LYNN — There’s not much that can beat Friday night hoops in Lynn.
KIPP Academy (1-1) traveled to Lynn Tech (1-1) to take on the Tigers, and it was Lynn Tech that protected home court with a 69-63 win.
After losing its season opener to Shawsheen Tech, Lynn Tech head coach Corey Bingham was pleased with his team’s response.
“It was a great response. We came home and protected our house,” Bingham said. “Shoutout to KIPP though — they have two great guards in Ethan Gicheru and Viccee Howard. Creating pace, being all over them, forcing turnovers and using our defense to lead our offense is what we do.”
Lynn Tech went on a 10-1 run in the first quarter to take a 15-8 lead. KIPP countered late in the quarter with an 11-4 run to close within six, 21-15.
“They’re a tough team. They jumped out on us early,” KIPP coach Moody Bey said. “I’m really proud of my kids for not panicking. We stayed the course. We didn’t switch a thing.
“We just kept playing and took the lead in the third quarter. The only thing is, when you dig yourself a hole like that, you have to play perfectly in the second half. My kids played almost a perfect second half — that’s why we ended up losing by six.”
Lynn Tech carried a 40-29 lead into halftime, but the Panthers made their run in the second half. KIPP took its first lead with 2:29 left in the third quarter when Hernis Bethancourt stole the ball and scored a layup to make it 44-43.
Bey said he didn’t make any adjustments at halftime, instead reminding his team to stay composed.
“Don’t panic and stay the course. We’re not results-driven this year, we’re process-driven,” Bey said. “If you trust you’re making the right play and it’s the right shot and you miss it, it’s still the right shot. If you play perfect defense and the kid makes the shot over you, it’s still the right defense. I think that level of consistency allowed us to play consistently the whole game.”
In the fourth quarter, Lynn Tech’s defense turned up the pressure, leading to steals and points off turnovers to build a comfortable lead. When the Tigers were fouled, they converted at the line, as Giovanni Jean made all four of his free throws in the quarter. Jean finished with a team-high 20 points.
“When we defend and push the pace, it’s hard for teams to beat us. Sometimes we come out a bit too relaxed, but having a star like GIo helps, because at any given time he can go on his own run,” Bingham said.
KIPP was led by Andy Osazuwa, who scored 22 points and showed his versatility by scoring at all three levels.
“Andy was who we thought he was,” Bey said. “The one thing he’s done differently so far is that he’s working hard. This is the first time I’ve seen him sweat, and he’s a junior. We knew he could shoot and finish with the best of them, but basketball rewards the person who works hard. I think he was one of the hardest, if not the hardest, workers tonight.”
Although the Panthers lost, Bey believes his team and Lynn Tech got better because of this game.
“It was a really fun game, a really good game. Both teams got better,” Bey said. “I think both teams are going to be in a good position in the playoffs. When the playoffs come, these are the games you look back on and you have something to pull from,” Bey said.
KIPP travels to Peabody on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. game. Lynn Tech returns to action next Saturday in the Boverini Christmas Tournament, traveling to Lynn English to face the Bulldogs at 12:45 p.m.
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Lynn Tech's Ulices Diaz looks to the hoop as he's covered by KIPP's Hernis Bethancourt.
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Lynn Tech's Travis Sanchez drives around KIPP's Andy Osazuwa.
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
KIPP's Ethan Gicheru works the ball around Lynn Tech's Johan Plaza.
