The question surrounding the St. Mary’s girls basketball team all off-season was how good can they be after graduating three Division I players. Well, in its season opener, the Spartans dominated Andover winning 61-28. Andover went unbeaten last year and was crowned Division I State Champions. 

“We talked about it all week. We love the kids we had last year but I told them they’re playing their first game against a team who went unbeaten and won the Division I State Championship,” Coach Jeff Newhall said. “I told them this is a great opportunity for them to go out and put a stamp on what they want to do. I thought our defense and our defensive pressure really set the pace of the game.”

Freshman Bella Owumi led the Spartans with 16 points and 12 rebounds while junior Reese Matela chipped in with 10 points and eight rebounds. 

“Bella dominated the game at both ends. She’s a freshman but she’s started 57 games in high school so far,” Newhall said. “When she’s playing at a high level the game is easy for her. She plays with a lot of energy and I feel her teammates feed off it.” 

“Reese had a very solid game. She’s another returning starter and almost had a double-double,” Newhall said.

The Spartans started the game on a 13-0 run and didn’t look back. They extended the lead to 21 at the half before eventually stretching it out to a 38-point lead in the third quarter. 

This St. Mary’s team may be on the younger side, but their young players are ready to contribute. 

Sophomore Jillian Roberts scored nine points, freshman Lily Norton (4 points) dished out nine assists, while eighth-grader Charleigh Green filled the stat sheet with five points, six rebounds, and five blocks. Junior Juliana Conte added eight points for the Spartans.

Newhall praised his freshman point guard, Lily Norton, on her first varsity start. 

“She really controlled the tempo of the game for us offensively,” Newhall said. “It really was a great night for her on her first varsity start.” 

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Lynn Tech 52

Innovation 28

There’s no better way to start your season with a dominant win. Tech’s Allison Morales had a game-high 25 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. In addition to her scoring, Morales made an impact on the defense recording seven steals and four blocks to lead the Tigers to victory. 

Engelyz Bingham was everywhere on the court scoring 17 points, grabbing eight rebounds, while dishing out five assists and four steals. 

Aliyah Volquez (5 points, 3 assists, 2 steals) and Amy Huynh (5 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists) all contributed to the opening night win. 

BOYS BASKETBALL

St. Mary’s 67

Andover 59

If you can put the ball in the basket, head coach David Brown will find a role for you. For St. Mary’s sophomore JJ Martinez, he showed his scoring ability dropping 30 points on opening night in front of the St. Mary’s faithful. 

Eighth grader Jake Fortier chipped in with 10 points while Kyle Rush scored nine for St. Mary’s. 

Brown got bench scoring from freshman Rowan Merryman who finished the game with eight points. 

“We got great minutes off the bench from Rowan tonight,” Brown said. 

The Spartans, and Martinez, will look to continue the strong start on Tuesday when they host Cardinal Spellman at 6:30 p.m. 

Fenwick 72

Winthrop 52

It was a great start for the Crusaders who got the better of the Vikings on Friday night in the Zach Markowitz Tournament. Fenwick was led by star guard James Meklis who registered a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists. 

Meklis wasn’t the only Crusader to record a double-double as Jimmy Vahey contributed with 11 points and 10 rebounds. 

Jake Bellacini (11 points) and Dom Paniello (10 points) also got into double-digit points. 

Lynn Tech 60

Lowell Catholic 44

It’s hard for a team to go on the road on opening night and secure the win in a packed gym. However, these Tigers know how to battle through adversity. On Friday night the Tigers went into the Keith gymnasium and came home with the win. 

The game was close at halftime with the Tigers leading the Crusaders 26-22. However, in the second half, the Tigers started to push the pace and Lowell Catholic couldn’t keep up. Tech outscored the Crusaders 34-22 in the final two quarters. 

Andy Batista led the way with 17  points and four assists while Jayden Welch chipped in with 16 points and five assists. 

Ederick Gonzalez controlled the paint finishing the game with 10 points and seven rebounds. 

WRESTLING

St. John’s Prep wins dual meet. 

The Eagles won their first match of the season beating Taunton (55-18), Londonderry (49-23), and Foxborough (51-21). Although it was the first match of the season for St. John’s Prep, it was head coach Manny Costa’s 1,000 dual meet that he has coached. 

Graham Conway, Braedon Goes, Jimmy Lally, Jayden D’Ambrosio, Marc Pineiro, and Alex Bajoras were the winners on the night.