But falls to Pentucket in 2019-20 opener

Published December 18, 2019

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — Peter Bocchino is back for his second season as the head coach of the Lynnfield High girls’ basketball team this winter. Last season, the Pioneers won two playoff games before falling to Amesbury 65-50 in the Division 3 North semifinals.

With that defeat, the Pioneers ended the year at 14-9.

Lynnfield did not have any seniors last year as the entire squad returns this year.

However, the team did not have its first official practice until Dec. 3 due to a late Thanksgiving and a snow day on Dec. 2.

The captains this year are all in their second year as captains. Twins Victoria and Melissa Morelli are both senior forwards while the third captain Grace Klonsky is a junior point guard.

Both Morelli’s made the Cape Ann League All-Star team last year. Victoria averaged 10.5 points per game and eight rebounds while Melissa averaged 9.5 points per game.

While no other seniors are back; there are four juniors returning: Klonsky, Caroline Waisnor (guard), Ava Buonfiglio (forward- guard) and Megan Nevils (forward). 

The sophomores back are Cate MacDonald (forward), Riley Hallahan (forward- guard), Lucy Cleary (forward), Abby Adamo (guard), and Cat Ciolfi (guard).

MacDonald was the team’s third CAL All-Star last year as she averaged 10 points and eight rebounds per game.

Last Friday night, the Pioneers opened the season at Pentucket and the defending Division 2 state champions won, 52-34.

“We only scored one point in the first quarter because we didn’t execute well,” said Bocchino, whose squad trailed 16-1.

The score was 27-8 at the half as the Pioneers were able to settle down in the second half and outscored Pentucket 26-25.

“We didn’t have any preseason games and that hurt us heading into that one,” said Bocchino. “They are also very good again this year.”

MacDonald led the Pioneers in points (17) and rebounds (11) as she recorded a double-double. Waisnor was second in scoring with 11.

Angelina Yacubucci led the Sachems with 20 points while Angelia Hurley added 12.

Lynnfield will play a 19-game regular season schedule with four non-league contests. They will play a home-and-home against Melrose and they also play another Middlesex League opponent, Arlington. Their final non-league game will be against Manchester-Essex as only one of the two games against the Hornets will be a CAL contest.

Bocchino feels that Masconomet will be the team to beat in the CAL Kinney division. Masco, who came in second to Pentucket last year, will be leaving for the Northeastern Conference next year.

The Pioneers will host Masco Friday night at 6:30 p.m. and Melrose on Monday night at 6 p.m.