Update: The girls basketball team lost on Tuesday, February 25 to Groton-Dunstable Regional H.S. by the score of 37-39.
FRESHMAN Chloe Grieves scored a career-high 18 points and added 23 rebounds in Lynnfield’s 54-45 win over Swampscott in the regular season finale. The Pioneers hosted Groton-Dunstable in a preliminary round game on Tuesday night after press time.(Courtesy Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — It was do-or-die for the Lynnfield High girls’ basketball team heading into their regular-season finale on Feb. 18 as they hosted Swampscott in a non-league contest.
A Pioneer win would clinch a Division 3 state tournament bid while a loss would potentially end the year depending on the MIAA’s power rankings.
Lynnfield was able to pull through with a 54-45 victory to punch their postseason ticket.
The Pioneers led this one, 30-24, at the half.
Halfway through the third, the Big Blue, who fell to 11-8 with the loss, cut the lead to one but the Pioneers outscored Swampscott by five the rest of the quarter to lead, 38-33, heading into the fourth.
The fourth quarter was close early on with Swampscott cutting the lead to three points 38-35 with 6:30 to go.
With LHS up 42-39 with 4:15 to go, Erika Pasquale and Chloe Grieves scored to make it 46-40 with 3:04 remaining.
Two more free throws by Grieves and a hoop by Hayden Valiton put Lynnfield up 50-40 with 1:45 left to give the team some breathing room.
Four free throws by Pasquale rounded out the scoring.
“This was a great win for the team,” stated Pioneers head coach Sue Breen. “It was an intense game and I was really glad to see us score over 50 points. I’m proud of the team for playing good defense and for finding their teammates.”
The Pioneers had 15 assists on 20 made baskets.
Grieves had a monster game as she scored a season-high 18 points to go with 23 rebounds. The freshman also had 5 assists, 3 steals and a block.
Pasquale also had a season-high 14 points to go with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and a block. Hayden Valiton added 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block.
“We had great contributions from lots of players,” pointed out Breen.
Lynnfield ended the regular season seeded 30th in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings. Only the top 32 teams, regardless of overall record, automatically qualify for the state tournament. Otherwise, a team must finish at least .500 overall in order to qualify if they are not in the top 32.
Lynnfield last made the states two years ago.
The Pioneers hosted 36th-seeded Groton-Dunstable (12-8) on Tuesday night in the preliminary round (results not available as of press time).
If the Pioneers won that contest, they would visit Norwell on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. in a first round matchup.
Norwell is the 3rd seed as they will enter the tournament at 19-1.