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Lawrence KOs defending state champ

Wednesday, March, 07 By By Bill Burt
Sports editor

NORTH ANDOVER — It wasn't home, but it sure felt that way for the Lawrence High boys basketball team.

Only this time the "Crozier Crazies," named for North Andover High's student section at the Howard Crozier Gymnasium, was taken over by what seemed like the entire city of Lawrence.

And they needed it.

The Lawrence High Lancers held on for dear life, eventually defeating the two-time defending Div. 1 state champion Cambridge Rindge & Latin, 68-65, before a full house in nearby North Andover.

Lawrence, now 22-2, faces off with top-seeded Everett High (22-1), which beat Lowell, 61-58, in the Div. 1 North final at Tsongas Arena at 7:30 p.m.

"(The crowd) was amazing," said Lawrence junior Luis Reynoso, whose recorded 20 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks, while playing only 19 minutes last night. "It meant a lot, having our city here for us; the alumni; our students."

Cambridge entered the game with a pair of 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-4 center/forwards in Khai Smith and Solomon Hearn respectively compared to Lawrence's speedy unit, which includes 6-foot-5 Reynoso.

"That's their game, pounding the ball down low," said Reynoso. "They're tough and they're strong." 

While an amazingly close game, Lawrence only trailed once, 15-14, early in the second quarter.

Lawrence led, but it was back and forth, with the teams trading incredible hoop after incredible hoop until early in the fourth quarter when Lawrence appeared ready to pull away when Reynoso scored eight straight points en route to leads of 58-47, with 5:02 remaining, and then 61-48, with 4:20 remaining.

But a few sloppy misses and turnovers (a travel and stolen inbounds pass), and a few big shots by Cambridge, and the defending champs clawed their way back within 67-65, with 12.0 seconds remaining as Crozier Gymnasium was at fever pitch. 

In fact, Cambridge was in position to try and tie the game after Lawrence junior Chris Ruiz made one of two free throws (68-65) with nine seconds remaining. But it never got the shot off as Juan Felix Rodriguez (21 points) and Reynoso forced a steal and Lawrence got its berth to the sectional title game.

"That's what happens when you go up against the defending champions who have a history in these games," said Lawrence High coach Raymond Nunez. "Cambridge came back. The fought hard. They have a lot of pride. I wasn't surprised they made a game of it."

While Rodriguez and Reynoso have been the stars for Lawrence the entire season, including last night, Ruiz, could've been considered the third cog in Lawrence's version of the Big 3, hitting three 3-pointers, including two from 30 feet away.

Ruiz finished with 19 points coming off the bench.

"When Juan (Rodriguez) and Luis (Reynoso) are playing together, like they did tonight, they make their teammates better," said Coach Nunez. "Chris got some shots and made them tonight. That's how you win as a team, with everybody contributing. He scores 15 points a game for us. So we need others, like Jaden Castillo (5 points, 5 assists, 3 steals). When we trust each other, we are a good team."

A year ago, a 14-7 Lawrence team was nipped by an undefeated Cambridge team, 50-46. What was the difference last night?

"We're better," said Rodriguez. "We are a better team. We understand each other. We were ready this time."

The "home" court advantage didn't hurt.

"That's what happens when you earn the respect of people, they wait in line for 15 minutes to get tickets," said Coach Nunez. "It was a great night. But we have more work to do."

You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.