By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield High girls’ basketball team recorded its first win of the season on Dec. 19 as they beat guest Hamilton-Wenham 45-39.
With the victory, the Pioneers improved to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the Cape Ann League. The Generals, meanwhile, fell to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in the league.
This game was originally scheduled for the night before but was postponed due to the weather.
“It was a great team effort,” said Pioneers head coach Sue Breen.
Lynnfield trailed, 19-15, at the half but the defense stepped up in the third quarter holding the visitors to four points while they scored 16 to lead 31-23 heading into the fourth quarter.
Hamilton-Wenham chipped away and cut the lead to three with 3:46 left but the Pioneers were able to hold on the rest of the way.
“The girls showed a lot of composure down the stretch,” said Breen.
Taylor Valiton had a memorable night as she was a monster on the glass pulling down a career-high 23 rebounds to go with eight points.
“She did a great job,” stated Breen, about the junior forward.
Emma Rose led the team in scoring with 12 points while Valiton’s freshman sister Hayden, added 11. Hayden had a solid all-around night with six rebounds, three assists, three steals and a pair of blocks.
Erika Pasquale, a junior guard, was second on the team in rebounds with 10.
Senior captain, Ava Gamache, and ninth-grader, Maeve Wertz, both had five points each. Wertz also led the team in steals with four.
The Pioneers will have school vacation week off this week as they will not return to action until Jan. 3 when they visit North Reading. That game will start at 6:30 p.m.
That means the team will have 14 days in-between games.