Published in the December 28, 2016 edition
JUNIOR Zach Shone (3) finished with 17 points during the Pioneers’ 67-48 victory over Newburyport Dec. 23. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The boys’ basketball team remains undefeated this season after the Pioneers won both of its contests last week.
The Pioneers (3-0) concluded last week defeating Newburyport 67-48 on Dec. 23. The locals’ game against the Clippers was held as part of Reunion Night, and featured a number of alumni Pioneers and their families in attendance.
“It was a great game,” said Pioneers head coach Scott MacKenzie.
The Pioneers stormed out of the gate against Newburyport. Lynnfield jumped out to an early 9-4 lead in the beginning of the first quarter after senior captain Louis Ellis converted on an offensive put back.
Junior point guard Billy Arseneault gave the locals a 13-4 lead after converting a lay-up. Senior forward Bryant Dana drilled a three-pointer at the buzzer to cap a 7-1 run, which gave the Pioneers a 20-5 lead at the end of the first.
Newburyport went on a run during the second quarter and outscored the Pioneers 17-8, which cut Lynnfield’s lead to 28-22 at halftime.
“Newburyport is a good team,” said MacKenzie. “They got a little bit of momentum. They were trying to slow down our transition and were going bucket for bucket. I wasn’t upset at halftime, but the discussion with the kids was what are you seeing out there that we are not seeing on the sidelines.”
Lynnfield controlled the third quarter from start to finish. Junior Zach Shone drilled a three pointer, which gave the locals a 33-27 lead. Senior captain Michael Carangelo followed by converting on a hook shot, making the game 35-28.
Arseneault made several key shots during the third quarter, including a three-pointer at the buzzer, which gave the Pioneers a 48-33 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
MacKenzie attributed the Pioneers’ run in the third quarter to switching to a 1-2-2 defense.
“We lulled them to sleep for a little bit and forced them to shoot threes,” said MacKenzie. “They were not making threes, so we stuck with it.”
Lynnfield outscored the locals 19-15 during the fourth quarter to secure the 67-48 win.
Arseneault led the Pioneers with 20 points and played an excellent defensive game.
“Billy’s hands were everywhere defensively,” said MacKenzie. “He is averaging six or seven deflections a game, which is enormous. He is a special player and some of the plays Billy made have nothing to do with any coach that has been near him. It was everything to do with the fact that he is arguably the most talented kid we have had in the program. The plays he made pushed our lead up.”
Shone finished with 17 points against Newburyport.
“It’s no surprise to us,” said MacKenzie. “He played JV last year and he is a player. We need him to continue to learn the defensive side of the ball, but he’s got the offensive side covered. He has a great first step and he’s very explosive.”
Ellis had 12 points. Carangelo finished with six points. Dana had five points. Junior Dan Jameson finished with three points. Senior Brendan Bey had two points.
Defeats Masco
The Pioneers began last week pounding Masco 72-44 Dec. 20.
Carangelo had a monster game for the locals, finishing with 19 points and nine boards.
“Mike has been great for us,” said MacKenzie. “He is as steady as they come. We have some flamboyant players in Billy and Lou, and we have a kid like Mike who sets the tone for us. He is a very important player. Mike is comfortable with letting the ball be in Billy’s hands or Lou’s hands, and he doesn’t need the spotlight. I think Mike takes pride in that and from a coach’s perspective, a lot of coaches in the league talk about that and notice it. He gets recognition from the sidelines, which is great. It speaks a lot about him.”
Ellis added 13 points in the victory. Arseneault filled the stat sheet with 12 points, nine assists, eight deflections and six steals. Shone and Jameson had eight points apiece.
MacKenzie attributed the Pioneers’ victory over Masco to the locals’ transition game.
“We put up 64 shots in the game,” said MacKenzie. “We have a goal of 60 shots per game, which is a little bit high but it’s still our goal. We were attacking the rim and they had a very difficult time defending our transition.”
When asked about the locals’ two blow out victories last week, MacKenzie commented, “We are trying to play hard. That is all we are trying to do.”
