Girls’ basketball, 17-2, pulled off a much-needed win against Needham last Thursday, defeating their baystate rivals at home, 56-47. The win allowed North to hold at least a share of the Bay State Conference Championship. Having it be North’s final home game, the three seniors were celebrated for their efforts.
The game started off slowly with several turnovers from both teams. However, senior Caroline Howley, a captain, scored two big baskets two minutes into the game, putting the first points of the game on the board.
Fellow captain Sayawni Lassiter had another big game, barely missing out on a triple-double with 12 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists. The two acted as a dynamic duo at the start of the game, with Lassiter constantly assisting Howley.
Lassiter attributed much of the team’s success to “The fact that we’ve been on the team together for two years now. We’ve been able to establish a connection.”
North jumped to a big lead right out of the gate, scoring 10 points before Needham could get anything on the board.
“We set the pace early on and were able to dictate the way the game would play out,” said head coach Mo Hamel. “The seniors played a great game, and the team came out with great energy.”
North continued to grow their lead through the first half of the fourth quarter, where they were up by 27 at one point.
But the home team let Needham creep back to within eight points of their lead. The attempted comeback was too little to late, and North pulled out the victory with a final score of 56-47.
Despite the win, Hamel wasn’t happy with how her team played in the second half. “We really need to work on our discipline; defensively, not giving up the middle of the floor; offensively, making that extra pass to the open shooter.”
Lassiter was the all-star of the game. “She is a huge role model for every single person on our team. When she is shooting confidently and making hustle plays, it pushes others around her to match her intensity,” said senior Summer Dias
The seniors found the game to be an emotional one, with most of their families in the stands. “It’s going to be bittersweet because the chemistry on this team is something I’ve never experienced before, and it’s something I’ll never forget,” said Howley after the game.