LYNN — As Lynn Tech Coach Corey Bingham celebrated his team’s 65-53 home win against Millis Friday night, he echoed the word he’s been preaching to his players for months.
“Believe,” said Bingham, whose Tigers began the season 2-7.
Hugs and handshakes poured in for the Commonwealth Athletic Conference Large Coach of the Year, announced this week. His No. 8 Tigers (13-8) took down No. 25 Millis and punched their ticket to the Division 4 Sweet 16 (TBD).
All that said, through cheers and student-section chants, Millis didn’t back down and led, 13-11, after the first quarter.
“Oh, they were a fighting team. They came and gave us their all,” said Bingham, who admitted some of his players were stuck during their first tournament game. “Records don’t matter in the playoffs and it’s all about strategy.”
Strategy, indeed. Tech enjoyed a seven-point halftime lead (28-21) before piling on the pressure in the third quarter, one that ended with the Tigers on top, 51-34.
When asked about adjustments, Bingham was crystal clear.
“We need to get up on the ball. Create some more havoc. Stop backing up and being on your heels. Be on your toes and create havoc,” he said. “That was pretty much the gameplan.”
Another gameplan: Let junior Giovanni Jean (26 points, 10 rebounds) attack the rim.
Jean, the CAC Large co-MVP with Shawsheen’s Matt Breen, scored Tech’s first seven points. From there, “one of the best players in the state,” according to Bingham, did a little bit of everything.
“He’s not just a scorer. He rebounds, gets assists, and, most importantly, plays defense and gets steals,” Bingham said. “And, he’s a leader. Some people just want to score, but Gio does it all. It’s a blessing to see him from freshman year to now. He’s a household name, everybody knows him, kids want to take pictures with him, and it’s a blessing, as a coach, to see that.”
Tech found its transition game – Millis struggled making crisp passes – and hot-hand during the third quarter. Brandon Antwine (15 points, 4 steals) connected twice from downtown in the third, while Andy Batista (10 points, 6 assists) buried another.
“The glue guy, Brandon, came in and hit threes once again,” Bingham said, “Once he’s feeling it, it goes through the team. They love that.”
Add a mid-range jumper from Jean with less than 10 seconds remaining in the third quarter, and Tech sat on a 17-point cushion.
“What got us the win was us just playing our type of ball,” Bingham said. “All over the place, creating turnovers, sharing the ball, and hitting threes. It was a good Lynn Tech showing.”
Millis, led by Sean Ryan (15 points) and Franco Barisano (9), outscored Tech by five points in the fourth quarter, but in the end, it was only a dent.
The Tigers received contributions from Travis Sanchez (10 points), as well as second-chance creators Ulises Diaz and Xavier Rodriguez, who were effective on the glass.
Next up for Tech is Saturday’s winner between No. 9 Manchester-Essex and No. 24 Wahconah Regional. That clash is set for 6:30 p.m.
“It’s a blessing to see these guys buying in and chasing this goal we have – to win the state championship,” Bingham said.
