Peabody girls' basketball coach Jane Heil remembers her team's first loss last season. Not just because of the result, but because of the atmosphere.

When the top-ranked Tanners played at Gloucester High in February, the contest had a buzz in the stands and a passion on the court not found at most regular-season games. Though not traditional rivals, Peabody and Gloucester played like they were.

"The crowd was great," said Heil, whose team lost, 62-51. "It was a nonleague game, but it was a North Shore game. I think it was a great situation and I'd like to have more of that."

Heil will get her wish. Soon Peabody will be playing Gloucester and all the other Northeastern Conference teams at ...