After press time: Lynnfield defeats Amesbury 38-22 (Jan. 23)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NEWBURYPORT — Last Friday night, the Lynnfield high girls’ basketball team lost, 43-29, at Newburyport. That defeat ended the Pioneers’ four-game winning streak.
The Clippers (5-3) led 21-13 at halftime and 28-22 after the third quarter. However, the hosts pulled away in the fourth outscoring the Pioneers 15-7.
With the loss, the Pioneers’ record dipped to 3-4 overall and 2-3 in the Cape Ann League. Newburyport, meanwhile, improved to 5-4 overall and 5-1 in the CAL.
“We had a good second and third quarter,” pointed out Pioneers head coach Sue Breen. “But their size wore us down in the fourth quarter.”
Hayden Valiton led the team in scoring with 8 points as the freshman also had 7 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals. Emma Rose had 6 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals while Erika Pasquale had 5 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.
Taylor Valiton, Hayden’s older sister, led the team in rebounds with 13.
Emma Foley led the Clippers in scoring with 12 points.
On Jan. 9, the Pioneers romped over guest Shawsheen Tech, 41-14, in a non-league contest.
“They have a very young team,” said Breen about the Rams. “We pressed them early and then pulled off.”
Lynnfield led 12-2 after the first quarter and 26-4 at the half as Breen got her entire team in with nine players scoring. They also had a season-high 14 team blocks.
Hayden Valiton led the team in scoring with 12 points. She also had 6 blocks, 4 steals and 2 assists.
Pasquale added 8 points with a team-high 6 assists, 5 blocks, 4 steals and 4 boards.
Faith Angelo and Rose also both added 5 points each.
On Jan. 19, the Pioneers host Triton at 5:30 p.m. That will be the team’s Senior Night as Ava Gamache and Addie Connelly will be honored before the game.
Amesbury then comes to town on Jan. 23 and that game will also start at 5:30 p.m.