Chelsea High’s basketball team maintained a .500 record of 6-6 after splitting a pair of games this week.
On Monday, the Red Devils dominated Lynn Tech with a 59-51 victory that proved more decisive than the final margin suggests. After building a 35-17 halftime advantage, Chelsea extended its lead to 17 points by the end of the third quarter. Lynn Tech’s fourth-quarter surge, capped by a three-pointer at the buzzer, narrowed the gap but came too late. Oscar Sabillon and Eric Flores led the scoring with 18 and 22 points respectively, while Faisal Nasimi contributed nine points and Jorge Ramos added eight. Eric Fernandez rounded out the scoring with three points.
The previous Friday brought a different outcome when Chelsea traveled to face Greater Lawrence, a major Commonwealth Athletic Conference rival in the Large Division. The first half remained tight, with both teams locked at 25-25 at the break. Greater Lawrence pulled ahead in the third quarter, establishing a 40-33 lead entering the final period. The margin remained between 8-10 points until Chelsea launched a dramatic late rally that trimmed the GL advantage to just two points with 15 seconds remaining. GL’s execution at the free-throw line in the closing seconds preserved the victory.
“We simply didn’t play well in the second half until the very end,” remarked CHS head coach Jay Seigal. “We need to be consistent through all four periods against if we’re to have success.”
Against Greater Lawrence, Sabillon scored 15 points with Flores adding 10. Ramos contributed nine, Nelson Vega had seven, Victor Corrales and Fernandez each scored three, and Albert Alicea finished with two points.
The defeat leaves Chelsea and Greater Lawrence two games back of Greater Lowell in the Large Division standings. Greater Lowell’s remaining schedule includes contests at Greater Lawrence and at Chelsea, creating the possibility of a three-way tie for the division title should Greater Lowell lose both contests.
Needing four additional victories to secure a state tournament berth, the Red Devils faced Revere last night (Wednesday). Upcoming matchups include a Friday home game against No. Shore Tech, a Saturday trip to Lexington, and hosting Lynn Tech the following Wednesday.