There were plenty of hugs, handshakes, and heroics on North Shore basketball courts Tuesday night, with Lynnfield and Peabody making waves in boys basketball.
In Lynnfield’s 65-63 win against Rockport – in enemy territory, might I add – Alex Fleming scored a buzzer-beater to win the game.
It completed a superb night for Fleming, who scored 23 points and snagged 12 rebounds in the win. Chris Daniels (11 points), Harris Hadzihasanovic (10), and Grant Neal (9) followed for the Pioneers.
“[There were] huge shots by multiple kids to erase a five-point deficit with under a minute left,” said Lynnfield coach John Bakopolus. “We move on to play Newburyport Friday night.”
Due to Monday’s postponement at Marblehead High (water leakage), Peabody (8-1) played host to the Magicians in a night Anthony Forte will never forget.
The Tanner netted his 1,000th point in Peabody’s 75-51 victory.
“Anthony finished with 23 points and got his 1,000th point on a steal at halfcourt and a layup,” said Peabody coach Thad Broughton. “Anthony is the first boy to score 1,000 points since 2007 and becomes the seventh boy to score 1,000 points at Peabody High School.”
Raphel Laurent scored 25 points and Yanni Pappas added nine for Peabody, while Marblehead was led by Scott Campbell’s 23 points.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Lynn Tech 61
Greater Lowell 45
The Lynn Tech Tigers defended their home court Tuesday night and, more importantly, upped their record to 7-2.
Jayden Welch (12 points, 11 rebounds) and Giovanni Jean (14 points, 5 assists) led the Tiger charge.
Lynn English 70
Malden 29
Lynn English improved to 7-2 after handling Malden in no time, 70-29, on the road. The Bulldogs were led by Kyle Kemembin (19 points, 5 assists, 5 steals), Denzell Guillen (15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists), and Louis Ledesma (13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists).
Lynn Classical 52
Chelsea 44
In a close one between Greater Boston League opponents, the Lynn Classical Rams escaped in a narrow 52-44 final.
Marvin Avery Jr. (14 points) and Rolky Brea Arias (12) impressed for host Classical (3-3).
“Our defense created a lot of turnovers,” said coach Marvin Avery Sr. “I was really happy with our defensive intensity tonight down the stretch.”
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Lynn Classical 45
Chelsea 23
The Lynn Classical Lady Rams (5-2) secured back-to-back victories with a 45-23 thrashing of Chelsea Tuesday night. Eleven Classical players entered the scoring column.
Keisha Perez (10 points) and Jada Tejada (9) put on a show for the Lady Rams, who return to host Revere on Thursday.
Lynnfield 41
Shawsheen 14
In “a good night for Lynnfield’s girls basketball team,” as said by coach Sue Breen, her Pioneers (3-3) picked up a monster win against Shawsheen at home.
“Our defense was solid and we had 14 blocks, so we were able to recover when Shawsheen got into the paint,” Breen said. “We had numerous fastbreak points as well. Nine players scored for the Pioneers [and] we also shared the ball well with 14 assists on 18 made baskets.”
Hayden Valiton (12 points, 6 blocks, 4 steals), Erika Pasquale (8 points, 6 assists), Faith Angelo (5 points, 5 rebounds), and Emma Rose (5 points) all came to play for Lynnfield, which also stands at 2-2 in the Cape Ann League.
“This was a great win for the team,” Breen said. “Everyone got to play and we got the lead early and kept it.”
TRACK AND FIELD
St. Mary’s winter track teams took centerstage in the Catholic Central’s Winter Meet on Tuesday. The boys defeated Archbishop Williams, 57-34, while the girls defeated Malden Catholic (64-26), but couldn’t get past Archbishop Williams (50-37).
For the boys, first-place finishers included Sebastian DeLorenzo (55m hurdles, 10.6), Devin Duval (6.97, 55m), Sal Vigliotta (shot put, 36’10.25″), and Jimmy Jennings (300m, 39.01). The 4x400m relay team of Nick Miller, Duval, Chance Bonfanti, and Jennings also qualified for the MIAA Division 5 State Meet with a time of 3:43.74.
“It was great for the boys to get their first win and, more importantly, on a lot of personal best performances,” said coach Tristan Smith. “The huge PR from Sebastian in the hurdles – on the first race of the day – really set the tone, and the relays were excellent.”
On the girls’ side, first-place finishers against both teams included Cierra Johnson (shot put, 27’10”), Michaela Walker (high jump, 4’2″) and the 4x200m relay team (season-best 2:05.71) of Kaileigh Patterson, Mia Iannotti, Isabella Michel, and Kaylei Johnson.
“We had a great day, but couldn’t compete with the depth that Archbishop Williams had,” Smith said. “Overall, though, this meet should be a confidence booster for the girls.”