After press time: Lynnfield falls to North Reading 65-31 (Feb. 1)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
WEST NEWBURY — It was a tough night for the Lynnfield High girls’ basketball team on Jan. 26 as they visited mighty Pentucket. In the first meeting, the Panthers won, 56-19, back on Dec. 15.
This time, the Panthers won 60-30.
“They are the top team in the league,” stated Pioneers head coach Sue Breen. “We did a little better against them this time then we did the first time.”
Pentucket took command of this game early as they led, 33-15, at the half.
With the loss, the Pioneers fell to 5-6 overall and 4-5 in the Cape Ann League. Pentucket, meanwhile, improved to 12-1 overall and 9-0 in the league.
Hayden Valiton led the way for the Pioneers with 13 points and 9 rebounds just missing a double-double.
“It was her best game of the year,” said Breen, about the 9th-grader.
Erika Pasquale had 6 points, 7 boards and 3 steals while Maeve Wertz had 6 points and a team-high 4 steals.
Taylor Valiton, the team’s top rebounder, injured her ankle early on which didn’t help matters.
On Jan. 23, the news was much better as the Pioneers beat visiting Amesbury, 38-22.
“Our defense was very good,” said Breen. “We contested a lot of their shots.”
Lynnfield led, 18-12, at the half and never gave up the lead in the second half.
At the end of the third quarter, Pasquale hit a half-court shot to give the team a 10-point advantage heading into the final eight minutes.
Taylor Valiton had a big night with 12 points and 18 rebounds. Her sister, Hayden, had good numbers as well with 11 points, 9 rebounds and a team-high 5 blocks.
Pasquale had 7 points and 3 steals while Wertz chipped in 6 points.
On Feb. 1, the Pioneers host rival North Reading at 6 p.m. looking for the season sweep as they won the first meeting, 56-37, back on Jan. 3. They then visit Ipswich on Feb. 5 with that game tipping off at 5 p.m.