LYNN — If you like defense, then you would’ve loved Lynn Tech’s (7-2) performance against Nashoba Valley Tech Wednesday evening. The Tigers limited the Vikings to eight first-half points, took a 20-point advantage (28-8) into halftime, and defeated the Vikings 46-14.
“It was a little bit sloppy, but the girls worked hard. Everything we do is through our pressure defense, so we’re working every day to get better at it,” said Lynn Tech coach Kaitlyn Wechsler. “Regardless of the other team that we’re playing against, we need to put forward our best effort.”
Wechsler expects that “pressure” defense, forcing the opposition into turnovers that lead to transition layups.
“If we’re going to be successful, that’s what we need to do,” she said. “Offensively, in the half-court, is not our strength. A lot of our points are going to come from good, hard pressure defense. … I do expect it from them, but whenever we perform the way I hope to, then I’m always happy.”
The Tigers got out to a fast start after Allison Morales (10 points) buried the opening shot of the game to spur an 8-2 Lynn Tech run.
Jaylianniez Beauchamp, who scored 12 points in the first quarter and finished with a game-high 16, was everywhere during the first half — swiping steals on defense and making difficult shots offensively.
Twice during the first quarter, Beauchamp scored baskets — plus the foul.
“She’s really stepped up this year. She’s always been the hustle for us and the little firecracker, but this year, she’s putting it all together,” Wechsler said. “Defensively, she usually guards the point guard. She steals, gets out, and runs for us. Playing point guard is new to her, but her offense is coming along, so she’s looking to score and shoot. We go through her for a lot of things.”
Although Lynn Tech lacked size compared to Nashoba, Mahlyna Williams, Cassidy Calef, and Elena Bishop kept the Vikings off the glass.
“We’re a small team, so we need to use our aggressiveness and play the right way. Mahlyna and Elena do a really nice job of that. Cassidy also does a nice job of that,” Wechsler said. “They all do a great job of being strong and physical with girls that are a lot bigger than them.”
Wednesday’s win marked five consecutive wins after a 2-2 start to the season. Weschler said her team is finding its identity.
“I think we were adjusting to not having (1,000-point scorer) Engelyz Bingham with us this year. We were just figuring out who we were and what our new identity was going to be, and that took a couple of games,” Wechsler said. “Now, we know how we’re going to do things and who’s going to be where. We’re just really working every day to get better.”
Lynn Tech’s next game is Friday when it hits the road against undefeated Minuteman Regional (9-0) at 5:30 p.m.
