LYNNFIELD — Don’t let the final score fool you.
Last night’s Cape Ann League showdown between host Lynnfield and visiting Rockport wasn’t much to talk about in the first half with both teams struggling to score and the Pioneers clinging to a 22-19 lead.
Still up for grabs, tied 24-24 with six minutes to go in the third quarter, the Pioneers went on a couple of timely runs to seal the deal, the first one a 19-0 run over the next seven minutes. After Rockport cut the deficit to 11 with about three minutes to go after a 8-0 run, the Pioneers restored order with an 11-3 run to close out a 59-40 victory.
With the win, Lynnfield upped its record to 5-0.
“That’s just who we are,” said coach John Bakopolus. “That third quarter really showed it. We locked down on defense, which led to better shots on offense, and the shots went in. I have full confidence in our offense. We almost got 60, even though we had that slow start. But that’s all the kids making plays in the third quarter.”
Senior captain Alex Fleming did it all, finishing with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals.
“He was massive tonight. I am so lucky to be able to coach a kid like him,” Bakopolus said. “He’s one of the best players in the state I believe.”
Harris Hadzihasanovic was also in double-figures with 10 points, three rebounds, and a pair of steals. Madux Iovinelli (8 points, 2 steals) provided a spark off the bench and had three massive crowd-pleasing blocks that ended in easy Pioneer layups.
Kelan Cardinal wasn’t too shabby either, with a game-high six steals.
“Kelan is huge up top for us with Justin Flores (3 points), Iain McCarthy (5), Grant Neal (5). Those guys make it really difficult for opponents,” Bakopolus said. “He’s really an active kid out there.”
Bakopolus also had shoutouts for senior captains McCarthy and Zach Pincus.
“Iain is just a leader and has been doing it since freshman year. He keeps us steady and makes the big play when we need it,” Bakopolus said. “Both of them came up with huge plays.”
The Pioneers couldn’t find the ocean from 3-point land in the first half, but things heated up in the second when McCarthy finally found the net to jumpstart the first run. A Neal 3-pointer and back-to-back buckets by Fleming and Flores closed the quarter.
It was more of the same in the fourth with big baskets from Fleming after a behind-the-back dish from Pincus, an old-fashioned 3-pointer from Pincus, and a couple of free throws and offensive-board putbacks from Iovinelli that sent the fans home happy.
The Pioneers are back in action Monday at red-hot Newburyport (6:30 p.m.). The Clippers (7-1) have lost just one game this season and are ranked No. 8 in the Division 3 power rankings, two spots ahead of Lynnfield.
Bakopolus said he is expecting an extremely tough game.
“Newburyport has been the class of the league for the last five years, so we have our work cut out for us,” he said.
