ALEX FLEMING led the Pioneers with 18 points and 12 rebounds in a road win over Pentucket on Friday night. (Shlok Kudrimoti Photo)
After press time:
Lynnfield defeats North Reading 59-40 (Jan. 31)
Lynnfield defeats Georgetown 56-53 (Jan. 28)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — On Sunday afternoon, the Lynnfield High boys’ basketball team lost to Shawsheen Tech, 59-40, at home.
With that non-league defeat, the Pioneers record fell to 8-4 overall. The Rams, a team out of the Commonwealth Athletic Conference, improved to 11-1.
“They have two very talented players that gave us a lot of trouble,” acknowledged Pioneers head coach John Bakopolus.
The Rams led 25-16 at the half and continued to pull away in the second stanza.
“They suffocated the middle on defense and we struggled with our 3-point shooting,” said Bakopolus.
Alex Fleming led the Pioneers in points (10) and rebounds (8).
Madux Iovinelli added 8 points and pulled down 7 boards.
Franck Moron led the Rams in scoring with 22 points while Matt Breen chipped in 14.
Last Friday night, the Pioneers beat host Pentucket, 68-46, up in West Newbury. With that victory, the Pioneers completed the season sweep over the Panthers as they improved to 8-2 in the Cape Ann League.
Lynnfield took command from the opening tip as they were up 37-14 at the half. In the second half, Bakopolus was able to give his bench significant playing time.
“We defended well and on offense, we ran in transition and got several second-chance points,” said Bakopolus, whose squad dominated the glass.
Fleming led the team in scoring with 18 points and he tied Iovinelli in rebounds with 12. Iovinelli was second in points with 12 while Harris Hadzihasanovic was third with 10.
On Jan. 22, the Pioneers were edged by host Reading, 67-64, in another non-league contest.
This was a roller coaster game. The Pioneers trailed by 13 (34-21) at the half but they then stormed back in the third and led 43-42 heading into the fourth.
Lynnfield led up until Jamal Palmer hit a 3-pointer with 6.1 seconds left in the game. On their final possession, the Pioneers were unable to tie it to send it into overtime.
“I was proud of the way we came back in the third,” said Bakopolus. “We never stopped fighting but they hit some key shots late.”
Iovinelli had a huge night with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Grant Neal had 11 points and 4 steals while Fleming had 11 points and 10 boards.
Kelan Cardinal chipped in 9 points to go with 4 steals.
Will Chute led the Rockets in scoring with 19 points.
The next game for the Pioneers will be on Friday night (Jan. 31) at 7 p.m. as they host rival North Reading.
Lynnfield is looking for the season sweep against the Hornets as they beat them 58-47 back on Jan. 3 in the first meeting.
On Feb. 3, the Pioneers visit Ipswich with that contest tipping off at 6:30 p.m.