By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — Two members of the Lynnfield High boys’ basketball team were recently named to the Cape Ann League All-Star team. Both players made the CAL First-Team All-Stars.
Guard Chris Daniels averaged 13 points per game and he averaged seven rebounds as he was second on the team in both categories. The senior captain also averaged three assists per game as he made his first All-Star appearance.
“He has been huge for us the last two years,” stated Pioneers head coach John Bakopolus. “He was a huge part of our offense and a very good defender.”
Also a first-team All-Star was Alex Fleming. Fleming, a junior forward, made the CAL Second-Team All-Stars as a freshman.
He led the Pioneers in scoring and rebounds as he recorded 14 double-doubles this winter. Fleming averaged 16 points and he pulled down 12 boards per game.
“He was phenomenal this year,” said Bakopolus, who just completed his fourth year at the helm. “He was our main option on offense and played all 32 minutes most nights. He is also a hard worker and did a lot of the little things that often get overlooked.”
The Pioneers qualified for the MIAA Division 3 state tournament this season and they lost in their first playoff game falling, 63-47, at Martha’s Vineyard in the first round on March 2. They finished the year at 15-6 overall.
In the Cape Ann League, Lynnfield finished in second place in the CAL Kinney Division behind Newburyport as the Pioneers went 12-4 in the league.
“We had an amazing year,” stated Bakopolus. “There were a lot of questions heading into the year but we won 15 games and placed second in the league. I was very proud of them.”
Lynnfield will lose two seniors to graduation, guard Paul Breslow and Daniels. “Chris was a tremendous player for us the last three years,” said Bakopolus, about the captain.
Breslow was on the roster the past two seasons.
“Paul gave us some great energy off of the bench,” said Bakopolus. “I remember him giving us a huge spark in a couple of our wins.”
At the team banquet, the players voted on the captains for next year and the three players nominated are juniors Fleming, Zach Pincus and Iain McCarthy.
Fleming was also a CAL First-Team All-Star this year. He led the team in scoring (16) and rebounds (12) and he recorded 14 double-doubles this winter.
With possibly nine veterans returning, including four starters, the Pioneers should, again, contend for the CAL Kinney crown.
“They are comfortable playing with each other and have the experience of playing in big games,” said Bakopolus.