PIONEER Katie Scanlon (3) aggressively attempts to steal the ball fro her Hornet opponent late in Friday’s game. Both teams traded the lead and knotted the score multiple times before Lynnfield pulled away for good with a 48-42 win. The Pioneers improved to 5-5 in the CAL and 8-6 overall. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The girls’ basketball team got back on track last week after enduring a rough stretch the past two weeks.
The Pioneers defeated Manchester-Essex 48-42 on Friday, Jan. 30. The victory improved the locals’ record this season to 8-6.
Lynnfield controlled the tempo of the first half and had a four-point lead heading into the break. The Hornets played much better during the third quarter and Manchester-Essex had an eight-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Pioneers regrouped during the fourth quarter. Lynnfield played tough defense down the stretch and held the Hornets scoreless the last two-and-a-half minutes of the game.
Junior Marie Norwood led the Pioneers with 13 points, 11 rebounds and hit two clutch free-throws down the stretch to seal the win. Senior captain Emma Mancini also had a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 13 boards. Senior captain Toni DiCesare scored six points.
Senior captain Katie Scanlon played a key role for the Pioneers during the fourth quarter. She scored the go-ahead basket and finished with four points. Freshman Julianna Passatempo came off the bench and scored two points.
“This was a big win,” said Pioneers head coach Bob Melillo. “We are now in a four-way tie for first place in the Cape Ann League small division. We have four league games left, so it’s up to us to control our destiny.”
Melillo said junior Kelly Look played excellent defense against Manchester-Essex’s Sydney Christopher.
“Kelly did a tremendous job guarding Sydney Christopher,” said Melillo. “Kelly held her to 14 points, which is below her scoring average.”
Upcoming games
The Pioneers faced Georgetown on Tuesday, Feb. 3, taking place after deadline. The locals host Amesbury on Friday, Feb. 6, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Lynnfield travels to Newburyport on Sunday, Feb. 8, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The Pioneers host West Roxbury on Tuesday, Feb. 10, beginning at 5 p.m.
