LYNN — In a game between two top-10 teams in their respective divisions, and, frankly, lots of starpower, the Bulldogs (19-1) defeated the Spartans (15-7) in enemy territory behind one special player.
Lynn English’s Warren Keel Jr. scored 32 points to lead the Bulldogs to a 71-68 victory against St. Mary’s. Whether it was a finish through contact, or a bomb from downtown, the sophomore did it all.
“My shots were falling,” Keel said. “I just felt like the offense had to run on me, and we all played great defense.”
Like a true leader, he had it going early to set the tone in a tough environment. He connected on a three for the game’s first points, and outscored St. Mary’s 14-10 in the first quarter – one that favored English 20-14.
“I liked, first and foremost, the way we started the game,” English head coach Alvin Abreu said. “Warren has the ability to use his speed and his talent… when he gets downhill, he’s tough to really stay in front of.”
They never let up. Keel scored nine more in the second quarter, including a three-pointer to beat the halftime buzzer. English led 42-25 at the break with Keel threatening St. Mary’s total with 23 points.
St. Mary’s head coach David Brown Sr. said it’s hard to stop Keel when he makes shots early.
“The game is very slow to him [and] he has got the ball on a string,” Brown Sr. said. “I’ve known him for a long time and he’s a great basketball player. I expect good things for him going forward, for sure.”
St. Mary’s made a 17-point comeback on Monday against Catholic Memorial. On Wednesday, the Spartans also trailed by 17 at halftime, and it nearly happened again.
After an even third quarter, the hosts outscored English by 14 points in the fourth. A highlight of the run was a three-pointer from St. Mary’s freshman JJ Martinez (Lynn) that cut things to 65-57 with just over three minutes remaining.
“My kids didn’t quit – they fought their way back,” Brown Sr. said. “We’re going to learn from this game.”
That said, the Bulldogs looked for the dagger and got it. English’s Joshua St. Jean finished a tough layup – plus the foul – to put the Bulldogs back ahead 68-57 with 1:18 remaining.
Despite another quick scare, the clock ran out on St. Mary’s.
English junior Carmelo Buese (15 points and six rebounds) impressed, while Kyle Kemembin also chipped in with 12 points.
“They have some great players,” Brown Sr. said. “The two guards [Keel and Tyrese Melo Garcia] are as good as they come in high school basketball.”
Martinez led the Spartans with 23 points, while senior David Brown Jr. had 13. That said, Brown Jr. does a lot more than score, and Abreu said he’s tough to plan for.
“You just try to make it hard on him, on defense,” Abreu said. “Little Dave is tough to guard.”
Despite the hard-fought game, each coach spoke highly of the other’s program.
“I wish them the best of luck in the state tournament… they’re never going to go down,” Abreu said.
“This game was supposed to be played in December, but because of my son [Brown Jr.] having an injury, I reached out to Coach Abreu to see if he can move the game, and Coach Abreu wanted to play us at full strength,” Brown Sr. said. “I have big respect for him for doing that.”
