By Jerry DiStefano
The Revere High Patriots girls’ basketball team will be a No. 14 seed when they go on the road to face Westford Academy, a No. 3 seed, in the Division 1 North first round.
The Patriots had an up and down season—they went 12–10 for the year. They started off their 2012–13 season with a bang when they defeated Lynn English. Lynn English at the time had not lost a Northeastern Conference (NEC) game in the last two years.
“I knew after the first game this could be a special season. I knew I had a very talented group of girls,” Revere Head Coach Katelyn Leonard said.
Revere has been led by the duo of Gena Restiano and Caitlin Caramello. Restiano was named the NEC MVP this season, and she was also an NEC all-star. Restiano was not only the leading scorer for Revere but also the leader.
“Gena has been rock solid for us all season,” Leonard said. She explained, “She has been so consistent in her play and does not care about herself but just the team’s success. It is very special to find that in a player, and Gena has had that since day one.”
Caramello has had a fantastic season as well. Caramello led Revere in double-doubles and was an NEC all-star as well. Caramello was the force that controlled the paint for Revere on both the offensive side and defensive side.
Leonard said, “Caitlin has been so vital to our success this season. She does a great job controlling the offensive and defensive rebounds and really is instrumental to our success. When Caitlin is dominating the paint, it is no accident that we win on those days.”
Westford academy is one of the most efficient—possibly the most efficient—half-court teams on both offense and defense Revere will face. Westford has a very big team and their three best players do most of their damage in the paint. The Patriots are going to need their best performance of the season to upend Westford.
“We have to do a great job keeping them off the boards the best we can,” Leonard said. She theorized, “I would really like us to play at a fast pace to try and keep Westford from getting comfortable in their half-court sets. Gena will have to play a strong game at the point, and Caitlin is going to have to be big inside between all the size Westford brings to the table. Most importantly, it is going to take a complete team effort to beat a really good team in Westford.”
The Patriots will attempt to upset Westford on Wednesday night.