Boys Basketball Roundup: Prep outlasts MC in barnburner

St. John’s Prep came into Tuesday’s game at Malden Catholic with a 2-1 record. Getting win No. 3 wouldn’t be so easy.In a game that was worth the price of admission, first-year coach Sean Connolly’s team came through down the stretch to take a 62-56 win over the Lancers, coached by Connolly’s predecessor at Bishop Fenwick, Jim Silvio.”It was a back and forth game,” Connolly said. “Our guys stepped up and hit some shots down the stretch to pull out the win.”The Lancers led 16-15 after the first quarter before the Prep rallied to take a 25-23 halftime lead. MC took back the lead after three quarters but the Eagles dug deep and outscored the hosts, 25-17, in the final eight minutes to get the win.Pat Connaughton led the Prep with 14 points while Doug Barrett had 12 and Patrick Canty added 11 for the victors.Classical 71, Saugus 42At Classical, the Rams’ (4-3, 4-1 NEC) role players stepped up, contributing 30 points to the Classical cause. Jared Fay led Classical with 16 points while Jarell Byrd had 14 and Jasper Grassa and Cam Smith each chipped in 13.”It was nice not to have to rely on Jasper, Cam and Jarell to come up with 60 points,” Classical coach Tom Grassa said.The Rams led 14-5 after one and 31-17 at the half. Saugus was led by Bret Reid’s 13 points.Minuteman 87, Tech 82 (OT)At Lexington, the Tigers led for three quarters but saw a six-point lead disappear in the fourth quarter and then were outscored 18-13 in the extra session. Victor Smith was outstanding for Tech in the loss, leading the Tigers with 24 points.Howard Holman and Gerrad Fairweather chipped in with 17 points each for 3-3 Tech.Salem 72, Swampscott 30At Salem, the Witches (7-2, 4-1 NEC) jumped out to a 25-6 lead and never looked back. Bryan Ortiz led Salem with 13 points while Derek McIntyre and Danny Byors had 12 points apiece. Antonio Reyes made it four players in double digits with 11.Swampscott (3-5) was led by seven points from Craig Rodenstein.Revere 74, Danvers 56At Revere, Ruben Vargas had a team-high 17 points to lead four players in double figures for the Patriots. Paul Cinelli finished with 16 for Revere with Mike Handy having 12 and Trae Weathers 11 for the victors.Kevin Coughlin had a game-high 25 points in the loss for Danvers.Peabody 58, Gloucester 54At Peabody, the Tanners (2-5) executed down the stretch and were able to stave off a late comeback from the visitors. Ryan English led the way to victory with 19 points for Peabody while Brad Piza was the only other Tanner in double figures, finishing with 16.”The key was we finally played a complete, solid second half,” Peabody coach Dominic Coleman said. “We were patient with the basketball and our execution was solid on the offensive end.”Beverly 71, Winthrop 57At Beverly, the Panthers (3-4) had a 35-20 halftime lead trimmed to four points after three quarters but held the fort in the final minutes to beat the Vikings.Curtis Manuel continued his stellar play, recording 21 points for the second consecutive game. Nate Knudson added 15 points and 10 rebounds while Mike Clayton chipped in 10 for Beverly.Winthrop was led by a game-high 23 points from Dino Mallios and 10 points from Gavin Mahoney.Fenwick 63, Williams 42At Peabody, Mike Clifford’s 23 points and 17 rebounds led the way as the Crusaders (6-1) rebounded from Sunday’s loss to Cathedral with a solid win.”We really picked it up in the second half,” Fenwick coach Mike Kane said. “Williams stayed with us for a half and then we picked it up a notch.”Nolan DiPanfilo added 19 for Fenwick while Nick Cotoia had 11 points, six assists and four steals.No. Andover 66, Lynnfield 37At North Andover, the Pioneers (4-3) got 10 points from Matt Connolly but fell in Cape Ann League action.