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NEWBURYPORT NEWS

Pins stays hot 

North Andover’s Brian Pinho, a 2013 St. John’s Prep grad, continues his ascension up the ladder in college hockey circles.

The Providence College junior first-liner, nicknamed “Pins,” is tied for third on the team with 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) and is one of the top two-way performers in Hockey East.

Pinho, who was drafted by the Capitals in 2014, was PC’s MVP last year with 40 points in 39 games, and this year he is also teammates with Newburyport’s Ben Mirageas. His dad, Jim, is a local businessman who played lacrosse at Merrimack. 

McGillivray challenge

Boston Marathon and Feaster Five race director Dave McGillivray seems to take on new challenges, each bigger than the last one.

McGillivray, 62, has signed up for the 2018 World Marathon Challenge. Seven marathons, in seven continents ... in seven days.

Then they will run in South Africa, Australia, Dubai, Madrid, Colombia and Miami.   

Super Bowl odds

With five weeks remaining, here are the odds to win the Super Bowl.

Patriots: 11/2, Eagles: 17/3, Steelers: 10/1, Vikings: 12/1, Rams: 13/1, Saints: 13/1, Panthers: 16/1, Falcons: 19/1, Jaguars: 19/1, Seahawks: 20/1, Chargers: 22/1, Chiefs: 29/1.  

G-League production

It seems every year the Celtics have a player or two that might not be ready for prime time, but needs to play. Enter the Maine Red Claws of the NBA G (Gatorade) League.

Two years ago it was James Young. Last year it was Terry Rozier, who averaged 19.5 points in 14 games. This year it appears to be rookie forward Guerschon Yabusele, who scored a game-high 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting at the Westchester Knicks on Nov. 29.

In seven games for the Celtics this season, Yabusele is averaging 2.0 points and 1.6 rebounds in 4.6 minutes.

A ‘Cheap’ marathon

It’s actually called the “Cheap Marathon,” which takes place April 8 at the Salisbury State Reservation and, by today’s standards, is inexpensive for a road race. The cost is $35 and it was only $26 before Nov. 30. Most marathons now are in the triple digits and even half-marathons are considered a bargain at, say, $60.