LYNNFIELD — The jury’s still out when it comes to the destiny of this year’s Lynnfield girls basketball team. One thing is certain, and that is youth will be served as the roster is full of new faces, mostly sophomores and freshman, four of whom are likely starters.
Hopes were high that this was the year the Pioneers were ready to turn things around after two miserable seasons in which the team was a combined 2-37.
The team was coming off a successful summer season when the Pioneers won six games and made it into the playoffs of the Girls North Shore Summer Basketball League, a highly competitive league which features many of the area’s top high school programs.
The Pioneers lost just one senior to graduation, and, with 11 of 12 players and four of five starters expected to return this year, they appeared to be on the verge of catching teams in the Cape Ann League by surprise.
But, it didn’t work out that way.
With senior captain Lizzie Shaievitz on the sidelines until January at the earliest as she recovers from a soccer injury, the Pioneers were already undermanned. Toss in the loss of two senior starters and captains who opted to run indoor track, and three more returning players who quit during tryouts, and suddenly the glass seemed half empty.
Not so fast, says coach Jim Perry, who says nothing could be further from the truth.
“Yes, we lost some players who we wish we didn’t, but in terms of the overall attitude and positivity, this team’s the best one yet,” he said. “I cannot believe the hoop atmosphere compared to past years when we were basically running clinics as the kids came to us unprepared, so we spent so much time at practice on the basics, like shooting. It’s so much easier on the coaches this year, even the kids on the lower rung of the skill ladder get the game. For the first time, we have such great chemistry, and we didn’t have that last year.”
Nine players made the team, which will be a trio of senior captains in Mackenzie O’Neill, a forward, Emory Caswell, also a forward, and Shaievitz a guard.
Sophomore twin forwards Melissa and Victoria Morelli are also back.
“The offense we’re running will be designed for the Morelli’s inside,” said Perry. “They came in this year better players than they were last year.”
Three promising freshmen made the team. Grace Klonsky has nailed down the starting point guard position, while Caroline Waisnor will start at guard until Shaievitz returns. Megan Nevils is slated to be one of the first players off the bench in relief of the bigs.
“We’re excited about those three freshmen. We’ve been following them since their travel days and spotted them early on,” Perry said. “They belong here. They did great during the summer league against much older players so we will see how they do, but they will play big roles this year.”
Other newcomers include senior forward Maggie Weaver and sophomore forward Anna Maria Ferrante.
The Pioneers will be tested right out of the gate when they visit Pentucket in their season opener on Dec. 15.
“We’ re so excited about these kids and this team,” said Perry, now in his third year as coach. “This year, most of them have ‘it’, and it’s so much nicer to be able to actually see some talent. We may be young, but these kids know the game and are coming into the season way ahead of where we have been the last two seasons. Our goal is to average 45-50 points a game, and I believe we have the kids who can do that.”