CHRIS DANIELS had 17 points and 11 rebounds in a Senior Night victory over Triton on Feb. 15. Daniels and Paul Breslow were honored before the game. (File Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — On President’s Day Monday afternoon, the Lynnfield High boys’ basketball team beat guest Tewksbury, 60-47, to complete the season sweep over the non-league Redmen.
With that victory, the Pioneers finished the regular season at 15-5 while Tewksbury fell to 7-12.
“The kids made big play after big play,” said Pioneers head coach John Bakopolus.
Lynnfield led the game, 27-17, at halftime and never gave up that lead in the second half.
Chris Daniels led the Pioneer offense with 18 points while Harris Hadzihasanovic and Alex Fleming each put in 14 points. Zach Pincus was fourth with 11 points.
“Everybody is doing a great job of trusting their teammates,” said Bakopolus, about the balanced scoring.
Fleming, the team’s top rebounder, pulled down 14 boards.
On Feb. 15, it was a successful Senior Night as the Pioneers defeated guest Triton, 52-39, to complete the season sweep over the Vikings as they beat them, 50-39, back on Jan. 19.
Lynnfield led this one, 23-14, at the break. Triton was able to cut the lead to five early in the fourth quarter before the locals pulled away.
“It was a methodical game and we eventually were able to wear them down,” said Bakopolus.
Daniels and Fleming tied for the scoring lead in the game with 17 each. Both players also recorded double-doubles as Daniels had 11 rebounds while Fleming had 14.
Iain McCarthy led the team in assists with seven.
Triton (5-14) was led in scoring by Zack Friis with 13 points.
Before the game, seniors Daniels and Paul Breslow were honored.
Lynnfield finished in second place in the Cape Ann League Kinney Division behind Newburyport as they went 12-4 in the league.
The night before, the Pioneers fell at Newburyport, 41-35, as the Cape Ann League Kinney Division champion Clippers were able to sweep the season series.
Newburyport won the first meeting, 63-43, back on Jan. 12.
“It was a rock fight with the way both defenses were playing,” recalled Bakopolus, whose team led, 14-10, at halftime. “They have a balanced attack and were able to hit a few more shots than we did.”
Pincus led the Pioneers in scoring with 10 points and he had eight rebounds. Fleming had a team-high 18 boards to go with nine points. Daniels also scored nine points and he had 10 rebounds.
Cam Atherton led the Clippers in scoring with 16 points including 12 in the final quarter.
Lynnfield entered this week seeded 29th in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings.
They will find out on Feb. 24 who they will open up with in the state tournament as the states open up next week.
