PEABODY — The first time the Peabody and Beverly High girls basketball teams met this season, it was a close contest that the Tanners pulled out in overtime.
This time, the game was never in doubt.
Carolyn Scacchi had a monster game to lead Peabody to a 58-34 thrashing of Beverly on Pink Night at Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse. It completed a season sweep of their two-game series for the Tanners (6-9).
Scacchi scored the first eight points before the Panthers got on the board when Becca Moriarty made a foul shot, and after the first quarter Peabody had an 11-point lead. Scacchi scored 10 points in the first half alone and had 14 by halftime.
"Scacchi's points were all in the paint off the backboard," said Tanners coach Jane Heil. "I'll take that any day.
"Our defense was exceptional. The ability to use 12 kids tonight is just fabulous. Some of them have been waiting patiently to get their turn. We were coming off our worst performance of the year against Salem, and this was an emotionally upbeat night for us. The girls were very focused all week, right from the time they made their (tie dye) pink shirts."
Peabody's focus was on not giving the Panthers open outside shots, where Erin Silvestri had hurt them in their first meeting.
Beverly, which fell to 3-14, tried to make up the early deficit, but Peabody never let up on the throttle.
"We shot terrible and they shot great," said head coach Matt Smith. "Even after Scacchi went on that early run I felt we could get back in it because we were only down by 11, but we didn't play as tough as we usually do. Scacchi gave us trouble inside; I thought we did a better job on her in the second half, but she had already done the damage."
The combination of the 6-foot-2 Scacchi and 5-10 Olivia Summit combined for 30 points and 23 rebounds for Peabody. Summit had a dozen points and 11 boards while Alex Lomasney added seven rebounds as the Tanners took full advantage of their height to dominate the glass at both ends.
Early in the second quarter Peabody went on a 10 point run to open up a 24-3 lead. Summit scored eight points during that span while Scacchi added a bucket, and by halftime the Tanners had built up a 34-10 cushion.
Another big key for the Tanners — who sported bright pink socks and headbands — was the hot outside shooting of senior captain Taylor Provost, who hit four treys for 12 points.
Beverly was led by Ashley Keaton and Erin Silvestri with eight points apiece. The Panthers were able to outscore Peabody, 15-9 in the last quarter led by Keaton, who had six points.
"The Keaton twins, Ashley and Bridget, played very hard all night," said Smith. "I never have to worry about them because they always give 100 percent."
Heil praised all of her guards, who distributed the ball well to get it to Scacchi and Summit. Katie Brunelle, Taylor Provost, Jackie Goodwin, Victoria Digiacomo, Christa Trombley, Kasey Provost, and Caitlin Lodi all got the job done.
"It was great to have our 'Flip Flop Friends' (including assistant coach Jean Hallinan) here tonight. They do a 60-mile walk for breast cancer, and sold scarves and other things at their table. We're happy to support them for a great cause."
