Gary Larrabee

Random thoughts on all things Danvers basketball  — Danvers High and St. John’s Prep — after watching the teams advance the last two nights in dramatic fashion to the North Section finals, slated for Saturday at Tsongas Arena in Lowell.

• It’s Year 5 of the “Danvers Dream, Boys’ Basketball Version.” Even though there were some promising players coming up through the youth program, no one could have envisioned what has happened to the varsity these past five years. Maybe these most immediate five teams might have been good teams no matter who the coach was. But there is no doubt that the first team experienced a stunning turnaround in the next four teams have evolved into absolute championship behemoths because of one person — new coach John Walsh. He just keeps amazing us year after year. Since the surprising 13-8 debut season (after the group had won only three game the year prior), Walsh has posted four straight 20-win seasons, winning four straight Northeastern Conference titles (the first since 1975), two Division 3 state titles (2012, 2013), a Division 2 North final berth in 2014 without lone returning starter Vinny Clifford (injured) and now — trumpets, violins and Yo-Yo Ma’s cello, please) — an unprecedented undefeated regular season (21-0) that the Fabulous Falcons have stretched to 24-0 heading into Saturday’s showdown with the winner of the Tewksbury-Arlington (the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds in Division 2 North) game tonight at Woburn. Whatever happens from here, the rest of this wondrous campaign and beyond, thanks for coming to Danvers. We doubt that we’ll ever see your likes again.
• Even with Vinny Clifford’s vital first half offense, Peter Merry’s always-relibale defense/rebounding/shot blocking/timely scoring, Devonn Allen’s quarterbacking, Mike Nestor’s shutdown defense and Rashad Francois’s and Tre Crittendon’s great play off the bench, it was the consistent two-end play of power forward Devan Harris (26 points, 13 rebounds) that in hindsight loomed the largest factor in Danvers’ 65-58 victory over Brighton Wednesday night. No one delivers on expectations night after night like the senior transfer from Hingham High who has amassed, according to this blogger’s statistics, 842 points in his two seasons wearing the Royal Blue and White. His teammates have had huge nights and earned the headlines on selective occasions, but none of them have been there seemingly every night with his best game — or close to it — like the ever-smiling, always emotional Harris.
• Clifford has cooled off somewhat from three-point land since his career game at Lynn English three weeks ago, but look for him to  explode Saturday at Lowell. I just have a feeling.Equally important, Vinny has elevated his all-around game during this time frame.
• Junior backup point guard Crittendon got his baptism of fire in crunch time in the 60-58 win over Bishop Feehan in the Comcast/Arbella Invitation, and he grew even more as a player with his solid playing time for Allen against Brighton.
• Francois has been nothing short of spectacular, when he’s really been needed, in his sixth man role.
• Nice touch by the Falcon Fanatics and the DHS cheerleaders to form a tunnel of celebration as the players left the floor after beating Brighton.
• Though some keen observers believe the Falcons’ toughest challenge between here and Worcester was Brighton, any let up Saturday against either No. 2 seed Arlington or No. 3 seed Tewksbury will prove fatal. They won’t let up.
• Which brings us to the issue of contentment or complacency. I see none of either brewing with the Falcons. They remain hungry. Walsh and his staff have become master psychologists the last few years. In their case, each wins makes them more determined to win the next game, which is why I believe they are Worcester-bound.
• Danvers fans seem to play the quiet bit at home, but on the road of late they have been ferociously loud, as was the case at Woburn last night.
• On different occasions this season the Falcons have survived after big men Harris or Merry have fouled out. One basketball type last night described that as heart. No question this team has a huge heart. Otherwise they couldn’t have won tight games against Somerville, Marblehead (2), Salem, and now Brighton.
• I guarantee you the Falcons will shoot better than 5-for-18 from three-point land Saturday, as was the case versus Brighton.
• You may have noticed that Bishop Feehan, a Falcon victim as noted earlier, is in the South Division 2 section final against Oliver Ames. Danvers and Bishop Feehan wins upcoming and we’d get a rematch Tuesday at 7:30 in TD Garden for the Eastern Mass. title and a berth in the state final.
• As a Danvers kid who allegedly played three years for the high school varsity back in the 1960s and grew up down the street from the Prep and was always a Prep fan (when we weren’t playing/ scrimmaging the Eagles), I’m on a major high today as I await both teams’s North Section finals games Satuday at Lowell’s Tsongas Arena.
• After watching the Prep’s heartbreaking Div. 1 North semifinal defeat last year at Beverly to Central Catholic, it was great to see the Eagles knock off Everett Tuesday at Beverly in the same game. The Prep’s key are is depth, its three-point shooting (sounds like Danvers) and its point guard, Kareem Davis. With only three seniors, one of whom is Davis, the Prep looms as a major contender for years to come. They will have their hands full Saturday, most likely against Cambridge.
• Sophomore forward Brett McNiff,  a major contributor in the Everett win, is the son of former North Shore standout golfer Mike McNiff.
• If the Prep wins Saturday, they play in the Eastern Mass. Div. 1 final monday at 7:30.

Champions find a way to handle adversity. No better example can be found than the way the Fabulous Falcons of Danvers High defeated Brighton, 65-58, tonight at Woburn High School and advanced to their fourth straight North Section final.

The 24-0 Falcons, top-seeded and No. 1-ranked in The Boston Globe “Top 20,” justified their worthiness for such respect in what may have been the toughest opponent they will face in their hoped-for march to a third state championship in four years.

The Falcons will play for the Division 2 North Section title Saturday at 4:15 at Tsongas Arena in Lowell against the winner of Thursday night’s other semifinal game between No. 2 seed Arlington (21-1) and No. 3 seed Tewksbury (20-4), also set for Woburn High (7 p.m.).

If the Falcons are successful Saturday, they play the South Section champ Tuesday at 7:30 in TD Garden for the Eastern Mass. Division 2 title. The final step to the state title would take place on Saturday, March 14, at the DCU Center in Worcester against the Central-West champ at 4 p.m,.

There were more than a few Danvers loyalists, including this blogger, who entered the Woburn High gym tonight filled with trepidation, after Brighton’s 19-point victory over Salem Monday. Danvers had barely beaten Salem, 39-37, at Danvers back in January.

But we were happily reminded that you get nowhere comparing scores, especially when one of them is six weeks old.

As was the case against Lynn English, Brighton posed a major threat to the Falcons’ winning streak because of its quickness, athleticism and offensive rebounding might.

But the Falcons were able to handle all of that, grabbing a 15-13 first quarter lead, even though missing 5-of-6 three-point attempts. Devan Harris, nearing the coveted 1000-point plateau as he concludes his two-year DHS career, had eight points in the first quarter and 17 for the half, at which point Danvers was on top, 34-27. The 6-3 power forward was game-high scorer with 26.

Devonn Allen, the team’s sophomore point guard, sat out the last 1:54 of the second quarter after getting hit with his third personal foul, yet the Falcons were able to extend their lead from four points to seven.

Brighton was a mediocre shooting team from start to finish, actually morse effective as a team that used penetration to the basket. Brighton (18-5) stayed close to the Falcons throughout the second half, but never could get over the hump. Conversely, Danvers had more than one chance to break the game open could never do it.

The Falcons never made it easy for themselves, but showed the class of a champion by how they handled every hurdle. Example: when Allen got hit with his fourth personal with 2:01 left in the third on a charging call, it was a three-point game. But in his second stint at relieving Allen, Tre Crittendon sparkled bringing ghee ball up the floor and finding open teammates. His defense was vital to the cause as well.

Allen returned at 48-44 with 5:49 left and the Falcons made their game-deciding move. Clifford (14 points, 12 in the first half, 5-for-18 shooting, 3-for-12 on 3s) hit a 16-footer (watch him break out with a big game Saturday), then Merry (5 blocks, 13 points, 11 rebounds) hit on one of his patented inside moves on a nifty pass from Harris, and it seas 52-44.

The lead peaked at 55-45 on another Merry finisher in tight, but he fouled out at 57-50 with 2:1t5 remaining.

The Falcons held the fort nicely, though, with everyone contributing in crunch time, especially sixth man Rashad Francois (8 points), who stabilized there floor game and sank four straight foul shots in the last half a minute to cinch the decision.

This team showed amazing heart once again, reminiscent of the 79-78 victory at Lynn English, with all seven members of the regular rotation making a clutch play to help ensure the victory.

A huge factor was the foul line, where the Falcons were a marvelous 16-for-19, opposed to Brighton’s 13-for-25.

Mike Nestor played another solid defensive game and Crittendon’s playing experienced with the heat on should serve him and the team well come Saturday’s Section final.

For all the incessant defensive pressure Brighton applied, there Falcons committed fewer turnovers, 11 to BHS’s 14.

Even though Merry eventually fouled out, Coach John Walsh was adept in handling the Allen and Merry foul trouble issues with his substitutions.

Now, it’s on to Lowell for this extraordinary group of young men and their masterful coach, who is now 101-19 at the DHS helm. As a Danvers High hoop follower for more than 50 years, I keep reminding myself that this unprecedented run by a North Shore boys’ basketball team, let alone a Danvers High team, is not a dream. It is truly happening. No North Shore boys team has ever made four straight North section finals. Until now.

Thus, the Falcons’ wondrous road to the ultimate goal — Worcester — continues,

Ever since John Walsh arrived to take charge of the Danvers High boys basketball program, Danvers has become the basketball capital of the North Shore and beyond. The Prep, first under Sean Connolly and now under John Dullea, has been a Division 1 power, while Danvers dominated Division 2 for two years and now is the team to beat in Division 2.

Now, with the Prep’s convincing 64-54 victory tonight over Everett in Beverly High’s Henry Cabot Lodge Fieldhouse, one Danvers team has reached the North Section finals, slated for Saturday in Tsongas Arena, Lowell

Danvers will try and follow suit Wednesday night, taking on Brighton in a Division 2 semifinal at Woburn High. Two Danvers teams at Lowell spends awfully nice.

The Prep, one year after losing the same game in a classic overtime loss to Central Catholic in “The Lodge,” made it right this time, outscoring Everett 30-12 (10-4) in three-pointers. Point guard Kareem Davis (*20) made three, all in the first half, while Ben Judson, who carried the Prep on his back last year against Central in the second half before running out of gas in the extra session, hit four threes and finished with 14 points.

Very similar to how Danvers has racked up a 23-0 record, the Prep relied on the three-point bomb to create much of its offense, leading to a 38-30 halftime advantage and a 53-43 cushion after three quarters.

Everett closed within 53-47 in the first minute of the final stanza but never got closer.

The Fabulous Falcons get their shot Wednesday night at Woburn, and they’ll have to play similar to the Prep: hitting their share of treys, contesting every Brighton shot, attacking the boards, and simply put, playing their best game of the year.

When the MIAA Division 2 boys basketball pairings came out, the close observers predicted the Danvers-Brighton Division 2 North semifinal showdown could very likely determine the state champion.

None of those so-called experts’ opinions have wavered over the last 11 days, so it comes down to this Wednesday night at Woburn High School (7 p.m. tapoff). The undefeated (23-0), top-seeded, top-ranked Danvers Falcons against the very best the city of Boston has to offer — Brighton (19-4).

Neutral observers believe Brighton has the edge in virtually every department. But edges or no edges, the unforgettable story the Danvers Falcons have written, with the dramatic comeback of senior Vinny Clifford and the emergence of sophomore point guard Devonn Allen, may be an intangible not even Brighton’s on-paper superiority can defeat.

After Brighton’s 19-point victory Monday over Salem and Danvers’ struggling 64-48 victory over Latin Academy, the handicappers may still like Brighton by seven to nine points. No matter, here are the factors which must work in Danvers’ favor for the Faklcons to gain entry into their fourth straight North Division final, the second straight in Division 2:

• A strong start, after slow starts in both tourney games to date, keyed by immediate dead-on sharpshooting by the aforementioned Clifford. When Clifford is on with his three-point and mid-range jumpers, the Falcons are tough to beat.
• A solid, floor game from Allen, with a minimum of turnovers and another strong offensive showing from inside and out. His defense speaks for itself every game.
• An outstanding two-way game from 6-10 pivot Peter Merry; shot blocking, rebounding at both ends, accurate shooting from in the paint and constant intimidation on any Brighton penetration.
• An all-world game from Devan Harris, Merry’s reliable partner on the inside whether on offense or defense; a high percentage shooting the ball from the foul line and when getting he ball fed low. A couple three-pointers could loosen up the Brighton defense, a job that will also fall to Allen and Clifford, as well as to…
• Sixth man Rashad Francois, whose all-around versatility in an up-tempo game like the Lynn English epic  a couple weeks ago should be vital Wednesday. His three-point capability could be key.
• Fifth starter Mike Nestor, whose defensive wizardry in the third quarter against Latin Academy’s ace scorer (he scored 18 the first half, 2 points in the takeover third quarter) turned around the game, will need to have another big effort.
• Seventh man Tre Crittendon will hopefully play his very best of the year, since it figures Brighton’s pressing defense will require him to contribute lots of minutes. He can score inside or out, defend and set up plays.
• Lastly, Coach John Walsh, as he seems to be most every game, will need to be at his Belichickian Best, for this game is likely to be similar to the Lynn English game in momentum swings and critical decision-making.
• Bottom line, may the Falcons give it their very best effort and let the chips fall where they may.

We have become so spoiled by the historic, four-year brilliance of Coach John Walsh and the Danvers High boys’ basketball team that our expectations are often bloated beyond belief.

Case in point was the undefeated (23-0) Falcons’ 64-48 victory over Latin Academy (15-8) Monday night in near-capacity DHS field house in their Division North 2 quarterfinal encounter.

Danvers missed its first five three-point attempts, a staple of their exciting offense all season, especially in their last half dozen games. Horrors! It was only 8-8.

From a 23-10 advantage early in the second quarter, Latin Academy, sparked by the 18-first half points from diminutive point guard Rayshawn Miller, drew within 28-24 at intermission, thanks to Miller’s three-pointer off the glass at the buzzer.

A four-point game!!!  Egads! Panic time.

(As an aside, when was the last time you saw three-pointers delivered at the buzzer to close out each of the first two quarters? It happened on this occasion. Danvers’ Devonn Allen made a three to end the first quarter for a 16-8 Falcon lead.)

Back to the scenario.

The second half began with Allen stripping Miller of the ball and setting up a three-point play by Devan Harris (21 points) at the other end. From that juncture forward, the unheralded Mike Nestor applied the defensive clamps on Miller, holding the talented player to two points in the quarter. The Falcons led, 48-33, sat the break. Game over (although it was only 35-31 before the Northeastearn Conference champs began pulling away for good).

Nestor may have scored only two points, but his fabulous defense on Miller loomed large in the decisive third quarter.

“Mike defended really well, played Miller really tough,” Walsh said after improving his five-year career record at Danvers to 101-19. “That’s his strength and he showed it tonight. He denied Miller the ball more, made him play the full court and it seemed to affect his offense.

“Overall, though, well, we better play better next time (Wednesday at Woburn at 7 against 19-4 Brighton, a 63-44 winner over Salem, in the semifinal round). This was not a great showing for us as a team.”

Vinny Clifford, after a rocky first half (4 points), finished with 20 and Allen added 12.

Although Danvers is undefeated, the No. 1 seed in Division 2 North and the top-ranked team in the Boston Globe’s Top 20, Brighton will assume the favorite’s role for Wednesday’s showdown.

“The’ve beaten Mansfield and Everett, won games out of state,” Walsh said. “They won the Boston City title. In a word they’re awesome. We’ll need to play a very strong game.”

A sluggish start like tonight could prove fatal. On the other hand, Brighton beat Latin Academy by 16 in their only meeting. This matchup could determine the Div. 2 North champ, maybe the state Div. 2 champ.

A word to the wise: Get to Woburn High School early Wednesday. At least the Falcons know the gym, having beaten Bishop Feehan, 60-56, in the first round of the Comcast/Arbella tournament in late February.

Correction: Jeff Avigian worked his final game of the season as the P.A. announcer for the Falcon home games. He’s the best in the business around these parts.

Yes, that was Principal Sue Ambrozavitch helping with the cleanup crew after the game. How many principals contribute like that?

The undefeated, top-seeded, top-ranked Danvers High boys basketball team continues its wondrously winning season (22-0) Monday night in the DHS field house (7 p.m,.), taking on 15-7 Latin Academy, a solid Boston City Central Division entry, in one of four Division 2 North quarterfinal games being played.

Falcon faithful will be hoping for big contributions from seniors Vinny Clifford, Devan Harris and Peter Merry, as well as from juniors Rashad Francois, Mike Nestor and Tre Crittendon.

But, as has become evident during the season, most prominently over the last few weeks, comprising the team’s last seven games, a sophomore looms as the most important player wearing the Blue and White.

Devonn Allen, a little used third guard on last season’s 20-3 Cinderella group, is the Falcons’ starting point guard this season, one in which the equally talented baseball player has emerged as the one critical ingredient the locals cannot afford to lose if they are to make a run at their third state title in four years.

The 6-foot Allen was growing all along this season, Coach John Walsh has pointed out. But in pressure-packed game after pressure-packed game, starting with the Falcons’ narrow 39-37 victory over Salem, Allen has proven to be as Mr. Clutch as one can be.

Whether it’s making clutch scoring drives to the basket, outmaneuvering opposing players for offensive rebounds off teammates’ missed foul shots, hitting a batch of three-pointers, bringing the ball up court against intense defensive pressure, making timely passes, defending quicker rival guards, using his cat-quick hands and feet to steal the ball or create loose balls, or out jumping players several inches taller than him for key rebounds, Allen has been extraordinary.

Sure, he’ll commit an occasional turnover, but so didn’t every top-notch point who has ever excelled at the high school, college or NBA level. That’s one aspect of Allen’s greatness as a sophomore — his ability to shake off the occasional misplay.

“I get wonderful support from my coaches and teammates,” Allen told this blogger earlier this evening. “That’s how I forget about any mistakes I make, shake ’em off, and play through it.”

No matter. Allen has improved all aspects of his game dramatically since last winter, such as shooting, penetration to the basket, quarterbacking the offense, leading the defense and his durability/stamina.

“Last summer and the start of this season I’ve done a lot of shooting on my own,” Allen said. “In the process Coach Walsh and Coach “J” (Jarhon Giddings) have helped me with my form. They’ve made a big difference.”

As for his ball-handling and overall offensive floor leadership, “I worked on that stuff last summer, too, did some two-ball dribbling drills at the Danvers Y,” Allen explained. “I know I needed to make big strides in that area. The coaches have helped a lot. They’ve encouraged me to look for the opening to the basket first before looking for the outside shot; plus, my teammates have been positive all the time.”

His exceptional defensive skills have been a marvel. “Good defense starts with conditioning and the coaches have worked us mighty hard since the first day of practice last November,” Allen said. “It’s all paid off. We don’t get as tired as other teams and it shows in the fourth quarters.”

So here comes the young Mr. Allen, prepping for another big-time game, this one against Latin Academy, a team that lost to another Div. 2 contender, Burke of Boston, by 16 points in the regular season. But Latin Academy could cause the Falcons troubles if their pressure defense rattles Allen and Company, though they’ve handled every pressure situation to date. They’ll be ready for more of the same Monday night.

A victory will put the Falcons into a Division 2 North semifinal Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Woburn High School  against the winner of Monday night’s Salem-Brighton quarterfinal  at Madison Park High in Boston, also at 7.

Considering they were coming off an eight-day layoff, the top-ranked and top-seeded Danvers High Falcon boys opened their Division 2 state title quest tonight in impressive fashion, disposing of Middlesex League entry Wakefield, 69-52, before a near-capacity crowd in the DHS field house.

In the process, the victory gave Danvers coach John Walsh his 100th as coach, this his first head coaching opportunity. His DHS teams are 100-19, most likely the fastest any North Shore varsity boys hoop coach has gotten to 100 wins.

The Danvers High Boys Basketball Boosters and thez Danvers cheering section, the Falcon Fanatics, celebrated at the final horn by storming the courts and saluting Walsh with special Danvers blue tee shirts with the numbers 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 on there backs, marking Walsh’s five teams, all of whom have reached the state tournament, and two of which have won state Division 3 titles (2012, 2013). They’re hoping Walsh will reach the number 105 for victories before the end of the tournament, which will signify state title No. 3, this time in Division 2.

Next up for the Falcons: 14-7 Boston Latin Academy back in the DHS field house Monday night at 7, the same night and time as the other three Division 2 North quarterfinal encounters. If Danvers takes care of Latin, it will then face in the semis, either Wednesday or Thursday on a neutral court, the winner of the Salem-Brighton game. Latin advanced with a 50-45 win over a weak Masconomet team.

As for beating Wakefield (10-10), the Falcons looked share after a poor first 108 seconds, during which  the Warriors took a 4-0 lead, Danvers missing its first three shots before Mike Nestor swished a three-pointer from the corner to get Danvers’ scoring under way.

Next thing, you know, the Falcons were making four straight shots — all three-pointers — from Rashad Francois, Vinny Clifford and Devonn Allen (2) — staking Danvers to a 17-6 lead. It was 23-14 after one, 40-19 after two and the Warriors never gotx closer than 57-43 early in the fourth quarter after that.

Halftime stats were telling. Sophomore point guard deluxe Allen led the Falcons with 18 points on 3-for-3 shooting from beyond the arc (an NBA-like 9-for-15 in threes for the game). The Falcons made 7-of-9 treys by intermission while hitting 8-of-13 from the foul line. The Falcons held Wakefield scoreless for the first 4:35 of the second quarter.

The two biggest negatives for the 22-0 Falcons would be their foul shooting (17-for-27) and their 16 turnovers, the same as Wakefield. The Falcons must take better care if the ball, and that will mean giving Allen some help getting the ball up the floor against defensive pressure. Rest assured Latin, a decided underdog come Monday, will do everything in its power to rattle Allen, who has emerged as the Falcons’ most valuable and consistent player over the last several weeks, especially in the pressure games.

That assignment will most likely go to sixth man Rashad Francois (12 points tonight) and possibly forward Clifford, who’s a better ball-handler than he gets credit four. A third option might be backup guard Tre Crittendon who got little playing time tonight but could be the answer if Latin — or an other couture opponent — tries to put there clamps on Allen.

The Falcons are better foul shooters than they have shown the last couple weeks. Hopefully they will improve as their tournament ride proceeds.

Devan Harris finished with 11 points and eight rebounds, Clifford 10 points on 2-for-5 in threes, and Merry was his usual Mr. Intimidation on defense with nine rebounds and five blocks to go with his six points.

The Falcons were bothered  somewhat by Wakefield’s pressure defense. They will want to handle Latin’s pressure better than this come Monday.

All in all, an encouraging start on the Road to Worcester.

• It has been reported that the North section finals will not be played at the customary Tsongas Arena in Lowell next Saturday because of a schedule conflict with the UMass-Lowell hockey team. Instead of the Division 1-2-3 boys and girls finals at Tsongas, the six games will be played on six different sites. Stay tuned.
• Terrific Danvers turnout, but the fans made as much noise as church mice, with the exception of the Falcon Fanatics, the high school students who sit together at the north end of the home side bleachers. Let’s go folks. Make lots of noise Monday night, will you!!!!????
• There’s no question the Falcons’ No. 1 offensive weapon is their three-point offensive machine that features four players before tonight and five now that Nestor, a defensive specialist, has finally canned a three.  And if teams stretch out their defenses to defend against it, look for Harris and Merry to go crazy with their inside games.
• I hope Danvers fans appreciate they have the best P.A. voice on the North Shore in Steve Avigian.
• Wakefield players were mighty chippy. On one occasion Andrew Auld threw Francois down to the floor and was assessed a technical. On another occasion Allen got bumped in the head or poked in the eye while rolling on the floor during a scramble for a loose ball.
•  Walsh, who grew up in Wakefield and lives in Wakefield with his family, has led the Falcons to an unfathomable  17-2 tournament record. And this historic run, unimaginable five years ago, continues.

With the passing of Jeff Ryback in mid-February, at 68, the world lost a Renaissance man of the highest form: award-winning writer, playwright, author, actor, film producer and director, educator, commercial pilot, software developer, worldwide traveler, theater company founder ands artistic director, Ford Agency model, field biologist. Just google him.

But to us contemporaries who had the pleasure of sharing our high school days with him, especially on the basketball court, he will always be the deadly shooting cager who led the Danvers High basketball team to its first Northeastern Conference championship in 1964.

He had some talented teammates that year, most prominently fellow starters Bob Cunningham, Bob Bonner, John Keane, Steve Lenz and sixth man Pat O’Shea. But Ryback, a 6-2 forward with equally adept moves to the basket and a deadly pull-up jump shot, was the straw that stirred that championship drink and enabled the Oniontowners to surprise the title favorite, Marblehead, in both of their meetings that winter.

Ryback’s crew had had a respectable season the year before, but with the arrival of a new young coach in John McGrath, the all-senior rotation flourished and Ryback emerged as the best player in the eight-team circuit. Those were the years before NEC realignment/expansion when the loop was comprised of Danvers, Amesbury, Swampscott, Marblehead, Andover, Newburyport, Woburn and Winthrop.

“When I got the job I was apprised quickly,” McGrath recalled, “that I had some good athletes but only one pure basketball player in Jeff, and that Jeff would need a big year to carry us too any significant success. And he did indeed. In addition, he was an inspiration to all the younger basketball players in town. He was Danvers’ Mr. Basketball.

“As good as Jeff was at both ends of the floor, that was a team where the individuals for the most part were good, but as a team they were excellent — and intelligent. They were all team players, Jeff in particular . He had some big scoring games, but he was a fine passer who usually found the open man when he was double teamed, which was often.

“In our 1-3-1 combination defense, Jeff played the back man and had to do a great job blocking out and rebounding.”

Ryback’s personality also played a vital role in his success as a player, which would lead him to success at the college level first at Merrimack, then at Salem State.

“Jeff knew how to control his personality on there court and off,” McGrath said. “He did not let his success affect his emotions. He kept his calm and his teammates did as well.”

Ryback was a basketball nut. He always had a ball tucked under his arm and played several hours a day during the off-season, especially in the summer. He was always finding ways to get use of a public school gym in the winter when he wasn’t at team practice or the team wasn’t playing games.

He is best remembered by this admirer for the countless pickup games he would organize at the Danvers Park court or the Maple Street School court when he wasn’t shooting at his driveway hoop located across the street from the ice cream stand/golf driving range on upper Conant Street. He made sure, too, as the BMOC (Big Man on Court), that the youngest players got their chance to shine in these pickup games.

He had a variety of interests outside basketball, like tennis and the performing arts, but none of us imagined the world he would create after graduating from college.

His brother Andrew was one year younger than Jeff and was not blessed with his size or talent, but he played a positive role on the 1964-65 team that went 7-7 in the NEC. Andrew also chose a life as a world traveler and was living in Sweden at last notice.

Thanks to Jon Tiplady, who stepped into Ryback’s “lead scorer” role the following two seasons at DHS after Ryback’s graduation, and Barry Robertson, for letting me know about Jeff’s passing.

Ryback is the second member of that championship team to pass away. The first was Cunningham, a Harvard graduate and three-sport DHS standout who had a successful career as a teacher and coach before finding his true niche working for a defense contractor in eastern Europe.

• Get well wishes go out to McGrath, 82, the legendary Danvers High basketball and baseball coach, who is recovering from major back surgery. Prior to that he had dealt with a serious cancer condition and a heart condition that nearly killed him. McGrath won three NEC titles as hoop coach and two NEC titles, as well as an Eastern Mass. Class B title, as baseball coach.

Many of us expected the split-personality Lynn Classical Rams to survive their opening round Division 2 North meeting at home against Middlesex League foe Wakefield last night.  But those of us so inclined were wrong.

Wakefield (10-9) overcame a 30-21 third quarter deficit, making three of four free throws in the closing seconds and tipped Classical, 49-46. The Warriors thus earned the right to face top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Danvers Friday night at 7 in the DHS Fieldhouse in a round of 16 game starting at 7 p.m.

“Classical may seem the  better team on paper,” Danvers coach John Walsh had said after the pairings were announced Saturday, but Wakefield has several solid players and could give Classical a tough game.”

Walsh was right.

Classical had 10 days earlier shocked Division 1 Lynn English and several weeks back had given Danvers all it could handle in Danvers before losing, 67-56, but the West Lynners were not up to the task last night against Wakefield, due in large part to being held to 18 rebound and 37% shooting from the floor. There game was tied with two minutes left.

From one unforgettable season to another, head coach John Walsh has continued to take the Danvers High boys’ basketball program to heights never before achieved.

From an unprecedented two tournament wins in his rookie year as a head coach (turning a 3-17 squad into a 13-9 unit), Walsh has created a four-year powerhouse program and earned a position among the elite Massachusetts basketball coaches.

It’s redundant, yet a joy to list the biggest of the major accomplishments Walsh and his Falcons have attained every opportunity I get:

• Four consecutive Northeastern Conference “Small” and “overall” titles
• Consecutive MIAA Division 3 state titles in 2012 and 2013
• A totally unexpected 20-3 season in 2013-14, with an entirely new starting lineup and sole returning starter Vinny Clifford sidelined for the season because of major knee surgery

Now, in his fifth — and latest — year of exceptional guidance, Walsh has directed the Falcons to their first-ever perfect regular season, their first 20-win (actually 221-0) regular season, their first No. 1 ranking (currently) in the Boston Globe Top 20, and the favorite’s role in their quest for a first-ever MIAA Division 2 state championship beginning with a Division 2 North Section encounter Friday night (7 p.m.) in the DHS Fieldhouse.

Granted, they were predicted to have a terrific season, but 21-0? And topped off with a mind-numbing, emotion-packed 79-78 victory at Lynn English last week that once again earned the Falcons  “best in the NEC” recognition.

“The kids showed up to play every night, though on a few occasions we didn’t have our best scoring games,” Walsh said of the regular season. “But they always found a way to win, whether the score was in the thirties or the seventies. They had the bullseye on their backs every night, pressure on them every night, and they answered every challenge. They never looked ahead to the next game. They focused on the game at hand.”

So as Year 4 winds down in what unjust be called “The Golden Era of Danvers High Boys Basketball,” the Falcons begin their quest for a third state title in four years Friday, after a much deserved eight-day rest from game action — against the winner of tonight’s Wakefield (9-9) at Lynn Classical (11-11) meeting.

Classical must be considered the favorite, based on the Rams’ recent play, which included a homecourt victory over Lynn English (17-3), the No. 2 seed in Division 1 North. The Rams also gave the Falcons all they could handle, at Danvers, back on January 9, before falling, 67-56. Classical might have stolen that one had not Peter Merry scored a personal career high (and team season high) 36 points, in which he made his first 10 shots and finished 14-for-17 from the floor, 8-for-11 from the line. Devan Harris aided the cause, scoring all 14 of his points in the second half.

“Both teams are  better than their .500 records,” Walsh observed, “so we’ll let the game play out its course and then get read for whomever is coming to town Friday.”

Before getting fully geared for the post-season, this is an appropriate time to celebrate the history the Falcons made in the regular season.

They won 16 of their 21 gams by at least 10 points, 11 by at least 20, and seven by at least 30. They knew how to win the close, low-scoring affairs as well, such as the one-pointer over English, a two-pointer over Salem, a four-pointer over Bishop Feehan, three- and six-pointers over Marblehead.

“The players deserve all the credit,” Walsh said, as always, deflecting any of the credit away from him and his staff. “They knew how to persevere under a variety of circumstances and always figured it out, even when we couldn’t shoot straight. That’s the sign of a fine team.”

The defense has been backboned by a strong three-deep set up with 6-10 Peter Merry, 6-4 Devan Harris and 6-3 Vinny Clifford. Guards Devonn Allen and Mike Nestor have been rock solid outside along with Rashad Francois and Tre Crittendon off the bench.

Offensively, the Falcons may have the most unstoppable offense in the state, led by the deadly three-point shooting quartet of Clifford (a stunning 23-for-45 his last four game), Allen, Francois and Harris, combined with an all-but-0indefensible 1-2 inside power game from Merry and Harris.

Most remarkably (knock on wood — a lot of wood), none of the “Fab Five” have missed playing time because of injury. “They knew how to get ready for the season condition-wise and it’s paid off,” Walsh said, probably with all his fingers and toes crossed, as well as his arms and legs, maybe even his eyes.

In assessing his “steady seven,” Walsh called off-guard and occasional small forward Mike Nestor “one of the best stories of our season with his incredible defends and timely rebounding. He and point guard Devonn Allen give us two outstanding ‘on-ball’ defenders.

Backup point guard Tre Cittendon “has come a long way this year,” says Walsh. “He’s made a lot of clutch plays, can make three-pointer and can give Devonn a breather whenever he needs it, though that’s not very often.

“Devonn, in fact, has amazing stamina, as he showed at Lynn English. He handled all that defensive pressure, 32 minutes worth, like a senior, when he’s actually a sophomore. Simply put, Devonn has grown into a tremendous two-way player, a leader in every respect. He’s a big offensive threat as well. He’s shown he can beat you on the drive or with the pull-up three- or two-pointer. We would not be where we are without him.”

Walsh has been delighted how Vinny Clifford, after missing all of the 2013-14 season with a surgically repaired knee, returned this season as a ready-for-prime-time performer, especially after he got used to playing with the anticipated soreness.

“Vinny has gotten stronger as the year as gone on, as he’s trusted his knee more and more,” Walsh said. “His excellent all-around play has reflected that and his three-point shooting has been fabulous (23-for-45 the last four games).

Walsh says his 6-10 pivotman, Peter Merry, seems to have improved every game, though it might not always show up on the box score. His inside play on defense can’t be matched and he’s gotten more and more aggressive at both ends these last few weeks, just what we’d hoped to happen.”

Lastly, the Conference’s most dynamic inside-outside offensive force, Harris  has not disappointed following his MVP winter of a year ago. “People talk about his offense, which is just as difficult to defend against in the lane or on the arc,” Walsh said. “But his defense and rebounding are sometimes overlooked; just terrific.”

If folks wondered if what Walsh did with his first group of players was a fluke his first three years, what he has achieved these last two years is almost equally as remarkable, whether they win a state title this time around or not.

“It’s sure been enjoyable and gratifying,” Walsh concedes. “No one has ever been complacent in this program and hopefully will never be complacent. At this stage, it’s all about getting the job done every time out. In one second the game can change. We’ll try and have the kids ready for every situation and see what happens. We’re all looking forward to getting started again.”

Friday  night cannot come soon enough.