Some members of the Lynn English girls basketball team are pictured
at the Lynn youth basketball clinic at the Boys and Girls Club where
they serve as volunteer instructors. From left, are Diondra Woumn,
Regina Ngleau, Deidre Newson, Devinya Robinson, Catherine Stinson,
Taylor Sullivan, Rachel Calnan, and head coach Fred Hogan.
The Lynn English girls basketball team is ranked as high as No. 2 in the state in one poll. Coach Fred Hogan’s Lady Bulldogs won the Boverini Christmas Tournament, handing superpower St. Mary’s its only loss of the season in the championship game.
When coach Fed Hogan walked in to scout the Braintree-Newton North showdown Sunday, several fans recognized him and offered congratulations for his team’s 8-0 start, high ranking, and the overall success of his program.
These are indeed very good days for the English girls basketball team and Lynn fans who like to see a local team receive some recognition as one of the best squads in the state.
There will be another major achievement associated with the English program this week. One of English’s stars, Catherine Stinson, is poised to reach the 1,000-point milestone to accompany her 500-plus career assists, which means she’s been involved in 2,000 of the Bulldogs’ points since her freshman year.
“I’m anxious and excited about this accomplishment,” said Stinson. “I didn’t think I would get to 1,000 points this soon in my senior year. But the team’s goals are the most important thing to me. I think our defense and the fact we’ve played so much basketball as a team are the big reasons why we’ve come together so well. This is my senior year so I really want a state championship before I graduate.”
Senior Deidre Newson earned the Boverini Tournament MVP trophy and continues to improve with each game.
“Deidre is one of the best players in the league,” said Hogan. “She rebounds, she shoots the ball – she does everything for us.”
Franklin Pierce-bound senior Diondra Woumn is having a superb campaign and is a force at both ends of the court.
“Diondra is our best defender,” said Hogan. She can slash to the basket and stick the jump shot. She’s a big cog in our team.”
Starting forward Makayla Everette has been a potent contributor to the unblemished record.
“Makyala has been amazing – she’s averaging 7-8 rebounds a game and her defensive presence has been immense,” said Hogan.
The unsung hero of the Bullogs has a very recognizable name in Lynn sports. Samantha Holey is one of the school’s best all-around athletes and fits in nicely in the Lady Bulldogs’ up-tempo game and their defensive intensity.
“Sam’s our unsung hero,” said Hogan. “She came in and won the starting job in the preseason and she’s been fantastic for us.”
Devinya Robinson, a former Pop Warner football standout, is the frontrunner for the sixth person of the year award.
“Devinya has done a great job coming off the bench,” said Hogan.
Other key reserves are senior forward Brianna Goulet and Kiana Cedeno.
English is averaging 62 points a game while holding teams to 29 points a game.
“This team is locked in to defense and we’re treating every team like they can beat us,” said Hogan. “The girls are really focused. After the loss to Andover in the State Tournament last year, it made these girls want to get better in the off season and they’re coming out focused and every game is a big game for this team.”
Hogan said the win over St. Mary’s was huge for the program.
“St. Mary’s is an unbelievable team,” said Hogan. “They’re identical to us. They have three incredible guards and a very good starting five. Beating St. Mary’s in the Boverini final and beating the Swampscott state championship team are two of the biggest wins in our program’s history. St. Mary’s is one of the favorites to win the Division 3 state title.”
The English players also say that winning the city championship was a mission accomplished.
“I waited a year for that game because I didn’t play last year,” said Newson. “That tournament was so important to me and I was so happy I won the MVP award.”
Newson said hard work, team chemistry, and great coaching are the key ingredients.
“What makes the team so good is that we have team chemistry, we know each other, we’re a very unselfish team, and Fred Hogan is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. If I could take him to college with me, I would. I’m so happy coach Hogan is my coach.”
Hogan isn’t looking beyond the next game. Having already knocked off NEC elite teams Peabody and Winthrop, the Bulldogs have some big tests ahead with Marblehead (tonight), Newton North, Masconomet, and Lexington in the Spartan Classic, and Arlington Catholic in the final tuneup before the State Tournament.
“We’ll take one game at a time,” said Hogan. “Our goal is to keep getting better every game.”Our first goal was to win the city tournament and we did that. We want 11 wins and the Northeastern Conference championship and to win our Division 1 North Sectional and then move on. Our ultimate goal is to win a state championship.”
There is no doubt Lynn English is for real this season and coupled with the success of the boys basketball team, there could be a really special [Boston] Garden party in March for the Maroon and Grey.