Newton North squeaks by Lawrence in thriller, 55-54

LAWRENCE >> Newton North once again finds itself on the doorstep of the state title game.

Adam Landry scored 14 points and Jose Padilla added 13 as No. 7 Newton North held off a furious rally from No. 2 Lawrence and knocked off the

Lancers, 55-54, in front of a jam-packed crowd on Friday night at Lawrence High School.

Newton North (20-5) will play Worcester North in the Division 1 state semifinals. The Tigers are in search of their second consecutive state final appearance.

“Lawrence is such a great defensive team they pressure on the ball so well and we were fortunate to get them in foul trouble,” Newton North coach Paul Connolly said. “Our guys did a tremendous job in that environment to just control the game.”

On the heels of baskets from Landry and Padilla, the Tigers took a 34-26 lead going into the fourth.

Newton North’s lead got as large as 10, 38-28, on a Landry layup with 5:50 left but Lawrence came storming back. A Braylin Castillo three-pointer and two at the free throw line from Marius Canery (16 points) cut the lead to 42-38 with 3:15 left.

Ahead 46-43, Newton North grabbed crucial breathing room when Tyler Randall drilled a trey, but

Brendan Ocasio hit one of his own to pull Lawrence back within three.

Danny Reyes brought the Lancers to within one, 5049, on a triple after Newton North split a pair, but Landry and Teegan Swift each canned clutch free throws to seal the win.

“Adam and Teegan both were just huge tonight steadying the game, and then Jose just has a way about him in keeping everyone even keeled,” Connolly said.

Newton North held a 12-7 lead after one, but Canery poured in 8 points to get the Lancers within a pair. Lawrence grabbed the edge before the break as Castillo hit a late three-pointer to put the Lancers up 21-20 at the break.

PHOTO BY AMANDA SABGA — MEDIANEWS GROUP/BOSTON HERALD Newton North’s Victor Caira (20) attempts to block a shot from Lawrence’s Igor Gonzalez before a huge crowd Friday night in Lawrence. Newton North advanced with a thrilling 55-54 win.

PHOTO BY AMANDA SABGA — MEDIANEWS GROUP/BOSTON HERALD Lawrence’s Danny Reyes, right, pushes away Newton North’s Dillon Taylor during a state tournament boys basketball clash. Visiting Newton North pulled out a 55-44 victory in Lawrence.

PHOTO BY AMANDA SABGA — MEDIANEWS GROUP/BOSTON HERALD Newton North teammates celebrate a play against Lawrence during state tournament play Friday in Lawrence. Before a large crowd, Newton North won, 55-54.