Lynn Tech’s Giovanni Jean rises up for the layup as Saugus’ Chris Flynn contests the shot. (Libby O’Neill)
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SAUGUS — Saugus hosted Lynn Tech Monday evening in an epic rematch that didn’t disappoint. Earlier this season, the Tigers edged the Sachems in extra time 62-61. However in spherical two, the Sachems bought revenge, successful in extra time 70-64.
Saugus was down six coming into the fourth quarter, and irrespective of what number of occasions Tech went on a run, the Sachems all the time had a solution. The Tigers’ Ederick Gonzalez (9 factors) bought the Tech supporters on their toes after a robust layup, plus the foul. After making the free throw, Gonzalez confirmed his presence on the defensive finish with a block, and took the ball 80 toes earlier than dishing it off for an help to offer the Tigers a 10-point lead.
The Sachems didn’t give up. After a Saugus timeout from head coach Joe Bertrand, Ben Tapia-Gately (19 factors) made a transition three-point shot. Isaiah Rodriguez, on the subsequent possession, stole the ball from the Tigers and dished it to Max Anajjar (16 factors) who bought fouled and made each free throws to chop the Tigers’ result in 5 (55-50).
“I instructed the staff – good groups discover a manner. They didn’t hand over. They stored working onerous,” Bertrand mentioned. “We didn’t let their runs trouble us; we simply performed our recreation.”
Each groups had been within the bonus with 2:30 left within the fourth quarter, and it got here right down to free throws. The Sachems had been excellent on the line with each Anajjar and Josh Osawe (19 factors) making a pair within the last minutes.
Tech was up 61-58 with lower than a minute left and had two free throws to ice the sport – however missed each.
With 14 seconds left, Saugus senior ahead Chris Flynn hoisted up a deep three and hit nothing however web to tie the sport at 61, erupting the house supporters.
“He’s shooter. I preserve telling him, if he’s open, to shoot it. He missed a pair however he made the one which counted,” Bertrand mentioned.
Each groups had a possibility to win it in regulation, however the Tigers traveled with two seconds left, giving Saugus another likelihood. A ravishing play bought Osawe open for a layup on the rim, however it rimmed out, giving the gang some free basketball.
“We simply turned the ball over an excessive amount of,” Tigers’ head coach Corey Bingham mentioned. “ We have now to offer credit score to Saugus’ protection. They pressured us and we turned it over.”
Each groups had been chilly to begin extra time with each lacking their first two pictures. Tapia-Gately made considered one of two free throws to offer Saugus an early lead 62-61.
One play that boosted the gang was when Anajjar missed a 3 pointer, tracked down the rebound, and made a layup as he was falling to the bottom to offer the Sachems a 66-61 lead with 41 seconds left.
After Anajjar’s basket, it was as much as Saugus to make its free throws. Each Anajjar and Rodriguez iced the sport for the Sachems, and the win was solidified.
Within the first half, Tech managed a lot of the recreation. Each defenses – for almost all of the primary quarter – lived as much as expectations, making life troublesome for the opposite aspect. With a pair minutes left within the first, the Tigers discovered some life on the offensive finish due to Andy Batista (22 factors), who went on a 7-0 run by himself.
“That’s what Andy does. He’s an all-around nice participant. He bought it going for us. He stored us within the recreation, he stored us alive. That’s huge for a freshman to try this in this kind of ambiance,” Bingham mentioned.
Regardless of the loss, Bingham believes enjoying in this kind of surroundings will assist the Tigers come playoff time.
“Saugus did a fantastic job filling the gang and filling the health club to make it onerous for us. Nothing was straightforward,” Bingham mentioned. “It’s a fantastic studying expertise for the gamers and training workers.”