After press time:
Lynnfield defeats North Reading 39-36 in OT (Jan. 31)
Lynnfield defeats Georgetown 43-34 (Jan. 28)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield High girls’ basketball team was trying to get a split of the season series last Friday night as they hosted Pentucket, however, the Pioneers’ offense struggled as they fell to the Panthers, 35-23.
With that defeat, Lynnfield’s record dipped to 4-8 overall and 3-6 in the Cape Ann League. The Panthers, meanwhile, improved to 10-2 overall and 9-0 in the CAL.
“With the exception of our shooting, we played well,” said Pioneers head coach Sue Breen. “We played good defense and out-rebounded them.”
The Pioneers out-rebounded the Panthers 36-28, led by Chloe Grieves as the freshman had 18.
Grieves also had a team-high 3 blocks to go with 7 points.
Hayden Valiton led the team in scoring with 8 points and she also had 7 rebounds. Taylor Valiton had 6 points and 10 rebounds.
Pentucket was led in scoring by Allie Gagnon who had a game-high 17 points.
“They have another great team this year,” said Breen, as the Panthers have been a league power the past several seasons.
On Jan. 31, the Pioneers visit North Reading at 6:30 p.m. The Pioneers lost to the Hornets, 37-29, in the first match-up back on Jan. 3.
On Feb. 3, Lynnfield hosts Ipswich with that game starting at 5 p.m.
After 12 games, Hayden Valiton is leading the team in scoring averaging 11.9 points per game. Grieves is second averaging 6.4 and she is also the team’s top rebounder averaging 15 per game.