What a weekend for North Shore high school sports. Three opportunities to capture state champions. Three missions accomplished.
Congratulations to them all.
To the Fabulous, Fantastic, Fenomenal undefeated (27-0) Falcons of Danvers High School, who defeated Marlborough, 52-49, Saturday in the MIAA Division 2 state title game at the DCU Center in Worcester. Thanks to Peter Merry’s fingertip deflection of a final-minute inside field goal attempt by Marlborough, then 4-for-4 free throw shooting by Devan Harris in the last seconds, the Falcons won their first Division 2 title and third state title in four years — a feat only three other schools have attained since the inception of the divisional format in 1972.
To the Generals of Hamilton-Wenham Regional after coach Doug Hoak guided them to an unprecedented, perfect 25-0 mark en route to winning the MIAA Division 4 hoop title Friday night, 59-50, over Sutton at WPI. Recently inducted into the Massachusetts High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, Hoak directed a terrific group of players, led by the Zegarowski twins, guard Marcus and forward three-point bomber Max.
To the Cinderella St. John’s Prep hockey team, after it won four straight games, all upsets while winning its first Super 8 state championship Sunday night at YD Garden with a 2-1 win over defending champion Malden Catholic. Special congrats to Prep coach Kristian Hanson after leading the Eagles to their first state title in 36 years, since the Bobby Carpenter era.
Thus, Danvers can truly proclaim itself Titletown, and the North Shore isn’t far behind, boasting three state champions.