Published December 19, 2018

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — Peter Bocchino is the new head coach of the Lynnfield High girls’ basketball team this season. He takes over for Jim Perry, who unexpectedly passed away in June.

Bocchino was the Pioneers’ assistant coach for the past three seasons under Perry and was officially hired as head coach in September. The Pioneers have struggled the past three seasons, as they have only won a combined five games. Five seniors from last year’s team graduated.

When training camp opened on Nov. 26, the Pioneers welcomed back four veterans, all of whom were starters last winter.

The Morelli twins, Melissa and Victoria, are two of this year’s captains. Both juniors are forwards. Melissa averaged 9 points per game while Victoria averaged 8.

VICTORIA MORELLI returns as a one of three captains who will lead the 2018-19 LHS girls’ basketball team. (Dan Pawlowski File Photo)

The third captain is sophomore point guard Grace Klonsky.

Sophomore guard Caroline Waisnor is the fourth player returning this winter.

Sophomore guard Ava Buonfiglio played on both the varsity and junior varsity squads last winter.

 “We had three days of tryouts and then had a little over a week of practice because we had our first game on Dec. 8,” said Bocchino.

The Pioneers (1-1) played their first Cape Ann League game of the season on Dec. 14, and fell 63-42 to visiting Pentucket.

“They always have a good team,” said Bocchino about the Sachems. “We gave them a game early, forcing them to use two time-outs in the first quarter.”

However, the Pioneers scored just two points in the second quarter and the Sachems went into the half leading 27-18. Pentucket was able to pull away late in the second half and the closest the Pioneers got was within nine points late in the third quarter.

Melissa Morelli finished with 10 points and 9 rebounds. Freshman forward Cate MacDonald also had 10 points and 9 rebounds.

The Pioneers began the season defeating Notre Dame-Cristo Rey (Lawrence) 58-19 on Dec. 8.

“It was a good tune-up game for us,” said Bocchino. “We were able to overmatch them.”

This game was decided early, as the Pioneers led 34-8 at the half.

MacDonald led the Pioneers with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Victoria Morelli and Waisnor each scored 8 points apiece. Melissa Morelli and freshman Riley Hallahan both finished with 7 points.

The Pioneers travel to Masconomet on Friday, Dec. 21, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Lynnfield visits Gloucester on Thursday, Dec. 27, beginning at 7 p.m.

Lynnfield is slated to play a 20-game regular season.