Lynn Classical boys basketball coach Marvin Avery has been coaching in Lynn for 25 years, but if you ask him, Wednesday’s game may have taken the cake.
Trailing by 12 points with 1:10 remaining in the fourth quarter, his Rams flipped the switch and defeated host Chelsea 67-65. Shy Babb buried the game-winning shot with seven seconds to go.
Better yet, Classical improved to 15-2 and clinched the Greater Boston League.
“That was my best game coaching, and with kids believing in our program,” Avery said. “We dug ourselves in a hole and the guys rose to the occasion”
Deshawn Rucker (25 points) led the scoring department, while DJ Reynolds added 16 points to go with “great defense,” according to Avery. Babb brought down 18 rebounds and blocked three shots.
“I’m really happy with the way our seniors and team are playing — we never quit,” Avery said. “We put the pressure on and the kids kept working.”
BOYS BASKETBALL
St. Mary’s 78
Wareham 66
St. Mary’s (16-3) took care of business inside of the Tony C. Gymnasium. John Chareas impressed with 25 points, followed by Jake Fortier (23) and Rolky Brea Arias (16).
Lynn Tech 84
Whittier Tech 63
Andy Batista (21 points, 4 assists, 4 steals) netted his 1,000th point as the Tigers improved to 11-5. Helping Tech’s cause were Giovanni Jean (14 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists), Travis Sanchez (15 points, 5 steals), and Keith Chandler (16 points, 2 steals).
Lynn English 49
Malden 36
English defended home court and improved to 4-13. The Bulldogs visit North High (Worcester) Thursday at 7 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
St. Mary’s 62
Norwood 44
After trailing by three points at halftime, visiting St. Mary’s turned it around with a dominant second half. The Spartans outscored Norwood 21-4 in the third quarter.
They were led by McKenna O’Connell (17 points), Jillian Roberts (15), Sysy Emmanuel (11), and Sky Watson (11).
“We schedule these types of opponents late in the season to get ready for the tournament,” said St. Mary’s coach Jeff Newhall. “They came right at us and we responded.”
Malden 53
Lynn Tech 46
Tech (12-6) dropped a close one in enemy territory. Leading the Tigers were Allison Morales (18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals), Jaylianniez Beauchamp (16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals), Cassidy Calef (12 rebounds), and Madison Sok (5 points).
BOYS HOCKEY
Newburyport 6
Lynnfield 3
Despite goals from Cole MacKinnon, Andrew Carbone, and Lucas Deraps, Lynnfield’s comeback try against the Clippers fell short.
