Winthrop girls hoop tops Swampscott, 32-26
The Winthrop High girls basketball team opened its 2025 season with a satisfying 32-26 triumph at Northeastern Conference (NEC) South rival Swampscott this past Tuesday. The Lady Big Blue had been the Lady Vikings’ nemesis last year, with Swampscott winning both of their contests in hard-fought battles, but coach Anthony Hatzisavas’s Winthrop squad turned the tables on their archrivals Tuesday evening.
“We went into the game with a defensive game plan and we executed it to a ‘T’. We were flying around on defense,” said Hatzisavas.
The Lady Vikings started the game on a good run. Senior captain Lily Conway scored the first points of the 2025 season with an offensive rebound and put-back and senior captain Sophia Lindinger drained a three-pointer, as Winthrop moved out to a 16-11 lead at the half.
“We talked at halftime about how we were in control and we wanted them to play at our pace,” said Hatzisavas. “Bailey Ferguson (nine points on the night) did a great job being our floor general, setting up her teammates across the floor.”
The Lady Vikings had expanded their lead soon after the intermission to eight 24-16, with Lindinger sinking another trey. But with 38 seconds left in the third period and Winthrop holding a 25-18 lead, a pair of turnovers allowed Swampscott a window to score on two successive possessions, leaving matters at a tight 25-22 entering the decisive final eight minutes.
However, Lady Viking junior Amina Barry turned the momentum back in Winthrop’s favor with two big buckets off the glass inside to start the fourth period, boosting Winthrop’s lead back to a more-comfortable seven-point edge, 29-22. Ferguson then swished a 13-foot jumper to increase the Winthrop advantage to 31-22 with 5:24 to play, and from there the Winthrop “D” ensured that the Lady Vikings would have a happy bus ride home.
“We struggled a bit to put the game away in the last five minutes with bad turnovers, but we overcame it,” noted Hatzisavas. “But I expect that with a young team and it’s something that they will learn from.
“Senior captains Zoey Bogusz and Lily Conway, and sophomore Angela Tshowa did an incredible job for us defensively as well,” the coach added. “It’s never easy going to Swampscott and getting a win, so it’s a great feeling to start the season on the right track.”
Hatzisavas and his crew will travel to NEC North rival Danvers tomorrow (Friday) and will host non-league opponent Hamilton-Wenham on Monday at 6:00.
Vikings boys hockey hosts Norwell this Sat.
The Winthrop High boys hockey team will host Norwell, one of the perennial powers along with Winthrop in Division 4, this Saturday at Larsen Rink. The opening face-off for coach Dale Dunbar and his crew vs. the visiting Clippers is set for 3:00 on the ice of the Mike Eruzione Center.
Winthrop opened its 2025 season with a 3-0 loss to non-league opponent Medford this past Saturday. The Vikings were snake-bit from the outset. Medford scored on a power play in the opening minute of the contest and then converted a penalty shot when a Winthrop miscue led to a Medford breakaway and tripping call.
The Mustangs scored the final goal of the contest in the waning minutes with an empty-netter. The affair was a frustrating one for the Vikings, who dominated play throughout, handily outshooting Medford by a wide 34-15 margin.
Winthrop had numerous scoring opportunities, but was unable to reach the back of the Mustang net.
After Saturday’s match with Norwell, the Vikings, who took on Division 3 power Essex Tech last night (Wednesday), will play in the Michael Giordano Christmas Classic tournament at Murphy Arena in South Boston. They will face Lynnfield on Thursday (December 26) at 4:00 in the opening round and then play in either the consolation or the championship game on Friday.
WHS boys hoop to host Danvers
The Winthrop High boys basketball team will be looking for its first victory of the season when the Vikings host Northeastern Conference rival Danvers tomorrow (Friday) evening on the Chris Tsiotos Floor of the Holland Gymnasium at Winthrop High.
The opening tip is set for 7:00.