It just wasn't supposed to end this way.

For the second-straight year, the Tiger Den had been invited to a Garden party on Boston's legendary Causeway Street, courtesy of Coach Doug Woodworth and his ferocious hoopsters.

After dismantling the Winthrop Vikings, Austin Prep Cougars, and the Tigers of Pope John Central Catholic High School, the boys from Ipswich clinched the Division IV North crown. The team faced Cathedral High School on Tuesday, March 14 at the TD Banknorth Garden, but that match ended in a loss for the Tigers.

The boys' team slid past the Cougars of Austin Prep Tuesday evening at Haverhill High School. Fans were on the edge of their seats down to the final seconds when the team snuck by a tough Cougar squad, 58-55.

On March 5, the Tigers trampled the Vikings from Winthrop High School in a Quarter-finals match up, 73-43.

The girls' hoop season came to a screeching halt after a buzzer-beater in the much-anticipated game against Winthrop.

Senior Megan Berry and Freshman Amber Smith kept the Lady Vikings on their toes all game. After Molly Berry's foul shots, the Tiger's were up by two. In a desperate attempt to save her team's season, a Winthrop Viking threw a hail marry from half court with four seconds left. The game-winning shot silenced the Tiger Den, and fans were paralyzed by the 47-46 defeat.

The Lady Tigers routed the Amesbury Indians, 58-38, on March 1. The girls emerged victorious again on March 4, besting the Wilmington High School Wildcats by a score of 69-56.