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BOSTON – The Georgetown express chugged into North Station yesterday at full speed. Unfortunately for the Royals, they didn’t quite have enough power to keep the wheels rolling.

Millis prevailed 60-43 in the Division 4 state championship game at TD Banknorth Garden. Molly Breen scored 28 points for the Mohawks, who limited Bates College-bound Georgetown center Taryn O’Connell to 12 points.  

BOSTON – Taryn O’Connell was in the stands the last time the Georgetown girls basketball team played at TD Banknorth Garden. In March 2004, the future Royals watched with stars in their eyes.

BOSTON – Pentucket senior Kirsten Daamen couldn’t help but shed a few tears.

Second-seeded Swampscott had just defeated the top-seeded Sachems 61-46 in yesterday’s Division 3 North final. Her high school career ended here at Emmanuel College’s Yawkey Center, not at TD Banknorth Garden, where her team played in the state semifinals in both 2006-07 and 2007-08.

With her team down two after three quarters, Georgetown coach BarriAnn Alonzo gathered her team for one last pep talk.

"I told them that they needed to play like it was their last, or it would be their last game."

Central girls outlast Pentucket

A pair of area girls hoop powers hooked up in the matinee at the Comcast Tournament.

In the girls final, it was Central outlasting Pentucket, 50-48.

The future, as in next season, looks pretty bright for Newburyport, who after a slow start finished with a three-game winning streak.

The Clippers were again led by a balanced scoring attack with Lindsey Tomasz's 11 points and 10 rebounds, Caitlin Hill's 10 points, and Sam Baribeault's 10 points. Keri Salvatore had a game-high 18 points for Amesbury.

Trailing 35-31 entering the fourth, Pentucket erupted for 21 points in the final frame to secure the 52-47 win over Triton. Kirsten Daamen led the way with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Andi Attenasio was close behind with 13 points, and Ashley Viselli chipped in 12 for the 18-1 Sachems.

For the first time this year, Newburyport won back-to-back games as the Clippers were lead by a balanced scoring attack of  four girls in double figures. The win also officially eliminated Triton from playoff contention.

Senior co-captain Caitlin Hill led Newburyport (6-10) with 18 points. She converted on 8 of 10 free throw attempts — all of which came in the fourth quarter. Freshman Beth Castantini tallied 11 points and 10 rebounds. Sam Baribeault added 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Lindsey Tomasz had 10 points, 12 rebounds and six steals.

Star Georgetown center Taryn O'Connell broke the school's all-time girls scoring record, racking up 28 points to bring her career total to an amazing 1,328. O'Connell also grabbed 15 rebounds in the Royals' 75-72 overtime loss to Manchester Essex. As if O'Connell's record-breaking performance wasn't enough, the game was decided in riveting fashion, as well.

It's been a case of bad luck for Taryn O'Connell and her Georgetown Royals each of her last two big milestones. A year ago her 1,000th point came in the teams final game of last season, a loss in the state tournament. Against Manchester Essex, O'Connell broke the all-time Georgetown girls basketball scoring record with 28 points to go with 15 rebounds to put her at 1,325 career points putting her three points clear of former record holder Megan O'Connor (1,322 points). Again it came in a loss to the Hornets on a buzzer-beater, in over-time from half-court, 75-72.

Shannon Hartford was also marvelous at the point for the Royals scoring a career high 15 points, dishing out 12 assists, and collecting five rebounds. Haley Gisonno had 12 points, and Kelly O'Brien play outstanding defense for the Royals.

Alysia Clark scored a game-high 17 to help Lawrence squeeze past Newburyport 45-41. Yulissa Nunez added 11 for the Lancers. 

Lindsey Tomasz scored 16 points for Newburyport (5-9). Caitlin Hill added 11. Samantha Baribeault scored six.