RallyNorth.net

Balanced Lawrence advances

Tuesday, February, 26 By Jeff Hamrick

LAWRENCE – Any observers from Lynn English who were on hand Tuesday night scouting its quarterfinal opponent left knowing the top-seeded Bulldogs will be facing a team more dangerous than they probably anticipated.

Looking more like the defending Division 1 North finalist it was a year ago than the ninth-seed handed them this season, Lawrence shook off a rugged start with a balanced offense that displayed composure down the stretch for an 83-76 over Lexington.

“I think we’re coming together,” said sophomore Gabriel Zorrilla, who scored six of his career-high 18 in the first 3 minutes of the fourth. “I think when something’s on the line for us, that’s when we lock in and play harder. We were playing like that a little bit in (winning) the Christmas tournament, but then we got away from that some. We were slacking a little bit, but we’re getting back together.”

After losing three of their final four regular-season games, the Lancers (15-6) stumbled early as Lexington (14-7) scored the game’s first nine points. But Jaden Castillo sparked a 20-4 run as Lawrence took a seven-point lead with 75 seconds left in the first.

The second period had three early lead changes, but Lexington took a 43-37 halftime lead as senior guard Jazin Ayala poured in 19 of his 32 points in the opening two quarters.

“The kids played hard in the beginning, but they played with no purpose,” Lawrence coach Moose Moore said. “We had a game plan going in, and it was like we completely forgot about it. I think it was because it was the first time for a lot of kids in the state tournament … We talked about what we had to adjust at halftime, and they came out focused. When they play hard and focused it’s a whole different team … it’s like night and day.”

With six different players providing buckets, the Lancers fought off an early 10-point third-quarter deficit, using a 12-3 closing spurt. They grabbed the lead for good when Zorrillo capped a fast break before an Angel Herrera three at the buzzer put the Lancers up 64-59. It was Herrera’s third trey of the quarter.

“I wanted be locked in for the playoffs,” said Herrera, who added another in the fourth and had a career-high 14. “Coach Moose just tells us to stay together because everyone doubts us and they don’t think we can make it.”

Zorrilla fourth-quarter burst provided a 73-65 lead with 5 minutes remaining. The Minutemen (14-7) closed to within two a couple minutes later, but the Lancer’s balance came through again. Brandon Goris made four consecutive free throws, Castillo hit a pull-up and Christian Moscat hit a runner for his only bucket of the night and an 81-76 lead with 29 seconds left. Brian Martir, who had three huge offensive rebounds in the closing period, finished it off with a layup.

Other Lancers in double figures were Castillo (16), Goris (12 with eight rebounds and six assists) and Jeremiah Melendez (10 and four assists).

“Hopefully, this will provide us momentum going into (the quarters),” Moore said. “I think (the chemistry) has been building all year. They’re buying in completely and doing everything I ask. I think fatigue played a part for Lexington because we pressed all game.”

Lawrence travels to Lynn for a 7 p.m. start on Friday.

“Friday is going to be as big a game as we’ve played all year,” Moore said. “I think Lynn English (18-2) is the best team in the state. They’re at least the best team I’ve seen, and they don’t have any weaknesses. We’ll practice hard for two days and get ready to go on the road.”