HAYDEN VALITON had a game-high 17 points and 7 rebounds in a close matchup against rival North Reading on Friday night. Valiton also scored 16 points in a win over Georgetown on Jan. 28. (Shlok Kudrimoti Photo)
After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Essex Tech 36-27 (Feb. 5)
Published February 5, 2025
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — On Monday evening, the Lynnfield High girls’ basketball team rolled over Ipswich, 36-14, at home. The 14 points allowed was the lowest the team has given up all season.
“They are a very young team and don’t have many players in the program,” explained Lynnfield head coach Sue Breen, as the Tigers fell to 0-16 overall and 0-11 in the Cape Ann League.
Lynnfield, meanwhile, improved to 6-9 overall and 5-7 in the CAL as they are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Pioneers led this one wire-to-wire as they were up 22-7 at the half.
“We got all 12 players in the game which was awesome,” said Breen.
Faith Angelo led the Pioneers in scoring with 7 points while Chloe Grieves had 6 points and 5 rebounds. Taylor Vailton led the team in rebounds with 6 as she also scored 4 points.
Last Friday night, the Pioneers gave host North Reading all they could handle before falling, 39-36, in overtime.
“It was a great game and a great atmosphere,” said Breen. “The girls really wanted to win this one.”
Lynnfield almost pulled off the upset in regulation but Hornet Ariana Demetri hit a 3-pointer with six seconds left to send the game into overtime.
In the overtime session, the Hornets scored the final five points to pull out the win and complete the season sweep.
Hayden Valiton led the Pioneers in scoring with 17 points and she had 7 rebounds. Taylor Valiton scored 6 points and she pulled down 11 rebounds. Chloe Grieves had a team-high 12 rebounds to go with 4 points.
Erika Pasquale had a team-high in blocks to go with 4 points and played great defense according to Breen.
North Reading, the CAL Kinney Division leaders improved to 14-1 overall and 12-1 in the league.
Makenzie Murphy led the Hornets with 13 points.
On Jan. 28, the Pioneers beat Georgetown, 43-34, at home.
This game was back-and-forth most of the night as Lynnfield led, 17-15, at the half and then the game was knotted at 28 after the third quarter.
However, the free throw shooting was the difference in the fourth as the Pioneers went 11-for-14 from the charity stripe to pull away as they scored the first 12 points of the quarter.
The Royals didn’t score in the fourth until there was only 1:56 left.
“Our defense was the difference and Erika and Hayden led the way,” said Breen.
Pasquale had 7 blocks while Hayden Valiton had 3.
Hayden had a team-high 16 points while Grieves scored 11 points and pulled down 17 rebounds. Grieves also had 3 assists.
The next game for the team will be on Feb. 5 as the Pioneers visit Essex Tech at 5:30 p.m.
On Feb. 10, Lynnfield visits Newburyport at 6:30 p.m.
The Pioneers are trying to sweep Essex Tech and get a split of the season series against Newburyport.