After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Triton 67-40 (Jan. 17)
Lynnfield falls to Manchester-Essex 41-38 (Jan. 15)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NEWBURYPORT — On Monday evening, the Lynnfield High boys’ basketball team suffered its first loss of the season as they fell, 65-54, at Newburyport.
With that result, the Pioneers record fell to 5-1 overall and 5-1 in the Cape Ann League. The Clippers, meanwhile, improved to 8-1 overall and 6-0 in the league.
“They have won the CAL Kinney Division the last four years and have another good team this year,” said Pioneers head coach John Bakopolus. “They were able to take advantage of our mistakes and hit some key shots.”
Lynnfield led early in the first quarter but a big run in the second put the Clippers up 13 at the half.
The closest the Pioneers got in the second stanza was nine.
Alex Fleming recorded his sixth double-double of the year with 22 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Pioneers. Kelan Cardinal added 10 points while Zach Pincus chipped in 8.
On Jan. 10, the Pioneers rolled over guest Rockport 59-40.
This game was tight at the half as Lynnfield led 22-19.
“Our defense ramped up in the second half,” pointed out Bakoplus.
Cardinal led the way with 4 steals and 6 deflections as the Vikings only scored 21 points in the final 16 minutes.
Fleming had 21 points and pulled down 12 boards while Harris Hadzihasanovic scored 10. Madux Iovinelli nearly had a double-double himself with 8 points and 10 rebounds.
On Jan. 7, the team traveled to Danvers to take on Essex Tech and they hammered the Hawks 58-29.
Lynnfield led this one, 28-11, at the half as Bakopolus was able to give his bench ample time in the second half.
“They have a young, inexperienced team with a small roster,” explained Bakopolus, about the Hawks.
Fleming had 16 points and 11 rebounds while Justin Flores added 11. Pincus was third in scoring with 10.
On Jan. 15, the Pioneers visit Manchester-Essex at 6:30 p.m. They then host Triton on Jan. 17 with that tip-off also coming at 6:30 p.m.
On Marin Luther King Jr. Day next Monday, the Pioneers welcome Amesbury for an 11:30 a.m. start.