The Everett High girls basketball team took two steps back in its quest to qualify for the post-season state tourney with a pair of losses this past week. The Lady Crimson Tide now stand at 7-9 on the season and need to win three of their four remaining games in order to punch a ticket for a Journey to the Tourney, which requires a .500 record.
Friday’s 52-45 loss to Greater Boston League rival Somerville saw the Lady Crimson Tide battle all the way back from a 34-17 deficit at the half and eventually move out to a 42-40 advantage in the fourth period.
However, Somerville staunched the hemorrhaging, retook the lead, and then hit a three pointer with 1:12 to go to move out to a five point edge that sealed the contest.
“We picked up our defensive intensity in the second half,” said EHS head coach Tammy Turner. “We created a lot of turnovers and made some steals that led to baskets in transition. But after getting all the way back, we let ihe game slip away.
Talia Riccioli led the Lady Crimson Tide with 20 points. Savannah Spinney also reached double figures with 14 points, followed by Yemi Okihan with five, Talia Mirra and Mimi Feble with two apiece, and Netta Johnson with a free throw.
In Tuesday’s 51-34 loss to Northeastern Conference rival Marblehead, the Lady Crimson Tide trailed 12-7 after the first period and never got back into the game. “We just didn’t have it against Marblehead,” noted Turner. “We fell behind early and never were able to get close.”
Spinney was high scorer for Everett with 10 points, with Riccioli and Johnson scoring eight each.
The Lady Crimson Tide were scheduled to play Lynn Classical this past Monday; travel to Haverhill tomorrow (Thursday); host Malden Friday; and trek to Salem for the season finale on the holiday Monday.