When the Danvers High girls soccer team registered two key road wins last week – turning back Beverly, 3-1, on Oct. 5 then steamrolling Saugus, 5-1, the following day – junior defender Jackie Morse’s signature was all over both victories. “Jackie dominated a very offensively talented Beverly team. [She] beat her player to the ball constantly and gave us a physical presence that set the tone for the entire game,” said Falcons’ coach Jimmy Hinchion. “Jackie has played super aggressive and smart in the back all season long. Those were two huge wins.” The Falcons (8-2-1; 6-1-0 NEC North) were …

Graham Beck made his final appearance for the Danvers High co-ed swim team a memorable one at last Sunday's Division Two State Meet at Harvard University's Blodgett Pool by placing third in the 100-yard breaststroke and fifth in the 200-yard Individual Medley. His performance accounted for Danvers' entire team total of 22 points, placing the Falcons 19th among 37 teams. Beck's time of 1:00.72 in the 100-yard breaststroke tied the Northeastern Conference record and was 2.09 seconds off the winning time posted by Mike Ren of Wayland. Beck clocked 2:01.54 in the 200 IM, 5.56 seconds off the pace…

Defensive zone coverage has been a staple of the Beverly-Danvers girls hockey team's success this winter and senior captain Shannon McDonald, now in her fourth varsity season, is a leader of the six-player group patrolling the back line for the Lady Panthers. Despite a 3-2 loss to Cambridge-Somerville Wednesday night, the Panthers (12-5-0 overall) have allowed just 31 goals in 17 games and are headed to the state tournament for the third time in McDonald's career. “I think the key to the success of our team has been the way we work together. When we're playing well, we're making connections …

George Merry, the six-foot, seven-inch junior center for the Danvers High boys basketball team, had a sense from the very start of last Saturday night's win against Revere that he had the opportunity for a good game. In fact, Merry had a very good night, delivering an off-the-chart performance. Dominating the paint like no North Shore player has for quite some time, Merry registered a stunning double-double with 40 points and 24 rebounds in the Falcons' 73-60 victory. Unconfirmed reports place Merry's outburst as the second-highest single game point total in Danvers High history. “Coming in, …

The full range of Danvers High senior co-captain Sean Mahegan's offensive game was on display last Friday night when Danvers pushed Salem to the limit in a 75-74 loss. On a night when he was equally effective inside, outside and in transition, Mahegan drained two three-pointers in the game's final 22 seconds to pull the Falcons within a point. Danvers had one final shot to win it off a Salem turnover but a long three-pointer didn't fall. “It was a very competitive game. Sean has some incredible skills and we fought back behind his leadership. He played his heart out, easily his best game of …

Senior first line right wing Jack McCarthy is in the midst of a career week for the Danvers High hockey team. He exploded for four goals and an assist in last Saturday's 7-2 rout of the Lynn Jets and followed up with a goal and an assist in the Falcons' 4-3 come-from-behind win against Marblehead on Wednesday. Though small in stature at five feet, six inches and 145 pounds, McCarthy has made a large impact this season with eight goals, seven assists and an impressive plus-13 rating that signifies his hard work in all three zones. The play of McCarthy and his line mates, senior Brian O'Keefe …

As a 21-year veteran of coaching both varsity boys and girls basketball, Danvers High girls coach Pat Veilleux has seen his fair share of outstanding players. So when he calls the Falcons' four-year starter Kellie Macdonald “the ultimate teammate,” it is a compliment not taken lightly. Macdonald, the central figure in Danvers' 9-1 start this season, leads the defending Northeastern Conference champions in every key statistical category – scoring (15.8 ppg), rebounding (10.1 rpg), blocks (19), steals (22) and both field goal (47 percent) and free throw (79 percent) accuracy – all while …