THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026 Page 9 Revere High School girls basketball fall in tourney, continued winning ways this winter By Dom Nicastro T he final numbers weren’t what they had hoped for: A 64—27 loss. A 17—4 fi rstquarter defi cit. A 38—8 halftime hole. When the No. 35 seed from Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s 35-team Division 1 field walked into Lawrence to face No. 30 Central Catholic, the margin felt steep from the outset. Central Catholic’s Gaby Feghali buried six fi rst-half three-pointers on her way to 18 points, stretching the floor and the scoreboard before Revere could settle in. The Lady Red Raiders’ defensive pressure compounded the problem, turning early misses into transition chances. Revere assistant coach Liz Lake said the staff anticipated a battle early and believed the opening minutes refl ected that expectation. “The opening minutes were competitive, with both teams evenly matched,” Lake said. “Our guards, Sarah Lechheb and Rebecca Mercado, set the pace and tone early with their speed, effort, and relentless energy, which never wavered. Midway through the fi rst quarter, Central Catholic went on a quick scoring run that forced us into catch-up mode for the remainder of the game.” By halftime, the game was eff ectively decided. But that isn’t the whole story of Revere’s 2025—26 season. If the fi rst two quarters defi ned the result, the fi nal two framed the perspective. Revere lost the third quarter just 16—9 and played Central Catholic even, 10—10, in the fourth. After being overwhelmed early, the Lady Patriots steadied themselves. They competed. They executed better. They stopped the bleeding. For a young roster that had leaned on speed and defensive eff ort all winter, that response said something about internal growth — even in a loss that offi cially ended the season. And in many ways, that resilience refl ected the arc of the entire year. “We opened the year on a positive note with key wins against Lynn Classical and Lynn English,” Lake said. “Those early victories allowed us to identify our strengths while also highlighting areas where we could continue to grow and improve.” To understand this seasonending defeat, you have to zoom out. Over the past three seasons combined, Revere has compiled a 35—28 overall record (14—7, 11—10, 10—11). The program has qualifi ed for the state tournament in all three years. That consistency matters. But the tournament results also tell a parallel story: three straight preliminary-round exits, each by double digits. The challenge now is converting competitiveness into postseason traction. Revere’s identity this winter was clear from December: quick guards, defensive pressure and balance over star power. When the Patriots secured their 10th win — a 52—18 blowout of Northeast Metro Tech — it highlighted the roster’s depth. Shayna Smith set the tone, while underclassmen like Allyson Ollivierra and Addison Ulwick continued to expand their roles. Bench contributors Asmaa Azeroual, Destiny Borges-Kelley and Ajsi Balla provided rebounding and energy, reinforcing the team’s collective approach. “Our victory over Northeast was a pivotal moment, as it secured our spot in the tournament,” Lake said. The season was dotted with competitive losses that highlighted growth. One of the most revealing wins came against Malden. A 52—48 setback to Medford featured a halftime lead before foul trouble shifted momentum. A tight battle against Danvers, one of the state’s stronger programs, showcased perimeter shooting and The RHS Patriots Varsity Team — Kneeling, shown from left to right, are: Sara Shai, Ajsi Balla, Kelsey Morales, Rebecca Mercado, Sarah Lechheb, Sonia Haily, and Haley Peralta. Standing, shown from left to right, are: Assistant Coach Elizabeth Lake, Assistant Coach Michael Lucas, Paula Lopez, Destiny Borges-Kelley, Asmaa Azeroual, Captain Shayna Smith, Addison Ulwick, Zohra Bekreira, Allyson Olliveirra, Head Coach Ariana Rivera, and Assistant Coach Victoria Correia. rebounding strength despite the fi nal margin. “The girls played with a level of intensity we hadn’t yet seen, demonstrating strong team chemistry and a seamless transition from off ense to defense,” Lake said. “Malden has always been a solid matchup for us, so it was especially rewarding to see our players embrace the challenge with heart and hustle and come away with the win.” Even in a challenging senior night loss to Everett, the younger core logged meaningful minutes. The blueprint was visible: push tempo, defend aggressively, rely on interchangeable guards and rebound by committee. But tournament basketball, especially in Division 1, punishes slow starts. Against Central Catholic, the margin wasn’t created in the fi nal score. It was built in the fi rst eight minutes. Central’s outside shooting and early defensive disruption prevented Revere from establishing rhythm. By the time the Patriots adjusted, the gap was too wide. “We made defensive adjustments each quarter, switching between man and zone in an eff ort to slow their momentum,” Lake said. “Off ensively, we executed several handoff s actions, but struggled to capSPORTS | SEE Page 10 ~ Home of the Week ~ CHELSEA - GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE 7 CORNER UNITS ALL 2 BEDROOMS, 2 FULL BATHROOMS, WITH LAUNDRY IN UNIT AND ALL WITH A DEEDED PARKING SPACE. LOCATED AT MILLCREEK CONDOMINIUMS DIRECTLY ON THE SILVER LINE JUST MINUTES TO BOSTON AND LOGAN AIRPORT. Each unit features kitchens with granite counters, laundry in unit, balconies, and a separate storage area. This complex offers on site management, an saunas and locker rooms and club room, visitor parking and much more. 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