LYNN — Well, like many, this one was a game of runs. KIPP coach Moody Bey will be the first to tell you that.

But in No. 26 KIPP’s 56-39 preliminary win (MIAA Division 4) against No. 39 Whitinsville Christian (Worcester County) Monday night, Bey said it was more about the “base hits” than the “home runs.”

“Who’s going to get the 4-0 runs, the 6-2 runs?” Bey asked his team.

“Home runs are nice, but you don’t need them. I think we got a lot more base hits,” he said. “I told them that they’re going to go on their runs, and we’re going to go on ours.”

By the final buzzer, KIPP made more contact, punching its ticket to Thursday night’s Round of 32 matchup against No. 7 Clinton (6:30 p.m.).

“These kids worked hard, all year, for this moment,” Bey said. “They’re really excited.”

Trosky Peña led KIPP’s charge with 16 points. A junior and primary ball-handler, Peña controlled the pace and dictated the offense.

But to Bey, “That’s just Trosky.”

“He’s talented. I think he’s the best player on the court a lot of the time,” Bey said. “He knows the right play. Every time he’s on the court, we know we have a chance.”

Caleb Bior’s three-ball with 40 seconds remaining may have been the dagger, but it was the third quarter that did the trick.

KIPP – which led by just nine points (23-14) at halftime – extended the lead to 41-26 after three.

Between a bank-shot three from Peña, steal-and-score from Viccee Howard, and-one finish from Tolu Abosede, and corner triple from Ryan Damian, all momentum belonged to the hosts.

“Everybody stepped up. We were really locked in,” Bey said. “Jalen (Guscott), Sylvester (Ogbemudia), Trosky, and Tolu, too,” Bey said. “He’s (Abosede) a fan favorite – he gets me excited.”

Bey applauded Guscott for eliminating the opposing big men.

“He probably saved 15 points alone tonight, just by doing things that don’t show up on the statsheet,” Bey said. “Just by doing the right thing.”

When asked if the offense or defense impressed him most, Bey was quick to respond.

“Defense wins playoff games,” Bey said. “All season, they’ve been really tough and physical.”

Speaking of defense, KIPP allowed just eight points in the first quarter and six in the second.

“In the halfcourt, I think we dominated the paint,” Bey said. “I think we made it really tough.”

The state tournament comes with its fair share of surprises, but despite the unfamiliar opponent, Bey and his young coaching staff felt “fully prepared.” 

“I’m a little crazy,” Bey said with a smile. “When I started seeing the power rankings, I started watching film on so many teams that we might play. Luckily, I watched a good amount of film on these guys, probably six or seven games in completion.”

The Panthers, 11-10, have three days to prepare for Clinton, which sports a 17-3 record.

“We want to win a state championship,” Bey said.