The Lynnfield boys basketball team battled until the final seconds on Thursday night, but in the end the Pioneers came up just short in a 59-57 loss to Cape Ann League rival North Reading in the semifinal round of the CAL Tournament.
“It was just a great high school basketball game,” said Lynnfield coach John Bakopolus. “We played super hard, North Reading played super hard and it just came down to the wire. We fell behind early and then battled all the way back to take a lead in the fourth, and it ended up coming down to the last few possessions.”
The seniors led the way for the Pioneers in the loss, with Blake Peters scoring 18 points, Jack Ford notching 16 points and Luke Martinho finishing with 14 points.
Lynnfield closes the season with a 4-7 record.
“I’m just happy the kids were able to get out there and have a season,” said Bakopolus, who completed his first year as the team’s head coach. “I’ve known all these guys for a while now and I couldn’t have asked for a better group to go through this strange season with.”
GIRLS BASKETBALL
CAL Tournament Semifinal
Pentucket 48, Lynnfield 28
Lynnfield finishes the season at 5-6.
CCL Cup Semifinal
Bishop Fenwick 57, Bishop Feehan 47
The No. 3 Crusaders knocked off No. 2 Feehan on the road Wednesday evening.
Junior Nasha Arnold had a huge game with 21 points and nine rebounds, as did junior Olivia Found (17 points, seven assists, seven steals).
Fenwick (11-4) will play in the CCL Cup Final against rival St. Mary’s Saturday (4).
Peabody 58, Marblehead 52 (OT)
Lauryn Mendonca had a great night for the Tanners with 13 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Emma Bloom added 11 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Amber Kiricoples had six points and a whopping 20 rebounds.
Peabody wraps up the season at 9-3.
“It’s been a strange season for sure, but we’re glad we were able to get out here and play,” said Peabody coach Stan McKeen. “Once we got things going, it seemed like everything just flew by. The last five games went by in a flash. But we have a pretty young team coming back, so we’re excited about the future.”
Emily Clough scored 11 points for the Magicians.
Marblehead (6-4) plays on the road at Danvers Friday afternoon (4).
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem 78, Gloucester 72 (OT)
The Witches were led by Jorge Guerrero, who had a double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Bobby Jellison continued his hot streak with 20 points and six rebounds, while Guillermo Pimentel filled the stat sheet with 15 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Ethan Doyle scored 11 points in the win.
Salem (12-2) hosts Beverly Friday afternoon (2).
Winthrop 57, Salem Academy 54
Winthrop was led by Cam Conway, who finished with 20 points. George Galuris added 12 points in the win.
Winthrop (1-12) hosts Gloucester Thursday evening (5:30).
BOYS HOCKEY
CAL Tournament Semifinal
Newburyport 2, Lynnfield 0
Lynnfield finishes the season with a 6-5-3 record.
Marblehead 3, Danvers 2
Connor Jalbert, Eli Feingold and Charlie Titus each scored one goal in the win for the Magicians, while Aidan Ryan had two assists. Goalie Nate Samuels finished with 25 saves.
Marblehead (8-2-1) hosts Danvers against Friday afternoon (12).
Saugus 4, Swampscott 0
Kevin McMaster scored all four goals for the Sachems, while Dante Mauro and Joey Calder each had one assist.
Saugus (4-6-1) closes out its season Sunday morning (10) against Danvers.
Swampscott (0-10-1) hosts Peabody Saturday evening (6:40) for its season finale.
GIRLS HOCKEY
CCL Cup Semifinal
St. Mary’s 3, Austin Prep 2
St. Mary’s (13-2-3) moves on to the CCL Cup Final, where it’ll face No. 1 Matignon at Stoneham Arena Saturday (TBD).
Peabody/Lynnfield 2, Medford/Malden 0
The Tanners won their program-record ninth straight game Wednesday afternoon.
Jenna DiNapoli led the way with one goal and one assist, while Lily Piscatelli notched the game-winning goal. Paige Thibedeau and Ella Chase each had one assist, while Audrey Buckley earned the shutout victory in net.
Peabody/Lynnfield (11-1-0) closes out the season on the road at Newburyport Saturday afternoon (2).
Marblehead 7, Masconomet 2
The Magicians won their fourth straight behind a two-goal, one-assist performance from Hannah Tsouvalas. Riley Campbell and Hadley Wales each scored one goal in the win, while Abigail Amigo and Elsa Wood combined for five points.
Marblehead (4-3-2) hosts Gloucester Thursday afternoon (4:30).
Beverly/Danvers 2, Winthrop 1
Winthrop (9-2-0) hosts Masconomet in its season finale Saturday afternoon (3).
