RallyNorth.net

LOWELL | KB Oshodi couldn't believe what he saw.

Before Central Catholic took the court at Tsongas Arena last night, Big Shot Billy Marsden was sweating bullets.

"Before the game, he told me he was nervous, but I don't think that's true," Oshodi said. "When he hits the court, he just has a different mindset."

LOWELL | An epic disaster was brewing for Central Catholic before more than 5,500 fans in the Division 1 North final here at Tsongas Arena.

The Raiders, who were outscored 14-0 in a nearly seven-minute span from late in the third until 6:16 of the fourth quarter, simply wouldn't let it happen.

Central Catholic junior Billy Marsden may be known more for his jump shot than his physical play, but you might have a hard time convincing Lowell of that.

The 5-foot-10 Marsden, who played limited minutes in a 61-53 loss to Lowell just 11 days earlier because of an ailing ankle, slashed his way to 14 of his team-high 20 points in the second half, including 10 points in the pivotal fourth quarter, as Central (11-1, 8-1 MVC) knocked Lowell (13-1, 9-1) from the ranks of the unbeaten, 72-66.

LOWELL — If anything can be taken from Raider Rumble I here at the Riddick Field House, it's that unbeaten Lowell High knows how to close.

The 10-0 Red Raiders took charge in the MVC Large with a 20-4 fourth-quarter barrage, sending Central Catholic to its first loss of the year, 61-53, before a standing-room crowd of about 1,500 last night.