Balanced attack helps Revere girls hoop get past Swampscott

REVERE – The Revere Lady Patriots improved to 7-3 with a sterling effort on both ends of the court. Revere beat Swampscott 43-31 on Friday night at Roland Merullo Field House.Caitlin Caramello led a balanced Revere offense with 11 points. Gena Restiano scored eight for the Lady Patriots.”Our ball movement really helped us tonight,” said Revere head coach Katelyn Leonard, who was a star high school player for the Swampscott Big Blue in the 1990s.Restiano put Revere ahead early in the opening quarter with a dribble drive through the middle of Swampscott’s zone defense and hit a shot in the paint to give Revere a 2-0 lead. Revere extended the lead to 10-0 just past the halfway point of the first eight minutes behind outside jumpers by Jennifer Fajardo, and Caramello as well as another drive by Restiano.Swampscott (5-4) was able to get a couple of baskets by Bridget Lawless and Jacqueline Walsh. Both teams stalled offensively in the final couple of minutes and Revere was only able to muster one free throw before the clock ran out.The second frame opened with two Anna Greene free throws to cut Swampscott’s deficit to 11-6. After Revere’s Ally Hinojosa and the Lady Big Blue’s Alexa Goldman traded three-pointers, Revere was able to take control late in the first half. Revere went on a 7-2 run to end the half and take a 10-point advantage into the locker room.”I thought we came out very flat on offense,” said Swampscott head coach Abrom Roberts. “We weren’t moving the ball well.”Swampscott had trouble making entry passes because Revere’s guards were very active in their 2-3 zone defense. They were unable to attack the basket. Revere closed up the lanes, especially on the baseline.The second half was more of the same. Swampscott had four straight turnovers. Revere switched to a man press and zone defense.”They played good defense,” said Roberts. “They really jumped on our ball handlers.”Amy Rotger made two free throws to begin the third quarter. Fajardo made a dish to Jacqueline Noel in transition as Revere took a 27-13 advantage. Revere was able to expand the lead to 21 points (34-13) after they had a 9-0 run on baskets by Noel, Restiano, and a conventional three point play by Caramello.Swampscott did not go away in the fourth quarter. They were able to cut Revere’s lead to 10 at 41-31 late in the game and force Leonard to put her starters back in for the final two minutes. Swampscott turned up their defense and caused several Revere mistakes that led to buckets at their end. Greene led the Big Blue with 12 points and was instrumental in Swampscott’s run at the end.Revere had built too big of an advantage with their passing and defense.”We are taking things one game at a time,” said Leonard. “One of our goals is to make the tournament.”