THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026 Page 11 Lady Patriots Basketball rallies through adversity, show resilience in split week By Dom Nicastro T he Revere High School Patriots girls’ basketball team showed both its growing pains and its growing strength over the past week, fi nishing 1—1 on the road while continuing to defi ne what kind of team it is becoming as the season deepens. Revere opened the week Tuesday night at Lynn Classical, where the Lady Patriots fell 45—36 after digging an early hole they couldn’t fully escape. The Rams jumped out to a 13—5 lead in the fi rst quarter, but Revere responded with defensive energy and composure in the second, cutting the defi cit to just one point at halftime, 19—18. The momentum, however, shifted back to Lynn Classical after the break. The Rams reasserted control in the third quarter and maintained a double-digit cushion through the fourth, closing out the win despite Revere’s continued eff ort. Addison Ulwick paced the Lady Patriots with 11 points and six rebounds, while Rebecca Mercado made her impact felt defensively with four steals. Haley Peralta added four rebounds, continuing to provide quickness and eff ort on the perimeter. Lynn Classical was led by Divine Egbuta, who controlled the paint with 21 points, and Evelyn Diaz, who added 12. Two nights later, Revere returned to action at Lynn English and delivered its most telling performance of the week. Despite a slow start from the opening lineup and the added adversity of two in-game injuries, the Lady Patriots surged late to earn a 36—30 win. English held a second-half lead, but Revere flipped the game in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 19—3 to close it out. Allyson Ollivierra led the way with 20 points and nine rebounds, while captain Shayna Smith added eight points and nine boards. Maria Perry scored 12 points for English. Key contributions also came from the bench, as Sonia Haily and Sara Sbai logged important minutes and helped sustain the energy and defensive pressure needed to fi nish the game. Assistant coach Liz Lake said the team’s response to adversity stood out most. “Overall, I enjoyed watching the team come together to end the week with a victory, despite the challenges of losing Tuesday and having two players go down with injuries on Thursday,” Lake said. “That can be tough mentally for most teams. However, they rallied around that and those two teammates heavily. From the fi ve people on the court to those on the bench, they picked each other up. This group really understands how to come together when it counts the most, and I think Thursday refl ected that. They motivate each other.” Lake also pointed to the leadership of Ollivierra and Smith, who continue to anchor the Patriots on both ends of the fl oor. “Both are great in their own respective ways,” Lake said. “Allyson is a high IQ player, and her confi dence in her 3-point game comes in handy, especially when we are in a tight spot and need to build a lead.” She added that Smith’s role in the post has been equally vital. “Shayna always maintains her tough presence and dominates in the post,” Lake said. “She works the paint, always having to deal with the most physical defensive players, and shows up each and every game ready to take on that role with a positive attitude and a steady focus.” At 6—4 on the season, Revere has now won four of its last six games heading into one of its most demanding stretches. The Lady Patriots face four games in less than a week, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 27, at home against Medford, followed by road trips to Danvers and Whittier Regional, with Chelsea visiting Revere in between. As the schedule tightens, Lake said the focus remains on details. “Off ensively, we need to limit turnovers, as well as utilize getting a few more passes on the ball before getting a shot off ,” she said. “We need to work the opposing team’s defense a little more. Defensively on our end, we need to continue to be aggressive under the boards, securing rebounds to limit the opposing team having second chance opportunities to score.” Lady Pats’ star Allyson Ollivierra attempts to gain control of the ball during Revere’s win against Everett last week. Lady Pats Rebecca Mercado and Sarah Lechheb battle for the ball during recent action against Everett. Freshman Addison Ulwick dribbles the ball up the court. (Advocate photos by Emily Harney)
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