JUNIOR ALEX GENTILE returns to lead the LHS boys’ basketball team in the 2021-22 season. The Pioneers opened their season on the road at Hamilton-Wenham on Tuesday after press time. Their home opener is this Friday, 6:45 p.m. against Newburyport. (File Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — John Bakopolus is back for his second year as the head coach of the Lynnfield High boys basketball team this winter. Last season, the Pioneers fell to North Reading, 59-57, in the Cape Ann League Kinney Division semifinal game to end the year at 4-7 overall as there was no state tournament due to the pandemic.
Seven seniors from that squad graduated including league All-Stars Luke Martinho and Jack Ford.
This year, only three veterans are back from last season led by Alex Gentile who is this year’s captain. The junior point guard is the team’s top returning scorer and assists leader.
The two other players back are senior Mekhi Peters (center) and junior Sam Gazit (forward).
Five of the new players on the roster were on the Pioneers junior varsity squad last season. Those five players are Steve Dreher (junior-guard), James Sharkey (junior- forward), Cam Marengi (junior- guard), Dean Bey (senior- forward) and Mohamed Elmatari (junior- guard).
Bakopolus, a history teacher at Minuteman Tech in Lexington, has been pleased with the first two weeks of practice.
“We have a good mix of kids,” said Bakopolus. “It has been competitive and they have been working hard.”
Lynnfield had three scrimmages against Swampscott, Wakefield and Minuteman.
The Pioneers will play a 20-game schedule with 14 league games and six non-league games. They will play the CAL Kinney teams twice and the Baker teams once. They will then play Melrose, Stoneham and Wilmington all twice for the six non-league contests.
Lynnfield opened the season on Dec. 14 at Hamilton-Wenham (results unavailable at press time).
The hope opener will take place on Dec. 17 as they welcome Newburyport at 6:30 p.m. On Dec. 20, they will play their first non-league game as they host Wilmington with that game also starting at 6:30 p.m. Players will still have to wear masks.
