EHS Roundup

EHS girls roll to big victories, now at 9-2

The Everett High girls basketball team raised its record to a sterling 9-2 with a pair of impressive victories this past week.

The Lady Crimson Tide entertained Lawrence in a non-league contest last Wednesday and played rude hosts, routing the visitors by a runaway score of 49-27. Everett took control from the opening tip-off, grabbing a 19-9 lead after one quarter which the Lady Crimson Tide expanded to 29-14 at the half. Although the Everett momentum stalled in the third stanza — in which Lawrence outscored Everett 6-5 — the Lady Crimson Tide reasserted their dominance in the  final frame for the 49-27 finale.

Yasmeen Guerreir led Everett in the scoring department with 17 points. Captain Talia Riccioli hit for double figures with 12 points and Nyomi Dottin reached double digits with 10. Haley Powers made a solid contribution with eight points and Melissa Mendez chipped in two.

The key to the Everett victory stemmed from the Lady Crimson Tide’s aggressive defense, a full-court trap and man-to-man, that led to numerous Lawrence turnovers and created easy scoring opportunities for Everett. EHS head coach Tammy Turner praised  Riccioli and Powers for their forceful efforts on the defensive end. “Talia always leads the way for us defensively and Haley was extra-aggressive and really sparked us,” said Turner.

Two nights later Greater Boston League rival Medford came to the EHS gym for a battle with significant implications for the GBL title chase.  The Lady Crimson Tide had defeated the Lady Mustangs in the teams’ first encounter two weeks previously in a hard-fought battle, 48-36, and once again the two fierce rivals engaged in a lively encounter through the first half.

Everett grabbed a 15-10 advantage at the first buzzer, but Medford kept matters close at 22-19 by the half.

However, the Lady Crimson Tide came out firing on all cylinders after the intermission and put up 21 points in the eight-minute third frame to expand their lead to 43-28. Everett maintained its momentum in the final quarter to post a decisive 60-42 victory.

“We had missed some easy shots in the first half which allowed Medford to keep it close,” said Turner. “But we picked up our intensity on defense in the second half and on offense, we continued to move the ball around and were able to make the shots we had missed in the first half.”

Guerreir once again led a well-balanced Everett scoring attack with 21 points, followed by Riccioli with 10, Dottin with nine, Harding with eight, Powers with six, Paige Fialho with four, and Kiana Wilkerson with two.

“This was a great win for us,” said Turner. “Medford is one of those teams that always is scrapping and fighting, so you never feel comfortable, no matter how much of a lead you might have.

“I was really proud of how the girls played in both of our wins,” continued Turner. “The ball movement has been fantastic and is an indication of the unselfish style of play that the girls have been bringing to the floor every night.”

With their record standing at 9-2 overall, Turner and her crew need just one more win to qualify for the state tourney. In addition, with their GBL mark now at 4-0, victories this week in contests with GBL foes Malden, which was set for last night (Tuesday), and at Somerville Friday will clinch an undefeated and undisputed GBL crown.

EHS hockey team nets two victories

The Everett High hockey team put it all together this week to skate to a pair of impressive victories, defeating Greater Boston League rival Medford and non-league foe East Boston.

In a 5-1 triumph over the Eastie Jets last Wednesday, Bryan Bessler led the way for the Crimson Tide with two goals.

Three days later, Everett took the measure of GBL opponent Medford for the first time in many years by a score of 6-4. Bessler and J.J. McLaughlin both lit the red lamp twice for Everett. Ray Suppa and Marc Faia also had big nights, with both accounting for a goal and three assists.

“This was a great team victory to beat Medford for the first time in a long time,” said EHS head coach Jason Lawrence.

The Crimson Tide take on another GBL foe, Somerville, this evening (Wednesday) at Allied Veterans Rink for a 7:00 face-off and will meet Brookline Saturday in a non-league contest.