There are more than 100,000 people in the City of Lynn, and among them are some of the top high school athletes in the Bay State.
From blocked shots to pad saves, here are some – not all – of the players to keep an eye on ahead of this weekend’s MIAA state tournament pairings.
Bella Freitas – St. Mary’s girls hockey
A freshman suiting up for St. Mary’s, Freitas eclipsed the 30-goal mark earlier this month and – spoiler alert – hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. Just look at her two-goal game against Beverly last Saturday.
Shrewsbury got the best of St. Mary’s in last season’s Division 1 title game, but add a speedy, sharpshooting Spartan in Freitas, and it might be enough to get over the hump.
Her success should come as no surprise, as the right-hander ripped a hat trick against Bishop Fenwick in her first high school game.
Kyle Kemembin – Lynn English boys basketball
If you watched Lynn English’s heroic, come-from-behind win against Cambridge Rindge & Latin last Friday, Kemembin was the one having the game of his life.
Despite the 27-point performance – and game-winning basket, to boot – it was far from his breaking out party. Days later, he followed with a 15-point showing against Springfield Central in the Spartan Classic.
For the 16-5 Bulldogs, who have vastly improved since the start of the winter under coach Alvin Abreu, look for Kemembin to play a key role.
Lauren Wilson – Lynn Classical girls basketball
From the moment primary ball-handler Wilson returned to the court from an injury, you could feel her presence – just ask coach Tom Sawyer.
“It was huge for us, absolutely huge for us,” said Sawyer, whose Rams stand at 14-8.
She netted 19 points in a win against Medford last week. And considering she’s a senior, soccer star Wilson will want to add to her Classical legacy come the postseason.
Sky Delacruz – KIPP girls basketball
An energizer, and a reliable asset for coach Mike McCarthy in his first season helming the program.
The New Year has been a good one for Delacruz, who can score, rebound, and assist on any given night. She’s clutch, too, as the Panther buried a game-winning 3-pointer to drain Rockport last month.
KIPP (Division 4) checks in at 11-8.
Matthew Smith Jr. – St. Mary’s boys hockey
Ask any hockey fan who’s watched their team go on a deep playoff run, or meet heartbreak in round one – it’s nice to have a hot goalie in the playoffs.
Smith Jr. has been exactly that for the Spartans, who have been “starting to come together at the right time,” according to the netminder’s father and head coach Matthew Smith Sr.
In this week’s Cardinal Classic, Smith Jr. saved 78 of 81 shots and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Ederick Gonzalez – Lynn Tech boys basketball
Ahead of Friday’s home vocational game against Monty Tech (6 p.m.), the Tigers closed out the regular season with a 16-2 record. Despite a versatile, well-coached roster, it’s hard to imagine that record without their engine in Gonzalez.
He’s big, strong, and plays with purpose. Standout games from Gonzalez include a 20-point, 10-rebound showing against Shawsheen Tech, as well as a 25-point, 14-rebound delivery against KIPP.
Bella Owumi – St. Mary’s girls basketball
St. Mary’s coach Jeff Newhall once said this about Owumi: “You could see when she came to tryouts as an 11-year-old – something was just different with her as a player, something you just don’t see.”
That statement aged well, as Owumi has put on a show for St. Mary’s in her freshman season. Against powerhouse Bishop Feehan earlier this month, Owumi shattered the St. Mary’s single-game scoring record for a freshman with 34 points.
