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O'Connell shatters St. John's Prep scoring record

Friday, February, 15 By Mike Grenier
Staff writer

Ryan O'Connell had a lot of basketball fans on his side last night in his successful quest to become the all-time leading scorer at St. John's Prep.

First, there was his family. Then there was head coach Dan Letarte and the rest of the St. John's Prep team. The vast majority of the Ipswich High basketball team also showed up to see O'Connell, who lives in Ipswich.

O'Connell gave them what they wanted, and then some, scoring 31 points as the Prep held off Malden, 77-73, on Senior Night at St. John's.

The 6-foot-3 sharpshooting guard needed just four points to break Matt Symmes' career total of 1,242. O'Connell broke the record with a layup on a fast break with guard Brendon Felder with about six minutes left in the half. The 31 points upped O'Connell's career total to 1,270 points. "It's an awesome feeling," said O'Connell, who was 11 for 18 shooting, including 5 for 8 on threes. "Brendon wanted that assist really bad and Andrew Knight (a career-high 20 points) was remarkable for us.

"This game kind of reminded me of the night I reached 1,000 (earlier this season). The record was on everybody's mind and I just wanted to get it over with. I missed some shots in the first quarter but in the second quarter I just started focusing on making them. There are no other personal goals. Everything is team-oriented."

Felder chipped in nine points for the Eagles, who outscored Malden 29-11 in the second quarter to take a 39-28 halftime lead. O'Connell scored 25 of his 31 points in second and third quarters.

"We wish Ryan had come to our school, but he made the right choice going to the Prep," said Ipswich coach Doug Woodworth, who had the bulk of his team there. "He's such a great kid and that's why everyone is happy for him." O'Connell was touched that Woodworth and so many of his players showed up.

"Like coach Letarte said, that's such a classy move by Ipswich," said O'Connell. "In some communities, they'd be mad that you left town to play elsewhere."

Letarte pointed out that the Eagles finished with a season-high 21 assists on 26 baskets. He liked the fact that O'Connell scored in the flow of the game.

"Ryan was really patient and let the game come to him," said Letarte. "He really deserves this record because of what he's put into the game. His quote before the game was, 'Let's get this win.' Naturally, we're all proud of him." O'Connell, who is headed for Bowdoin College next season, is averaging 24.9 points.

St. John's Prep plays at Danvers tomorrow night (8) in the opening round of the North Shore Invitational. The Eagles have owned the tourney, winning it seven times in 10 years.