English girls hoop defeats Classical

LYNN – English (18-0, 14-0 NEC) received dominant performances from Catherine Stinson and Makayla Everette to pull away from Classical, 69-45, at Classical High School on Tuesday night.”Our kids came to play in the second half tonight,” said English head coach Fred Hogan. “In the second half, we set the tone.”Stinson poured in 24 points. Everette pulled down 24 rebounds along with 14 points. Diondra Woumn added 12 points. Deidra Newson posted another double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.”They made some shots,” said Classical head coach Tom Sawyer. “They are a very, very good team so it’s unlikely you will hold them down the whole game.”Classical (11-8, 5-7 NEC) began the game with intensity and aggressiveness on Senior Night. Chelsea Rogers knocked down a three-pointer to get Classical on the scoreboard with just under six minutes left in the opening quarter. In the final two minutes of the first quarter, Classical went on a 9-0 run to take a 15-8 lead. The Rams were attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line. Classical took a 10-8 edge when Jaida Santos hit a catch-and-shoot jump shot. After Franki Galeazzi went 1-of-2 from the free throw line, Heidi Milhem grabbed the offensive rebound and scored as Classical extended the score to a 5-point lead.”We came out flat,” said Hogan. “Classical always plays hard. I take my hat off to their seniors.”Lady Bulldogs guard Stinson nailed a running three-pointer just before the clock ran out to end the first quarter. In the second quarter, Stinson scored the next 10 points, including an open shot from beyond the three-point line to give English a 16-15 advantage. This was a lead that English would never relinquish.Galeazzi kept the Lady Rams within single digits when she made two treys, but English took a 37-29 lead into the locker room. English’s speed and length gave Classical fits in the backcourt. Classical committed 14 turnovers in the first half.Both teams struggled on offense in the third quarter. There were turnovers and a lack of ball movement on both sides. Woumn had six points and English was able to widen the gap to nine points (46-37).English went on a 7-2 spurt early in the fourth quarter before a timeout was called by Classical. Stinson stepped inside the three-point line and made a jumper. After a turnover by Classical, Newson hit a three-pointer to give English a 53-39 advantage. Classical was unable to close the margin as English’s 1-3-1 defense took a toll on Classical.Galeazzi scored 13 points and Milhem contributed with 12 points. “We did a lot of things right tonight,” said Sawyer. “All of our seniors played very well tonight.”