Published December 23, 2020

JOHN BAKOPOLUS is the new head coach of the Lynnfield High School varsity boys’ basketball team. (Courtesy Photo)

LYNNFIELD — The John Bakopolus era as the head coach of Lynnfield high boys’ basketball begins this winter. This is the first head varsity job for Bakopolus as he takes over for Scott MacKenzie, who stepped down at the end of last season.

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

Bakopolus was an assistant coach for Mackenzie for the past five years.

He applied for the job in April and was named head coach in May.

Bakopolus, a shooting guard, played his high school ball at St. Mary’s of Lynn from 2006-2009. The Saugus resident then went to Nichols College in Dudley where he played for a year and a half before transferring to Salem State to complete his bachelor’s degree.

Bakopolus is now in his first year as a History teacher at Minutemen Tech in Lexington.

“I think that teaching at another school and coaching here would be tougher if it was my first year,” explained Bakopolus. “But because I have been here for five years and know everybody, it is a lot easier.”

Paul LaMonica is back as the Pioneers junior varsity coach and Gerald Coughlin is also back as the freshman team coach as both will help Bakopolus.

The man taking his place as the main assistant is Brian Wladowske, who has been a volunteer assistant at Saugus High the past 10 seasons.

Bakopolus inherits a team that went 7-13 last winter. Three seniors, who were all starters, graduated from that squad but, when training camp opened on Dec. 14, nine veterans were back.

Due to the Covid-19 crisis, the Cape Ann League teams will play each other once for a 10-game schedule. There will be no non-league games and the league is hoping to have a league playoff in February. Each school in the league will play five home and five road games.

Just like for the fall sports, there will be no state tournament.

The Pioneers are slated to open the season on Jan. 5 at home against Pentucket.

“This season is going to be super unique,” admitted Bakopolus. “It is going to be different not having fans at the games but I am just happy that we are going to, at least, have a season.”