Pinno, Farrell hit 1,000 as Laconia downs Randolph

Monday night was a unique, special night in Randolph.

Laconia basketball teammates Ethan Pinno and Cash Farrell both eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in the Spartans 65-59 nonconference win.

Pinno was the 11th and Farrell the 12th to reach the mark in Laconia's rich basketball history.

Both players said they had inspirations within their families that helped to drive them in their basketball success. Farrell said he has always had the goal to pass his dad's record.

"This is a moment that I've been waiting for for a really long time," Farrell said. "I've always wanted to beat my dad's record. It's just super fun to have my family here and everyone to see me hit 1,000."

Cody Farrell was the leading scorer on Laconia's 1997 state runner-up team and finished with 1,005 career points. Cash now sits at 1,010.

Pinno's uncles are Derek and Tyler Semenas, who graduated in 2009 and 2013, respectively. Both of them were 1,200-point scorers at Laconia. Derek went on to play professionally in Denmark.

"It means a lot," Pinno said. "Since [I was] a little kid watching my uncles, you know, [I] always wanted to get there and get where they were.

"Definitely, the work ethic [was key]. Getting in the gym every day in the summer and just pushing myself to the limits."

Pinno scored Laconia's first eight points to reach the milestone within the first couple minutes. Farrell, who was battling illness, reached the mark late in the first half.

Pinno finished with a team-high 22 and Farrell scored 15.

Within the fanfare of the night, there was still a basketball game to try to win against a physical Randolph team with its leading scorer Nick Medema.

Despite Laconia forcing the 6-foot-7 senior into tough shots, Medema finished with a game-high 31 and kept Randolph (7-9) in the game down the stretch.

"Credit to Randolph, it was a heck of a game," coach Dylan Wurtz said. "They are physical and tested us in a lot of ways. We knew that would be the case, they do it all the time."

The game was tied at 57 with 1:19 left when Farrell secured an offensive rebound and made the putback. Laconia (13-2) never trailed again as both Farrell and Pinno hit clutch bonus free throws in the final minute to secure the win.

"Making free throws, taking care of the ball and closing down the gaps on [Medema], he was hitting some really good shots so we just had to close it down," Pinno said.

After missing his first two free throws in the game, Farrell made nine of his last 10.

Wurtz said it was another example of his team showing its ability to close.

"I like how we've closed games and hit free throws down the stretch here," Wurtz said. "We did a nice job of executing what we needed to do to win the game and got some defensive stops."

Laconia had built a 39-29 halftime lead by going on an 11-0 run to end the first half, which included a pair of Cam Smit steals, leading to transition baskets. Smit finished with four steals.

Both Smit and Nick Blank finished with 10 points.

PHOTO GALLERY: Laconia at Randolph boys basketball - 1/27/2025