Update: On Tuesday, Mar 4, 2025, the Lynnfield Varsity Boys Basketball team lost their game against Norwell High School by a score of 70-48.
ALEX FLEMING had 20 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists in Lynnfield’s first round victory over Wilmington. (Shlok Kudrimoti Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — It was a successful playoff opener for the Lynnfield High boys’ basketball team last Thursday night as the Pioneers defeated visiting Wilmington, 61-41, in the MIAA Division 4 Round of 32.
With the win, the 15th-seeded Pioneers improved to 15-6. The 18th-seeded Wildcats ended the year at 12-9.
“We got off to a great start and were able to control the game,” said Pioneers head coach John Bakopolus. “We had our biggest crowd of the season and they were jacked up which helped the kids.”
Lynnfield scored the game’s first nine points and were up, 34-18, at the half.
The Pioneer zone defense was strong all evening.
“(Kelan) Cardinal and (Iain) McCarthy set the tone on defense at the top of our zone,” stated Bakololus.
In the third quarter, Wilmington, a Middlesex League team, was able to cut the lead to 11 but that was a close as they would come the rest of the way.
Alex Fleming led the Pioneers in scoring with 20 points and tied Madux Iovinell in rebounds with 12. Fleming also had a season-high and team-high seven assists as he just nearly missed a triple-double.
“Alex was phenomenal,” said Bakoplus. “He has been doing this all year for us.”
Cardinal was second with 14 points while Harris Hadzihasanovic, who had three 3-pointers, was right behind him with 13.
Iovinell added 8 points.
For the Wildcats, Ayden Balter had a team-high 12 points while Ryan Gray added 10.
Lynnfield visited 2nd-seeded Norwell on Tuesday evening in the Round of 16 (results not available as of press time).
The winner will advance to the quarterfinals which will take place sometime this weekend.