LYNN — Two of the top teams in Division 2 went to battle on Monday evening at the Tony C. Gymnasium in Lynn as St. Mary’s (9-0) took on Masconomet (5-1). Both teams entered the game undefeated, but it was St. Mary’s who stayed perfect, defeating the Chieftains 75-61.
The packed gymnasium provided an energetic backdrop as the teams traded early baskets. After Masconomet scored first, St. Mary’s answered with an 11-0 run to force a Chieftains timeout with 4:30 left in the first quarter.
The Spartans controlled the opening quarter but paid a price when senior forward Rolky Brea Arias picked up his third foul and went to the bench for the remainder of the half. St. Mary’s closed the quarter with a Jake Fortier three-pointer at the buzzer to take a 27-17 lead.
Masconomet responded in the second quarter behind Jimmy Farrel, who scored 10 points in the period and finished the half with 18. St. Mary’s led by one at halftime, 36-35.
“I’m just happy playing basically the whole half without Rolky and hanging in there to get to halftime,” St. Mary’s coach Josh Keilty said. “Once he was able to come back in the second half, we were able to get into a groove.”
The third quarter belonged to Arias, who scored 11 of his 19 points in the period. He showcased his versatility by scoring in the post and from beyond the arc, playing aggressively despite early foul trouble.
“He only knows one way to play. I’m super proud of him and his discipline and his maturity. I think a lot of kids who get three fouls as quick as he did and have to sit would be sluggish coming out in the second half, but he wasn’t at all,” Keilty said. “He kind of carried us there for a bit. He had some big buckets, big rebounds, and played great.”
St. Mary’s extended its lead to 57-49 entering the fourth quarter and maintained control down the stretch.
“I’m just really proud of the kids. We knew it was going to be a dog fight, Masco is a really good team. Credit to them, they’re very good defensively and make things really tough,” Keilty said.
The Spartans’ defensive adjustment proved decisive in the second half, as Rowan Merryman was assigned to guard Farrel. After scoring 18 points before halftime, Farrel was limited the rest of the way and finished with 26.
Keilty said it was his staff that recommended putting Merryman on Harrel.
“Rowan played unbelievable in the second half. That was the difference, him covering Jimmy. He did an unbelievable job,” Keilty said. “It’s a good thing I surround myself with people smarter than me.”
Merryman said it was the team’s mindset to stop Masconomet’s best player knowing if they did that they’ll have a good chance of winning.
“We need to stop their best player to win the game. It was a mindset that the whole team had in the second half,” Merryman said. “We knew going in that they’re a tough and talented team, of course Jimmy is their best player, it’s just a mindset to try and stop him.”
Merryman also appreciated the coaching staff having the trust in him to guard Masconomet’s best player.
“It’s great to have their trust. When you have trust in yourself and trust through your teammates, it makes you feel good about yourself,” Merryman said.
St. Mary’s received balanced scoring, with four players reaching double figures. Arias led the way with 19 points, followed by John Chareas (18), Fortier (17) and Gabe Makuwa Sykes (16).
“That’s how we play,” Keilty said. “We share the ball, play fast and trust each other. No one cares who gets the credit — everyone just wants to win.”
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
