Pioneers fall to Pentucket Sachems, 58-47
JUNIOR point guard Brendan Sullivan (3) finished with a team-high 16 points during the Pioneers’ 58-47 loss to Pentucket during the Division 3 North quarterfinals on Saturday, Feb. 27. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The fourth seeded boys’ basketball team was eliminated from the Division 3 North state tournament after falling 58-47 to fifth seed Pentucket during the Division 3 North quarterfinals at Lynnfield High School on Feb. 28.
“The one thing I have stopped talking about the last couple of weeks is to show some resolve and show some poise because we do it,” said Pioneers head coach Scott MacKenzie. “The kids kept telling each other during timeouts that we were OK and we were. This team has a lot of guts and a lot of backbone. It’s something a coach can be proud of.”
Lynnfield struggled out of the gate and Pentucket wasted no time taking advantage of the Pioneers’ cold shooting. The Sachems jumped out to an early 10-2 lead, prompting MacKenzie to call a timeout.
“We talked at the beginning of the game about who was going to call the first timeout and we did,” said MacKenzie. “Those eight points were huge even though it was just a three-possession game.”
Pentucket kept rolling during the first quarter and took an 18-6 lead after the first quarter.
Lynnfield regrouped during the second quarter. After Pentucket drained an early three-pointer, junior point guard Brendan Sullivan connected on a pass to senior forward Tom Kearney for a layup, making the game 21-8.
Sullivan connected on a layup of his own, which cut the Sachems’ lead to 11, 23-12. Senior Nick Eliopoulos also connected on a pass to senior captain Paul Pasciuto for a hook shot, making the game 25-14.
After a brief run, the Pioneers’ offense began to cool once again. The Sachems took advantage of the locals’ shooting woes and had a 30-20 lead at the break.
“We settled for early shots too many times,” said MacKenzie. “When we went into halftime down 10, it still felt like 16 or 17. We battled all the way back to get to 10 and it took nine minutes to get there.”
Lynnfield repeatedly tried making a run during the third quarter but Pentucket maintained its offensive pressure and had a 38-25 lead with 4:11 remaining in the third.
Senior captain Traverse Briana converted a layup, which cut the locals’ deficit to 11 once again. Sullivan added a reverse layup and converted 1-2 free throws, which made the game 44-30 at the end of the third quarter.
Lynnfield refused to go away quietly during the fourth quarter even though the locals continued struggling offensively. Senior Jake McHugh opened the fourth by drilling a three-pointer and Pasciuto added two key free throws, making the game 47-35.
Sullivan took over during the fourth quarter and put the Pioneers on his back. He converted a layup. Sullivan was fouled on the next Lynnfield possession and went 1-2 at the stripe, making the game 47-39. He added two more free throws with 1:43 remaining in the contest, cutting Pentucket’s lead to nine, 50-41.
Pentucket sophomore Pat Freiermuth responded by making one out of two free throws, giving the Sachems a 10-point lead. McHugh added another three-pointer, which made the game 51-44 with 1:15 remaining.
The Pioneers pressed the Sachems down the stretch of the fourth quarter in order to gain some momentum. Sullivan came up with a huge defensive play after diving to the floor and came up with the loose ball.
“When it comes to us, we are never going to fall short defensively,” said Briana. “The effort is always going to be there and that is never a question. We are a pretty solid defensive team and we usually do fine defensively without pressing. But when you are down by that much, you have to ramp it up.”
After Pentucket connected three of four free throws, Sullivan was fouled after converting another impressive layup. After sinking the free throw, the Pioneers trailed the Sachems 54-47.
Pentucket officially sealed the win after converting on its final four free throw attempts.
“We just ran out of time against a good team,” said MacKenzie. “After the first four minutes of the game, it was an even game the rest of the way but if you can’t get to within seven or eight points with two minutes left, it’s just too much.”
MacKenzie said the Pioneers’ offensive struggles were the teams’ Achilles heel against the Sachems.
“Somewhere in the two minute range in the fourth quarter, my assistant coach said we were 12 out 55 from the floor and were one from 24 from three,” said MacKenzie. “That is just not going to get it done.”
Pasciuto agreed.
“We just couldn’t shoot the ball but I love how our team didn’t stop fighting,” said Pasciuto. “Every time they scored, we would fight right back. Unfortunately it just wasn’t enough.”
Briana concurred with MacKenzie and Pasciuto’s sentiment.
“A couple of shots didn’t fall away in the beginning and we got down quick,” said Briana. “But you have to give it up for our team. We are resilient and never give up. We have a great group of kids who love playing with each other. It just stinks that it is over.”
Sullivan made a monster game for the Pioneers, finishing with a team-high 16 points. MacKenzie said Sullivan gave an “MVP performance” against the Sachems.
“Brendan Sullivan is the toughest kid we have had since I have been here,” said Mackenzie. “The kid is just fearless on both ends of the floor. I personally thought Brendan was the best player in the league. When you look at his offensive stats, he is a 32-minute a night grinder. Brendan is unique in every way.”
Pasciuto was the locals’ second leading scorer during the contest with nine points. In addition to making some key free throws, Pasciuto also converted on some big shots in the post.
“Paul is one of the finest quality human beings I have coached,” said MacKenzie. “If you spend any time with Paul, you know he is the kind of kid if you raise a son and he turns out to be your son, you are a lucky guy. He battles and is a max energy kid. In the four years I have known him, there has never been a minute where he left something on the table. His mom has done right by him. Absolutely.”
McHugh added eight points against the Sachems, including two big fourth quarter threes. Briana and Kearney each finished with four points.
Even though MacKenzie wished the Pioneers had come up with a win against the Sachems, he praised his squad’s effort.
“The one thing I like about these guys is they are disappointed we lost tonight because they care,” said MacKenzie. “There are some things I could have done differently tonight. These guys did exactly what they were told, so this one is on me.”
Lynnfield concluded the 2014-2015 season with a 16-6 record. The Pioneers began the Division 3 North state tournament defeating Stoneham 57-28 (see separate story).
MacKenzie said he was proud of the way his team played over the course of the season
“It was a great year,” said MacKenzie. “It was great to get into the tournament and win one game at home.”
The Pioneers will be saying goodbye to seven seniors this year, Briana, Pasciuto, senior captain Greg Basilesco, Eliopoulos, Kearney, Ethan Forrest and Phil King.
“These seven seniors are the best,” said MacKenzie. “It’s not just the wins and the losses. I really enjoyed being at practice. Not only are they are a quality group of guys who have been raised the right way, they are a fun group of guys too. I spent 90 days with them this winter, 90 days last winter and 90 days the year before that. I have been with them for almost a full calendar year. They are my surrogate family and they have taken care of me over the years as well. It’s sad to see them go.”
Pasciuto personally thanked the Pioneers’ coaching staff for making his high school basketball career a rewarding experience.
“You have to give it up to the coaching staff,” said Pasciuto. “Mr. Moresco helped us with the big man drills. Mr. LaMonica is just awesome. He’s always staying with us. You have to respect Mr. MacKenzie. He is the best coach in the league by far. He is always staying with us and always has our back. Whenever we lose, he puts it on himself and whenever we win, he gives us the credit.”
Briana, who missed a large portion of the season with a lateral collateral ligament knee sprain, personally thanked his teammates for the support they gave him this winter.
“They kept me up while I was trying to get back and get stronger,” said Briana. “They were there for me every day and kept pushing me to get better. I love these guys. I love every kid on this team. I wouldn’t trade any of them.”
The Pioneers will have a strong core returning next year, including Sullivan and McHugh. Briana believes the Pioneers will be able to make some noise in the Division 3 North state tournament once again.
“Looking at the guys we have, we have a bunch of young kids who are going to be playing here for a couple more years,” said Briana. “We have a ton of athletic kids who really helped us out. They are going to have a solid team and when you have Coach MacKenzie, you are going to have a good team every year.”
CAL All-Stars announced
The Cape Ann League recognized three members of the Pioneers recently.
Sullivan was named a CAL All-League player. Briana and Eliopoulos were named CAL All-Stars.
“It’s great anytime when kids get recognized by fellow coaches,” said MacKenzie.
