Minuteman dominates Tech boys hoop

LYNN – It was tough sledding for the Tech boys basketball team Thursday in an 81-60 loss to Minuteman Regional at Lynn Tech.The Tigers lost their opening game to Mystic Valley and are now 0-2.The Tigers hung with Minuteman through the first quarter and with a minute gone in the second, the game was tied at 18. The Mustangs went on a 15-0 run and when they finally caught their breath, they had a 33-18 lead. Tech never really threatened from that point on.?Minuteman is a very talented, athletic team,” Tech coach Marvin Avery said, adding that he was not happy with his team?s defensive effort.?Turnovers were the story,” Avery said. “You make that many turnovers (21) in a basketball game and you?re not going to win.”There were a couple of bright spots for the Tigers. One was the play of sophomore point guard Shaiheem Mazil, who scored 19 points. The other was that of Odell Tiggs, who led Tech in scoring with 21 points.?I?m disappointed with the 0-2 start,” Avery said. “We want to right things as a staff and as a team, figure out how to put it all together.”Despite the loss, Avery is confident that once his team gets a few more games under its belt, things will improve.?Within our league, in due time, I think we?ll be competitive,” he said.Minuteman qualified for the state tournament last year but was ousted in the first game. The Mustangs returned just about everyone from that team.Minuteman came at Tech from all directions, led by freshman Aiden Sands, who had a team-high 21 points. Brandon Robinson also did some damage. Robinson finished with 18 points. The Minutemen had four players in double figures. Darrell Akins had 12 points and Akeel Joseph had 10. Mike Wiederkehr was also tough, particularly in the early going. He finished with nine points. Atkins and Robinson are usually the big guns for Minuteman, averaging 20 points per game.Tech trailed 41-28 heading into the third quarter, but the Tigers did show some signs of life. Sophomore guard Michael Anaya hit a three to cut the lead to 47-39 midway through the quarter, but Minuteman?s Sands got it right back. He hit two that quarter. Wiederkehr scored and was fouled as time was running out in the quarter. He made the foul shot for the three-point play and a 60-45 lead heading into the final eight minutes.Any thoughts of a Tech comeback went down the tubes in a hurry when Minuteman opened the fourth quarter with a 13-0 run that bumped the lead up to 73-45.Minuteman improves to 3-0. The other two wins came against Weston and Chelsea.