BELLA GEORGE is one of five returning players for the LHS girls’ basketball team this season under head coach and Lynnfield High history teacher Sue Breen who returns to the Pioneer sideline after coaching the team from 1994-1999. (File Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — Sue Breen is back for her second stint as the head coach of the Lynnfield High girls’ basketball team. Breen, a history teacher at Lynnfield High, coached the Pioneers from 1994-1999. She then coached at North Andover High from 2000-2013.
When Jeannie Cavallaro stepped down this fall after only one season at the helm, Breen decided to apply and got the job last month.
She inherits a very inexperienced team that lost two Cape Ann League First-Team All-Stars, Ava Buonfiglio and Caroline Waisnor, and one Second Team All-Star, Grace Klonsky, to graduation.
The Pioneers finished at 6-6 overall as they lost, 48-28, to Pentucket in the Cape Ann League Kinney Division semifinals. There was no state tournament last year due to the pandemic so the CAL had their own playoff.
Five players are back from last season. The two senior captains are Abby Adamo (guard) and Lucy Cleary (forward). Cleary was injured all of last season.
The three other Pioneers back are junior Bella George (guard), junior Maggie Ozanian (forward) and sophomore Ava Gamache (guard).
The new players on the roster include four freshman, Taylor Valiton (forward), Erika Pasquale (guard), Emma Rose (guard) and Kayla George (guard).
Another new player is sophomore Jaclynn Moon (forward).
“We have low numbers this year,” explained Breen. “The kids (during the preseason) have been positive and working hard.”
Lynnfield scrimmaged Belmont, Burlington and Austin Prep during the preseason.
The Pioneers will play an 18-game schedule. They will play 13 CAL games and five non-league games.
They played the 2021-2022 opener on Tuesday night at home against Hamilton-Wenham (results not available at press time).
On Dec. 17, they will play their first road game of the season as they go to Newburyport. Tip-off for that contest is 6:30 p.m.
Players will have to wear masks.