RallyNorth.net

LAWRENCE — In a defensive-oriented game loaded with steals, turnovers and fouls, it was an innocent traveling call on Central Catholic that might have been biggest play of the game. Central defeated Peabody, 59-41, last night to advance to the Division 1 North semifinals against Masconomet Regional, which beat Andover High, 49-45, in Topsfield last night. But the final score doesn’t tell the story. Not even close. With Central leading 37-33 and Peabody with all of the momentum with 1:52 remaining in the third quarter, Central’s No. 1 star last night, Amanda Williams, was called for traveling. It came immediately after she took a pass and turned up court. The key part of the play was her elbow grazed the left eye of Peabody’s No. 1 star last night, 6-foot-2 senior Carolyn Scacchi. Blood started dripping out. She had a three-inch gash and was forced to leave the game and get bandaged up. Central immediately scored six straight point before a last-second hoop closed the quarter at 43-35. Scacchi returned to the game early in the fourth quarter as Peabody roared back, trailing 44-40, thanks to a Scacchi free throw and jumper. But when blood started dripping down Scacchi’s face, she had to leave the game again and head back to the trainer’s room. Peabody’s legendary coach Jane Heil called a timeout, hoping Scacchi would be back. She never returned and Central took full advantage, running off 13 straight points. Scacchi led all scorers with 19 points, despite missing most of the second half. “I feel for Carolyn and Peabody,” said Central coach Sue Downer. “You hate to see that, especially a player like her. She was killing us. We definitely were able to take advantage when she was out.” Central’s defense and Williams deserve some kudos, too. With Alex Nagri leading the defensive charge, Peabody had trouble getting the ball over half-court. Williams had 12 of her 17 points in the second half. With Courtney Walsh on the bench in the first half with two fouls for most of the first half, senior Caitlin Dell’Orfano carried the load with 14 of her 17 points. In the end, it wasn’t pretty, but Central’s defense delivered during crunch time. Peabody didn’t convert on one 3-pointer the entire game. “It was a great game for our defense overall,” said Downer. “(Scacchi) went coast to coast and scored on a layup. That’s unacceptable. But I’ve told the girls that everything we do is based on playing tough defense. Our offense starts with our defense.” Central 59, Peabody 41 Peabody (41): Alperin 0-1-1, A.Lomansney 2-2-6, Hosman 3-2-8, Matthews 1-0-2, Summitt 2-1-5, Scacchi 9-1-19, Totals 17-7-41 Central Catholic (59): Courtney Walsh 2-0-4, Alex Nagri 2-1-7, Amanda Williams 6-5-17, Joy Toni 1-0-2, Madison Borrelli 0-2-2, Natasha Santana 0-2-2, Caitlin Dell’Orfano 6-4-17, Halle Tierney 1-0-2, Nicole Wiggins 1-4-6, Totals 20-17-59 Peabody (16-6): 9-12-14-6—41 Central (20-1): 12-16-15-16—59 3-pointers: P — none; CC — Dell’Orfano 2, Nagri 2