Pioneers to host Wilmington in first round on Thursday night
KELAN CARDINAL scored 10 points in Lynnfield’s game against Lincoln-Sudbury at the Spartan Classic in Lynn. The No. 15 Pioneers host No. 18 Wilmington in a D3 first round matchup on Thursday night at 6 p.m. (Shlok Kudrimoti Photo)
After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Wilmington 61-41 (Feb. 27)
Follow the latest MIAA state tournament updates here.
Published February 27, 2025
Boys hoops falls to Lincoln-Sudbury in Spartan Classic thriller
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNN — In their final game of the regular season on Feb. 18, the Lynnfield High boys’ basketball team was edged, 59-58, by Lincoln-Sudbury in the Spartan Classic championship game at St. Mary’s High in Lynn (there was three different championship games at this event with 12 schools involved).
The Warriors won this one at the buzzer as Nolan Martindale hit the game-winning basket from the free throw line on a jump shot.
This game was nip-and-tuck the entire way as Lynnfield’s biggest lead was seven points while the Warriors biggest advantage was only four points as the lead changed hands several times.
Lynnfield led 29-28 at the half.
Although it was a tough way to lose, Pioneers head coach John Bakopolus was pleased with his team’s showing.
“I was proud of the kids,” he stated. “Lincoln-Sudbury is two divisions above us so this proves that we can play with anybody.”
Lincoln-Sudbury, a Division 1 team, finished at 16-4 while the Division 3 Pioneers ended up at 14-6.
Alex Fleming led the Pioneers in points (15) and rebounds (12). Madux Iovinelli also recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards. Zack Pincus and Kelan Cardinal both added 10 points each.
Paul Conway led the Warriors in scoring with 21 points while Martindale and Alex Finn each added 10.
The Pioneers received the 15th-seed for the MIAA Div. 3 state tournament as the seedings came out last weekend.
They will be hosting 18th-seeded Wilmington on Thursday night at 6 p.m. in a first round matchup.
The Wildcats, a team out of the Middlesex League, enter the game at 12-8.
“I have watched some videos of them and they look like a very complete team,” said Bakopolus of Wilmington.
The winner will most likely travel to No. 2 Norwell in the Round of 16 next week.