Malden Girls Basketball falls to Lynn English but even at 7-7 after wins over Medford, Everett

Malden High girls basketball got a career-high 23 points from sophomore Manicha Exilhomme, but a fourth-quarter rally fell short in a 60-50 home loss to Lynn English. Malden also got a solid game from senior captain Amanda Ebenezer, who poured in 15 points and had 11 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. Exilhomme had 12 rebounds for Malden. Senior Kim Tropnas added 8 points for Malden, Ina Tolete scored one 3-pointer. Malden rallied after that game with wins over Medford (46-32) and Everett (50-18), the latter this week on Tuesday. With 6 games remaining on the schedule, Head Coach Scott Marino’s squad needs at least 3 more victories to earn an MIAA Division 1 State Girls Basketball Tournament spot for the 4th straight season. Next up is two home games next week: Tuesday, February 11 vs. non-leaguer Lowell (6:00 p.m., Finn Gym) and Thursday, February 13 vs. Greater Boston League (GBL) rival Somerville (6:30 p.m., Finn Gynn).—STEVE FREKER