshire East Ski Area Bishop Fenwick High School Tuesday, March 1, 5 p.m. Salem State University Tuesday, March 1, 7 p.m. All spring sports Information Night for parents, students, and coaches Wednesday, March 2, 6 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 7 p.m. New Englands Tournament Friday, March 4, time TBA Hillhouse High School, New Haven, CT New Englands Tournament Saturday, March 5, time TBA Hillhouse High School, New Haven, CTAll sports schedules are found at highschoolsports.net.
