Halfway there, already?
The winter season is in full swing – just go outside. But if you throw your coat and beanie on, high school sports venues aren’t too bad, after all.
Although there are tons of events remaining before tournament time, some athletes have already been making a difference.
Let’s start on the hardwood, where the talent across the area is at an elite level.
Keeping things recent, KIPP’s Trosky Peña put on a show against Saugus on Monday. He netted 30 points (20 in the second half) to fuel a comeback win for the Panthers in enemy territory, all while guarding the Sachems’ starting center.
In Peabody, let’s keep in mind that the Tanners lost two now-collegiate basketball players in Raphel Laurent and Anthony Forte, which meant they needed to find scoring from other players. Luckily, the Tanners are getting just that from Jariel Tolentino. He scored 21 points against crosscity rival Bishop Fenwick before pouring in another 24 against KIPP a few games later.
The Tanners are also receiving a boost from Thad Broughton, who’s shown his ability to score from all three levels as a freshman.
On the girls’ side, there have been two players to reach 1,000 points this past month.
Lynn Tech’s Engelyz Bingham needed 27 points to hit the number Monday night, and did exactly that. Bingham, an all-around guard with a high basketball IQ, joined her father and boys coach, Corey, as 1,000-point scorers.
Saugus’ Peyton DiBiasio has been the talk of the town. Not only did she eclipse 1,000 points in December, but she recently became the all-time girls scoring leader in school history. The best part is, she’s only a junior, so she’ll have the opportunity to become Saugus’ all-time leading scorer once her career is said and done.
Staying in the Northeastern Conference, Swampscott has two freshmen who have been balling. Anna Kanders and Teddy O’Neill have made instant impacts for their respective teams. Kanders is fresh off a 28-point performance against Salem, while O’Neill has been described as “poised” by boys coach Jason Knowles. O’Neill played in his first Swampscott-Marblehead rivalry game and showed up with 19 points last week.
And, the win.
Lynn Classical’s Divine Egbuta had a Walter J. Boverini Tournament to remember back in December. She scored 32 points (on just 14 field goals) to lead the Lady Rams to the finals. There, Egbuta put on another strong display and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Moving from the hardwood to the pool, Bishop Fenwick had two swimmers qualify for postseason tournaments Monday. Hannah Ryan qualified for sectionals in the 200-meter freestyle. She finished first and recorded a time of 2:10.43. Her teammate and fellow captain, Caroline Blatchford, qualified for sectionals and states in the 200 individual medley with a 2:26.50.
St. Mary’s had a swimmer qualify for both sectionals and states across two different events. Isabella Morillo’s first-place times in the 100 butterfly (1:04:23) and 100 backstroke (1:06:16) were both good enough for postseason berths.
From the pool to the ice, and what a season St. Mary’s goaltender Matthew Smith Jr. is having. Recently, against Arlington Catholic, he registered a 26-save shutout in a Spartans’ win. A few games before that, Smith delivered a 22-save performance against Bishop Feehan.
For the Peabody-Lynnfield-North Reading co-op girls team, goalie Alyse Mutti has stepped up – to no one’s surprise. Against Winthrop, heading to the third period, PLNR was clinging to a one-goal lead thanks to Ava Buckley. Mutti then registered 12 of her 23 saves in the final period to preserve a shutout win against tough competition.
We’re only halfway there – as Jon Bon Jovi would say – but it’s been a fun season thus far.
Talk again in a few months.
