ALEX FLEMING had 23 points and 14 rebounds and hit a shot at the buzzer to give the Pioneers a 65-63 win on the road over Rockport on Jan. 9. The junior added 15 against Newburyport on Friday night and 17 and 8 against Manchester-Essex on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Courtesy Photo)

 

After press time: Lynnfield defeats Triton 50-39 (Jan. 19)


By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day afternoon, the Lynnfield High boys’ basketball team hosted undefeated Manchester-Essex. The visiting Hornets showed why they are unbeaten as they defeated the Pioneers 69-48.

With the loss, Lynnfield’s record fell to 6-3 overall and 5-2 in the Cape Ann League. Manchester-Essex, meanwhile, improved to 9-0 overall and 7-0 in the CAL.

“They have two very talented players and one of them (Cade Furst) is the best player in the league,” said Lynnfield head coach John Bakopolus. “They are the best team we have played so far.”

The Hornets, who are in first place in the CAL Baker Division, led this game at the half, 34-19, and the Pioneers were never able to get the lead under 10 points in the second half.

Furst, a guard, had a huge day with a game-high 30 points.

For Lynnfield, Alex Fleming led the offense with 17 points and he also had a team-high 8 rebounds. Harris Hadzihasanovic was second with 11 points while Iain McCarthy chipped in 7.

Last Friday night, the Pioneers lost at home to Newburyport 63-43. The Clippers, the leaders in the CAL Kinney Division, improved to 7-2 with the win.

That loss snapped the Pioneers three-game winning streak.

“They also have a really good team and our defense couldn’t get enough stops against them,” said Bakopolus.

Just like the Manchester-Essex game, the Pioneers dug themselves a big first-half hole as they were down, 37-19, and they were unable to claw their way back into the game.

Fleming led the team in scoring with 15 points while Chris Daniels had 10. Hadzihasanovic added 7.

McCarthy led the team in assists with 7 while Fleming also led the squad in rebounds with 8.

Zayd Leanna led the Clippers in points with 16.

On Jan. 9, Lynnfield edged Rockport, 65-63, on the road. Fleming was the hero of this one hitting the game-winning shot at the buzzer, setting off a wild celebration.

“It was the most exciting game of the year,” stated Bakopolus. “Each team gave up massive runs.”

Lynnfield led, 38-25, at the half but the Vikings stormed back and took the lead into the fourth quarter.

With 1:20 left, Rockport led by five but the Pioneers scored the game’s final seven points to pull out the win.

On the Vikings’ final possession, McCarthy made a steal. Rockport called time out to set its defense but Fleming, in the post, hit the game-winner.

Fleming had a huge night with 23 points and 14 boards. Daniels had 11 while Hadzihasanovic chipped in 10. Grant Neal had three 3-pointers for nine points.

On Jan. 19, the Pioneers go to Byfield to take on host Triton. Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. They then travel to Tewksbury on Jan. 21 with that non-league game starting at 1 p.m.