THE THREE LHS girls’ basketball senior captains were honored before Lynnfield’s victory over Triton on Feb. 12. Pictured from left to right is Taylor Valiton, Emma Rose and Erika Pasquale. (Courtesy Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
WALTHAM — On Sunday afternoon, the Lynnfield High girls’ basketball team lost to host Waltham, 40-37, in a non-league game.
With that defeat, the Pioneers fell to 8-11 overall while the Hawks improved to 10-9.
The Pioneers, who were up 19-14 at the half, led until the fourth quarter as they were outscored 11-7 in the final eight minutes.
Trailing by three, the Pioneers had a shot to send the game into overtime on their final possession but their 3-point attempt missed just before the final buzzer.
Hayden Valiton led Lynnfield in scoring as she had 12 points and 4 rebounds. Maeve Wertz scored 10 points and she also had 4 rebounds.
Chloe Grieves added 10 points and she led the team in rebounds with 16.
“It was a good game and a great atmosphere,” said Pioneers head coach Sue Breen. “We needed just one more stop, one less turnover, one more offensive rebound, or one more basket.”
In their final Cape Ann League game of the season on Feb. 12, the Pioneers beat Triton, 36-21, at home.
LHS was able to get the season split against the Vikings this winter as they lost the first meeting, 40-30, back on Jan. 17.
Down 21-20 with 7:35 left in the game, the Pioneers outscored the Vikings 16-0 the rest of the way.
Lynnfield took the lead 22-21 with 6:23 to go with a basket by Grieves. Grieves scored again to make it 24-21 with 4:58 to go.
Ninth-grader Olivia Braley hit three 3-pointers in a two-minute span to stretch the lead to 34-21 with 2:19 to go.
“She was tremendous,” stated Breen, about Braley. “Her confidence has grown throughout the season.”
Taylor Valiton then scored with 1:30 to go to finish out the scoring.
“Our defense really came together in the second half,” said Breen. “This was a great team win for the kids.”
Grieves, a freshman, had a monster night with 11 points and 23 rebounds. Braley was second with her 9 points
“Chloe is not that tall but she does a great job of pursuing the ball,” said Breen, about her top rebounder.
Erika Pasquale led the team in steals (5), and assists (4). She also had 3 points and a pair of blocks.
With that victory, the Pioneers finished at 7-8 in the Cape Ann League as they came in fourth place in the CAL Kinney Division.
The Pioneers hosted Swampscott on Tuesday to wrap up the regular season (results not available as of press time).
Lynnfield entered this week seeded 31st in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings. Only the top 32 teams, at the end of the regular season automatically qualify for the state tournament.
The brackets will be released on Saturday.