The Lynnfield Pioneers boys’ varsity basketball team had an impressive win on Tuesday night at Lynnfield High School.  The Pioneers defeated the visiting Pope John XXIII Central High School Tigers.

Quick Start for Pioneers

The Pioneers began the game with a 13 – 0 run.  Sophomore Stephen Carangelo scored the opening basket of the game.  After Carangelo’s field goal, sophomore Patrick Kearney made a 3 pointer from the corner.  Carangelo registered a double-double for the Pioneers, with 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Lynnfield’s intense man to man defense limited the Tigers’ scoring opportunities.  At the end of the first quarter, the Pioneers led the Tigers 19 – 9.

In the second quarter, LHS was able to extend their lead.  Junior Carmine Dicesare scored a layup after he grabbed an offensive rebound.  Dicesare’s field goal put the Pioneers up by 10 points with a score of 24 – 14.  At halftime, LHS led the Tigers 37 – 21. 

Solid Effort Throughout The Game

The Pioneers continued their strong offensive play in the third quarter.  Dicesare made a baseline jumper and then Carangelo scored a layup, which gave LHS a 20 point advantage at 41-21.

The Tigers altered their defensive strategy in the third quarter.  They utilized a man to man defense which created a slight momentum shift.  With 4:38 remaining in the quarter, Dicesare was whistled for an offensive foul.  Pope John scored 9 unanswered points.

Towards the end of the third quarter, the Pioneers offense was reignited by Carangelo who scored a hoop on a driving off hand layup.  In the waning seconds of the quarter, Carangelo connected on a 3 point swish from the corner in front of the LHS bench.  At the end of 3 quarters of action, LHS led Pope John 48-32.

Pioneers Held Up Against Tigers' Pressure

In the final quarter, the Tigers began using a full court zone press to get back into the game.  The Pioneers were able to handle the pressure.  On one play, the Pioneers capitalized on accurate interior ball movement.  Senior Joe Sartorelli made a baseline pass to Dicesare who made a layup giving the Pioneers a 53-34 lead.  Dicesare was the Pioneers second leading scorer with 11 points.  LHS went on to win the game 66-46.

Coach Cites Strong Shooting Performance

The Pioneers shot 11 of 15 from the free throw line and made 5 three pointers.  Pioneers Head Coach Scott MacKenzie acknowledged his team’s efficient shooting performance.

 “We shot the ball well in the first half [and] got ourselves a lead; lapse in focus in the third quarter, came back in the fourth, built it up to 24, so that’s what you want to see,” MacKenzie said.

“Overall it was a good effort.  I’m pleased with everybody.  I thought we did a nice job defending the perimeter and we gave up 46 points,” MacKenzie added.   

With the win, the Pioneers have a record of 4 wins and 5 losses.  They will seek their second consecutive win on Friday night at home against Newburyport High School.