By SCOT COOPER
The Lynn Classical boys basketball team is off to a good start this winter.
The Rams had five players in double figures Saturday as the traveled to Salem State to defeat Somerville, 74-71, for their second win of the season.
Gilbert Minaya led the way with 18, followed by Jalen Johnson with 17 and Edwin Solis with 15.
Malden 56 Marblehead 51
At Salem State Saturday, the Magicians dropped to 1-2. Co-captain Patrick Bugler tossed in 23 points for Marblehead. Bo Millett, the other captain said that the team has to shoot better from the floor moving forward.
“We still have a bunch of guys that are making the move from football to basketball, we’re getting there,” Millett said. Marblehead will play its first home game of the season when they host Winthrop Tuesday.
Everett 86 Salem 48
The Witches lost to a very solid Crimson Tide team at home Saturday. Nate Ledron was high-scorer for Salem, knocking down 16 points to go with two steals and four rebounds. The Witches will be in Swampscott Tuesday night.
St. John’s 60 Pope John 45
The Eagles (2-0) won it behind 20 points from Nate Hobbs. Senior captain Brett McNiff snatched 11 rebounds and blocked four shots. The Eagles will be in Lynn on Friday night to play St. Mary’s.
Postponement
Snow forced postponement of the Saugus-Portland, Maine game Saturday. The Sachems (1-1) will look for win No. two in Gloucester Monday night.
WRESTLING
St. John’s 57, Salem, NH, 15
St. John’s 32, Lawrence 32
The Eagles improved to 7-0. Ben Klein (182), Sam Blizard (145), John McNaught (138), Zach Alexander (132), Malcolm Mitchell (126), Ryan Garlitz (113) and Quinn Alexander (106), all had wins on the mat for the Eagles.
Anthony Lisitano Tournament
Swampscott-Marbleheaed
At Wakefield High, eighth-grader Nick Sirota (106) finished in second place after beating Ryan Brown from Catholic Memorial. Senior captain Stephen Hopkins (138) finished third in his weight class and need two more victories for 100 on his career.
Saugus had one winner. Mike Titus (113) went 4-0 on the day and won his weight class.
Lynnfield-North Reading senior captain Connor Stead picked up the first major tournament win of his career Saturday at tournament. Stead upended top-seeded Ryan Smith of Wakefield in the final, pinning Smith in 5:24. Stead was one of seven Black and Gold wrestlers who placed in the meet, three of whom were freshmen.
“We haven’t had a freshman place in this meet since 2001, so to have three place today was quite impressive,” coach Craig Stone said.
Stuart Glover (106) led the freshmen trio with a fourth place finish, while Timothy Leggett (120) and Sean McCullough (160) finished fifth. Anthony Wilkinson (182, 4th) and Kevin Farrelly (195, 6th) were first-time place winners, Glover’s older brother Will Glover (126, 4th) also placed. Lynnfield-North Reading finished seventh, with 17 teams participating in the tournament.
Sons of Italy Tournament
Peabody had a couple of wrestlers place Saturday. Freshman Phil Mackmoki (195) finished third, and senior Ben Caputo (220) finished fourth in his weight class. Peabody will hit the mat next on Wednesday night against Beverly.