Harris leads the way with 21 points in 89-56 win over Northeast Regional

Ryan Harris was an All-Northeastern Conference offensive tackle for the Winthrop High School football team this fall. That successful season ended with a big win over Revere on Thanksgiving.

Harris is now helping the WHS basketball team win games. A 6-foot-2-inch starting center, Harris scored 21 points as the Vikings defeated Northeast, 89-56, in the home opener on the Chris Tsiotos Court.

“Without a doubt, we played our best basketball of the season,” said head coach Michael Triant. “We played unselfish team basketball. We moved the ball well, got out on transition, and we had higher percentage shots. That’s the lesson from this game.”

Harris scored 16 of his 21 points in the first half. “He couldn’t miss,” said Triant. “Ryan played in the high post against their zone and any shot he took, it went in the hoop.”

Triant said he followed the Winthrop High football team’s season.

“Ryan had a great football season,” said Triant. “Sometimes it takes a couple of weeks for the football players to get their basketball legs, but Ryan is in high gear now.”

Sophomore guard George Galuris, also an All-Conference football player, contributed 15 points and eight assists to the winning effort. Andrew Faretra hit four 3-pointers on his way to 16 points. “When Andrew plays with confidence, I tell him he’s one of the best athletes on the floor,” said Triant. “He had himself a game, and hopefully it carries forward.” Team captain Zach Bogusz, who is off to fast start in the new season, had 12 points. Demetri Koutsouflakis had nine points while Alex Daigneault (11 rebounds) and Jeremy Matias (9 rebounds) controlled the glass. Winthrop (3-2) was set to play Saugus High in the opening round of the David Green Memorial Basketball Tournament Wednesday. The semifinal victors (Revere plays East Boston in the other bracket) will meet Thursday at 2 p.m. for the title.