LAWRENCE — Thursday night provided a pretty apropos opener to the 2025-26 girls high school basketball season.
Two teams, rich in tradition but absorbing a major hit from graduation last spring, tested themselves at Memorial Gymnasium with Division 1 power Central Catholic hosting reigning the reigning Northeastern Conference champions from Masconomet Regional.
Opening night belonged to the visiting Chieftains, who scored a 51-49 victory.
Down 41-37 to start the fourth quarter, Masconomet rode returning Salem News all-star Sami Lalikos over the final eight minutes, closing out the night with a game-high 20 points.
Shaye Vella added 13 for the victors on three three-pointers, including a pair in the second half that turned the momentum toward the Chieftains.
Masco, which went 18-2 a year ago before falling in the Division 2 Round of 32 to Mansfield, graduated first-team All-NEC guard Riley Bovardi and conference all-stars Ava Allen and Angie Lalikos. Thursday night they had all four starters in foul trouble much of the night and found some unexpected contributions off the bench.
Sophomores Ruby DiCarlo (12 rebounds), Hudson Rollins and Ava McCollum all had big performances in the win.
“We knew would have a quality starting group, but the bench came up big, especially with our foul trouble,” said Chieftains coach Jalen Aho. “I couldn’t be happier with the entire team’s effort.”
Sadie Morris, who pulled down 11 boards, was a tyrant on the defensive end, as was backcourt mate Sabrina Cafarelli.
The Chieftains will get the chance to see how this crew fits in the NEC when they host traditionally tough rival Peabody on Tuesday (7 p.m. tipoff).