Boys hoop" Big second half propels Classical past Saugus

The Lynn Classical boys basketball team found itself trailing 37-32 at the half on Friday at Saugus.The Rams then proceeded to explode for 48 second half points and wound up needing almost every one of them to hold off the pesky Sachems, 80-72, and move within a victory of clinching a tournament berth.”We were able to make some offensive adjustments at the half,” Classical coach Tom Grassa said.”We found our touch.”The Rams (10-6) had their hands full on Friday thanks to Saugus’ Brian Boyajian, who finished with a game high 26 points.Classical, though, put five players in double figures and had three of them finish the night with double-doubles.Jasper Grassa led the Classical charge with 22 points and 14 assists. Younger brother Nick added 16 of this 21 points in the second half. Ariel Ligonde finished with 12 points while Josh Cheever and Josh Imadiyi each had 10.”We were keying on Boyajian,” Grassa said. “And he still was able to hit his shots.”Saugus jumped out to a 15-13 lead after one quarter and extended the lead to five at the break. The Rams clawed back to take a two point lead (54-52) after three quarters before Ligonde’s three critical baskets in the fourth quarter helped push the Rams over the top.Tech 78, NS Tech 28At Tech, the Tigers (9-6) seem to be hitting their stride at the right time. Richie Warren Jr. killed North Shore from outside the perimeter, burying five threes and finishing with 17 points. Felix Rijos (13 points) and Trey Gallo and Mike Duarte, 10 points each, also finished in double figures. Rijos also had eight assists and seven steals.Winthrop 54, Beverly 52At Winthrop, the Vikings (14-2) had to charge back from an eight point third quarter deficit to get the win against a tough Panther (7-5) club.”This is the first time our seniors have beat them,” Winthrop coach Dave Brown said. “It a big win coming off the emotional loss to English.”Dino Mallios had 17 to lead the Vikings, including a clutch three late in the fourth quarter that gave Winthrop the lead for good.Jake Connors added 16 for the Vikings. Mallios’ effort was enough to help him pass LaJuan Bennett and become the school’s all-time scoring leader in boys basketball.Beverly’s Curtis Manuel led all scorers with 18 points. Mike Clayton added 12 and Justin Marrs chipped in 10 for the Panthers.”We played well enough to win but just didn’t make the plays down the stretch,” Beverly coach Scott Lewis said.Winthrop assistant Pancho Bingham was suspended for the game as the result of a postgame melee on Tuesday at English.Bingham will be back on the bench when the Vikings play Marblehead Tuesday.English 77, Marblehead 54At Marblehead, Ryan Woumn and Jarell Byrd each had 14 as the Bulldogs (13-0) turned up the wick after a sluggish first quarter.Jordan Rogers chipped in 12 while Irving Vizcaino added nine for English. Matt Temme led the Magicians with 14 points.Salem 77, Swampscott 52At Swampscott, the Witches (11-5, 7-4) ran out to a 21-7 lead after one quarter and never looked back.Derek McIntyre’s 17 points and 10 rebounds led the way for Salem.Zeke Dominguez had 16 points and 11 boards while Sean Linehan had 14 points and 10 rebounds.Raphy Medrano made it four players in double figures with 11.Brian Sullivan had 26 to lead all scorers for Swampscott.Fenwick 76,N. Camb. Cath. 61At Cambridge, Dave Ruggiero had a career high 18 points off the bench as the Crusaders (3-10) picked up a road win.Brett DiPanfilo added 13 while Pat Lyons and Ryan Lipka chipped in 10 points each off the bench for Fenwick.David Jean-Jacques had 38 points for NCC in the loss.Revere 55, Danvers 54At Danvers, the Patriots (5-9, 3-9 NEC) got 31 points from Trae Weathers and 16 rebounds from his brother Will to hold off the Falcons on the road.Revere trailed 19-10 after one quarter but cut the lead to two at the half at 30-28.