RallyNorth.net

Sachems survive against Reggies

WEST NEWBURY — It took a big second half from Corey McNamara and Pentucket to hold off a Greater Lawrence squad fighting to play at least one more game.

McNamara’s game-high 27 points, with a season-best seven 3-pointers, allowed the Sachems to survive for a 68-62 victory, eliminating the Reggies from the postseason in the process.

“Greater Lawrence was a dangerous team playing for their tournament lives,” said Pentucket head coach Leo Parent. “I hope this gives us some momentum going into the tourney.”

The Sachems (11-9) had lost three of its last five games coming into their regular season finale, but 18 second-half points from McNamara helped boost an eight-point halftime advantage to 11 going into the fourth quarter.

Surging back behind standout guard Donald Celestin (24 points, 11 of 14 from the free throw line), Greater Lawrence (9-11) cut the gap to three in the late stages, and strong Reggie defense forced the Sachems to take a desperation 3. However, senior guard Serge Smaila battled for the offensive rebound and putback for his only basket of the game, giving the Sachems a cushion they would not relinquish.

“I was pretty fortunate to coach a kid with his abilities for four years,” said Reggie head coach Dan Habib of Celestin, who  finishes his high school career with 1,533 points. “It’s unfortunate that he and the other seniors won’t be able to play in the tourney this year.”

“Celestin certainly grabs your attention,” Parent said. “He made you pause every time he had the ball — he can shoot the 3, he can ball handle and create at the basket. To hold him to 24 points was respectable and it’s good to win against a player of that caliber.”