Revere High School girls basketball fall in tourney, continued winning ways this winter

By Dom Nicastro

The final numbers weren’t what they had hoped for: A 64–27 loss. A 17–4 first-quarter deficit. A 38–8 halftime hole.

When the No. 35 seed from Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s 35-team Division 1 field walked into Lawrence to face No. 30 Central Catholic, the margin felt steep from the outset. Central Catholic’s Gaby Feghali buried six first-half three-pointers on her way to 18 points, stretching the floor and the scoreboard before Revere could settle in. The Lady Red Raiders’ defensive pressure compounded the problem, turning early misses into transition chances.

Revere assistant coach Liz Lake said the staff anticipated a battle early and believed the opening minutes reflected that expectation.

“The opening minutes were competitive, with both teams evenly matched,” Lake said. “Our guards, Sarah Lechheb and Rebecca Mercado, set the pace and tone early with their speed, effort, and relentless energy, which never wavered. Midway through the first quarter, Central Catholic went on a quick scoring run that forced us into catch-up mode for the remainder of the game.”

By halftime, the game was effectively decided.

But that isn’t the whole story of Revere’s 2025–26 season.

  If the first two quarters defined the result, the final two framed the perspective.

Revere lost the third quarter just 16–9 and played Central Catholic even, 10–10, in the fourth. After being overwhelmed early, the Lady Patriots steadied themselves. They competed. They executed better. They stopped the bleeding.

For a young roster that had leaned on speed and defensive effort all winter, that response said something about internal growth — even in a loss that officially ended the season.

And in many ways, that resilience reflected the arc of the entire year.

“We opened the year on a positive note with key wins against Lynn Classical and Lynn English,” Lake said. “Those early victories allowed us to identify our strengths while also highlighting areas where we could continue to grow and improve.”

To understand this season-ending defeat, you have to zoom out.

Over the past three seasons combined, Revere has compiled a 35–28 overall record (14–7, 11–10, 10–11). The program has qualified for the state tournament in all three years. That consistency matters.

But the tournament results also tell a parallel story: three straight preliminary-round exits, each by double digits.

The challenge now is converting competitiveness into postseason traction.

  Revere’s identity this winter was clear from December: quick guards, defensive pressure and balance over star power.

When the Patriots secured their 10th win — a 52–18 blowout of Northeast Metro Tech — it highlighted the roster’s depth. Shayna Smith set the tone, while underclassmen like Allyson Ollivierra and Addison Ulwick continued to expand their roles. Bench contributors Asmaa Azeroual, Destiny Borges-Kelley and Ajsi Balla provided rebounding and energy, reinforcing the team’s collective approach.

“Our victory over Northeast was a pivotal moment, as it secured our spot in the tournament,” Lake said.

The season was dotted with competitive losses that highlighted growth.

One of the most revealing wins came against Malden. A 52–48 setback to Medford featured a halftime lead before foul trouble shifted momentum. A tight battle against Danvers, one of the state’s stronger programs, showcased perimeter shooting and rebounding strength despite the final margin.

“The girls played with a level of intensity we hadn’t yet seen, demonstrating strong team chemistry and a seamless transition from offense to defense,” Lake said. “Malden has always been a solid matchup for us, so it was especially rewarding to see our players embrace the challenge with heart and hustle and come away with the win.”

Even in a challenging senior night loss to Everett, the younger core logged meaningful minutes.

The blueprint was visible: push tempo, defend aggressively, rely on interchangeable guards and rebound by committee.

But tournament basketball, especially in Division 1, punishes slow starts.

  Against Central Catholic, the margin wasn’t created in the final score. It was built in the first eight minutes.

Central’s outside shooting and early defensive disruption prevented Revere from establishing rhythm. By the time the Patriots adjusted, the gap was too wide.

“We made defensive adjustments each quarter, switching between man and zone in an effort to slow their momentum,” Lake said. “Offensively, we executed several handoffs actions, but struggled to capitalize consistently — particularly from long range.”

Yet the final 16 minutes revealed a group that didn’t fold. The issue was consistency against experienced, battle-tested opposition.

Central Catholic, despite its 8–12 record and No. 30 seed, came from the rugged Merrimack Valley Conference. Revere, while competitive in the GBL, faced a different level of depth nightly. That difference showed early.

Still, earning a tournament berth as the No. 35 seed represented tangible progress for a roster many projected as transitional

As for the bigger picture, the program has now:

• Won a share of a league title.
• Posted three consecutive winning or near-winning seasons.
• Qualified for three straight Division 1 tournaments under Coach Rivera, which no other Revere winter team can claim in that run.
• Integrated underclassmen into major roles.

This year’s loss to Central Catholic stung. But it also framed what’s next.

Shayna Smith’s leadership anchored this group, but the foundation moving forward rests with the underclassmen who logged heavy minutes — players who have now experienced playoff pressure twice.

“Shayna was a varsity player for all four years and one of our strongest competitors,” Lake said. “As a freshman, she was immediately placed in the post, facing talented and experienced opponents. Over time, she worked relentlessly to become a consistent starter and a dominant presence in the paint. Her physicality and toughness were key assets for our team.”

Beyond Smith, the rest of the senior class helped shape the program in quieter but meaningful ways, each leaving a distinct imprint on this year’s team culture and identity.

• Sonia Haily — A steady and vocal leader, Haily set the tone in practice huddles and halftime discussions and kept teammates connected with encouraging messages throughout the season. Even after a knee injury ended her year early, she remained fully present, attending every game and practice while bringing energy and visible support from the bench.
• Sara Sbai — Sbai’s four-year progression stood out. She developed from a fundamentals-focused freshman into a composed varsity contributor who embraced big minutes, attacked the basket with confidence and consistently played with hustle under pressure.
• Zohra Benkreira — Benkreira’s influence extended beyond the stat sheet. She took initiative in promoting the program, helping organize fundraising efforts and increasing visibility for RHS girls basketball, reinforcing a strong sense of team community.
• Asmaa Azeroual — Though her time in the program was shorter than some of her classmates, Azeroual steadily improved her game and approached the season with determination and positivity, earning respect through her work ethic.

The last three tournament exits have followed a similar pattern: early deficit, opponent run, uphill climb. Breaking that cycle will be the next benchmark.

“Looking ahead to next season, we have some really solid returners that are on the younger side,” Lake said. “They gained valuable experience this year and will be great getting to continue to develop their skills. They were mainly the reason we were consistently a tougher defensive team this year.”

The foundation of the program extends beyond varsity.

“The JV team was truly a pleasure to coach this year,” Lake said. “This group brought an incredible passion for learning the game and showed up every single day with a genuine desire to improve. As a coach, effort and heart are the most important things I ask for, and this team delivered that every day.”