Casey McLaren (18 points) had good looks most of the night.
Nick Rogers (14 points) guarded by Dantai Robertson
(Newburyport MA) Disappointing performance by Lynn Tech.
#2 Newburyport trounced #15 LT, 70-36, on Monday night in First Round action in the Division 3 North tournament.
The Clippers (18-3) scored the first eleven points of the game before the Tigers (7-14) finally made a basket (John Marino) six minutes into the first quarter.
The second quarter followed suit. Newburyport started it with a 14-1 run as the game reached the embarrassing level (30-5) with 3:40 to go until halftime.
The Clippers were very impressive all over the court.
The Tigers (winners of four straight coming in) tried to zone the Clippers but instead of shutting down the inside there were opening galore to the basket. Newburyport made sixteen layups in the game.
I saw the Newburyport game against Lynnfield and Casey McLaren struggled early but ended up with double figures. No struggles early this time for the talented sophomore. Shots from all levels seemed available and, versus Lynn Tech, Casey led all scorers with eighteen points.
LT coach Stevie Patrick had Marcus Taylor denying the ball to Casey in the second half but by then the game was well out of hand.
Noah Van Schalkwyk in the lane for Newburyport
In Lynn Tech’s disastrous first quarter the Newburyport man-to-man defense forced seven turnovers.
The Clippers usually take and make many three’s during a game but versus Lynn Tech the inside chances ruled the day. The Tigers had as many 3’s (four) as the Clippers did.
LT had three brutal scoring droughts. I have already referenced two of them. Here’s the third: in the final 6 ½ minutes of the game, Lynn Tech was held scoreless while Newburyport collected thirteen points.
Put those three droughts together and during sections of this game Lynn Tech was outscored, 38 to 1!
Belmin Berilo paced the Tigers with eight points.
Lynn Tech won the Commonwealth Athletic Conference Small division.
Good crowd of Newburyport enthusiasts in the house. Forget just being the sixth-man. Before the game, they turned into some type of choral group as they performed the National Anthem.
(All pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)
Casey McLaren shoots as Pentucket watches
Casey McLaren up for a rebound
George Coryell in the open floor
Battle for a rebound
Belmin Berilo was LT’s top scorer
Casey McLaren in the open court
Nick Rogers shoots from in front of the NHS student section
Robbie Shay
Cam MacRae shoots from in close
Brendan Powers hits the deck
Senior Aquemini Gaston and coach Stevie Patrick
McClelland Miscellanea 
