Published January 15, 2020
By JAMES CRANNEY
AMESBURY – After three consecutive losses, the 2-4 Lynnfield boys’ basketball team hoped to turn their season back on track last week with two games. The first game would be a tough road matchup against a 6-1 Amesbury team followed by a Friday night home game against 2-5 North Reading.
Pioneer comeback bid comes up short against Amesbury
Similar to the previous game at Newburyport, Lynnfield’s offense got off to a sluggish start in Amesbury on Jan. 7. During the game’s first few minutes, the Pioneers quickly found themselves trailing Amesbury 7-0. On the defensive end, Lynnfield made some nice plays to keep them in it getting a steal from junior guard Jack Ford (16 points) and a thunderous block from senior captain Clayton Marengi (6 points).
The Pioneers finally put a tally on the scoreboard following senior captain Khad Connell’s (11 points) second free throw attempt just under the six-minute mark. Ford would get to the line on the following possession to make it 7-3 after sinking both shots. The Indians came back with a 3-pointer from sophomore guard Camden Keliher (10 points) which would be a common theme throughout the game.
KHAD CONNELL (13) blocks a shot while Max Boustris (23) defends. Connell was active on the glass and both ends of the floor finishing with 11 points for the Pioneers against Amesbury on Jan. 7. (Kristine Marengi Photo)
With 3:48 remaining in the first quarter, Lynnfield guard Blake Peters (5 points) made his first free throw attempt but could not connect with the second. However, Connell was there to grab the board and turn it into a three-point play. Less than a minute later, the Pioneers made it a one possession game when junior guard Luke Martinho (5 points) dropped a deep shot from beyond the arch.
Once again, Amesbury marched down the court and responded with a 3-pointer of their own extending the lead 15-9.
“It seemed like every time we got a bucket, they either answered with one or got one on the next possession,” claimed Pioneers head coach Scott MacKenzie.
Before the first quarter’s close, Lynnfield would make a push. It began with Ford making two free throws to make it 15-11. Then it would be 16-14 following a Ford 3-pointer. With under 30 seconds left in the quarter, Marengi tied the game up 16-16 with a layup beneath the basket.
In the first portion of the second quarter, both teams would go back-and-forth exchanging points. With 4:50 remaining in the second quarter, Amesbury made their charge.
It began with a 3-pointer from senior captain Demetrio Gjikopulli to make it 25-21. The next time Amesbury got the ball they would convert another three, this time from senior captain Jaden Keliher. The Indians dropped yet another three from Gjikopulli forcing Lynnfield to stop the bleeding with a timeout.
Coming out of the timeout, Amesbury continued their surge hitting their fourth consecutive 3-pointer to give them a 34-21 lead over the Pioneers. Lynnfield would eventually find the basket following the Indians 12-0 run when Connell converted on a floating layup. In the closing moments of the first half, the Pioneers clawed their way back into the contest.
Following the layup, Connell earned two more points from the free throw line then Ford got a bucket driving to the basket. With eight seconds left before halftime, Ford held the ball until he hit Marengi with a pass beneath the basket for a buzzer beating layup. Once trailing by 13, the Pioneers only found themselves down seven entering the second half.
Early in the third quarter, Lynnfield made it a five-point game after Peters secured an offensive rebound then put it back up for the lay-in. Another offensive rebound and layup, this time from Connell, would make it a 38-35 one possession game. Despite the great Pioneer comeback, another barrage of Amesbury three’s would squander any chance of a Lynnfield win. In the end, the Indians would be victorious 68-54.
“They had too much talent for us in that second half,” commented coach MacKenzie after the game. “When we gave them some second chance opportunities, it seemed like they capitalized on all of them. That’s what good teams do, they make you pay for giving little chances.”
Lynnfield loses close one
When Lynnfield’s biggest rival North Reading came to town last Friday, the Pioneers trailed the entire game. That was until Lynnfield took the lead with 30 seconds remaining. However, a late foul would send Hornet guard Will Taylor to the line where he would sink both shots giving North Reading a 54-53 win.
The back-breaking loss brought Lynnfield to 2-6 on the season.
Lynnfield played Ipswich (1-7) on Tuesday night after press time. They will hit the road for a rematch with Pentucket (5-2) on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. The Sachems won the first matchup 56-39 in the first game of the season.
