NORTH READING — A rough start proved costly for the Lynnfield High girls’ basketball team last Friday night as they lost at North Reading, 67-47. The Hornets scored the first 19 points of the game as the Pioneers couldn’t recover.
In the second half, the Hornets outscored the Pioneers, 38-30, as Bocchino pulled his starters with three minutes left.
“After that start we were only outscored by one point and we put those reserves in the last few minutes,” said Bocchino.
North Reading ended up completing the season sweep of the Pioneers who fell to 8-8 overall and 4-8 in the Cape Ann League. They now need to go at least 2-2 in its final four games in order to qualify for the state tournament.
Kate McDonald and Victoria Morelli led the team in scoring.
On Jan. 29, the news was much better as they won at Manchester-Essex, 49-35. Again, the Pioneers got off to a slow start as they trailed, 9-0. However, they recovered and outscored the Hornets, 25-6, the rest of the first half.
While the Pioneers were only 10-for-20 from the charity stripe against North Reading, they went 21-for-24 against Manchester-Essex.
Four Lynnfield players finished in double digits in scoring that game: Victoria Morelli, her twin sister, Melissa, McDonald and Riley Hallahan.
This Friday night at 6:30 p.m., the Pioneers visit Triton.