Many of us expected the split-personality Lynn Classical Rams to survive their opening round Division 2 North meeting at home against Middlesex League foe Wakefield last night. But those of us so inclined were wrong.
Wakefield (10-9) overcame a 30-21 third quarter deficit, making three of four free throws in the closing seconds and tipped Classical, 49-46. The Warriors thus earned the right to face top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Danvers Friday night at 7 in the DHS Fieldhouse in a round of 16 game starting at 7 p.m.
“Classical may seem the better team on paper,” Danvers coach John Walsh had said after the pairings were announced Saturday, but Wakefield has several solid players and could give Classical a tough game.”
Walsh was right.
Classical had 10 days earlier shocked Division 1 Lynn English and several weeks back had given Danvers all it could handle in Danvers before losing, 67-56, but the West Lynners were not up to the task last night against Wakefield, due in large part to being held to 18 rebound and 37% shooting from the floor. There game was tied with two minutes left.