METHUEN — St. John's Prep coach John Dullea considered two factors before entering the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic.
And after running away with Saturday night's title, his Eagles checked both of their coach's boxes.
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Boys Basketball, 12/30/17 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
METHUEN — Central Catholic was in danger of losing the game to an inspired Methuen squad.
The Raiders did lose their big man for tonight’s (7:45 p.m.) championship game against St. John’s Prep in the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic.
In a strange contest at the Klimas Field House, Methuen fell behind 16-2 just 3:55 into the semifinal contest on a slam dunk by Kevin Constant (team-high 17 points).
While Constant was joining the Raider Rim-Wreckers Club, Methuen seemed to have no chance.
Missing two starters again (injury, suspension), this figured to be too big a task against the vaunted Raiders.
But funny things happen when Central and Methuen square off.
The Rangers actually led 53-32 after three but then there was a dramatic 180.
All-Scholastic forward Colin Bradanese (16 points) lost his cool 25 seconds into the fourth quarter and kicked a player. He was ejected and he’ll have to sit out Saturday’s finale, too.
Central went into a funk and the Rangers, well, weren’t going to be kicked around any longer.
Senior guard Dante Rivera (10 of his 20 points in the fourth) and unheralded but talented freshman guard Onyeraluobu Chibuogwu (4 points) led a big comeback in Friday’s nightcap.
The Rangers could never quite get it to the point where the Raiders were shaking in their high-tops, but the hosts certainly got their attention.
Jamyl Fricas soared to the hoop for two and Chibuogwu, who is related to ex-Central girls star Jennifer Chuks, added two free throws.
Improbably, the lead was just 8 at 57-49. But Constant went to the rafters for a block and Vanderbilt-bound catcher Dom Keegan (12 points), who had three 3-pointers in the first quarter, and UNH-bound QB Bret Edwards (14 points) cashed in at the line.
That gave Central some breathing room.
First-year Raider coach John Walsh was disappointed in his star’s mental lapse but otherwise was thrilled at his team’s resiliency.
“The incident changed things,” said Walsh. “We have to keep our composure. But I’m so proud of them. They persevered when it got tough. Bret was a leader. Dom was a leader. Kevin Constant played unbelievable.”
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Boys Basketball, 12/29/17 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
METHUEN — Central Catholic won in the barbershop and on the court in opening-round action in the 43rd annual Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic.
Returning Eagle-Tribune Super Teamer Colin Bradanese, who went bleach blonde for the tourney, pumped in 26 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and threw down two dunks while Bret Edwards, wearing a bit of a Samurai Warrior look, added 16 points and a dunk.
They were the two big stars as the top-seeded Raiders (2-0) dealt No. 8 Bishop Guertin of Nashua a 73-45 loss Wednesday.
“We didn’t really play well,” said Bradanese, who had 17 first-half points and played little in the final quarter.
“It took awhile. It was a little disappointing.”
The 6-5, 205-pound senior from Billerica likes to vary his offensive game.
He said, “I try to get inside first. That opens up the outside game. I’ve evolved into a wing player.”
The slams are always fun.
“I got accustomed to it in AAU,” he said. “It gets everyone riled up.”
The next one to join the Raider Rim-Rocker Club could be junior guard Kevin Constant. He scored 10 points and blocked three shots. One he pinned against the backboard, which is more rare than a dunk.
It was a bit of a strange game as BG shot 31 free throws (making 19) while making just 12 field goals. Central went to the line just 14 times.
The Cardinals, who are coached by former state champion Pelham coach Matt Regan, got a strong effort from Yanis Nyantenji (15 points).
Central has a state champion coach of its own in John Walsh, who has big footsteps to follow in Dick Licare (a record 13 Christmas Tourney titles) and then Rick Nault (tied for second with 7 Christmas titles).
While this job obviously comes with sky-high expectations, Walsh, 37, knows a thing or two about winning. He won three state titles in six years at Danvers High.
“I’m just trying to continue the tradition,” said Walsh, who is now 2-0 at Central heading into Friday’s semifinal game with Methuen (7:45 p.m. tip).
“Pressure? Not really. When you’ve done it long enough ... kids are kids.”
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Boys Basketball, 12/27/17 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
