PEABODY– Bishop Fenwick hosted Lynnfield Monday night in an entertaining game on the boys basketball hardwood. It was a packed house for Fenwick’s home opener, but it was Lynnfield who spoiled the party and picked up the win 68-56.
Lynnfield got out of the gates quickly, finding a 9-5 lead early in the first quarter. The Pioneers got several great shots due to their excellent spacing. Between their half-court sets and playmaking guards, led by senior Alex Gentile and sophomore Gavin Deluties, Lynnfield got out to a comfortable eight-point lead as the first quarter came to a close.
“I think our guards did a good job attacking the seams and kicking [it out]. We made the extra pass a lot and I thought [the open looks] were a result from the extra pass,” Lynnfield head coach John Bakopolus said.
In the second quarter, the Crusaders matched the intensity of Lynnfield and scored two quick baskets, one off a half-court set and the following off of a defensive turnover. However, the Pioneers quickly responded, quieting the home supporters with a wide-open three from Gentile. Fenwick did find success in its offensive rebounding ability, leading to second-chance points, but when the Crusaders committed too many players on offensive rebounding and couldn’t grab the ball, it allowed Lynnfield to push up the floor and finish with a layup or a three. Lynnfield outscored the Crusaders 15-7 in the second to extend its lead 43-27 at half.
Lynnfield got open three-point shots to start the half. Alex Gentile (25 points), Gavin Deluties (13 points), Cam Marengi (5 points), and Alex Fleming (10 points) all contributed with at least one made three-pointer.
“Our goal this year is to hit double-digit threes a game. We are going to take a lot [of threes]. I thought today we got good looks.”
Even when down 16 at the half, the Crusaders did not quit and started the third quarter with a lot of energy. The spark came from junior captain James Meklis. Meklis took the game into his own hands and started to make plays not only for himself, but for his team. Meklis finished with a game high 31 points.
At one point in the third quarter, Fenwick went on an 18-5 run and ended up outscoring Lynnfield 23-19 in the third quarter to cut the lead to 55-45. Sophomore captain Nate Allder and freshman forward Ben Zaniboni contributed with 8 points a piece.
Bakopolus spoke about how his team is young, and these types of situations [letting a team back into the game] will only help the team in future games.
“I think we are still so young, me included, that we just need to learn how to finish games,” Bakopolus said.
The Crusaders cut the lead to single digits in the fourth quarter after switching to a 2-3 zone. With five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Fenwick cut the lead to five points, 57-52.
Lynnfield was in the bonus with just under five minutes left in the game. Despite Lynnfield missing free throws down the stretch, Bakopolus sees it as an area the team will try and improve on in practice. The missed free throws did not end up hurting Lynnfield, mainly because of its ability to grab offensive rebounds. Between sophomore Alex Fleming and junior Chris Daniels, Lynnfield controlled the offensive boards in the second half.
“We want to send five guys to the glass. We are a team that needs more shots because we want to score a lot,” Bakopolus said.
Lynnfield held off the late surge from Fenwick to get its season started with a win.
Fenwick’s next game will be away at Archbishop Williams on Friday, December 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Lynnfield’s next game will be home Friday, December 16 at 6:30 p.m. against Hamilton-Wenham.
