LYNN — The KIPP boys basketball team hosted Bishop Fenwick on Martin Luther King Jr. Day with the Panthers coming out with a 57-45 win over the Crusaders. 

Despite winning by double digits, KIPP had a tough start to the game only scoring six first-quarter points. However, Fenwick couldn’t capitalize on KIPP’s slow start and only led by four points going into the second quarter (10-6). 

According to Crusaders coach Kevin Moran, their lack of energy was the biggest takeaway from the defeat. 

“I just said to the coaching staff, I’ve been coaching probably close to 30 years, and for some reason, today’s effort I was unable to get us to compete on an energy level,” Moran said. “We just didn’t have energy today. It starts with me. It’s my job to make sure they’re ready to go.” 

For KIPP coach Moody Bey, he had to remind his team to “remember who they are” to snap them back into rhythm after the first quarter. 

“I told them to remember who we are. I think sometimes we get lost in the scouting report and focus on what the other team does well so we can stop that. Then we don’t spend enough time pinpointing on what we do and who we are,” Bey said. “When we started to focus on us, it sparked the kids and it got us back to our core principles.” 

The advice worked. KIPP Went on a 17-5 run to open the quarter. Tolu Abosede scored six points during the run. 

“He’s our x-factor. He’s really fun to coach,” Bey said. “When his energy is good, he can produce in ways that show up outside of the stat sheet. I think he scored nine points, but his impact was huge.” 

The Panthers led at half 25-21. 

In the third quarter, Fenwick found its shooting touch and started to gain momentum. Senior James Meklis (12 points) started to find his rhythm making multiple mid-range jumpers. In addition to Meklis, Jimmy Vahey (15 points and 13 rebounds) found his spots in the post and controlled the glass for the Crusaders. 

Moran spoke highly of Vahey’s rebounding ability and effort, especially in recent games. 

“The one problem we have is that we’re putting so much pressure on Jimmy to get the rebounds,” Moran said. “He’s our leading rebounder for us and he had 14 rebounds today. His effort has been really good all year. He had 15 points too. Jimmy played well for us the last couple of games.”

For every Fenwick run, the Panthers answered with a run. And when KIPP needed a basket, they turned to Jaylen Guscott. 

Guscott scored 14 points and used his athletic ability to get to the rim and finish through contact. 

The Panthers had a three-point lead to start the fourth quarter, and they didn’t look back. KIPP expanded its lead and went home with the win 57-45. 

“The funny thing is we played St. Mary’s the other day terrific for three quarters. The energy in that gym and our effort was great,” Moran said after the game. “The effort is there. They’re capable of doing it, it’s just on me to extract it.” 

“Our energy aside from the first quarter was good. I thought everyone played well and played hard. I think it was a step in the right direction,” Bey said.

Bey previously mentioned that KIPP scheduled tougher games to prepare them for the postseason. Now Bey said he’s starting to see the team compete at a higher level because of the experience. 

“Whenever we go and scout and see that a team presses, we look back and talk about when we played Lynn English and know that is what a press looks like. Or if we play a team that shoots the ball well, we think back to the Peabody games who have one of the best backcourts in the North Shore so we know what shooters look like,” Bey said. “

Moran praised KIPP and its athletic ability. 

“They (KIPP) played terrific and it’s great that we played them. They’re very athletic and well coached,” Moran said.

KIPP’s next game is on the road when it travels to Greater Lawrence for a 5:30 p.m. game. Bishop Fenwick is also on the road on the same day as it travels to Cathedral with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m.