Galeazzi helps Classical girls hoop defeat Salem

LYNN – The Lynn Classical girls basketball team used a suffocating defense and a standout effort from freshman Franki Galeazzi to get past Salem, 50-38, on home turf Monday.The Rams never trailed all night as the Witches were as close as two points twice in the first quarter before Classical put the hammer down?with Galeazzi being the catalyst.The freshman racked up 10 of her 16 points in the first half and then hit a pair of critical baskets to begin the fourth quarter after Salem had climbed its way back in the game.Click here for a photo gallery.”You have to love to see a freshman come in who’s not overwhelmed by the pace of the game,” Classical coach Tom Sawyer said. “Frankie played really well.”Classical (2-1) started swiftly by getting out to an early 10-2 lead. The Witches fought back and cut the lead to 10-8 when Maria Rodriguez hit back-to-back 3-pointers.That deficit, however, would be as close as things would be the rest of the night. Classical changed its defense and Salem was unable to adjust before the game had gotten out of reach.”We challenged the kids to get in and out of defenses all night,” Sawyer said. “And that’s the thing about this team. They play hard for every second.”Classical led 16-9 after a quarter thanks to Galeazzi’s 10 points and continued to pull away in the second period, eventually taking a 30-14 lead on Monta Connolly’s layup that closed an 11-4 spurt.Salem fought back again and cut the lead to 32-20 at halftime before Classical charged out of the locker room to begin the second half.Hannah Byrne, who finished with a quiet 13 points, triggered a quick 7-0 run to start the half and when Jenna Kulakowski hit a jumper, the Rams had a 39-20 lead.Salem, though, wasn’t quite ready to head to the bus yet. Amanda Wilkins’ back-to-back buckets helped trigger an 8-2 run and suddenly it was a 13-point game heading to the fourth quarter.”Salem is a good team and they play hard the whole game,” Sawyer said. “It’s never a comfortable lead against them.”Just as suddenly as the Rams’ lead had been cut into, its two freshman starters helped restore order. Kristin Lauria and Galeazzi turned the game upside down as they rattled off six straight to begin the fourth and Classical led by 19 again.Salem got only as close as 12 twice over the final seven minutes as the Rams closed things out easily.”We hit our free throws and were able to keep the lead at a safe distance,” Sawyer said. “We got off to a nice start early and were able to handle their run at us.”