Hogan posts milestone in emotional English girls victory

LYNN – After the Lynn English girls basketball team defeated Everett, 58-35, in MIAA Division 1 North first-round action at Cavanagh Field House on Tuesday, Bulldogs coach Fred Hogan received congratulations for his 100th career win with the program.Yet the achievement was bittersweet. A day earlier, on Monday, Hogan’s older brother, Joe Hogan, had died, and Fred Hogan wiped his eyes during a postgame interview.”I dedicate this game to him,” Coach Hogan said.The coach held a basketball with “Coach Fred Hogan 100th Career Win” in his left arm and spread around the credit as the Bulldogs advanced.Click here for a photo gallery.”The girls were great tonight,” he said.Sophomore guard Deidra Newson led English (21-2) with 17 points and was one of two Bulldogs in double figures, with fellow sophomore guard Diondra Woumn finishing with 10 points.”Deidra Newson was all over the place,” Hogan said, noting she also had five steals.The Bulldogs move on to play either Lincoln-Sudbury or Chelmsford, who will meet up on Thursday night.Everett played some tough defense on league MVP Catherine Stinson, holding her to six points, all on free throws. Yet Hogan had praise for Stinson, who led the Bulldogs in assists and scoring this season.”Catherine Stinson had another great game,” he said, noting her eight assists and seven blocks last night.The Bulldogs opened up a 9-3 lead after one quarter and, after both teams ratcheted up the scoring in the second period, English led 25-15 at intermission.One scary moment that occurred in the first half came when senior co-captain Taylor Newhall had to leave the court – temporarily, it turned out.”Taylor Newhall got her tooth banged in the All-Star Game and was fitted for a mouthpiece,” Hogan said. “She got banged on and will go back to the dentist.”The Bulldogs already entered the game knowing that two players, Makayla Everette and Dolores Lattimer, could not play due to injuries (ACL for Everette, fractured foot for Lattimer).”We need other girls to step up,” Hogan said, mentioning Shardaye Imadiyi, Sam Holey and Tyeisha Lewis. He said that Imadiyi is part of “our new rotation” after losing Everette and Lattimer.He praised Lewis, who finished close to double figures, for “a couple of steals and a pick down the end,” and Holey for “a big basket early on a little run.”Shannon Calnan also gave the Bulldogs a lift on the boards with 11 rebounds.The Bulldogs broke the game open in the second half, and did not allow an Everett three-pointer until there were under two minutes to play in regulation, when the Crimson Tide’s Tori Cyrus drained a three (she led Everett with 15 points).When it was all over, Hogan posed for some photos, and got a few hugs. Then he paused to reflect on 100 career wins.”These girls have been great,” he said. “We were 4-16 seven years ago. We needed 21 wins for Coach Hogan to get 100 wins. This season, the players got wins.”He added, “Really, it’s a team award. Also, thank you to all the players from the past seven years.”Rich Tenorio can be reached at [email protected].