RallyNorth.net

LAWRENCE — Four score and four wins to go, Central Catholic's bounding ballers kept their postseason drive alive, rumbling past Lowell High, 61-49, in the Division 1 North quarterfinals before about 1,500 crazed fans here last night.

Franklin Martinez lit up Lowell for 25 points and five 3-pointers and Yadoris Arias and Danny Gonzalez pumped in 12 each as Lawrence rolled 77-69.

James Costello grabbed 14 rebounds and Connor Merinder added 12 as Andover boys basketball won 48-38 over Lowell.

Merinder also recorded seven blocks. 

Unbeaten Central Catholic, which is ranked first in all the EMass. and statewide polls, trailed by 12 at the half and never could catch up in a 62-56 shocker to Lowell. Central had won 22 straighht games vs. MVC teams dating back to a loss to Andover in the 2010 Greater Lawrence Christmas Tourney. The Raiders had won 53 straight MVC regular-season games since losing to Lowell on Jan. 16 2008.

After trailing all game, Andover finally caught Lowell with nine seconds remaining on a Sam Dowden basket.  But a foul sent Lowell to the line for two free throws and both were coverted. The Golden Warriors could not score on its final trip down and lost 50-49.