AVA GAMACHE dribbles around a Triton defender on Senior Night, Jan. 19. (Elizabeth Wertz Photography)
After press time: Lynnfield falls to Pentucket 60-30 (Jan. 26)
Lynnfield falls to Georgetown 46-41 (Jan. 29)
Lynnfield falls to Ipswich 49-30 (Feb. 5)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — Last Friday night, the Lynnfield High girls’ basketball team lost at home to Triton by a final score of 54-41. With that defeat, the Pioneers’ record dipped to 4-5 overall and 3-4 in the Cape Ann League. The Vikings, meanwhile, improved to 7-3.
The third quarter was the key for the guests. Leading, 26-20, at the half, they outscored the Pioneers 23-10 in the third to take a commanding 19-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Triton got the lead to 21 (51-30) but Lynnfield fought back and cut it down to 10 before the visitors got control.
“They shot very well in the second and third quarters,” said Pioneers head coach Sue Breen. “They have an older, senior-laden team.”
Taylor Valiton led the Pioneers in points (15) and rebounds (17). Emma Rose was second with 9 points as all of them came from the foul line.
Kendall Liebert led the Vikings in scoring with 22 points.
Before the game, Lynnfield honored seniors Ava Gamache (capt.) and Addie Connelly.
On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Pioneers beat host Manchester-Essex, 46-40, to get a split of the season series.
Lynnfield trailed, 26-22, at the break but they outscored the Hornets, 9-2, to lead by three going into the fourth quarter.
“We were pretty steady with our free throws down the stretch,” pointed out Breen. “We were 6 for 10 in the final 1:32.”
Rose led the team in scoring with 15 points while Erika Pasquale added 10. Freshman Maeve Wertz chipped in 7.
Valiton and her sister, Hayden, both pulled down 10 boards each. Taylor Valiton scored 6 points while Hayden scored 5.
Lynnfield had 9 team blocks.
On Friday night, the Pioneers visit Pentucket at 6:30 p.m. up in West Newbury. They then go to Georgetown on Jan. 29 with that game starting at 5:30 p.m.