Boys Basketball Team Building On Experience

The Lynnfield Pioneers varsity boys’ basketball team will rely on its collective experience this season to compete against Cape Ann League opponents.  The team has six returning players from last year’s team, which finished with an 8-12 record. The team will be led by senior tri-captains Camine Dicesare, B.J. Neil, and Nico Varano, as well as juniors Stephen Carangelo, James Hook, Pat Kearney, Ed Moore, and Conor Sullivan.

Now in his 7th season as the varsity head coach and 12th overall with the program, Coach Scott MacKenzie feels that each player on the is a team leader.  Assistant coaches Kevin Canty and Steve Padovani will join MacKenzie at the sideline.

“Our team’s strengths are centered in our experience.  We have six returning players who essentially played starter’s minutes last year.  This will be key for us as the season grinds on and close games need to be won,” MacKenzie said.  Last season, the Pioneers were in several close contests that were decided in the final minutes of the game.

 “Our goal is simple – we want to show up to the gym each day with the mindset that we are going to outwork the previous day’s effort.  If this happens, any and all long-term goals will take care ofthemselves,” MacKenzie said.

The Pioneers lost their first game of the 2011 – 2012 season, 69-66 in a close matchup at Newburyport on Tuesday night.  The team looks to get into the win column when they face Ipswich High School on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. in Lynnfield.