Tag Archives: George Coryell

March 2, 2019 · 12:49 am

Late triple by Dracut knocks Newburyport out 57-54

Dracut celebrates the win

Mitch Monette’s pass led to the winning basket

(Newburyport MA) Freshman Adrian Torres delivered the shot Dracut needed to advance to the Division 3 North semifinals.

Adrian (16 points) took an excellent feed from Mitch Monette and swished a 3-pointer in the closing seconds from in front of the Middies crowd to give #12 Dracut a 57-54 upset win over #4 Newburyport on Friday night.

The Clippers (18-4) nearly got even in those closing seconds but Ryan Archie’s triple rimmed out.

George Coryell (11 points) defends Adrian Torres (16 points)

“Adrian shoots like that every day in practice,” said senior Mitch Monette afterwards. “I was confident that he would make it.”

The Middies (12-10) will face either Arlington Catholic or St. Mary’s in the next round.

Newburyport had a nine-point lead in the first half while Dracut was ahead by four in the second half. But those leads didn’t hold up.

The Clippers led 12-10 after one period. At halftime, the teams were even, 27-27. The third quarter ended with Newburyport in front, 40-39. In the final quarter, the scored was tied, 54-54, with 1 ½ minutes remaining.

Neither team could gain separation. The Middies were hurt by foul trouble while the Clippers missed fifteen free throws.

It came down to the final ninety seconds and the five possessions that filled them.

Newburyport sought the perfect shot and ended up with a shot-clock violation.

Ryan Archie guarded by Tyler Guerriero

Ryan Archie’s tight defense forced a bad Dracut pass.

George Coryell missed a shot. Jake Robertson got the rebound but traveled.

This was the lead-in to Adrian’s game winner. Mitch Monette (12 points) had been able to get to the basket, so when he looked to be about to come down the lane the Clippers defense sagged in to stop it. But instead of shooting, Mitch tossed a jump-pass to his left to a wide-open Adrian Torres who didn’t miss.

“That freshman, he’s something else,” said senior Cam McCullough. “I’m not surprised he made it because he does it every day in practice even when I’m guarding him!”

“We wanted to spread the court and see what turned up,” said Dracut coach Brian Myers about his team’s last possession.

Ball on the floor

The Clippers did have a chance to tie the game and came close. George Coryell tossed a full-court pass to Jake Robertson, who was fouled. I suspect that the plan was for Jake to make the first shot and then miss the second hoping a rebound could produce a 2-point play for the tie. Instead, Jake missed the first one. The second shot was then missed intentionally and Harry Bovee was able to flip the rebound out to Ryan Archie, beyond the arc. Against Swampscott, Ryan hit that shot. Not tonight and the celebrating began for the Middies.

Coach Brian Myers said that playing in the tough Merrimack Valley Conference helped them. “We play tight games like tonight’s every game in that league.”

The gymnasium was packed. Many ended up standing around the perimeter.

Casey McLaren (21 points) chased by Jean Carlos Santiago

Casey McLaren (21 points) became Newburyport’s all-time leading scorer. He passed Rachel Wile tonight to do it.

Casey scored all fifteen of Newburyport’s points in the second quarter.

Casey got those 15 points in the first six minutes of the second quarter giving NHS a 27-20 lead. However, the last two minutes belonged to the visitors. A layup be Cam McCullough and a triple and two free throws by Adrian Torres earned Dracut a halftime tie.

“Coming back from the nine-point deficit was key,” said Coach Myers. “We showed that we could stay with them.”

After Dracut took a 3-point lead on Will Peters’ layup with 2:18 left in the game it was the Clippers’ turn to rally back. A rebound conversion by Ryan Archie and a Casey McLaren free throw knotted things at 54.

Will Peters shoots against Parker McLaren

George Coryell & Parker McLaren each collected eleven points for NHS.

Mitch Monette added twelve points for Dracut.

That Dracut is even in the tournament is a story in and of itself. The Middies had 1-19 seasons the last two years. They were not only defeated a lot but often defeated by lopsided scores. But along came Coach Brian Myers. Brian said afterwards that he’s “a Dracut guy.” After coaching successfully at Lowell, Brian opted to come back to coach the school he attended. He said that he “saw potential.”

“It takes a group of kids buying into a system. We work hard every day.”

Despite the team’s lack of size, they were able to hold their own against larger Casey McLaren and his brother Parker. Casey had only three points in the second half.

Cam McCullough was in awe of the setting: “It was the loudest environment I’ve ever played in. It was a great game to be part of.”

Newburyport box

Dracut box

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Adrian Torres (16 points)

Cam McCullough

Casey McLaren chases a loose ball

Casey McLaren shoots a free throw

Discussing how to defend their 3-point lead

Dracut coach Brian Myers checks on his bench

Farai Zuvarokoka and Jake Robertson

Jake Robertson from the corner

Jean Carlos Santiago shoots a floater over Harry Bovee

Mitch Monette and Trevor Ward

Season ends for the Clippers

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Tagged as Adrian Torres, Cam McCullough, Casey McLaren, George Coryell, Mitch Monette

November 2, 2018 · 10:03 pm

George Coryell OT goal gets Newburyport past Weston 2-1

Weston and Newburyport await a corner kick

George Coryell with Ryan Archer and Brady O’Donnell

(Newburyport MA) “On to Lynnfield!”

George Coryell said it to me after the game as the Newburyport Clippers took out Weston 2-1 in overtime on Friday afternoon.

The Division 3 First Round win moves NHS (10-4-5) on to a rematch on the road on Sunday against the Pioneers.

#1 seed Lynnfield promises to be a more motivated opponent than they were earlier this week in a 3-0 loss to the Clippers. Entering that game, the Pioneers had already clinched the #1 seed whether they won or lost at Newburyport. Sunday’s rematch should have a much higher intensity level.

Senior George Coryell had two goals for #8 Newburyport. One tied the score in the second half and the other was the game-winner 5+ minutes into overtime.

GK Aiden Guthro and Brian Hall (7)

The Wildcats had dribblers, passers, and plenty of opportunities. That they didn’t win was a surprise to Weston coach Andrey Asparouhov. “We had control the whole game. I still don’t know how we lost the game. It’s unbelievable.”

The Wildcats (8-7-4) took a one-goal lead on a rebound conversion by Clayton Mullen with seven minutes left in the first half.

That lead looked to be enough, but not to Coach Asparouhov. “We knew that we needed the second goal to close out the game, but we couldn’t get it.”

Newburyport coach Shawn Bleau changed the Clippers approach later in the second half. “We went with an offensive lineup later in the second half and got a goal off it.”

Adrian Hadley (17) and Ronan Harrington (6)

Offensive lineup? “It meant putting George (Coryell) up top with three forwards.”

George scored the tying goal and how it happened was even a blur to him when I asked him about it.

Teammate Jack Healy credited freshman Max Gagnon for setting George up for the second-half break in. “Max placed the ball over the defense,” explained Jack. “He did the same thing on the overtime goal.”

According to Coach Bleau, “Their keeper made an incredible save on George’s break-in in the second half. Then Ryan Archer put the ball back in the box and George finished it.”

Coach Bleau continued with the offensive attack in the overtime. “It worked to get us the tying goal, so we decided to go for the win and not get to penalty kicks.”

Opening up the attack meant loosening up their defense but on this afternoon the strategy was gold for the home team.

George’s game-winner followed a foot race with defender Andres Castillo. “We made a bad pass and they had the speed to take advantage of it,” said Coach Asparouhov.

I will guess, based on what Jack Healy told me, that Max was the interceptor as well as the one who sent George on his way to the game-winner.

George gained separation from his defender and slid the ball past onrushing Weston GK Edward Pomianek.

“It feels good to get a win in the playoffs,” said Jack Healy afterwards. The Clippers lost 1-0 to Bedford in the first round last year. Prior to that, the last Newburyport playoff win was in 2012.

“It was a team effort,” said George Coryell. “Everyone playing together and trusting each other. We knew that these guys were good. Now it’s on to Lynnfield.”

Newburyport goalie Aiden Guthro won’t have fond memories of the Weston goal. On that goal, Brian Hall took a hard shot from the left. The normally sure-handed goalie (Cape Ann League All-Star) had the ball go through his hands and there was Weston’s Clayton Mullen rushing in looking for just such a rebound. In the net it went. “I’m glad that the goal didn’t decide the game. Aiden will get to play some more,” said Coach Bleau.

The game was physical at times. A number of times the Wildcats questioned non-calls.

Chris Connor (8) heads

With 7:24 left in regulation, the referee called time and brought the captains and the coaches together and sorted out how the rest of the game would, and would not, be played. It seemed to settle things down.

Brian Hall (7) and Jack Healy (11)

On one of my pictures of George Coryell, in the final rush to get a shot the defender clearly has a handful of his shirt.

Very impressed with Weston’s Brian Hall. The senior had the size and athleticism to create trouble in the box. He was in GK Aiden Guthro’s space several times as my pictures show.

The teams did their post-game handshake after regulation instead of trying it after an exciting/devastating overtime ending.

Mild temperatures (50’s) with occasional drizzle.

Football game, also against Weston, was slated for later in the evening.

Weston plays in the Dual County League while Newburyport is in the Cape Ann League.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Aiden Guthro chases a ball in the box

Andres Castillo

Brian Hall chats with the referee

Celebrating the Weston goal

Clayton Mullen

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Tagged as Aiden Guthro, Brian Hall, Clayton Mullen, Coach Andrey Asparouhov, Coach Shawn Bleau, George Coryell, Jack Healy, Max Gagnon

February 27, 2018 · 11:16 pm

Newburyport gets past Lynn Tech 67-63 after twenty-four lead changes

The Clippers begin to celebrate their win over Lynn Tech

Casey McLaren led all scorers with thirty points.

(Newburyport MA) A year ago, in the same gym and on the same date, the Clippers led Lynn Tech 30-5 at halftime and won easily, 70-36.

Believe me, that was then.

Tonight, the Lynn Tigers did everything but win versus the same Clippers.

The final was 67-63 and there was little to choose between the two teams in this first-round battle in Division 3 North.

Both teams were 13-7 coming in and it took a coin toss to determine where this game would be held.

How close was the game itself? How about seven ties. How about TWENTY-FOUR lead changes! There were at least five lead changes in every quarter.

Both teams had high-scoring weapons. Casey McLaren (30 points) and his brother Parker (17 points) paced Newburyport while Robert Wallace (25 points) and Belmin Berilo (22 points) led the Tigers.

The last tie was 63-63 with 2:22 left in the game.

Casey McLaren stretches the NHS lead to four points with this jump shot in front of the student section.

The Clippers pulled in front, 65-63, on a George Coryell layup set up by Parker McLaren. After an empty LT possession, Casey McLaren nailed a jump shot from the foul line area with 1:27 to go that sealed this one for the home team.

No doubt Lynn Tech was exhausted down the stretch. In the final minute the Clippers ate the clock on two different occasions with LT unable to foul to stop the clock.

“Casey played terrific,” said Coach Dave Clay afterwards. “He has incredible instincts for the game.”

Casey had six three’s, getting at least one in each quarter.

His top crowd-pleasing moment? A steal in the final quarter that he turned into the only dunk of the game.

Plenty of defense played by both squads.

Robert Wallace led the Tigers with twenty-five points

“We needed to get the ball to the middle of the court and then look opposite,” explained Coach Clay on how to handle the press. “However, Lynn Tech was so well-coached that it was hard to do.”

The Clippers (14-7) will next face top-seed St. Mary’s on Thursday.

Newburyport led 21-20 after one quarter. Lynn Tech led 35-34 after two quarters. Newburyport led 53-52 after three quarters. There just was no true separation!

LT coach Stevie Patrick took his team to the locker room after the game without having his team participate in the normal post-game hand shaking. I’m not sure what that was about.

The Clippers had been 3-4 in February before tonight’s win.

Lynn Tech was 7-14 last season. You talk about improvement!

Lynn Tech box

Newburyport box

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge when you click on them.)

Casey McLaren blocks a shot

Belmin Berilo

Tre Baldwin guarded by Casey McLaren

Belmin Berilo (22 points) gets free

George Coryell

Jama Aroni chases Casey McLaren

Parker McLaren (17 points tries to drive on Tre Baldwin

Jama Aroni

Ryan Archie looks to pass

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Filed under Lynn Tech, Newburyport

Tagged as Belmin Berilo, Casey McLaren, George Coryell, Parker McLaren, Robert Wallace

January 5, 2018 · 11:48 pm

Newburyport explodes in the 4th quarter and defeats Lynnfield 68-55

George Coryell (16 pts) guarded by freshman Jack Ford

Ryan Archer (17 pts) in the lane with Billy Arseneault

(Newburyport MA) This game was close into the final quarter, and I thought it would go down to the wire.

Newburyport didn’t let that last-shot thing happen, however, as they exploded in the fourth quarter with thirty-one points and defeated Lynnfield, 68-55 on Friday night in Cape Ann League action.

This game was tied seven times with the final tie (45-45) with 5 ½ minutes left. After that the combination of Ryan Archer long range and George Coryell drives did in the Pioneers.

Ryan’s two 3-pointers and George’s four layups were the major pieces in a 16-6 run for the home team that sealed this one for the Clippers.

“They figured out our weakness (defending on ball) and they took advantage of it,” said Lynnfield coach Scott MacKenzie afterwards.

George Coryell got to the basket four straight times to key the Clippers separation run. I mentioned George to Newburyport coach Dave Clay and all he said was, “Wow!”

Casey McLaren (22 pts) had seventeen in the first half

George took the ball to the basket throughout the game but in the final quarter there was no help from other Pioneers’ defenders. Why? “They paired George Coryell with Casey McLaren on the wing, so we couldn’t offer help,” said Coach MacKenzie, “It was a smart play.”

Anyone playing Newburyport (6-1) knows the trouble 6-5 Casey McLaren can cause. And the junior caused plenty of that in the first half with seventeen points. “Casey kept us in the game in the first half,” said Coach Clay.

Casey has the size to shoot over players and the driving skills to thwart perimeter overplays. What I didn’t see was him posting the undersized Pioneers in close to the basket.

Casey finished with twenty-two points. Teammates Ryan Archer (17) and George Coryell (16) reached double figures.

Billy Arseneault (16 pts) defended by George Coryell

I saw Lynnfield twice last year and was quickly dazzled by #11 (Billy Arseneault). “Billy is a phenomenal plaer,” said Coach Clay. “We did our best to contain him but he’s going to have points.”

Billy ended up with sixteen points. The senior was the Player-of-the-Year in the CAL Kinney Division last season.

Billy not only shoots well but he is also a terrific dribbler and passer. He isn’t Kyrie Irving, but he sure looked like the Celtic guard on some of the plays he made against Newburyport.

Zach Shone led the Pioneers with twenty points. He led Lynnfield in chasing down offensive rebounds.

“They had extra chances,” said Coach Clay, “but it wasn’t due to a lack of effort on our part. We need to work on rebounding in practice.”

Zach Shone (20 pts) and Billy Arseneault

The Pioneers graduated nine seniors off last season’s 18-5 team. “We’re trying to find our bench,” said Coach MacKenzie. “We are really only playing five kids and we got tired at the end of this game.”

Coach Clay has great respect for Scott MacKenzie: “I think Lynnfield has the best coach in the league.”

This is Coach Clay’s first year coaching at the school he teaches at. “I am still trying to get to know the team.”

Newburyport went from a 5-point third quarter to a 31-point fourth quarter.

Lynnfield (4-2) certainly didn’t help themselves at the foul line missing twelve of twenty-eight attempts. It is always a challenge shooting free throws with the Nbpt student section under the basket. Matt Mortellite missed four straight facing the hostile crowd in the second quarter.

It was the first time I have seen Newburyport cheerleaders at a basketball game.

(All of the pictures will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)