Lynn Classical’s boys basketball team is 2-0 after defeating Somerville on Friday night and Malden on Tuesday. Better yet, both games were on enemy hardwood.
But no one said it was easy.
“We were down, 12-0, out of the gate,” said Classical coach Marvin Avery. “We came out very flat on the road.”
But from there, Classical turned up the pressure and took over defensively, according to Avery.
“We went on a run. In the second half, we did what we do best with our trap defense,” he said. “When we play defense, it’s our bread and butter.”
Leading the Rams were Rolky Brea Arias (16 points, 12 rebounds), Shyheim Babb (12 points), and Deshawn Rucker (11 points). Arias and Babb have scored in double digits through both games, while Avery added that Babb was “immense on defense” with four blocks.
At last, Classical returns to its own gym on Thursday with tip-off slated for 7 p.m. against Chelsea.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Lynn English 69
Everett 52
Two big dunks from English’s Junior Hernandez led the highlight reel as the Bulldogs pounced all over host Everett. Truth be told, Hernandez did it all with 17 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks for his first double-double of the season. Also playing well were English’s Louis Ledesma (17 points) and Marvin Perkins (12 points off the bench).
Lynnfield 56
Pentucket 47
Tuesday night called for overtime in Lynnfield’s season-opener. From there, the Pioneers took on the hurdle and won the game by nine points. Leading the way were Alex Fleming (22 points, 12 rebounds), Harris Hadzihasanovic (12 points), Zach Pincus (9 points, 3 threes), and Kelan Cardinal (8 points).
“Kids really responded well and made some huge plays down the stretch to help get the win,” said Lynnfield coach John Bakopolus, a Saugus native who played basketball at St. Mary’s.
Bakopolus said Hadzihasanovic’s late impact was “massive.” The sharpshooter hit a three and closed things out with free throws in overtime.
Masconomet 64
Peabody 42
Despite strong performances from Peabody’s Jariel Tolentino (11 points), Thad Broughton Jr. (10), and Justin Pais (7), the Tanners had no answer for Masconomet’s high-powered offense. Peabody coach Thad Broughton Sr. added that Aggaest Kalombo and Jimmy Festa “played really well in the paint.” The defeat dropped Peabody’s record to 0-2.
Swampscott 63
Winthrop 45
Visiting Swampscott (2-0) conquered the Vikings, led by Connor Chiarello’s 25 points and Teddy O’Neill’s 24. Chase Groothuis grabbed 10 rebounds for the Big Blue, who host Peabody on Friday.
Gloucester 68
Saugus 53
In a game that included “a slow start, but a positive finish,” according to Saugus coach Joe Bertrand, his Sachems fell to 0-2. Leading the way were Ryan Shea (12 points), Jordan Rodriguez (12), Ryan Dupuy (10), and Nathan Soroko (6).
St. Mary’s 65
St. John’s Prep 59
St. Mary’s (1-1) won its first game with a narrow home victory against St. John’s Prep. June Vasquez (23 points) and Rowan Merryman (12) led the Spartans.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Malden 41
Lynn Classical 34
The Lady Rams hosted Malden and fell by single digits. After just a 15-10 halftime deficit, “both sides hit their strides in the second half,” according to Classical coach Tom Sawyer.
“Give Malden all the credit for making all of the plays they needed to make,” said Sawyer, whose team was led by Divine Egbuta (19 points) and Jada Tejada (7). “We had it tied in the fourth quarter, but just couldn’t sustain it.”
Bishop Feehan 60
St. Mary’ 57
St. Mary’s (1-1) hit the road to Attleborough on Tuesday, but returned home empty-handed after a showdown with the Shamrocks, who won last season’s Division 1 state championship to polish off a 21-win season.
Leading St. Mary’s were do-it-all Bella Owumi (20 points, 12 rebounds, 6 blocks), Reese Matela (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Lily Norton (8 points, 7 assists). Perhaps the play of the night came from Jillian Roberts, who drilled an elbow three to beat the third-quarter buzzer.
St. Mary’s led after the first and third quarters, but Feehan put it all together late. The Shamrocks were led by Madelyn Steel, who scored 15 first-half points.
Saugus 52
Gloucester 40
Junior Peyton DiBiasio netted her 1,000th point as the Sachems rolled over host Gloucester by double digits. Shawn Sewell (9 points) and Katie Hashem (8) also contributed for the Sachems.
Masconomet 47
Peabody 41
After trailing by as many as 20 points in the second half, Peabody made a strong comeback, but fell short by single digits. The Tanners were led by Ally Bettencourt (11 points, 5 steals, 5 rebounds), Avery Bettencourt (10 points, 5 steals), Ava Ryan, and Aliana Ryan.
BOYS HOCKEY
St. John’s Prep 8
La Salle Academy 2
Sometimes, it’s all about the start. Defending Division 1 state champion St. John’s Prep (1-0) ripped three goals in the first period en route to an 8-2 victory. Add three more goals in the second period and two more in the third, and you’ve got yourself a well-rounded showing. AJ Farese began the game between the pipes and was replaced by Nathan Michaud. Ryan Finn dished out two assists, while Braden Hurley delivered another helper to go with a goal. Sam Croke joined the party with another goal and assist.
SWIMMING AND DIVING
Malden 87
Lynn Classical/Lynn English 66
Despite a loss on Tuesday, the co-op of Classical and English had “some nice swims,” according to coach Denise Silva. Kelsey Sinapius bested her time in the 200 and 500 free. The trio of David Gamero, Solomon Srey, and Catherine Bushway improved upon their 100 free time, while Hurley Thelisma placed third in the 100 fly. Finishing second in the 100 backstroke was Kaydee Rouse, while the 200 free relay team of Divine Assemonta, Jaleel Khamis, Alexis Puma, and Sarita Guzman placed second.
Lynn Tech 98
Greater Lawrence 82
It was a good night for Lynn Tech, which returned home from a meet against Greater Lawrence with win No. 1. Addisyn Brown won the 200 free and her diving event, while Johndeiry Cespedes (50 free), Hunter Carmody (500 free), and Yerik Montalvan (100 breaststroke) also snagged first-place finishes. Also placing first was the 200 medley relay team of Jazlene Ledesma, Hunter Flores, and Isabella Celona.
“Having a deep team made the difference today,” said Tech coach John Hogan. “We had many seconds and thirds against a much-improved Greater Lawrence team.”
TRACK AND FIELD
St. Mary’s boys and girls each started the winter 1-0 with wins at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. The boys defeated Arlington Catholic, 83-8, with Brandon Cruz (shot put), Devin Duval (55m dash), and Lucian Paula (1,000m) among the winners. On the girls’ side, they took down Bishop Fenwick, 68-19, with wins coming from Kelsey Kwiatek (mile), Cam Dunn (600m), Jazmin Rodriguez (high jump), and both relay teams.
FENCING
St. John’s Prep 14
Concord-Carlisle 13
The Eagles of St. John’s Prep (1-0) kicked off the winter with a bang. The Prep Sabre squad of captain Ethan Ho, Finn DiBiase, Phil Maestranzi, and Nick Sorrenti went 7-2. Foil, led by juniors James Solopoulos and Ben Shore, finished 6-3. Epee faced a very strong group from Concord-Carlisle, dropping eight consecutive bouts before Manu Challagulla pulled out a victory in the last bout of the night to turn the table toward The Prep. The Eagles’ home-opener is Thursday when they host Brookline at Memorial Gym.
