LYNN — As they say in sports, it’s hard to beat the same team twice.
That proved to be the case Thursday night when Lynn Classical’s girls basketball team avenged its early-season loss to Lynn English, 53-44.
This one had everything you’d want in a rivalry: players stepping up, big shots made, tight pressure, and team play.
English held a 40-36 lead entering the final quarter, and that’s when Classical started to turn on the pressure. The Lady Rams forced the Bulldogs into numerous turnovers to seize all of the momentum.
It had to do with buying in, according to Classical coach Tom Sawyer.
“I think the difference in the fourth was the kids buying into the press and executing,” Sawyer said. “To press, it’s part effort and part executing. They executed and brought the effort. They got turnovers and we were able to turn those turnovers into points.”
Classical went on a 16-4 run for a 52-44 lead with 1:10 left. The focal point of the run – on top of the turnovers – was the offensive rebounding of Linda Jallow and Divine Egbuta.
“Linda Jallow and Divine Egbuta were all over the boards [and] giving us second-chance points,” Sawyer said.
Classical closed the game with free throws, stealing a win in enemy territory.
“It’s hard to find words. It’s a very unfortunate loss for us,” said English coach Sydney Brennan. “These games, obviously, are a little more personal being Lynn vs. Lynn. It just came down to who wanted it more.”
Despite falling short, senior Teanna Nguon was a key player for the Bulldogs. Nguon knocked down two deep threes in the first half and played some tenacious defense, making it difficult for Classical’s guards.
“She’s a senior and, last year, she wasn’t getting a lot of playing time, and this year, she’s starting,” Brennan said. “She’s getting a lot of minutes and she has a great shot. Today was her game in which she came out firing and I wasn’t going to take her out. She was making them and working hard on defense.”
For the Rams, they had four players in double-figures, much to the liking of Sawyer.
“We had four kids in double figures tonight. That’s clearly the first time that’s happened for us this season. 14 points [Jallow], 13 [Egbuta], 13 [Lauren Wilson], and 12 [Keisha Perez] for four of our five starters. Balanced scoring is what helps you,” Sawyer said. “If you’re not balanced, teams will load up against you and certain players. We like to think we have balanced scoring. We believe we can score in the post and on the outside.”
When asked what was different between the two games this season, Sawyer highlighted his senior guard Wilson.
“First, Lauren Wilson. She didn’t play that (first) game. Her being available gives us another ball-handler on the floor for when they press. It was absolutely huge that we had Lauren in the game,” Sawyer said. “I think I did a better job preparing them for this game than last game. Therefore, I think the kids executed a bit better. At the end of the day, it’s a shot-making game. Last game, English lit it up – good shots from good players and they lit it up. We just got a little better making our shots this time.”
For Brennan, her attention shifts to next week when English has three games.
“We have a three-game week next week, including a Wednesday and Thursday back-to-back. Those are two teams we haven’t really played against before,” Brennan said. “I think they have to take every game personally, not just the ones they know, and the girls have to fight and want to win.”
Classical looks to keep its winning ways at Triton for a 5:30 p.m. game on Tuesday, while English looks to rebound Monday when it travels to Saugus for a 6 p.m. showdown.
