Step aside, Lawone Bennett.
Dino Mallios is now the number one scorer in Winthrop High boys basketball history.
The dynamic Dino crossed the threshold into Viking immortality, fittingly with a three pointer, in Friday’s 54-52 victory over Beverly, to eclipse Bennett’s previous career mark of 1261 points.
Dyno’ Dino would finish the game with 17 points as the Vikings eked out a close one over the Panthers, who had led most of the way, only to find themselves on the short end when the final buzzer sounded.
A basket by Mark Jenkins with 25 seconds to play and a big free throw by Gavin Mahoney down the stretch provided Winthrop with the final margin of victory in its closest game against an opponent other than its two losses to Lynn English and Lynn Classical.
Jake Connors had a nice double double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Mahoney chipped in with eight points and Will Milano added seven.
Tuesday night’s win over Marblehead allowed WHS head coach Dave Brown to breathe a bit easier as his club cruised past the Magicians, Winthrop’s closest rival for the Northeastern Conference South Division title, by a 63-46 decision.
Winthrop took control at the outset and never looked back. Mallios added onto his career scoring mark with 18 points. Rob Swanson, Winthrop’s designated long range missileman, connected on five treys for 15 points, while Jenkins added 12 and Connors hit for nine. Sophomore Quinton Dale saw some playing time in the final period and scored five points.
The Vikings, who improved to 15-2 on the season, have a four game lead in the NEC South with four league games to play, which means that just one win will give them the outright league title.Winthrop will take to the road to Swampscott on Friday and to Danvers on Tuesday.