Page 10 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023 GREATER BOSTON LEAGUE NOTEBOOK: The ‘Lynns’ rule respective Boys and Girls Basketball roosts League basketball squads could be headed for postseason runs; most will be on the road due to Power Rankings By Steve Freker **** t’s been a season-long tour of “Blowouts ‘R Us” for one team, and close to the same for the other. We are talking the bookend, undefeated Greater Boston League Championship seasons for the Lynn English (boys league) and Lynn Classical (girls league) teams this winter. Both teams steamrolled through their respective league to titles in a way not seen often in any league in the state. For the Lynn English (LE) boys... maybe not seen ever? The Lynn English Bulldogs boys’ basketball team is a perfect 14-0 in the GBL, 17-0 overall. The LE Dogs’ average margin of victory – 46.5 points – is the largest in the state! Here are a few eye-opening numbers: — The team averages 86.6 points per game – leading the state – and allows 39.9 ppg... and this is remarkable... also leading the state! Lynn English boys have scored 90+ points fi ve times, 80+ points 10 times and 70+ points two times — The closest any team has come to LE all year is a 74-56 win over visiting Everett on February 2, an 18-point victory. —The closest any team has been at halftime in a game this season was when host Malden High was down, 25-20, on their way to a 72-38 loss to LE. Lynn Classical Girls’ Basketball is also undefeated at 14-0 and GBL Champion and perfect at 17-0 overall. The Lady Rams have also had their share of blowout, I one sided victories, though none on the scale of the Lynn English boys. Both the Lynn English boys’ and the Lynn Classical girls’ teams have the real potential of a magical, 20-0 unbeaten regular season fi nish, followed by hopedfor long postseason state tournament runs and possible MIAA State Championships. The Lynn Classical girls have what appears to be a clear path to unbeaten with non-league games against Triton Regional and former Northeastern Conference (NEC) foe Saugus (twice). Saugus hammered Triton last week and is 10-4 and in fi rst place in the Smaller School Division in the NEC. Lynn English will certainly be challenged in its fi nal two games of the season. On Saturday, Feb. 18, Lynn English will play defending MIAA Division 2 State Champion Malden Catholic (14-2) at 1:45 p.m. at the St. Mary’s tournament. There is talk that game may be moved to a larger venue considering the fact that two Eastern Mass. giants are taking swings at each other. In its regular season fi nale, LE Bulldogs will return to St. Mary’s for a single game against the defending Division 4 State Champs. MIAA Statewide Tourney Power Rankings might even keep undefeated GBL teams from home games Despite being undefeated and league champion at 17-0 – the only unbeaten team in Division 1 – Lynn English will most likely not have a home game after the fi rst-round MIAA Division 1 State Basketball Tournament this year. Lynn English is ranked #10 at this point, behind nine other Division 1 teams expected to advance in the State Tournament. Lynn Classical girls are ranked even lower. Even at 16-0, the Lady Rams are ranked 43RD (!!) by the MIAA and would be on the road for the entirety of the State Tournament. **** Malden High Girls Basketball & Everett Boys have qualified for States; Malden, Revere boys are on the fence right now The Malden High School girls’ basketball team is the only GBL girls’ team already punching their ticket for the MIAA State Tournament. With a 46-30 win at Revere Tuesday night, Malden improved to 10-7 overall and made it to the.500 mark, the minimum winning percentage for state tournament qualifi cation. One GBL boys’ team has qualifi ed for the postseason, and two others are close to tourney spots. The Everett High boys topped Revere on Tuesday, 57-39, to get to 10-6 and grab a state tourney spot. Malden and Revere battled on Tuesday with the Patriots emerging with a 62-59 win and staying alive for the postseason in moving to 7-10 overall. Revere must win its fi nal three games to extend its season while Malden, at 9-8 overall, has three chances to nail down that elusive 10th win, with games at home against Somerville on Monday (6:00 p.m.), at Melrose on Wednesday (6:30 p.m.) and then at home versus Woburn next Friday, February 17 in the regular season fi nale at 6:00 p.m. GBL BOYS’ BASKETBALL Team all Lynn English+* 14-0 17-0 Everett Malden High’s Kimberly Tropnas works on off ense against Lynn Classical, the GBL champion this year. Medford 8-5 Malden Revere 9-3 9-6 9-6 7-6 9-8 5-9 7-10 Lynn Classical 4-10 7-12 GBL OverMalden High’s Zeke Noelsaint (22) drovs the baseline in a game against Lynn Classical earlier this year. (All Advocate Photos this page/Henry Huang) Malden High’s Ethan Phejarsai (10) looks for a shot against defense by Revere’s Domenic Boudreau (right). Somerville 4-8 5-11 Chelsea 1-12 berth GBL GIRLS’ BASKETBALL Team all Lynn Classical+* 14-0 17-0 Lynn English* 10-4 11-6 Malden* 8-6 Medford 7-6 Everett 10-7 7-9 7-9 7-9 Revere 6-8 Somerville 2-11 6-12 2-13 GBL BOYS’ HOCKEY Team GBL Overall Medford+* 9-0-0 Somerville 5-3-0 10-6-1 8-7-0 Everett-Malden -Revere 3-5-0 4-7-0 Lynn berth 0-9-0 2-18-1 +Clinched GBL Championship *Clinched MIAA State Tourney GBL OverChelsea 0-13 1-15 +Clinched GBL Championship *Clinched MIAA State Tourney 1-15 +Clinched GBL Championship *Clinched MIAA Stater Tourney berth
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