We all knew that Talya Mariani was capable of these types of games.
Remember last year, when as a freshman she broke the Georgetown school record for most made 3s in a game (8) during a 29-point outing against Ipswich? That turned out to be more of the norm than the exception, as she was named both a Daily News All-Star and CAL All-Star after averaging 10.4 ppg with an area-high-tying 39 3s for the season.
Well, Mariani had another one of “those games” on Friday night.
Now a sophomore, Mariani couldn’t be stopped against a much-improved Amesbury squad, draining four 3s and finishing with a game-high 26 points to lead Georgetown to a 54-46 road win. The Royals (4-1) lost quite a bit from last season and are under different leadership, but new coach Tim Spinney has his team playing some good basketball early on this year.
Mariani is now averaging 15.4 ppg over Georgetown’s opening five games this winter, and is leading the area with 14 made 3s. Katie Davies hit a 3 and finished with 10 points for the Roylas on Friday night, Ella Thompson was right behind with 8 points, and 7th-grader Victoria Barbarick chipped in 7 points.
For Amesbury (4-2), it’s still been a strong start to the year after the program had just six combined wins over the last two seasons. Freshman Olivia McKay continued to light it up with 18 more points, while senior stalwart Ellie Marden hit a pair of 3s and finished with 16 points.
PENTUCKET: Pipan powers boys to first win
It’s still early, but Matt Pipan is having a fantastic start to his senior year.
The sharpshooting guard poured in another 21 points on Friday night, leading Pentucket to its first win of the season in a blowout of Essex Tech, 70-40. The senior captain is now averaging 19.2 points through five games for the Panthers (1-4), and is leading the area with 16 made 3-pointers.
Similarly, Dylan Scott hit another 3 and finished with 14 points, and freshman Chase Dowling enjoyed a breakout game with 8 points.
And for the Pentucket girls, it was a similar story on Friday.
After a rough time offensively in the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic tournament during the holiday break, the Panthers found their shot in a 61-21 drubbing of Essex Tech. Amelia Crowe led the Panthers (4-2) with 13 points on a pair of 3s, and both Carly Foley and Sofia Bellacqua chipped in 8 points.
NEWBURYPORT: Boys and girls both handle Triton
The entire rosters for both the Newburyport and Triton boys basketball teams got plenty of playing time on Friday night.
The Clippers beat traditional Division 1 powers Lawrence and St. John’s Prep in the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic tournament last weekend, and kept the momentum rolling with a 77-36 victory over their rival Vikings. The “Big 4” once again led the way, with Zayd Leanna hitting three 3s and finishing with 20 points, Carson Gretz adding 16 points, Cal Atherton chipping in 11 and Sam Craig coming in with 8.
Meanwhile for Triton (1-4), the trio of Liam Friis, Mateus Pinto and Harrison Huynh all finished with 9 points on a combined five 3s.
Moving over to the girls’ side, Newburyport needed this one after a pair of tough outings in the Reading Holiday Tournament. Clara Thompson (12 pts) and Olivia Foley (9 pts) controlled the paint all night, and the Clippers handled rival Triton, 46-25.
The Vikings were led by Margaret Welch with 10 points and Lily D’Andrea with 9 points — with each hitting a 3.