'Saders handle Blue Knights; Barberich key for G-D attack.

• Position: SPORTS

Byline: Craig Holt

WORCESTER - Though Groton-Dunstable's drive to the districts may have hit a bump or two recently, the ride went smoothly during yesterday's Clark Tournament Small Schools quarterfinal against Lunenburg.

The third-seeded Crusaders were devastating in transition, displayed a balanced offense and did the job defensively in topping the sixth-seeded Blue Knights, 63-43, before a large crowd at Clark University's Kneller Athletic Center.

Groton-Dunstable (14-6) plays second-seeded Northbridge (16-4) in a semifinal 6 p.m. Thursday at Clark University.

"This was definitely a typical game for us. We like to push the ball a lot and get fast-break points," Crusaders senior Will Peregoy said. "We love playing on the big court. We play on one at home, so we're used to it. Offense is our strength, everyone can shoot it."

Groton-Dunstable senior Liam Barberich was a stud, totaling 13 points and 17 rebounds - 16 of them defensive. Peregoy netted 14 points on a variety of jumpers and drives. Senior Kyle Romich scored 11 points and added 11 rebounds and 9 assists, while classmate Ben Chilcoat chipped in 10 points.

Groton-Dunstable took control with a pair of 10-2 spurts in the second quarter. The first helped the Crusaders erase a 21-16 Lunenburg edge and was keyed by 3-pointers on three straight possessions by three different players (Barberich, Aaron Honkonen and Chris McKinney). The second run, ignited by unselfish play and good defense, gave Groton-Dunstable a 36-23 lead at the half. Seven players scored for the Crusaders in...