Published January 13, 2021

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LIKE MOST THINGS during a pandemic, basketball in the Cape Ann League looks a little different with no fans but the LHS boys’ hoop team was happy to be back on their home court during their season opener on Jan. 5. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

LYNNFIELD — On Monday evening, the Lynnfield High boys’ basketball team lost to host North Reading by a final score of 85-72. With that defeat, the Pioneers record dipped to 0-2 while the Hornets improved to 1-2.

“We played a better team tonight,” acknowledged first year head coach John Bakopolus. “They came out fast and we were not able to keep up.”

Bakopolus was pleased with his team’s effort despite the result.

“The kids played hard,” he stated.

North Reading was able to build a 41-23 advantage at halftime. The Pioneers tried to chip away and cut the lead to 11 by the end of the third quarter but that was as close as they would come as the Hornets went on a run early in the fourth quarter to take command.

Luke Martinho led the Pioneer offense with 26 points while senior co-captain Jake Ford and fellow senior Bakari Mitchell, both added 10 points each.

Dante Gesamondo had a team-high 11 rebounds.

In the season opener on Jan. 5, the Pioneers were edged by visiting Manchester-Essex 49-46. This game came down to the wire as on the final possession of the game, Martinho’s 3-point attempt to send it into overtime went off the rim.

This game was nip-and-tuck all night as no team had a double-digit lead. The Hornets outscored the Pioneers 14-7 in the second quarter to lead 25-18 at halftime as they scored the last 14 points of the half to erase the Pioneers’ seven-point lead.

Lynnfield then cut the lead to one (35-34) after the third quarter.

Martinho led the offense as the senior guard scored 16 points. He also pulled down seven rebounds.

Alex Gentile and Jack Ford were tied for second in scoring with eight points each.

Gentile led the team in assists with eight while Ford had a team-high seven boards.

Galvin Glass and A.J. Palazola led the Hornets in scoring with 14 points each.

On Wednesday night (Jan. 13), the Pioneers welcome Newburyport at 5:45 p.m. They then visit Rockport on Jan. 15 with that contest starting at 4:15 p.m.

Lynnfield will then host Pentucket at 5:45 p.m. on Jan. 19.